Friday, March 25, 2011

In Defence of Chick Lit

Happy Friday!

We're experiencing some truly glorious springtime weather these days in London -- honestly, it's like being in another city when the sun shines here! I'm happy to report my birthday went off with plenty of champagne and wine -- thank you all for the wonderful wishes.

Today I'm over at Nik Perring's blog, wondering why I often adopt an annoyingly apologetic tone when I talk about chick lit. Nik is the author of Not So Perfect, a collection of short stories. While I've only just started reading it, I'm blown away by his talent! So even if you don't feel like getting an eyeful of chick litty stuff, head over and check out his blog anyway. That's an order! *cracks whip*

Do you ever feel the need to apologize for what you write, or am I just spectacularly lame (you don't need to answer the second half of that, really...)?

53 comments:

  1. LOL! You should be PROUD of what you write, Talli! :o)

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  2. Hold your head up girl! You write, you are published. You ARE a published, Chick lit author! Glad your birthday went well. x

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  3. I saw all that on the Q3E about chick lit and the kiss of death. I have a few friends who ADORE the genre. I wonder if they know it's "dead"...? ;p

    and weren't vampire novels "dead" (no pun intended) when TWILIGHT came out??? ;p

    just keep swimming~

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  4. Thanks, ladies! I am proud - now. But it's taken me a bit to come to terms with it!

    LTM - I think it's not so much the genre that's dead; it's the label 'chick lit'. That said, I do see it used quite a bit outside of the publishing industry.

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  5. I understand, I started a chick lit book for NaNoWriMo which I will finish (it is VERY G-rated though)when I get finished with my children's fantasy book. I don't apologize for what I write, but in all honesty I don't publicize it much. Of course I'm not published yet either. When that happens - no apologies!

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  6. People have a weird view of science fiction as well. I don't apologize, but sometimes it's annoying that people think it's all geeky tech stuff.

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  7. Chick lit, historical romance, thriller, literary, etc--they are all out there and I'm glad I have many genres to pick from. Thanks for writing!

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  8. Be proud, chick lit is an extremely popular genre and it allows you to do what you love!

    Chick lit rules!

    Have a great weekend,

    Isabelle xx

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  9. Glad you had such a good birthday Talli. Chick lit has had such bad coverage over the years that authors feel they have to apologise. Let's hope that will change.

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  10. You of all people don't ever have to apologize for what you write. The characters of your book still stay with me. Not that I'm any critic but if I keep thinking about a cast, you did a great job. Glad your birthday was sunny with plenty of corks popp'n.

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  11. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for yesterday!!!

    Never apologise for what you write not even to your mum!! I speak from experience - apologising to mum that is!! LOL!!!!

    Anyway, where was I?!?! Be bold and blonde and brave, Tali!! Take care
    x

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  12. I wish there were more chick lit, not less. It's sad when you have to get most of your chick lit fix in the young adult section of an online bookstore.

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  13. Some writers believe anything outside their genre is hogwash. Don't give them that power over you. This is something I have to tell myself from time to time, too.

    Happy Weekend!

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  14. I don't apology for anything i write and neither should you. If someone doesn't like that form of reading then oh well. :) Always be proud of your outlet of creativity. Our different genre is what makes us all interesting :)

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  15. I totally relate to this. I'm always downgrading myself in some way. It's "only" freelance. Or it's "only" YA. I KNOW I need to stop it. I'm an author! I'm a writer! I'm proud!

    Thanks for the reminder!

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  16. I love reading chick lit and think it's a brilliant genre. I can't imagine not having chick lit books to read and enjoy.

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  17. Thanks for the link, I'll check it out!

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  18. Yes, I do. People ask me what my dream is, and I say to be a published author. They think that's great, ask me how far I am, and I tell them I've written several novels already, and they think that's even cooler. BUT when they ask me what kind of novels they are, I immediately look at the ground and go "well it's kind of like fantasy stuff... you know, with like... ahem... magic... and well... not like Harry Potter but... yeah."

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  19. I really hate hearing about the death of chick lit when so many people read and enjoy it and great books (like The Hating Game! woooo!) are being released. I'm guilty of apologizing for what I write but no more: I'm proud to be a chick lit writer! Off to read your guest blog now. Happy Friday!

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  20. I love chick lit. In fact, I may just have a chick lit reading fest this weekend.

    Have a great weekend!

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  21. I don't feel the need to apologize for what I write though I know there are some out there who roll their eyes at it. We can't please everyone though!

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  22. I write what I feel and so can't apologise for that, I hope you don't feel the need to apologise you are an accomplished author be proud of yourself.

    Yvonne,

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  23. I feel the same way when I explain to people that I write for young adults. Some of my friends want to read my writing or discuss at their book club so I feel the need to have a disclaimer: okay, but this is for teenagers. Honestly think it's something that genre writers have to deal with more when mixing with London/New York folk??

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  24. I never understood why they canned the 'chick lit' label and decided 'women's fiction' sounded better - what's to be ashamed of??

    I sometimes feel like I have to apologize for the things I write - mostly for frivolous kissing scenes when a serious adult is reading the manuscript! :-)

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  25. Hi Talli .. both?! Isn't the sunshine great - heavens above we're all great .. tough on everyone else .. Checking out Nik now ...

    Delighted to hear you had a great birthday with loads of the good stuff .. happy days .. enjoy that sunshine! Cheers Hilary

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  26. I adore chick lit, and sorry the phrase is going out of vogue. Enjoy your wonderful weather!

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  27. Casn't be all bad....i'm reading it! oh and it's your very book!!!!!!! :):) xx

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  28. Absolutely! I write scifi/fantasy and most people I know do not read that genre. I find myself sometimes getting embarrassed when my husband introduces me to someone and tells them I'm a writer and what I write about.

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  29. I'm getting better at this! It's funny how romance writers tend to feel like we need to apologize - I like all kinds of romance stories. Everything I write has an element of romance too :)

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  30. I apologize too much. But I think you have nothing to feel sorry for. You're a great writer and chic lit is important for many readers.

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  31. Hi Talli - yup, as a (wannabe) chick lit writer, I found myself apologising a lot - then I got bored of the sound of it. Blow your own trumpet and others will follow - my aim is to make people laugh everyday - what higher calling is there? Be proud of yourself!

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  32. You're our trail-blazer, you can't put your head down!

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  33. No way! Don't even think about it...

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  34. LOL, never apologize. But then I live in KY and we carry firearms :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  35. I often find myself doing that for my romance, it's almost like it's not done, especially not in Nigerian circles. SMH..

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  36. Yeah, sometimes I write something and my toes curl in embarrassment. But, for the most part, if I did my best, I'm happy. And "chick lit" is like every other genre as far as I'm concerned: some of it is atrociously bad, but quite a bit is well written, entertaining, and can be thought provoking. Some people seem to be under the impression that reading shouldn't be "fun"! And that's a shame.

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  37. I get self-conscious about writing. Especially because I had some professors school me on how to write "academically" which basically made me throw my "style" out the window. I'm slowly trying to gain my confidence back

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  38. I've always enjoyed chick lit! It sounds so modern and the characters are usually unique, independent women who inspire me.

    Through the years I've jumped around from different genres and categories. Now I read a lot of YA because that's what I write. I used to feel embarrassed when people would ask about what I was reading. When it comes to my writing I don't feel confident enough yet to share with others.

    I'm glad you write what you do! You have such talent and fantastic stories to share with the world. Looking forward to reading more!

    Happy Belated Birthday, Talli! :)

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  39. practice this much needed confidence in the mirror. I love chic lit

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  40. Why should you apologise for what you write? Writing needs its entertaining side. We can't wade through Margaret Attwood or Joyce Carol Oates all the time (though they have their place.)

    I'm glad your bday festivities went well. Also glad to hear London is having a bit of lovely weather. Hopefully it'll be perfect for William and Kate.

    I read your A - Z post. Good to see a few more hints but I think the short posts is the most important.

    And finally I've got to it. Yours is my next ebook to read. Can't wait to get me some chick lit.

    Denise<3

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  41. Talli, you have got to stop apologising, it's a female thing.
    I have read Nik Perring's book and I thought it one of the best pieces of writing I have read in a long time.
    We are having sunshine here, amazing in March.

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  42. I remember getting away from reading chick lit since I read Bridget Jones's Diary (love it). Yours was the first book since then that I've truly loved in this genre. SOOOO...now I say, "Long live Chick Lit!"

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  43. I know I shouldn't, but I do apologize sometimes. Mostly because my friends and family don't read the genre I write in. If I'm being honest it's mostly fear of having someone read my work and hate it. I don't expect them to like it, not because it's bad, but because it's not their genre preference.

    Your book was awesome Talli. Chick lit seems alive and well to me.

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  44. Firstly, I adore chick lit! Secondly, you ever want to meet a group who do occasionally fall into the apologising trap, come meet the 'Oh, I just write for... I mean, I write for kids' brigade.' Nothing wrong with it!

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  45. I used to feel I had to write flashy *serious* stuff to be a *real* writer. Good thing I got over it though because my natural tendency is anything BUT serious. I do best with light-hearted and fun.

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  46. I think we are all like that about our writing... It's like exposing a bit of ourselves when we talk about or share what we love. Sad, really. I have a hard time just saying to people that I write, I am afraid of the inevitable scoff!

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  47. You are not alone, my friend. I feel especially apologetic when I explain that I wrote a book about grammar. Who wants to read about that?

    Happy belated.

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  48. I'm the same...I always say "Oh I just write contemporary fiction" like it is a failing somehow! I've read Nik's book and there are some very good and some very strange stories in there.

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  49. I don't ever feel the need to apologize for the subject/content of what I write. Hah...it would more likely be the quality, sometimes.

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  50. Firsly, a belated 'Happy Birthday, Talli!' Sorry I missed it, but glad you had a good day. Second, I must agree with everyone, don't apologize, I think we all do that too much! You're a successful author, be proud!!

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  51. Don't apologize, Talli! Hating Game is next on my TBR list after I finish Delirium, and I can't wait!

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  52. You should never feel the need to apologise, you are a published author. :)

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  53. I thought I was the only one! There are times when people ask me what I write and I pause before I say romance. I just know there are people who have an old-fashioned view of cheesy, cliché romance with big-breasted women in tight dresses and flowing hair and bare-chested men (also with flowing hair) on the covers. But then I remember what a market there is for romance, that millions of people read them, so who cares if there's still a few people who think that. And in your case, being a published author, I say be proud and never, ever think that it's lame!

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Coffee and wine for all!