Fifteen Firsts: Denise Grover Swank

What was your first car? A Plymouth Cricket, a total piece of junk.

What was the first thing you learned to cook? Wow, tough one. Probably Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. I had to use a stove, so that totally counts, right?

When was your first time on an airplane? The summer between my sixth and seventh grade years. I flew by myself from Minneapolis to Kansas City. I was so excited! 

What was your first paying job? I got my first job when I was fourteen, believe it or not. It was at Wendy's, and I worked there until I was eighteen. 

How old were you when you had your first kiss? Fourteen, and I thought it was completely disgusting. 

What was the first concert you went to see? Man, I'm going to date myself with this one! Shaun Cassidy. 

When/what was your first regrettable hairstyle? You're limiting me to just one??? Probably my long, permed hair with BIG bangs in the late 80's. 

How old were you when you got your first computer? Um... thirty-one?

What was your first big purchase? I got a brand new Ford Escort when I was 19. I was so proud of myself, especially since I had a car payment. Oh, the stupidity of youth. LOL

What was the first book that made you cry? Probably one of the Little House on the Prairie books, when Mary went blind. I forget which one that was. I was obsessed with those books back when I was in third and fourth grade. 

Where was your first road trip? As a kid, from Missouri to Minnesota -- my grandparents lived there. As a grown-up, from Missouri to Colorado. 

Who was your first best friend? Paula. She lived down the street from me, and we were the only two girls out of about fifteen kids on our street. 

When/where was your first trip abroad? I went to Croatia about twenty years ago. I loved it. 

Who was your first love? Mark. I was sixteen, and he broke my heart.

Who was your first celebrity crush? Easy, see my first concert above. Shaun Cassidy, God help me. ;)

Denise Grover Swank participated in National Novel Writing Month in the fall of 2009, which led her to writing and finishing Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes. The sequel, Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons, was released in June. Denise lives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. She has six children, two dogs, and an overactive imagination. For more information about Denise and her books, please visit www.denisegroverswank.com and connect with her on Twitter.   
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Who Says Pretty Girls Aren't Funny? 5 Examples to the Contrary


While the "duck face" pose is absurdly amusing to nearly everyone except for the photographic subject, not every pretty girl spends hours in front of the mirror practicing her best saucy pout in anticipation for any lurking camera. Even some of Hollywood's most beautiful stars rely on more than their alluring appearance to make their mark in Tinseltown.

Whether by musical talent or modeling, sheer intelligence, a sharp wit or some perfect storm combination of all of those traits, Hollywood's leading ladies have to catch everyone's eye. Looks without personality generally don't make for a lasting impression, no matter how stunning. Below are five female celebs who have the rare capacity to grasp the eye's immediate attention then proceed to hold you captive with her style and sense of humor.

Brooklyn Decker

One such pretty girl, Brooklyn Decker, a world famous Victoria's Secret model, has chosen to venture outside of the modeling world and has made her mark in the acting realm. Not only has the super model chosen acting as a means to stretch her talent and show more of her sparkling personality, she has taken it a step further and has jumped into the comedy pool. Decker has made guest appearances on such popular television shows as "Ugly Betty," "Chuck," and "Royal Pains," along with a few different films that include "Just Go with It" to help her continue sharpening her comedic skills.

Aubrey Plaza

While Aubrey Plaza's looks are more of a combination of girl-next-door and nerdy than Brooklyn Decker's appearance, she is pretty, smart, witty and speaks to her generation's slightly jaded view of the world. Her stint on NBC's sitcom hit "Parks and Recreation" gives Plaza a chance to deftly show her character's nonchalant and slacker approach to life. Never has eye rolling and frustrated sighing been so endearing as when channeled from Plaza to her character of April, since the audience understands that there are layers to her character that serve to make her identifiable and sympathetic.

Tina Fey

The Queen of Television Comedy, Tina Fey made the transition from sketch writer on "Saturday Night Live" to leading lady on NBC's "30 Rock" look effortless. Her observational wit and screwball humor has always garnered attention from critics and TV watchers; from fart jokes to making Jon Hamm seem less appealing, Fey is a one-woman wrecking crew of comedy. Fey is also known for her spot-on impersonation of Sarah Palin, complete with the glasses and nasally Alaskan accent to go with the politician's sex appeal. Fey has sparked plenty of interest and turned heads as a powerful writer, but its her "sexy nerd" look that also gets the attention it deserves.

Chelsea Handler

The late-night comedienne has made jokes on everything from Rosie O'Donnell's eating habits to her own colorful sex life. Her books have topped best seller lists, and her deadpan delivery and crude outlook on all things relative have given her a unique comedic edge. The sassy funny woman is also known for her blonde hair, toothy smile, and sparkling blue eyes, giving her the classic bombshell look America has known and loved since Mae West. Chelsea Handler is far from all beauty, no brains. She is never far away from dishing out the dirt on her life as well as those she deems opportunistic, such as Angelina Jolie. No one is safe from her comedic wrath.

Elizabeth Banks

Another bombshell that turns on the comedic charm, Elizabeth Banks has injected her zany humor in Hollywood for the past decade. Banks has landed two Emmy nominations for her guest appearances on "30 Rock," topping even the regular crack-ups like Alec Baldwin and Tracy Morgan. Her memorable roles in "40 Year-Old Virgin" and "Zack and Miri Make A Porno" prove her comedic strengths, and her blonde locks give her the sex appeal of a Hollywood starlet.

Announcement: Hiatus

The Chick Lit Bee is on an indefinite hiatus. Books that have already been sent to us to be reviewed will still be reviewed when we come back. We will not be accepting any new review requests during this break. Also, any author interviews that have been submitted will be posted when we return. In the meantime, please enjoy our previous posts and stop by our Facebook and Twitter pages for chick lit updates and to keep in touch. Thank you!

Author Interview: Karen Mueller Bryson

What was your favorite book when you were a child?

I loved to read when I was young, but my favorite works were Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. I still remember reading this excerpt from “The Walrus and The Carpenter” when I was a child: “The time has come, the Walrus said, To talk of many things: Of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax--Of cabbages--and kings--And why the sea is boiling hot--And whether pigs have wings.”

When did you decide to write your first novel? What inspired you?

I learned to read when I was four and fell in love with books. I immediately told my mom I wanted to be a writer. She helped me write my first work, and I’ve been writing even since. 

What was the most challenging part of starting a writing career? What was the best part?

I find it extremely difficult to get noticed in the sea of books being released on a daily basis. Although I am the author of 10 published books, I still find it difficult to attract sales for my work. It’s also challenging to find time to write new books when I’m busy marketing and promoting my published work. 

The best part of a writing career is when readers tell me how much they enjoyed reading my work. It never gets old. When readers appreciate my work, I feel like I’m not just writing for myself; it’s a gift I can share with others.

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors? 

Write as much as you can and write often (every day is possible). It’s also important to take time to read other people’s work. I believe persistence is the key to success in any endeavor, so never give up.

Tell us about your publishing company Short on Time Books. 

Short on Time Books are fast-paced and fun novels for readers on the go. All Short on Time Books are complete stories that can be read in one sitting. We offer titles for all ages and are continually adding new titles. Many of our titles are in the Chick Lit genre. All Short on Time Books are available in both print and eBook, and the eBooks are all $2.99.  

What are you working on now?

I am an extremely eclectic writer. I work in both non-fiction and fiction, in multiple genres and I write for both adults and kids. I just published the biography of sports legend, Cindy McCoy, who was a Rookie Roller Derby Queen. I’m also in the process of writing two novels for teens: one is a science fiction/comedy/romance called Fracked, and one is a story about faith/family and music called The Mustard Seeds.  

Thank you, Karen!
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Dr. Karen Mueller Bryson is an award-winning, optioned screenwriter, produced playwright and published novelist. Karen has been writing since she learned to read and fell in love with books! When she's not at her computer creating new stories, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband and their bloodhounds. For more information, please visit Karen's website. 
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