Last week I (Rachel) talked about writing chick literature be it chick, mom, lady, hen, southern, super chick or whatever. There are a wide variety. This week, Prescriptions continues the Lits lesson. Lits have plot, believe it or not. When I started ready chick lit, I could not figure out the plot or true point of the story. But, it’s there. Authors like Sophie Kinsella write high concept plots where almost every thing in the book revolves around a theme like a secret, or money. Here are a few Lit plot tips: Start with a situation, or inciting incident that sets up the story question. “You have a woman with a problem.” She goes on a journey of discovery or to find a solution. Things don’t go as planned. She […]
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Perscriptions: Writing Lits Part 1
During the September 2007 ACFW conference in Dallas, I (Rachel) presented a continuing session on writing Lits. The Book Therapists are bringing those sage lessons to you. 😉 It started with Chick Lit in ’96 with Helen Fielding’s popular “Bridget Jones Diary.” Wilkipedia defines chick lit a genre which features hip, stylish female protagonists, usually in their twenties and thirties, in urban settings (usually London or Manhattan), and follows their love lives and struggles for professional success (often in the publishing, advertising, public relations or fashion industry). The books usually feature an airy, irreverent tone and frank life themes. The genre covers the breadth of the female experience which deals unconventionally with traditional romantic themes of love, courtship and gender. In the USA, lits expanded to Mom Lit, Lady Lit, […]
Read the RestBook Therapists Pick: Marian Keyes
The greatest ways to grow as a writer is by reading. I spent a summer reading selections from the NY Times Best Seller List. Now, not all of them were stellar reads, well written or even slightly engaging. But there was some aspect of the book that intrigued readers. What was it? Even if you’re reading a book that makes you scratch your head and ask, “And they’re published and I’m not?” dig deep to find what does work about the authors story. Story can trump craft many, and most times. That being said, the Book Therapist pick this week is author Marian Keyes. Now, I can’t say I’ve read all of her books, but the ones I have read leave me salivating as a writer. Keyes has a great […]
Read the RestAsk the Doc: Chick verses Women’s Fiction
Here’s a question that’s come to My Book Therapy: “What is the difference between Chick LIt and WF, and how can I decide what genre to use for my book?” What a great question. In fact, I answered this during my Lit Continuing Session at the ACFW Conference. Lits, especially Chick Lit, was birthed in 1996 with Helen Fielding’s “Bridget Jones Diary.” Wilkipedia defines Chick Lit as: the genre covers the breadth of the female experience which deals unconventionally with traditional romantic themes of love and courtship. Lit books usually features hip, stylish female protagonists, usually in their twenties and thirties, in urban settings (usually London or Manhattan), and follows their love lives and struggles for professional success (often in the publishing, advertising, public relations or fashion industry). The books […]
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