Will Write for Shoes by Cathy Yardley:
Will Write for Shoes
Hardback · September 5, 2006
Thomas Dunne Books
ISBN: 0312358997

Based on years of teaching about how to plan, plot, write and market commercial women’s fiction, romance and Chick Lit novels, this non-fiction book is designed to help you get that novel started, keep it going, and sell it once it’s finished. It also includes a list of agents and publishers who publish Chick Lit, as well as online resources."

Ahh, how handy is that little "Send to Blogger" button? So here I am blogging about this wonderful writing how to book I just finished reading. By Cathy Yardley, it's all about writing Chick Lit, which is the written sister of the Chick Flick. It is actually quite an amusing read, especially as an author myself. It's written in a tone similar to what you expect to find in an actual Chick Lit fictional work and is full of handy tips. And those tips, luckily, can be applied to many different genres--not just Chick Lit!

First, it takes you through all the important elements of a story: characters, plots, premises, settings, etc. It even inculdes an interesting section on voice. Then it talks about selling your manuscript with information about the functions of editors and agents and some words about critique groups. The appendixes include sample queries (for both an editor and an agent), a sample synopsis, a sample outline, agent contact details (though most of them are based in America) and editor/publisher details (again, American).

I would definitely recommend you check it out and give it a read. Though I would suggest the female demographic would enjoy it somewhat more than the males... but you never know.

*mwa*
Lauren

PS. No update on The Competition or Night Magic tonight... maybe tomorrow (if there's anthing to up date on! ^_^)