Maggie Clare's Blog, page 2

Writing the Sexy Stuff

Dear Maggie,

I think steamy scenes are the best part of a book! Do you like writing the sexy stuff as much as I like reading it?

Sincerely,

Steam Lover in Santa Monica

Dear Steam Lover,

I’ll admit, I used to dog-ear the ‘good parts’ of my mom’s old bodice ripper romance novels. Didn’t we all? I will further admit that I love writing those scenes now. I’m currently working on a romantic suspense series. These books aren’t erotica, which is a slightly different animal from romance, so I do have to co...

Embrace the Chaos!

Dear Maggie,

Do you read more than one book at a time? Do you write more than one book at a time?

Sincerely,

A Multitasker in Missoula

Dear Multitasker,

If you’d asked me this question several years ago, both answers would have been a resounding no. I would have said that I didn’t have time to read more than one book, and I couldn’t keep multiple books straight in my head even if I had the time. As far as writing projects, I felt the same. I’d only ever worked on one book at a time, until recently....

The Work From Home Paradox

Dear Maggie,

Do you find it challenging to work from home? How do you stay motivated, and how do you find balance?

Sincerely,

Sinking in St. Pete

Dear Sinking,

Working from home has pros and cons just like most things in life. On the plus side, I have great flexibility and autonomy. I can throw a load of laundry into the wash during a snack break. I can plan a hike on a Friday morning, and simply get those missed hours in on Saturday. I can work according to my own natural rhythm, and I can switch it...

Ring in the New Year!

"Well, we have a whole new year ahead of us. And wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all be a little more gentle with each other, a little more loving, and have a litt...

Happy Holidays!

Wishing you and yours the sweetest of seasons! ...

Raining Cats and Dogs

Dear Maggie,

Are you a cat person or a dog person?

Sincerely,

Pet Lover in Petaluma

Dear Pet Lover,

I am an equal opportunity pet lover. My husband will occasionally remind me that we live in a tiny, moving home with five animals. “Babe, we have a lot of pets,” he’ll say helpfully. Most days he’s fine with this, but when I’m away and he has to get everyone’s breakfast ready as soon as the sun rises, he files his complaint with management. But generally, living with our sweet little friends makes us ...

Gratitude Is My Attitude

Dear Readers,

The unique thing about Thanksgiving, as far as holidays go, is that it’s only about food, friends, family, and gratitude. With a grateful heart, I want to thank you for reading my stories, for reaching out to tell me you enjoyed them, for stopping by my table at a signing, for sending me a quick note or leaving a review. It means everything to me. Happy Thanksgiving!

...

Is Writer’s Block Real?

Dear Maggie,

Do you ever get writer’s block? Is that a real thing? If yes, how do you work past it?

Sincerely,

Stuck in St. Pete

Dear Stuck,

Oh, what a good question! Now that I’m in school, and we are racing from one project to another, my creative brain is functioning in high gear, like, all the time. I find that when I’m drafting a novel or short story, that’s the time when all the new ideas flow. I think it’s because I’m in the zone, if you know what I mean? But your question is about writer’s bl...

Where in the World?

Dear Maggie,

Where in the world are you these days? Are you still having fun on your travels? Are you doing a lot of writing?

Sincerely,

A Wanderer from Wichita

Dear Wanderer,

Yes, we are still having fun traipsing around the country! I can’t believe it’s been almost two years since our adventure began. We’re currently back in New Mexico and heading toward Palm Springs for the winter. We really love New Mexico. The first time here we hit Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell (of course), Albuquerque, and Santa ...

Romance Tropes Resonate

Dear Maggie,

What favorite tropes do you like to use in your romance writing? Why do you think tropes are so much fun?

Sincerely,

Curious in Carmel

Dear Curious,

First off, for those readers unfamiliar with the idea of a trope, I lifted this definition from dictionary.com: A trope is “a convention or device that establishes a predictable or stereotypical representation of a character, setting, or scenario in a creative work.” Some familiar tropes in romance include second-chance love, age gap, bodygu...