Maggie’s Musings

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Monday Mayhem – In case you’ve forgotten…

I have a new release this week! TO MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE will be live on all platforms on Thursday, May 14, 2020. Be sure to mark your calendar or pre-order now! Don’t forget, you can order digital copies directly from me by clicking the Buy Direct button on the menu above. Use this coupon code to get 25% off your direct purchase: 25OFFMAGGIE

Brittany Owens is a young woman on the brink. 
As Brit’s career soars past up-and-coming and hurtles toward the stratosphere, she feels like she doesn’t have any control over its trajectory. Her grandfather is country music royalty. Her momager is determined to get Brit to the top at all costs. And then, there is the man she fell for when she was far too young to know any better.

Cash Dorsett once had stardom within his grasp.
But the excesses that come with a life in the spotlight had him landing flat on his face when he reached for the success he craved. Clean and sober now, he doesn’t let himself think about the blue-eyed girl he left in the wreckage of his career. Much.

A chance encounter leads to an intense collaboration.
But can Brit and Cash find a way to make beautiful music together without allowing her rising star to burn their love to the ground?

****PLUS****

HOMETOWN HOPE is still available!

If you have not downloaded your FREE copy of this collection of small-town romances (including HOME IN HEARTSFIELD), what are you waiting for?

Happy Monday, my friends. Stay safe. Be well.

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Monday Mayhem – On grief

On Friday, our friend Michelle lost her battle with cancer.

This isn’t the first time I’ve dealt with grief. I’ve lost grandparents, both my father and mother, all but one aunt and uncle, a few co-workers and acquaintances, and grieved each and every one of them.

But this one is hitting me hard.

There are a lot of reasons why I may not be dealing well. It happened too soon. The disease progressed too fast. She was too young, too bright, too vibrant, too determined. All of those toos and too many others.

Her family asked if I would write something about her life, not knowing that she was the reason I became a romance writer. She loved the fan-fiction I wrote and was always after me to write something original. She gave me her story, and I gave her a prologue for her birthday in 2009. She read it, liked it, and then pushed me to write the rest of the story which would become the first novel I wrote, Contentment.

Here is the last thing I wrote for Michelle:

Michelle Kelly lived a life filled with passion and unmatched generosity of spirit. Family, friends, acquaintances – no one was immune to her bright smile or the mischievous twinkle in her eye. She had a laugh that drew people to her and used it well and often. Michelle will forever be known as a determined shopper, willing and able volunteer, world-class adventurer, and master of all things organizational. Her wit was stealthy and her humour good-natured. She frequently amused her friends by misappropriating words with intent to tickle. 

But mostly she loved. Michelle loved her family and friends with unreserved gusto. Shakespeare had the measure of Michelle Kelly when he wrote, “And though she be but little, she is fierce.” Our Michelle was the fiercest of women – bright, beautiful, and brave. 

How do you say goodbye to someone who altered your life in such a profound way? Someone who shared your highs, lows, passing enthusiasms, and enduring loves?

The truth is, I have no idea.

So I’ll just sit with it a while. Feel all these feelings, and cry all these tears. The only way forward is through, right? I do know one thing for certain. Kelly Clarkson was right, my life will suck without her.

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Monday Mayhem – Fail

I’ve been trying to bake bread. The operative word in that sentence is trying. I made a couple of passable loaves of white bread last week, then used some sourdough discard to make cinnamon bread, and then my new dutch oven arrived and the big day came.

Hours. I spent hours mixing and letting that damn sourdough rise. I preheated my cast iron dutch oven, and then this happened.

Yeah so…I’m back to feeding my starter and trying to figure out where I went wrong. Maybe I’ll be brave enough to try it again next weekend.

How about you? Are you trying new things these days?

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Monday Mayhem – Strange Days Indeed

How are you? Are you and yours safe and healthy? These are strange days indeed, my friends. In my day job, I work with railroads, so we are considered essential employees. It’s most peculiar, being designated as essential when I’m not doing anything to aid on the frontlines of this pandemic, but there you are.

These are strange days indeed.

I’ve been doing my best not to let myself fall face-first into the news. It’s a challenge for me because my #1 strength according to my Gallup Strengthsfinder is Input. I want ALL the information. So, like many of you, I am doing my damndest to distract myself.

Saturday, I received a proof copy of the paperback edition of TO MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE.

Sunday morning, I wrote the first 2000 words of Scary New Story. As I type this Sunday afternoon, I have bread dough rising in a bowl, a sleeping labrador on the loveseat, and The Cure (Pictures of You) on the stereo.

As you read this, I will be back at the day job, being essential. Don’t worry, my co-workers are keeping as much distance between us as possible. Even Princess has become adept at social distancing. Now, she supervises me from afar.

So, how are you doing? What are you doing to keep yourself distracted from the strangeness? CONTENTMENT is free for Kindle today if you need something to read.

Please know I am holding all those who are on the frontlines of this battle, suffering the effects of the virus or struggling with loneliness and isolation in my heart. Be well. Stay safe.

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Cover reveal

I did a cover reveal for my upcoming release. Did you see it? If not, it’s because you are not in my reader group. Why aren’t you in my reader group? I only send newsletters once or twice a month, and there’s usually a giveaway.

I’m ponying up a gift card in the one that just went out. Ten whole American dollars to spend at Amazon.

Definitely worth one more addition to your inbox, don’t you think? If you haven’t signed up, you can do so by entering your email address into the sidebar and I’ll catch you next time.

If you did receive my email and have not opened/responded, why not? Don’t you like free money? You can buy books with that, ya know… 😉

Anyhoo…

I hope you are well. I pray your families are healthy and you are finding ways to cope with the turbulence in our world.

Last weekend, I spent a good deal of time trying to look forward. Sunny days are coming. Flowers will bloom. We’ll feel hopeful again. I’m so convinced that we will, that I have a new book that will make it’s way into the world this spring, so how about that cover reveal?

Wanna see the art for TO MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE?  

TMYFML ebook cover

This time I decided to do something a little different and use two different images from the same session for the ebook and print editions.

TMYFML print wrap

So there you have it. I hope you like them.

Brittany Owens is a young woman on the brink. As Brit’s career soars past up-and-coming and hurtles toward the stratosphere, she feels like she doesn’t have any control over its trajectory. Her grandfather is country music royalty. Her momager is determined to get Brit to the top at all costs. And then, there is the man she fell for when she was far too young to know any better.

Cash Dorsett once had stardom within his grasp. But the excesses that come with a life in the spotlight had him landing flat on his face when he reached for the success he craved. Clean and sober now, he doesn’t let himself think about the blue-eyed girl he left in the wreckage of his career. Much.

A chance encounter leads to an intense collaboration. But can Brit and Cash find a way to make beautiful music together without allowing her rising star to burn their love to the ground?

To Make You Feel My Love will be live on May 14, 2020!

In the meantime, be well, be safe, and be kind to one another.

xoxo Mags

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Monday Mayhem – It’s a kind of magic

I have a new project running around in my head. I don’t want to talk about it too much, because I’m not quite to the point of writing it. What if the kind of magic I have in my head doesn’t translate to the page? But I am excited about it. I’m just… waiting for that magic moment when I feel ready to start spinning the tale. Maybe this guy can help:

Illustration of an old wizard holding a book and a wand

In the meantime, work is coming along on TO MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE. No release date set yet, but we’re well into editorial and I have cover art, and I love it. Here’s a little hint of what’s to come. Reveal to come as soon as I set a release date. In the meantime, I’ve got plenty to keep you occupied on the My Books page.

TMYFML cover reveal teaser

Spring has come to Central Arkansas. Thank goodness. As much as I love and miss my friends and family up north, I do not miss the winters. There’s a fresh-cut hyacinth in my bud vase. Last week, Fodder clipped these beauties and brought a little sunshine into the house. We’re supposed to be entering into a rainy stretch over the next 10 days, so Sally and I sat outside soaking up the vitamin D over the weekend. Hopefully, the rain will help keep the green pollen monster at bay.

daffodils

Speaking of Spring…I will be attending the Chicago North Spring Fling in Chicago again this year. There’s a multi-author book signing scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2020. If you’re in the Chicago area, be sure to mark your calendar!

How’s the weather in your neck of the woods?

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Monday Mayhem – I’m still here!

It’s been so long. Too long. I just wanted you to know I’m still here. As I write this, I am at the kt literary retreat in Austin, Texas. It’s been a fun-filled weekend, jam-packed with information. I’m constantly amazed by the creativity and ingenuity of my fellow authors.

You guys, they are amazing.

Team Megibow!

People are doing awesome stuff. They work so hard. I’m amazed.

Anyhow, I’m super tired, but I hope to be around more in the coming weeks. TO MAKE YOU FEEL MY LOVE is in the editorial process. I have a cover, but I haven’t revealed it yet. I love it. It’s so pretty. I promise I’ll share it soon. It’ll knock your socks off!

No release date yet – Sara and I are running some world domination plans on the ancillary rights, so we need a little time.

More to come soon! Stay tuned!

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Monday Mayhem – A little bit Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Ma-Mar-gar-et

I spent the weekend mainlining Grace & Frankie season 6. Man, I love that show. I’m also incredibly happy that Schitt’s Creek is back, and I get my weekly fix of Moira Rose for just a little while longer.

I’ve been working on revisions of To Make You Feel My Love. I have a slot booked with my editor for February, so it’s time to get cranking. You know how I love a deadline. I haven’t even peeked at the manuscript for almost a year, and guess what I discovered? It does not suck. Yay!

So what else is happening?

I’ll be getting the rights to some of my books back, which means I’ll be repackaging them and independently publishing them later this year. So, if you’re looking for the Coastal Heat or Worth the Wait books, hang tight!

I’m also keeping up with my list of little happy things each day. I find it’s much easier for me to pick one small thing out of my day and note it than to pick the special ones for the old happiness jar. It’s working for me, so I think I’ll keep on with it. *gratitude rebel*

At present, I’m listening to the new Audible Original version of Jane Austen’s Emma, which features none other than the fabulous Emma Thompson. Loving the production, but I realized something in revisiting this novel – I think Emma (Woodhouse) is kind of an a$$hole. Does that make me an Austen rebel as well?

I don’t have anywhere to complain about her, though, because I quit Twitter. Yep. Done. Out. Both accounts deactivated. If you’re looking for me, don’t look there.

But, hey, did I tell you I signed up for a 5k walk/run on February 29th? I can tell you it’ll be more walk than run, but I figured Leap Year day would be a good day to make a fool of myself. Plus, if I finish, I get one of these sparkly medals:

5k finisher medal

Yep. I’m in it for the bling, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

How about you? Have you done anything rebellious lately? Sign up for anything crazy? Wanna share any unpopular opinions on classic novels? Hit the comments box below!

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Monday Mayhem – Well, I, uh…

I don’t have much to say. At this point in the year, I usually recap what I’ve accomplished, note items that were successes or disappointments, and lay out a few goals for the coming year.

But I have nothing to report.

woman staring at typewriter

Zip. Zilch. Nada.

I have barely touched the book that was 2/3 written at the end of 2017. I didn’t write any new words until NaNoWriMo rolled around in November, and those words had nothing to do with the previously written words. Oh, and those words are also nothing remotely resembling a novel.

Yet.

I remain hopeful. In spite of the burnout, and in the face of an industry that fluctuates from indifference to implosion on a near-daily basis.

I’m still a writer.

I still have 40 completed works under my belt, two in progress, and dozens of ideas left to nurture. I’m just…doing things a little differently these days.

Writing isn’t my life. It’s not who I am at my essence. It’s just something I like to do. But, I used to love doing it. And I want to get back to that place again.

So here I am, looking forward to 2020 armed with nothing more than a battered ego, a dusty keyboard, and a bucket-full of self-awareness. And, hopefully, I’ll get something done.

Oh, and to that end…don’t look for me on Twitter anymore. I have deactivated my accounts. You can find me on Insta @maggiewells1, the book of Face in all the usual spots, and-as always- here. Like Luke Danes, I’m always here.

Luke Danes

Wishing you all the best health and happiness in 2020. Thanks for hanging around with me. <3

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Monday Mayhem – Well, I have no idea where this year went…

It’s December. Can you believe that? I can’t. I have no idea where the year went. I’d claim I was busy writing, but we all know that would be a lie. I can say I was busy living.

This year has been one of reflection and reassessment for me, and I feel like I’m in a much better place than I was when it started. I spent a lot of time napping. And reading. I watched a lot of Netflix and college football. Hung out with Fodder and friends, and generally stopped throwing myself at the brick wall that is the publishing business.

Does that mean I’ve quit? Take a gander at this:

NaNoWriMo winner

I started a new project with no outline, no general plot, no idea who the characters were or really what they wanted. And it was so much fun. I made it just over the 50k mark, and little by little they are revealing themselves to me. I think this new book may even have some series potential. Stay tuned.

I’ll keep tinkering with it, but I’m glad that NaNo is over. I need to immerse myself in this whole December thing. There are holiday parties scheduled for the next two weekends, then Christmas with my branch of the family, all before the actual holiday itself.

So, yeah, time to kick it in gear. How about you? Are you ready for December?

P.S. Home in Heartsfield (formerly Spring Chickens) got a makeover! Check out this nifty new cover!