The World According to ChickLitGurrl™

Where the WORD is IT :: Editorial/Writing Assistance offered by author, editor, educator Shōn Bacon

CLG is MOVING! March 29, 2009

Filed under: Uncategorized — Shon @ 5:49 pm

Yes.  It is true.  I have officially decided to start my own company, still offering my editorial services, but to branch out and offer more online writing classes, podcasts, and eventually books (both print and electronic) on writing-related topics.

The new site is CLG Entertainment, and you can find it here:  http://clg-entertainment.com.  The site contains the blog still; everything that’s HERE is THERE.  CLG-E will officially go live with all of its components June 1st, but for now, the blog is activated and information regarding me and my editing services are live.  Information regarding classes will go live within the week.

Please take the time to bookmark the new site!

Thanks for being interested in CLG; I’m always interested in YOU and anything about writing, so if you have news you’d like to share, e-mail me at sdb6812@hotmail.com, and I’ll work to post it to CLG-E’s blog.

 

The CHICKLITGURRL in The World According to ChickLitGurrl™ October 25, 2008

Filed under: chicklitgurrl,publicity — Shon @ 9:11 pm
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A lot of people ask me how I came up with the name ChickLitGurrl as my online moniker.  Initially, it was for a girl (me) who was a fan of Chick Lit.  It soon grew from that to a girl (me again) who loved literature by chicks (women, obviously).  It has kept parts of both definitions and now adds to it a girl (yep, me again) who loves writing literature about chicks (yes, women).

With that love of reading and writing women’s fiction, I started the blog ChickLitGurrl:  high on LATTES & WRITING (CLG) where I have interviewed and promoted women authors since 2005.

That love of showcasing women writers branched into wanting to help all writers.  This can be seen in the editing I do for clients, the Writers Boot Camp class that I offer, and the columns I write on various aspects of writing – all of while, I hope, will aid writers in developing their craft and achieving their literary dreams.

My latest foray into helping support writers comes in the form of a new blog – All the Blog’s a Page (AtBaP):  where EVERYTHING relates to writing.  In this monthly blogging series, I play moderator to a group of writers.  I pick a topic, pose a question, and ask the writers to respond by tying the topic to their writing.  AtBaP began in August 2008, and has tackled the topics of faith, sex, and being male.  In November, we’ll look at being female, and end the year by looking at homosexuality and writing.

SO, at the end of the day, when it’s asked, “What is ChickLitGurrl?  Who is ChickLitGurrl?” I answer that ChickLitGurrl is a wordsmith who believes that one of her literary goals is to help other writers achieve their literary dreams – via interviews, features, and articles (all of which are free)…and editing and Writers Boot Camp (which aren’t free – lol – but are VERY reasonable!).

This blog site will offer information regarding my editorial and story development services as well as showcase the interviews, features, articles, and other things I’m doing to help writers.

If you’re a writer looking to connect with someone like me, then get to it! 🙂

 

Unlocking the Diary of Author Nikki Urban: Interview March 22, 2009

Filed under: Author Interviews,chicklitgurrl,Shon Bacon — Shon @ 12:52 pm

Unlocking the Diary of Author Nikki Urban

About Jade’s Diary:

Jade’s Diary is a tale of a dead woman’s diary that is left to her daughter Mikleah. As Mikleah reads her mother’s diary, she turns the pages of her mother’s secret life that includes sex, lust, lies, betrayal, and vengeance.

Mikleah learns from her mother’s diary of the father she never knew and of a long lost sibling. Jade’s daughter also learns she has been having an incestuous relationship with the sister that she never knew and learns to what extent her mother would go through to get what she wanted-her lover’s wife.

The diary exposes the many secrets of Jade’s lovers, which leads to death and imprisonment.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: You walk into a movie theater and there’s a movie poster for JADE’S DIARY: SEX, LIES, LUST, BETRAYAL, VENGEANCE. What’s the logline?

NU: Unlock the Diary! What are your secrets? Remember, all secrets have consequences…

CLG: NIKKI URBAN: THE SOUNDTRACK. What are three tracks that would HAVE to make it onto the soundtrack of your life?

NU: There are so many songs that I could name to describe my life and who I am. But, if I had to have the ultimate soundtrack of my life the three tracks that I would choose would be: 1) I’m Every Woman by Chaka Khan because I am that every woman. I can do all things. 2) Tender Roni by Bobby Brown because once you meet me, you will never forget me, and I always make my father feel proud. 3) Hustlin’ by Rick Ross because I’m always hustling until I make it to where I want to be.

CLG: You are publishing JADE’S DIARY through Diamond Stone Productions. Talk to us about your role as a publisher; what have been some major things you’ve learned?

NU: My husband and I started DiamondStone Productions because I was not getting picked up by any traditional black publishers. In the process of starting Diamondstone Productions, I have learned that as publisher you must be a good negotiator and you must be involved in every aspect of the book process(writing, editing, book design, etc.). In addition, you should always have an abundance of books on hand and various outlets where your book can be sold at. Lastly, have a good accounting program on your computer and have a good marketing strategy. A good marketing strategy is key to the success of your book and publishing company. Once your publishing company is out there, vendors, readers, and other wholesalers will be more willing to take a chance with you. Reputation is key!

Check out the rest of Nikki Urban’s interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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What’s the Haps @ SisterDivas Magazine?

Filed under: Uncategorized — Shon @ 12:04 am

SisterDivas Magazine – Where REAL Women Congregate
http://www.sisterdivasmagazine.net


Because our MEDIA column is jammed full of great features with individuals whose talents move through words, through song, through acting, and through faith: authors Laurie Viera Rigler, Marilynn Griffith, and Paulette Harper; musician Brent Ellis of The Brent Ellis Group; singer/actress Alexis Grenier; and R&B star Shanice.


Because in our TOTAL BODY column, Dr. Cherry talks about why being “high maintenance” may not be such a bad thing, and entrepreneur Beverly Davis talks to SD about her business SundayCosmetics.


Because in our feature, LOVE BYTES, we bring you episode seven, where Destiny must decide if she’s going to move forward in her feelings for Devon or let her past dictate her life.


Because in our LIFE column — no matter the celebration – new year, Inauguration, Valentine’s Day, The Sipping Sommelier L. Denise Jackson has the perfect wine for you, and Lindsay Price – playwright for Theatrefolk – stops by to talk to us about her company.


Because in our RELATIONSHIPS column, authors Eternity Philops and Portia Rainey show you the importance of friendship and self-love and faith.


Because over @ BUZZWORTHY, we show you our top pics for hot TV shows, CDs, movies, and books for the first quarter of ’09.

To contact SisterDivas regarding submissions or other inquiries, please e-mail us at info@sisterdivasmagazine.net .

We work hard to answer ANY and ALL e-mails as quickly as possible.

SisterDivas: Where ALL Women Congregate!
http://www.sisterdivasmagazine.net
 

What’s happening at The Nubian Chronicles? March 20, 2009

Filed under: TNC — Shon @ 1:06 pm


http://www.tnc-magazine.net


With our reader-favorite column this issue, we interview authors Carleen Brice and Cassandra Washington!


@ DCC, we bring episode 16 of our online serial, EVERYTHING’S GONNA BE ALRIGHT: The day after suffering public abuse at the hands of her father, an embarrassed Clemson must face not only the man she loves, but her arch nemesis Kat and her mother.


Want sex? Want the changing of sex? Want the change that came to America? Want the change you can make to get whatever you like? Then you need to head over to NUBIAN belles-lettres to read our stories and articles!


@ The Poetry Corner, we spotlight lyrical wordsmith, CHAMSIL!


@ IN DA CLUB, we talk public relations and marketing with Raven Literary PR!


In his latest Matthew’s Musings, columnist Matthew Lynch defines and discusses the importance of the Black Public Intellectual.


@ ASK DEDAN, Dedan Tolbert offers advice to a reader who wants to know how soon is too soon to start dating after a break up…


Want to read a most unordinary love story? In this issue of THE LIVING ROOM, columnist Stacey Tolbert offers the first of six installments to her story IRON.


Thinking about writing a screenplay? Already wrote one? In her latest THE WRITE LIFE article, Shon Bacon offers tips to editing a screenplay.

To contact The Nubian Chronicles regarding submissions or other inquiries, please e-mail us at info@tnc-magazine.net.

We work hard to answer ANY and ALL e-mails as quickly as possible!

The Nubian Chronicles – http://www.tnc-magazine.net!

 

Screenwriting + Pure Hilarity = Brian Spaeth March 16, 2009

Filed under: All the Blog's a Page — Shon @ 10:12 am
Tags: , ,

For the month of March, All the Blog’s a Page (AtBaP) is going to the big screen…and center stage as we talk to screenwriters and playwrights!

Last month, the hilarious and talented writer Brian Spaeth came to AtBaP for an interview, and this month he’s back to talk about screenwriting and the upcoming project 2WO G2N G2Y!

LATEST PROJECT: 2WO G2N G2Y


2WO G2N G2Y tells the story of a man with no memory, no name, and two guns.

Embroiled in an international revenge plot between a pair of secret, international revenge seeking organizations, who are international and want revenge, he must rely on the only things that his body remembers how to do – be really tough and use two guns at once.

He wears four belts.

2WO G2N G2Y is a 30-part web series, which is made exclusively to be online, on the internet. Told in 30 parts, it’s for the web. It’s broadband, how you like it – online.

What does it all mean? The internet is officially on fire. More on fire than anything as ever been ever.

Check out the trailer!

For the month of March, I asked SEVERAL questions. When I asked, What three things should writers/filmmakers have in their arsenal if they want to heighten their chances of success, Spaeth replied:


a) Multiple Ideas – You need to be seen as an ongoing revenue stream for anyone you’re working with, i.e. agents, producers, etc., and also – sometimes the throw-away idea you think is garbage might be the one someone else sees as gold.

b) Humility/Muzzle – Know when to shut up and listen, even when the person talking to you has no idea what they’re talking about. Telling them they’re an imbecile does you know favors, and nobody likes a pretentious artist.

c) Knowledge – Read as much as you can about the business, so you understand how it works. Go to the WGA website and read the sample contracts if you’ve never seen one. Follow box office and know what kinds of material the industry will be looking for. Research agents or producers before you meet/contact them. Watch old movies – have a working knowledge of film history.

To read the rest of Brian Spaeth’s comments on screenwriting, head to All the Blog’s a Page!

And while there, check out writers Kristin Johnson’s and John W. Bosley’s wonderful features!

ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE (AtBaP) – Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

 

CLG Talks with Freelance Writer & Blogger Mary Davis March 15, 2009

Filed under: chicklitgurrl — Shon @ 9:09 am

ChickLitGurrl Talks with Freelance Writer & Blogger Mary Davis

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: I am a fan of your blog, Adventures in Freelancing [link]. On your blog, you state, “Join me in my journey to a freelance career. Let’s learn something together!” What sparked you to start your journey into freelancing?

MD: Thank you so much! I worked as an academic adviser at the local community college, and I really loved my job, but I was living a crazy-paced life and felt that I wasn’t giving my family sufficient time and attention. So when I found out that I was pregnant with my third child, I made the decision to leave my job and try to earn an income from writing. I’d done lots of reading on the subject and knew that it was possible.

CLG: Are there particular fields/subjects you’re developing your freelance career around? If so, what are they, and why do they interest you?
MD: Yes, I made the decision to write about topics with which I’m familiar. As a mom of three young children, my quality writing time is limited, so I’ve found it more convenient to begin my career focusing on areas I know. I write primarily about issues affecting college students, health, beauty, and personal development. As my children become more independent, I hope to become more of a generalist because I love learning about new things and enjoy the researching and interviewing involved in freelance writing.

CLG: What opportunities have you taken part in since starting your career?
MD: I jumped right into the blogging world because it was a way to practice my writing and to force myself to write on a regular basis. Putting your writing out there can be very intimidating to someone just starting out, and blogging is a great outlet to get your feet wet. I began practicing my interviewing skills by talking to people I met through social media, and through those contacts, I’ve obtained some paid blogging positions. I’ve also begun querying online and print publications for college students. These are writing avenues that fit well into my lifestyle.

Check out the rest of Mary Davis’ interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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CLG Is Interviewed! March 14, 2009

Filed under: Shon Bacon — Shon @ 9:06 pm
Tags: , , , ,

Jessica Ferguson, author and president of the Bayou Writers’ Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana, interviews me on her blog Praise, Prayers and Observations as part of her “Louisiana Saturday Night” series!

In the interview, I talk about editing, writing, coaching, critique groups, branding, and MORE.

Check it out – [link] – LEAVE COMMENTS!

 

The Ultimate Yes Yes with Author Tamika Newhouse March 11, 2009

Filed under: Author Interviews,chicklitgurrl — Shon @ 7:53 am

The Ultimate Yes Yes with Author Tamika Newhouse

About The Ultimate No No:

Are you a woman who has been hurt by a man and wonder what it would be like if you could give him a dose of his own medicine?

Well, the characters in The Ultimate No, No give you the opportunity to live vicariously through their lives and the events that transpired during The Scam Nitrah a teacher is drawn between her friends and a man named Troyon, when her friends ask her to do the unthinkable. That’s get revenge on a man through his heart. Things go as planned until Troyon and Nitrah find themselves infatuated with each other. What happens to this relationship that was doomed from the beginning when the lies, sex, and deceit come to the surface?

On the other hand there’s Dahlia, Nitrah’s best friends and the master mind behind the plan to break Troyon’s heart. Her secrets will come back to haunt her as her world comes crashing down. She thinks this is the perfect plan to hurt the man who broke her heart, but then again she could be right. Find out what happens when the person Dahlia keeps close eyes on turns out to be her worst enemy and it want be who you think it is.
In this romantic tale you will witness a sisterly bond, a passion to be loved, and the yearn to be with the one you love. Learn what The Ultimate No No is when it comes to love.

INTERVIEW EXCERPT

CLG: What are three adjectives that best describe THE ULTIMATE NO NO?
TN: Love, revenge, deceit

CLG: What are three adjectives that best describe YOU?
TN: Day Dreamer, enthusiastic, determined

CLG: Do you have a standard process to your writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
TN: I first have to know the concept and storyline that I want, and I usually have the timeline of the story the same day. I usual plot but abandon most of that when I start writing because I usual go another way with the stories.

Check out the rest of Tamika Newhouse’s interview @ ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING!

ChickLitGurrl: high on LATTES & WRITING
Chocolate-caramel lattes + Women writers = ONE GREAT TIME!
[chicklitgurrl.blogspot.com]

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Dotcomers.tv’s Kristin Johnson on Writing across Media March 9, 2009

Filed under: All the Blog's a Page,Author Interviews — Shon @ 8:12 am

For the month of March, All the Blog’s a Page (AtBaP) is going to the big screen…and center stage as we talk to screenwriters and playwrights!

I’m excited to have writer of all trades Kristin Johnson @ AtBaP! This week, she writes about writing across the media and her project, Dotcomers! If you are a writer interested in screenwriting…or in any creative writing, you owe it to yourself to read the entire feature @ AtBaP!

About Dotcomers

Teenage waitress Honey Dee battles the greedy, slick, corrupt businessman Dubious Diction, who owns her hometown of Greedville. She creates Dotcomers Café, the main setting for the series, and inspires the cast of quirky eccentric characters to resist Dubious.

“Dotcomers” is a creative blend of today’s edgy, satirical cartoons and yesterday’s zany, classic toons; that means its appeal is…we can almost hear Yogi Bear saying this…broader than the average cartoon!

Dotcomers explores the culture of social-networking entrepreneurs who don’t wait around for a bailout to solve their problems. They fight the old corrupt system, represented by greedy Dubious Diction, which is open to excess. Although they are quirky and they clash on more than one occasion, Dotcomers represent the best of the Internet culture, and Honey Dee, founder of the Dotcomers Cafe, is a female role model who uses her mind and common sense to make a difference in the world.

For the month of March, I asked my featured panelists SEVERAL QUESTIONS. When answering the question, What similarities, things no matter the medium, are important for a good story to be told, Johnson stated, “The commandment of “Thou Shalt Not Bore Thy Audience” is still valid no matter what the medium. I don’t mean that you have to have nonstop violence or sex, since many people, myself included, find *those* boring.

You have to care about the characters. “WALL-E” connected with audiences because, even though many people (including my movie buff friends) found the notion of a fat, childlike future population and a destroyed Earth depressing, you still cared about that cute robot. “Slumdog Millionaire” had depressing elements such as cutting out street kids’ eyes to make them more sympathetic and earn more begging money for the gang lords, but in an economy that gives us nothing but bad news, we love the idea that people can improve their circumstances. “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” suspends disbelief and gives us a great love story.

Similarly, Richard LaGravenese made people care as much about the romance in the movie “The Bridges of Madison County” as people did in the book. The images were visual poetry.”Gone With The Wind” was so powerful as a book that people forgot the changes of their world and experienced the changes of the Old South, and they immediately cast Clark Gable as Rhett Butler. The movie did justice to the book because it captured the essence of Scarlett and Rhett and Tara without getting bogged down in details. How many people find it impossible to forget the image of Scarlett in shadow?

And two words: Harry Potter. Take an orphaned kid who turns out to be a wizard, and finds just as much trouble in his new life as in the old, but with more joy and a sense of purpose, give him a monumental challenge and a fascinating world to play in, and the result is gold.

You have to touch your audience. Make them laugh, make them think, shift them from their reality.”

To read the rest of Kristin Johnson’s wonderful comments about writing across the media, head to All the Blog’s a Page!

And while there, check out John W. Bosley, writer/producer/director of AMNESIA, as he talks about screenwriting!

ALL THE BLOG’S A PAGE (AtBaP) – Where everything relates to writing
[http://alltheblogsapage.blogspot.com]

 

TNC Seeks Stories, Commentaries, & Excerpts for Its Spring 2009 Issue March 7, 2009

Filed under: TNC — Shon @ 12:09 pm
**PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CIRCULATE THIS TO ANY GROUPS YOU MAY BELONG TO**

The Nubian Chronicles Magazine (http://www.tnc-magazine.net) is currently seeking submissions for its SPRING 2009 issue, slated to be released on Monday, May 4, 2009.

The deadline for submissions is Monday, April 20, 2009.

DO YOU HAVE gripping stories, thought-provoking essays, engaging articles and commentaries you want the public to read?  If so, then you definitely want to consider submitting to TNC’s column:  NUBIAN belles-lettres.

N b-l is our column dedicated to short fiction, essays, articles, and commentaries written by African American writers.

ALSO – if you have a book that’s due out and you’d like to get a little promo for it, you may submit excerpts to your book along with other information for TNC to publish!

If you are submitting short fiction, essays, articles, and/or commentaries, please submit the following:
1)  work to be published (within the e-mail)
2)  contact information (e-mail, website, myspace)
3)  picture of you (if you would like)
4)  one- to two-sentence teaser of your work

If you are submitting an excerpt of a published work, please submit the following:
1)  excerpt of your work
2)  contact information (e-mail, website, myspace)
3)  picture of you (if you would like)
4)  book cover image (in .jpg or .gif file)
5)  purchase link

@ TNC, we know that writers have their own individual literary flows, and for that reason, we do not limit writers as to types of work they can submit to us; however, we do not do PORN- or HATE-related material. If you wish to submit erotica, that is fine.

Submissions should be no longer than 2,500 words.

=====

Again, the deadline for TNC’s SPRING 2009 issue is Monday, April 20, 2009.

E-mail ALL WORK to either submit@tnc-magazine.net or sdb6812@hotmail.com.

THANKS!
Da Management
http://www.tnc-magazine.net