Thursday, March 11, 2010

Is Chick Lit Easy to Write?

Is there one genre that's easier to write than others? Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think many people (not writers, generally) believe that writing chick lit is easy. The same likely holds true for YA, romance, children's books... and the list goes on.

I don't think that's the case. At all. (Insert vigorous head shaking.) Every genre has its rules that you must at least be aware of, if only to break them. With YA, I suspect writing in a voice that appeals to the younger generation is as difficult as putting on eyeliner without a mirror (it's hard. Try it). With chick lit, keeping the pace quick and light yet inserting just the right amount of depth can be a killer. And while I don't write children's books, I'm in awe how well-rounded stories are crafted in so few words.

It's not easy. Nothing about writing is easy. So there!

(I realise I'm preaching to the choir here, but I feel better for getting it off my chest!)

17 comments:

  1. Right there with you. It is not easy. I think it is like with anything, though. You don't know how hard it is until you try. :)
    Thanks!

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  2. Great post!!! I have to say that I agree with you, no writing style or genre is easy. Almost everyone says they've always wanted to write a book (right after you tell them you're actually writing yours) but they never take the time to do it because the time and patience is something they can't understand.

    I tried Chick Lit it's what I thought I wanted to write, turns out it's a lot harder for me to write that genre versus the other I have chosen. So I know it's difficult! I love to read them so at least I know some people are still taking the time to write them!

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  3. No writing is easy. That's the impression with picture books, which I guess is why so many (insert your word here) famous people think they can write them. A great children's book is rare. And a great children's book by a famous person is ever rarer.

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  4. Thanks Christine, Jen and Theresa, for your comments and support! I do find it hard when people think they can rattle off words and get a publisher, no problem.

    Whenever I go to parties, I often feel like donning a sandwich board that says: 'Writing's NOT easy!'

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  5. You're absolutely right, tackling any genre requires dedication to the craft and usually a dose of blood, sweat and tears. I haven't tried chick lit, yet. :))

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  6. What a great topic!

    I often feel like people think I just plop down in front of my computer and spit out 75,000 random words, and bingo: all done, ready to submit. That's how it works for you, too, right? Ha!

    Romance (as a genre) gets a pretty bad rap. I mean, it has to be something like 90% of ALL genre's have romantic elements. So what's wrong with the focus being on the romance? Maybe just a fall-back to people's upbringings and uptightness about sex in all forms. It ain't easy to get that sexual tension just so.

    And, I so agree with what others have mentioned about writing children's books. I don't think I could ever manage one.

    ALL writing is hard. So hard.

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  7. Thanks, Tara and Nicole. Coincidentally, i just came across this:

    How to Write a Rom Com: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/features/2010/0301/1224265368141.html

    Because apparently it's easy to write screen plays, too. Still, it did make me laugh!

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  8. I couldn't agree more! And I do wish the general public understood how incredibly difficult it is to get published. People ask me, "How's your book coming? Is it published yet?" Like it's a foregone conclusion. How I wish that were true!

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  9. I most vehemently agree with you! I am always in awe of writers/authors and their ability to create characters, plots, twists and roll it all into a captivating story – no matter what the genre! What incredible talent!

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  10. Non writers think it's easy because a good writer makes it look easy/read easy. So you pick up the finished product/book, read it in a day or two and think, Hmm, how hard can this be? Hahahahahahahahahaha

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  11. Great post. Writing is hard. Good writing is easy to read. Bad writing is hard. Non-writers don't get that, I think.

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  12. Writing any genre well is difficult. Anything with comedy is really hard!

    Your post made me laugh - I usually put on eyeliner while I'm checking blogs in the morning while I'm getting ready. I do check the mirror before I leave the house though!

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  13. Thanks again, everyone, for all the great comments! Jemi, I am in awe of your skill! :)

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  14. I don't know if chick lit is easy to write I guess it depends on the author. I'm no author that's for sure but, I know when I was writing an essay in school it was hard to start but then once I started I couldn't stop without finishing...
    You have to know how to write I think in order to write up chick lit. And I think you need to have experienced things you want to write about. Like author Evinda Lepins. She is amazing. Looking at her bio I can already tell she's a good writer. And plus she has an exempt of her 1st chapter on her website http://chicklitpower.com/. I think writing about your past relationships or things that have happened to you can make you a good writer.

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  15. I just left a post about Evinda Lepins and checked out her website again to learn more. I am already addicted to her it seems! I think I am so addicted because she writes about past experiences that are real and knowing that it's real makes you that much more connected. This is a huge asset I think you need to have to become a great writer of chick lit.

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  16. Er, thanks Chrissy. If you're not a publicist then you're certainly a very good fan!

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  17. I work in an office for a trucking company...not a publisist but a new fan of Evinda's !

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