Maggie Wells's Blog, page 23
February 1, 2016
Monday Mayhem – Old flames and new loves
Big news in my world this week – the Gilmore Girls revival is a go!
The table read took place last week, filming is set to start, and my posse is starting to make plans to watch it together!
This week, I also fell in love with a new show this week. Until the People’s Choice Awards, I had never hear of Mozart in the Jungle. I just watched two seasons in 24 hours and I’m soooo in love with it.
I don’t feel the least bit bad about the indulgence, because once again I have met my goal early. Ransomed Heart is approaching the 1/3 mark. One more chapter and I think I’ll start pulling what I have apart, trimming away the loose threads, then shoring it up so I can soar right over any threat of a saggy middle.
How about you? Run into any lost loves or new sparks this week?
January 25, 2016
Monday Mayhem – All the news
Okay! So this week’s post is all about the news. First, the big news I’ve been hinting at for a month or so:
That’s right, the Warrior series (FULL COURT PRESS, RANSOMED HEART, and TOSSING THE PLAYBOOK) will be available in audio starting with the release of FULL COURT PRESS in December 2017! Read all about it here!
Second, as you know, I re-released the HOT NIGHTS IN ST. BLAISE novellas as a set. You can grab all 12 stories for just $3.99. If you’d like to tempt a friend into trying them out, I’m posting book #1, JUMPING MR. JANUARY on Wattpad as a free read. Chapters 1, 2, & 3 will be available as of this week. Please help me spread the word!
Third, don’t forget that GOING DEEP is on sale for only $0.99. I think the sale ends this week, so tell all of your friends to pick up a copy today. FLIP THIS LOVE will be out in April, and LOVE AND ROCKETS in October. If you haven’t read it, give it a shot – I think you’ll really love the Coastal Heat series!
Whew! That’s a lot going on, isn’t it? Well, it’s not all I have cooking. I’m over 15k into drafting RANSOMED HEART and I have to tell you, I’m loving this story! I’m using the delicious Boris Kodjoe as my inspiration for basketball coach, Ty Ransom. I’ll just leave this here for a minute:
Yeah. Uh huh.
You’ll be pleased to know that I was a good girl this past week and got ahead of my goal. Keep your fingers crossed that I can keep the streak going!
What’s new with you?
January 18, 2016
Monday Mayhem – Top 3 ways of goofing off
I’ve had a pretty high demand week in terms of the day job, which means I haven’t had a lot of energy for the night job. Oh, I’ve been making my daily word count, I barely made the loftier weekly goal I set for myself, but I did. I also found some time to goof off along the way. Here are the top three ways I avoided being productive:
3) I picked up a romance classic. I’ve never read The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, so I’m doing that now. Now, I totally get why this book drew so many authors to the genre.
2) Dating – I suckered my man into taking me out to dinner and the bookstore. We had one of these:
1) The West Wing on Netflix. I loved this show. Unfortunately, when Fodder and I started dating, our nightly phone calls preempted my viewing of shows airing at 9pm. I’m finally going to watch the last couple of episodes.
Don’t worry, little by little, I’m making progress on Ransomed Heart. I’m having a great time getting to know Ty and Millie better. I can’t wait for you to meet them!
Oh, and if you haven’t had a chance to read the Hot Nights in St. Blaise series, I’ve re-released it! Grab your copy here:
Amazon ~ Apple ~ B&N ~ Kobo ~Smashwords
Annnnnd…Going Deep is on sale for only $0.99! Tell your friends!
All Romance ~ Amazon ~ Apple ~ B&N ~ Google ~ Kensington ~ Kobo
Views – 8
January 11, 2016
Monday Mayhem – Diving in
Here we go, kids!
I just turned in the manuscript for LOVE AND ROCKETS (Coastal Heat #3) last night. Wooohoo! What does this mean? It means it’s time for me to get to work on RANSOMED HEART (Warrior #2)!
I’m excited to start on something new, but that doesn’t mean I’m done with the Coastal Heat series. I’m preparing a proposal for two more books in the series, so cross your fingers and toes. I’m also excited because the first book in the series, GOING DEEP, is on sale!
Brooke and Brian started it all. Now they’ll have company as Laney and Harley’s story comes out in April and Jake and Darla’s in October. It’s so much fun to see this world grow to encompass so many new love stories.
A new year means new plans. As 2016 starts, I’m working on 2017 and beyond. I can’t wait to share these new adventures with you!
Views – 38
January 8, 2016
Sale! Sale! Going Deep is on sale!
Tell all your friends! Shout it from the rooftops! GOING DEEP is only $0.99!
I have no idea how long the sale will last, so grab it fast!
Going Deep – To the heart of the story.
Book #1 in the Coastal Heat Series
Brooke Hastings almost won a Pulitzer Prize for her hard-hitting reportage. Now she’s sitting on the story of a lifetime and wants to prove she’s not a one-hit-wonder. But in order to get the world to take notice, she’ll need the help of the one person she loves to hate—Brian Dalton.
Brian Dalton stumbled into celebrity when he landed a show on the Earth Channel. But the hunky marine biologist never forgot the serious, studious boy who left Mobile a decade before. Now back in Alabama, he’s looking for the quiet life he always wanted and hoping for a chance with the girl he always loved. When Brooke asks him to help expose some of the lingering effects of the Gulf oil disaster, Brian jumps at the chance to help preserve the place both call home…
All Romance ~ Amazon ~ Apple ~ B&N ~ Google ~ Kensington ~ Kobo
Views – 74
January 4, 2016
Monday Mayhem – Nothing but good things
Over the past couple of years, I’ve tried to focus more on the good things in life than the things that get me down. I think it’s working. Last year, I started doing the notes in a jar. In 2016, I plan to continue that, but I’m also adding the Happier app to my repertoire. It allows me to take pictures and note the happy as it’s happening.
Still, I love my pretty post-its, so I can’t abandon the good old mason jar. I opened my 2015 good things jar on NYE.
That sucker was stuffed!
Wanna see what went down this year? Here’s the scoop:
January
1/1/15 – Pan fried praline french toast in butter. We are rebels!
1/1/15 – 1017 words to kick off the new year!
1/2/15 – The best days are royalty check days!
1/2/15 – Print copies of The Last First Date for RITA have arrived!
1/4/15 – Cracker Barrel with Kathy, Monica, and my man!
1/6/15 – Facebook harassed Kay Fairchild with the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.
1/6/15 – Spring Chickens re-release!
1/7/15 – Hug therapy and Pillsbury ready-to-bake sugar cookies.
1/23/15 – I got a raise!
1/24/15 – Snuggle nap.
February
2/3/15 – Switched RT enrollment for RWA in NYC with Karen B!
2/4/15 – Colin James Kidwell is born!
2/11/15 – Popeye’s Pandora, and the perfect truffle from my love.
2/12/15- Viva Las Vegas with my Super Cool Party People!
2/14/15 – Spring Chickens will be in the Unforgettable Heroes II boxed set!
2/15/15 – Stranded in Las Vegas with my girls.
2/16/15 – Spa day with Iwanna. There are worse places to be stuck than Las Vegas. J
2/23/15 – Signed up for NOLA Stars conference in Shreveport.
2/26/15 – Finished draft on Full Court Press.
2/28/15 – Request for a full on Full Court Press – agent J.A.
March
3/1/15 – Submitted Bossy Pants (retitled A Will and A Way) to Kensington.
3/1/15 – Tulips, pretty tulips!
3/7/15 – NOLA Stars – request for full on FCP – editor P.B.
3/7/15 – NOLA Stars – request for partial and synopsis – agent L.B.
3/7/15 – NOLA Stars – submitted full and synopsis FCP – agent D.K.
3/7/15 – NOLA Stars – Won 1st chapter critique from Molly O’Keefe in auction.
3/18/15 – Query S.M. on FCP.
3/24/15 – Partial request from S.M.
3/29/15 – 3.5 miles in 44 minutes watching Rory’s Birthday Parties on Netflix.
April
4/4/15 – Flying Fish, grass sledding, Riverwalk, salted caramel ice cream, and Outlander. The perfect day!
4/9/15 – Kensington wants Bossy Pants (to be renamed) and two more to follow Going Deep!
4/12/15 – Sara Megibow offered representation!
4/20/15 – Accepted representation with Sara Megibow, KT Literary. Officially a part of Team Megibow!
May
5/4/15 – Charlotte Castle Kolleng is born!
5/6/15 – Boaz Joshua Kiewiet is born!
5/20/15 – Full Court Press going out on submission.
June
6/2/15 – Jewels booked her flight to Little Rock!
6/10/15 – Chicago! Got to smooch Kat, Becky, Johnny, Katie, baby Lottie, and el Jeffe!
6/11/15 – Chicago part II – visit with Strokie at State Farm, Garrett’s Popcorn, and Lou Malnati’s pizza!
6/12/15 – RUSH at the United Center with Wild Bill, Jazzy Jeff, Dazed Dan, Kat and Carol!
6/17/15 – Terms with Kensington at good. Three book deal is a go!
6/21/15 – Father’s Day Italian beef, sugar cookies, and hoops with my boys.
6/24/15 – Kidneys and bladder passed their tests with flying colors.
July
7/4/15 – Annual viewing of The Music Man.
7/18/15 – DSRA, Café Cinco De Mayo, and pre-RWA mani/pedi.
7/21/15 – Surprise bonus at the day job just in time for my trip. 
7/22/15 – RWA in NYC – I touched Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Such a lovely lady.
7/22/15 – RWA Literacy Signing.
7/22/15 – RWA with Karen B. – Up late girl talking.
7/23/15 – Kensington party – Cab ride with Sharon Struth, Terri-Lynne DeFino, and Sonali Dev.
7/24/15 – Harlequin party at the Waldorf Astoria – Nine authors, one limo. Danced the night away with Karen B!
7/25/15 – Ate a delicious Steakburger in NYC. You can take the girl out of Bloomington…
7/25/15 – RITA awards – two wins for Team Megibow authors!
7/26/15 – Sad news about my BeBe to start the day, but smooth travel with Renee N Kelly. Now home to my pillow.
7/31/15 – Turned in Flip This Love – 64k in 31 days!
August
8/8/15 – Amazeum in Bentonville to meet Sara Megibow.
8/13/15 – Jewels hits Little Rock. 3 Sams BBQ for PB pie. Shooting hoops in the back yard.
8/14/15 – Burgers, shoe shopping, Flying Fish, cardboard sledding and Willy D’s piano bar with Jewels, Joe and Deb!
8/15/15 – Took Jewels to DSRA for show and tell. Mexican food, Trainwreck, and bopper sundaes.
8/16/15 – Jewels, Kayson, and juggling.
8/29/15 – 1st round edits on Flip This Love.
September
9/15/15 – Going Deep release day!
9/27/15 – 12331 words at the DSRA writing retreat 2015!
October
10/13/15 – Flip This Love cover is FABULOUS!
10/13/15 – An offer on Full Court Press!
10/17/15 – I had a bunny. He made me very happy for a very long time.
10/28/15 – Entered Going Deep in 2016 ROTA awards.
10/28/15 – Signed 3 book deal with Samhain Publishing for Warrior (Full Court Press) series.
10/31/15 – Batman returns for trick or treating!
November
11/1/15 – 1st round edits on A Will and A Way.
11/4/15 – Samhain deal announced.
11/9/15 – Lulu bought a house in Missouri just to be closer to me!
11/12/15 – Watched WKRP turkey drop. “As God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly.”
11/14/15 – Loblolly ice cream sundaes for lunch.
11/14/15 – Hogs beat LSU – always a good time.
11/15/15 – Dinner at Marketplace with the kiddos – chocolate mess sundae with my favorite little boy.
11/16/15 – 47th bday – New Kindle and Snoopy book on writing.
11/21/15 – Shared a teeny-tiny birthday cake with Mr. Bill.
11/22/15 – Playtime Pizza with the family for Bill’s double-nickel birthday.
11/26/15 – Thankful for a fun Thanksgiving.
11/27/15 – Finished 1st draft on Love and Rockets…finally!
11/28/15 – Joe and Deb’s wedding!
December
12/1/15 – More good publishing news (announcement to come in January).
12/2/15 – DSRA lunch and PHC party. Eat, eat, and eat some more!
12/6/15 – Christmas lights are finally up.
12/13/15 – I am a turkey roasting goddess. Who knew?
12/18/15 – Sally finally learned to play tug.
12/20/15 – My man bought me cookies after a long day of inventory.
12/25/15 – Family, little smokies, monkey bread, and I left The Isle up $5!
12/26/15 – Kidwell Christmas = Babies, babies, babies, and euchre.
12/27/15 – Bill became the fool who ripped his pants!
12/28/15 – Free bonus charm at Pandora.
12/29/15 – Brinda Berry proved that she is magic, like a unicorn.
12/31/15 – Dinner with my man, puppy play, yoga pants, West Wing on Netflix, football and Little Debbie Nutty Bar.
Whew! What a year! Thank you all for being a part of it!
The jar is empty again and ready to go. My goal for 2016 is to top 100+ notes. How about you? Are you doing anything to tap into your happy?
Views – 95
December 28, 2015
Monday Mayhem – The last of 2015
I know I said I’d post my 2015 happiness list this week, but I forgot I’d be doing the holiday travel thing and I might end up with more good things to add to the jar, so I think I’ll save that for the first post of 2016.
I’m hoping your holidays have been fabulous so far, and I wish you nothing but health and happiness in the new year!
2015 has been the most fantastic roller coaster ride. Here are a few random photos I’ve posted through the year. Thank you so much for coming along with me!
xoxo
Mags
Views – 36
December 27, 2015
Weekend Writing Warrior – 12/27/15
Thanks for joining me for these Weekend Writing Warrior posts. For those of you still reading along, here’s more from LOVE AND ROCKETS (Coastal Heat #3). I’m going to take a little break from my warrior-ing, but I’ll probably be back. Thanks so much for all of your support and kind words!
****
Darla flinched as she snapped out of her reverie. Sugar-sticky tea sloshed over the side of the glass and onto her hand. Big brown eyes stared up at her.
“You okay?”
The combination of warmth in his dark eyes and genuine concern evident in his simple question ripped though her pride like a torpedo. “I’m sorry.” The apology burst from her with shocking ease. Plopping the glass down on the table, she slid into the seat across from him without even stopping to blink. “I’m so sorry, I was a complete bitch last night and you didn’t deserve it.”
****
Be sure to check out all of this weekend’s Weekend Writing Warrior posts!
Views – 44
December 25, 2015
Merry Christmas!
The greatest gift of all is friendship.
Thank you for giving me yours!
Views – 34
December 21, 2015
Monday Mayhem – My year in numbers
I’m one of those crazies who likes to quantify things. so I thought I’d throw some random stats for the year out there this week, and next week, we’ll get to open the Good Things jar!
29 – Number of novella length or longer works published (Going Deep).
3 fabulous vacations – Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York.
1 agent acquired!
52 Weekend Writing Warrior posts.
2 beloved pets lost, 1 fairly goofy pet gained.
6 – number of books contracted for 2016-2017.
76 episodes of Friday Night Lights watched in the month of August.
1 visitor from abroad. Literally, a broad. Her name is Julie and I fed her every chance I had.
23 – number of strands of Christmas lights purchased to replace old strands.
47 – the number of candles that would have been on my birthday cake if I’d had a birthday cake. We ate ice cream sundaes instead.
175,000+ words written on drafts. This doesn’t include proposals, edits, material that was cut, blog posts or other peripheral writing.
4 grueling days of physical inventory at the day job.
Whew! So that’s what I’ve been doing. I need to rest now.
Views – 34
