M.J. Greenway's Blog, page 11

Deleted Date Scene from Dating Maggie

           After carefully reading all of the responses, Maggie decided to reply to the 30 year old realtor submitted by his sister.  The picture she sent was dark, it was kind of hard to tell what he looked like. She decided to give him a chance anyway.  What is better than an endorsement from another woman, right?
His sister emailed back right away.  Maggie sent her phone number so he could call and set up a date if he was interested.He called an hour later.  His voice was slightly higher pitched than she’d imagined. He seemed friendly and asked her a few questions about herself. After about fifteen minutes, they decided to pick a time and place to meet. The two blind daters met up the next day at the Angelica Theatre.  When Maggie approached the entrance, she saw someone waving to her and assumed that was him. Realtor Guy sported curly, unkempt clay colored hair. He wore a loose blue short sleeve button-up with tragically un-hip denim.  He looked nothing like his picture.Luckily, Maggie had stopped expecting any guy she met online to look like his picture. The photos guys sent were either a. from ten years ago or b. from twenty pounds ago or c. a group picture with no indication of who was who or d. a random picture of a hot person that they stole and posted as their own.  He bought their tickets and they found seats near the back of the theatre. Movie pickings were slim, so they had settled on a cheesy horror film.  They were there a few minutes before the previews started playing. While she didn’t feel an instant ping of attraction, the conversation was easy.  “You’re sister mentioned that you were newly divorced, that must be hard,” Maggie said.“It’s pretty awful, but I’m hanging in there. It was just finalized last week. My sister knew I was down about it, which is what prompted her to hunt down a date for me.  What about you Maggie, you ever been married?” Realtor Guy asked.“Me? Oh, no. I wish. I mean, well, haven’t found the right one I suppose, enter Craigslist,” Maggie said.“Good for you, you’re young, why not enjoy your 20’s? I wish I had,” Realtor Guy said.The theatre got dark and they both got quiet. Once the thirty minutes of soda commercials and violent previews began, she noticed that Realtor Guy grazed her knee. As the film progressed, he became increasingly more hands on. He grabbed her leg at every creepy turn.  Every scary moment provided a groping opportunity.  At first she thought the attention was nice, but then she began to feel like a plush toy. This much touching seemed a little forward for a first date. She quickly categorized him as the quick to the bedroom type. Maggie was not a one night stand or sex on the first date kind of gal. Okay, maybe it happened once, but she’d learned her lesson. That type of rendezvous only lead her to feelings of attachment, love and ultimately heartbreak, when he never called back. As the credits rolled, Maggie felt the sweet relief of a date about to near its end.  When they walked out to the lobby, Realtor Guy insisted that they get a drink at the Pizzeria next door.  She agreed, because she was afraid of first date confrontation. It was a red and white checked tablecloth kind of joint. It smelled like garlic and bleach. Maggie ordered a glass of Pinot Noir, Realtor Guy ordered a large meat covered pizza and a light beer. His lanky frame, suggested either this was his first meal in days or he had the sort of metabolism that women like Maggie only dreamed of having. He asked if she minded if he ordered food, she said that was fine.  As she hoped this experience would be brief, she just sipped her glass of wine and may have consumed the bulk of the bread in the basket.  Noticing her bread binge, he offered her a piece of his pizza, she declined.  She’d filled up on bread. Much to Maggie’s surprise, this guy’s tentacles were tame at the restaurant.  It might have been because they weren’t in the dark.  He seemed focused on his food so there wasn’t too much talk either. This was fine with Maggie, she was kind of counting the minutes until the end of the date. She’d pencil him into the no match column.
After he finally finished his pizza, she’d never seen a man eat that gingerly, he paid the check.  When a guy paid, it was always a nice touch.  Maggie never took that for granted, because lots of guys were happy to go Dutch.  Her fundage situation was always a bit tight, so she was grateful.  Although, the downside was that when a guy she wasn’t attracted to, paid, she feared he’d have expectations of some kind.Though she would have preferred to walk alone, Realtor Guy walked Maggie to her car.  It was nice from a safety standpoint, but also filled her with dread. Please don’t try to kiss me, please don’t try to kiss me, she chanted silently in her head.The mental chanting proved worthless. Predictably, once at her car, he circled her waist and moved his hands a bit under the back of her shirt. He pulled her close and briskly shoved his tongue into her mouth.  Somehow her face became awash with spit, it was like frenching a St. Bernard. Yuck, what the hell was that? she thought. When she could finally draw air into her mouth again, Realtor Guy smiled like a Cheshire cat and said, “I liked kissing you.”“Well, have a good night,” Maggie said.  She quickly hopped in her car and shut the door abruptly.

The Book Escape e-zine is giving away an e-book of Dating Maggie

Fellow Limitless author Jennifer Labelle featured Dating Maggie on her blog this month and she's giving her subscribers a chance to win a free e-copy of Dating Maggie. Click on the link to enter to win!

The Book Escape: Our November Giveaway! Check it out!
Also, you can scroll down a few posts to my Goodreads paperback giveaway. There are still a few days left to enter to win one. It would make a good Christmas gift for anyone who likes a good loves story:) 

4 Great Websites for Novelists

I researched for hours when I started my novel writing journey last year. There were four places I found myself visiting over and over again. I thought I would share the sites in case it helps another writer or novelist-to-be.

1. Jane Friedman is an expert in many areas of publishing. She hosts author interviews and her site is helpful for anyone pursuing traditional or indie publishing.

2. Manuscript Wishlist or #MSWL This is a fun place to explore the wish lists of publishers and agents. You may search your genre and see what publishing professionals are looking for. If I feel blocked about the next idea before starting a new book I will scroll through and see if it inspires an idea. If you write or have written an MS that someone has wished for, you can mention MSWL in your query.

3. Sub It Club This is a site run by picture book author Heather Ayris Burnell. I'm a member of the Facebook group connected with it. The blog supports those who are in the submission process. She also posts regular updates of contests and Twitter pitch-fests.

4. The Creative Penn Author Joanna Penn runs this site. She is a successful self/indie published author and has written books about publishing and marketing. She also has a podcast. There is a huge amount of helpful information on her site.

If you have a site that has helped you, feel free to shout it out in the comments section.

Awesome Fall Treat

Baked Pumpkin Donut Holes
Ingredients: For the Donuts:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup canola oil
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup canned plain pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup milkFor the Coating:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamonDirections:1. Preheat oven 350°F. Spray a 24-cup mini muffin tin with baking spray and set aside.2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves. In a separate, large bowl whisk together oil, brown sugar, egg, vanilla, pumpkin and milk until smooth. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until just combined.3. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Bake for 10-12 minute. 4. While the muffins bake, melt butter in one bowl and combine granulated sugar and cinnamon in another bowl. Remove muffins from oven and cool for 2 minutes. Dip each muffin in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar to coat. Serve muffins warm or at room temperature.
  
Yield:40 donut holes
(mini muffins)
Recipe from The Craving Chronicles

#1lineWed

I've been enjoying the Twitter hashtag #1lineWed for a while now. An RWA romantic suspense chapter asks writers to post one line from a book they are currently writing in the genre. Each week there is a theme. Today's was "action". One week it was "dialogue". I've loved reading the clever tweets written by other writers as well.

Here are a few lines I've posted over the weeks from Sarah's Second Chance, my romantic mystery.

1. Looking out the store window, I glimpsed flecks of white confetti-like stuff swirling through the sky. 

2. Greyson was standing there in his finery, donning a slick fedora dusted with snow.

3. “How was school?”
“Not good.”
“What happened?”
"This kid tried to cut my finger off with safety scissors.” 

4. As the sun set in Siletz Bay, we watched the ships sail in the distance.

5. We bellied up to the buffet. Vats of steak, penne pasta, pineapple cubes, tubs of jello and chocolate pudding seduced us. #1lineWed

This 5 Star Amazon Review Warmed My Heart!

"Dating Maggie" is a witty, sweet, romantic love story, that will remind you of what it was like to feel young again and so full of hope and perseverance. Maggie's story was hilariously written and charming, with a modern and honest depiction of what it's like being in the dating world today, and really out there trying to find yourself. I loved the author's writing style and will definitely look forward to reading another book from her in the near future. 

I'm so thrilled to see that readers are enjoying my book! And I'm super grateful when anyone takes the time to review it. Now that I'm a novelist, I try to be more diligent myself about reviewing the books I've read. It didn't really occur to me in the past. From what I gather, they can help new authors emerge from the heap in the mysterious over-crowded book world that is Amazon. 

See the post below if you'd like a chance to win a paperback of Dating Maggie. The giveaway ends November 25, 2015.

Win A FREE Paperback of Dating Maggie!

November is the month of giving thanks. So in preparation for Thanksgiving, I'm giving away two paperbacks of Dating Maggie via a Goodreads Giveaway. Enter below. The contest ends November 25, 2015. Read it yourself and then give it as a gift at Christmas time:)

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Giveaway ends November 25, 2015.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Author Interview: Savannah Blevins

The Girl with Hearts, a Contemporary Romance by Savannah Blevins releases today! She was kind enough to answer some questions about her writing process and inspirations.
What is your process for plotting out your novel?
I am a panster at heart. I usually start with a rough out line as simple as three main objects that I want to happen, and the characters figure out how we get there. My outline will change and update chapter by chapter, but usually it always ends the way I planned.
What is your greatest challenge as a writer?
Right now, my greatest challenge is finding time to write. I work full-time as a Speech Language Pathologist, and have two toddlers at home. I do a lot of early morning and late night writing while the kids are in bed.
Do you write in one genre or multiple genres? Why?
My first book series The Midtown Brotherhood is a New Adult Contemporary Romance, and the second The Witches of Sanctuary is a New Adult Fantasy. I grew up on Romance novels, and I think any story I write will always have a strong romantic element. I enjoy changing the pace. It helps to venture out and try something new. I haven’t been brave enough to try anything too off the beaten path yet.
What was your path to publication like?
I wrote a lot in college as a hobby. It’s what I did to distress after finals, and during those long summers that college kids take for granted. Writing a book and getting published was something I thought I would do later in life…after kids…when I retired. After all, I was a first generation college student. When my parents asked what I was going to major in “Writing” was not going to be an acceptable answer.
Even after I completed my first novel in graduate school, I put it away, and kept it just for myself. Then I was diagnosed with Cancer. I spent two years in and out of the hospital, and I quickly realized that tomorrow isn’t always promised to you. 
Luckily for me, I was given an excellent prognosis. Thankfully my amazing doctor caught it early, and I was able to stop putting my dream on hold. Soon after what my Oncologist told me “should” be my final surgery, I started working on my second novel The Girl with Hearts. That winter I finished it and started querying it in the spring. In July, I signed my three book deal with Limitless publishing and The Girl with Hearts releases November 3, 2015.
What advice do you have for someone who dreams of writing and having a book published?
Be patient. Take the time to learn the business, and hone your craft. Have a lot of people read your writing and not just your best friend next door. Invest in a professional freelance editor. One professional edit will teach you amazing things about your writing. Follow agents and editors on social media. They offer free amazing advice. Most importantly, don’t give up. Don’t put your dream on the back burner.
Author Bio: Savannah was born in Hyden, Kentucky. She received her M.S in Speech Language Pathology from The University of Mississippi in 2009. She’s been writing since the early age of nine when she begged her parents for a type writer for Christmas.
She now lives in Corbin, Ky with her husband of eight years, John, and their two wonderful daughters, Delilah and Gracie.
When she isn’t working, or running after her kids, she spends her free time traveling the country with her husband. There is nothing better than a day of football in the grove, a late night of basketball at Rupp Arena or slapping the glass to celebrate another Washington Capitals goal.
She is a strong believer that with enough hard work and determination you can accomplish anything.
Blurb Excerpt:   Henrik Rylander doesn’t just participate in Manhattan’s dating scene—he owns the exclusive rights to it… As the newly-minted captain of the New York Rangers hockey team, Henrik’s coach wants him to clean up his reputation. But Henrik isn’t quite ready to give up charming panties off co-eds, so he decides to indulge in one last night of uninhibited freedom.

Buy The Girl with Hearts on Amazon
 Connect with Savannah on social media: Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/savannahblevinsauthorTwitter: @vannajodeeWebsite: http://www.savannahblevins.com

From First Draft to Publication

My story began on a cold February day. My husband was virtually working around the clock on a work project. And my son was finally in kindergarten. I was a stay-at-home mom and a creative storm had been brewing in me for a while but motherhood had taken all of me during those first years.
Writing a book had been on my bucket list for some time. With a significant birthday approaching, I decided to write and submit something to publishers before my next birthday.
I started with rough notes from a memoir I thought I’d write. But after reading stacks of books and articles online about getting published, I decided not to write a memoir. I wasn’t famous enough for anyone to buy it. I’ve always enjoyed a good love story and I read that romance was a hot genre. I’ve been writing and doing creative things for as long as I can remember but this time I wanted to think from the end point.
If I wanted to be published and I was a new writer, what would be the easiest way? New Adult is a hot emerging genre and romance has lots of voracious readers…so I’d write a New Adult Contemporary Romance.
In my twenties I was single and living in LA. That seemed like a good starting point for a story. At the same time, The Bachelor was on and featured a good looking farmer deemed “Prince Farming” and that gave me the idea to have the hero be a farmer. But then I realized that rancher and cowboy sounded sexier than farmer.
As I wrote, I went to the library and loaded up on romance novels. I also read books on how to write a novel and researched publishers.  After two months of writing, I had a first draft. I had really finished it…if only I’d know how much more work was to come!
Then I revised and gave it to a few beta readers. I wrote a query and synopsis and submitted to some small publishers and some Big 5 e-publisher imprints. My book was on the shorter side word count wise so I knew it wouldn’t be the right fit for most agents. I did sub to one and she got back to me right away with a no. At least I didn’t have to wait. Any answer is better than no answer, I realized.
After waiting two months some rejections and a revise and resubmit had tricked in. That means an editor gives specific notes for a re-write and if you choose to do it, you are welcome to re-submit.
I was working on revisions when I heard about #Pit2Pub, a pitching contest that would allow me to pitch to small publishers on Twitter.  I noticed that there were publishers listed that I had not submitted to yet. 
It was serendipitous timing as my re-writes were just wrapping up. It seemed like an amazing opportunity to try a second round of submissions with 140 characters. I had participated in
#PitMad and another Twitter contest for picture book submissions so this time I had a better
feel for what to expect. I wrote variations on the same pitch.
So I tried to have a thick skin and pitched my NA contemporary romance, Dating Maggie. At the end of the day, my pitch received eight favorites from small publishers. I was thrilled!

This was the pitch: A hot rancher threatens to turn an actress/dating vlogger’s world upside down. #Pit2Pub # NA #R.

I researched the publishers that starred my pitch and decided to submit to three of them.  This is was an important step because not every small press is created equal. I was also waiting to hear from a publisher that was looking at my R & R that I’d submitted before I participated in #Pit2Pub.

Limitless Publishing requested a full a few days after my submission and a contract not long after that. The other publisher said they would need more time to review my revised MS before making a decision.  I was happy with the Limitless contract and let the other publisher know that I had signed with another publisher. Their covers are what really won me over. Wicked by Design created mine and I loved it. Readers have also commented on how much they like the cover.
Now Dating Maggie is a real book! It’s available as an e-book and in paperback on Amazon. Some positive reviews are starting come in and I’m getting to interact with readers, which has been so much fun. I’m also learning to market and approach my writing as a serious business.

Feel free to leave your writing story in the comments.

Fall Pumpkin Recipes

Now that Halloween has passed, it's almost holiday baking season. Some may be sick to death

of pumpkin in everything but I like it best in baked goods, the way it was intended...in my humble opinion. Here are some recipes to try on chilly fall days.

These are Libby's recipes. We grow pumpkins and have roasted them and made pie from them in the past. The taste is more bland  and watery than store bought pumpkin puree.

Apparently the Libby pumpkins are more like squash and a proprietary plant they use. Libby puree has a richer flavor. They didn't sponsor this post, by the way:) It's just something I've found from experience and trying to feed a house full of pumpkin pie lovers.

Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Pie

Pumpkin Roll