This week I’m going to focus on getting back into my pre-2014 routine. What does this mean? I need to figure out how to manage my time in this brave new world I’ve entered. Since I’m working toward feeling better physically, my first order of business will be to figure out how to fit gym time into my day. Next, I’ll tackle reestablishing the daily word count.
So I thought I’d start here with the good old fast five. Ready? Here we go!
What I’ve been working on: I’m about halfway through the battle of the sexes story I’ve been working on, but need to narrow the focus a bit. I’ve spent the least week reading, editing, and rewriting what I have so far in hopes of getting it on track to finish.
What’s running around in the back of my mind: A plot bunny inspired by an old Frank Sinatra song. Can you guess which one?
What I’ve accomplished: I worked all weekend, but I did get this post done. Does that count?
What new goal I’m chasing: Reclaiming my writing routine.
What I saw: Park Hill Collection showroom at the Dallas Market Center.
So, to get things back on track, let’s do something fun…Comment below and take a guess at which Sinatra song is making me itch to write a story and I’ll draw one winner from the correct answers for a choice of any book from my (or Maggie’s) digital backlist – one copy for you, and one for a friend!
I know I’ve been MIA lately. I’m sorry. My life as been in sort of a state of flux lately. I’ve left the company where I’ve worked for the last twelve years and started a new job. I’ve also been battling strep, staph, and a good, old-fashioned sinus headache. So yeah, I’ve been kind of a mess.
But I’m better now.
The decision to change jobs took a huge weight of my shoulders. And even though I’m having to deal with the inherent awkwardness of being the new girl who knows nothing, I’m a much happier person.
So far, 2014 has been all about cutting myself some slack and making necessary changes. To be honest, I’ve been doing a good bit of this:
Other than the release of boxed sets, I don’t really have anything new coming on the writing front. That’s something I hope to remedy in the coming months. Spring Chickens is all mine again. I plan to revamp it a bit and re-release it later in the year. Then, I think I want to make another run at Containment.
Of course, Miss Maggie is seeing all sorts of action – the tramp. It’s all about striking when the iron is hot in this business, and the steamy stuff is hotter than ever right now. There’s a new release from Harlequin just last week (The Last First Date), an upcoming boxed set from TMP (including Seducing Steve!), and a smoking hot story for the born before 1970 crowd (Three Little Words) coming from Kensington/Lyrical.
Sooooo, that’s what’s new with me. Thanks for your support and patience. I hope you know how much I appreciate you!
We are less than 2 weeks away from the release of the Harlequin-E Contemporary Boxed Set (Volume 2) and we’re giving it away! This fabulous four book set will be available June 2, 2014 and we can’t wait!
This set includes my story, The Last First Date – whoo hoo!
You guys, I have to tell you that I had the nicest weekend. It was a hectic week, starting out with a case of strep throat and continuing through to Friday, which has become back-to-back meeting day for me at the day job. I kicked the weekend off by doing one of the funnest of all fun things…having an eye exam.
Okay, maybe not such a blast, but it was a relief to have it done. I had an appointment back in February, but had to cancel due to an ice storm. Then, I was on the road most of March. I have no idea what happened to April, but I have been running on my last pair of contact lenses. It had to be done.
So there. I checked it off the list. Made the man get his peepers looked at too. Goose-gander, birds slain with a single stone….
Since we were already in chore mode, Fodder and I did the grocery shopping while we were out. That onerous task complete, I was able to retire to the recliner where I chatted with my girls and generally goofed off until it was time to crawl into bed.
Fodder and I had talked about having some type of getaway over the weekend. It’s been a stressful few weeksmonths year, and we just wanted to do something a little fun. We settled on spending a few hours just about 45 minutes up the road in Conway, AR, where the Toad Suck Daze festival was in full swing.
No, I did not just make up that name. It’s a thing. Here’s the website.
Sadly, to get to the festival, we had to pass through tornado-stricken Mayflower, AR. I won’t post pics or say anything more here because I can’t do justice to the utter devastation left in the path of that storm. I will simply ask you to please continue to support your own local Red Cross and other relief organizations.
The festival was fun, the day was beautiful, and the fair food? Well, let’s just say no one left hungry. We had toasted ravioli and cannelloni, jambalaya with sausage and chicken, kettle corn, and our new fair friend: deep fried cookie dough.
Yes, that is a hunk of frozen chocolate chip cookie dough (egg-free, we were told) deep-fried, dipped in chocolate, and rolled in pecans. Yeah…good times.
My handsome escort also won a prize for me at one of the many sucker magnets games of skill set up along the midway. Meet Colonel Corn – the latest and greatest weapon of spousal torment token of my love’s esteem and affection.
I’ll leave the ensuing conversations to your imagination. Now, multiply everything you just thought by ten, and you may have an inkling of what Fodder’s ride home from Toad Suck might have been like. I haven’t laughed that much or that hard in a while.
Back on the Ethridge Estate, we proceeded to nap in anticipation of another storm blowing through our neck of the woods. This tiny tempest was thoroughly enjoyable, though, and the path of destruction he wrought much more easily set to rights.
Who, me?
This morning, Fodder and I drove down to the Arkansas River to walk the lovely paths at Two Rivers Park.
While we were strolling we sighted a couple of does and a yearling not 100 yards from us. The sun was sparkling on the river, the sky was blue and cloudless, and the hills fresh and green with spring growth. It was the perfect way to start the day.
Later in the afternoon, I planted impatiens in the hanging baskets and spent a little time holding paws with my puppy dogs whilst my hero grilled steaks. And now, here I am in my chair – full, happy, and more relaxed than I’ve been in a long, long time.
I think we’re all caught up on my side now. Tell me what’s been happening in your world!
Oh! And don’t forget (like I almost did) about Love Finds A Way – the new boxed set that includes Contentment! It’s available now for only $0.99! Please tell all of your friends!
Here’s the thing no one tells you when you start down this road: There are times when being an author is mind-bogglingly tedious. It’s true. The making up stories and writing them down is just a teensy-tiny little bit of what an author does day in and day out.
Sunday was a perfect example. Here’s a brief rundown of how I spent my day:
1) Replied to blog post comments.
2) Shared links on social media pages.
3) Wrote additional scene for story I’m revising.
4) Updated links on websites.
5) Entered author and book data for upcoming app release.
6) Adapted a manuscript to fit a house style guide.
7) Wrote this blog post.
8) Email correspondence.
And though I’ve clocked over 2,000 words today, not one of these things has resulted in fresh new story being added to my work in progress. And when one only has about 2-3 hours of author time per night…well, you get the picture.
So yeah, this is turning into a half-assed want ad for an assistant. One willing to work for peanuts. Literally. I’ve got a bag of Beer Nuts here for the lucky victim uh, volunteer. Apply in the comments below.
Oh, and I was serious about the peanuts.
So, tell me, if you could hire someone to handle any aspect of your life for you, what would it be?
I feel compelled to warn you, I’m going to be bugging the bejesus out of you again. You see, I’ve found out that I will have two more books included in boxed sets this year. Yay!
First up, and coming very soon: Love Finds A Way – featuring Contentment!
Then later this fall, Paramour will be included in a set of romances with a paranormal bent. Whoo hoo!
Though it’s been a rough year for new writing projects, it’s shaping up to be a very busy year for my existing works. Thanks to the Unforgettable Heroesboxed set, Long Distance Love will reach thousands of readers who have never read one of my books before. I’m hoping Contentment and Paramourwill reach new readers as well.
So this boxed set trend is a big thing now. What do you think about them? Good? Bad? Are you indifferent? Have you discovered any new-to-you authors you love?
It’s bunny season, so it seems only right that I participate in a blog hop, right?
The fabulous Karen Stivali tagged me for the hop. Be sure to check her answers as well! Here goes:
1) What are you working on? At the moment, I’m writing a battle of the sexes type romance between a college football coach and the women’s basketball coach. At the moment I’m calling it Full Court Press. It’ll probably end up in Maggie’s wheelhouse. Seems like everything does these days. 🙂
2) How does your work differ from others in the genre? I think the biggest difference is that I’m not afraid to feature heroes and heroines who are a little more…seasoned than most. Yes, age does leave your characters at the mercy of gravity, but I think age adds depth to the character’s motivations. And to the steamy scenes as well.
3) Why do you write what you write? I guess this is where I fall back on the old ‘write what you know’ bit. Living inside the head of a nubile, young virgin would be a bit of a stretch for me at this point in my life.
4) How does your writing process work? Ha! I don’t really have much of a process. I am a pantser by nature, but have learned to use a loose sort of outline to keep my works on track. Other than that, all I require would be some background music and the occasional box of Cheez-Its.
I was home only 14 of 31 days in the month of March. Yes, I counted, and yes, I’m using that as an excuse. I’m sorry I missed you last week, but my life actually was mayhem last Monday. But I’m here now and I have a fast five for you. Let’s catch up, shall we?
What I’ve been working on: This is the last day to grab Unforgettable Heroes for $.99, so I’m working on promo today. I’d appreciate it if you’d help me spread the word. The response to this boxed set offering has been phenomenal. I hope to be able to participate in more sets to come! The price will be going up to $6.99 as of April 1. Still a great deal for 8 books!
What’s running around in the back of my mind: A crazy plot bunny that hopped into my head last night. Poor little baby bunny. It’s so far down on the list of potential projects it’s going to have emerge fully-formed and write itself to bump its predecessors out of the way.
What I’ve accomplished: Hey, I wrote this blog post, didn’t I?
What new goal I’m chasing: I hope to spend many hours in my chair writing.
Thanks to YOU, I am officially an Amazon bestselling author! Squeeee!
You all have been so awesome about helping to spread the word about UNFORGETTABLE HEROES and my fellow authors and I truly appreciate your support. So much so that I have a little something for you.
A $10 Amazon gift card!
Just comment below and tell me what you’ve been reading lately. It’s that simple. I’ll draw the name of one winner on Sunday, March 16, 2014.
