Tag: writing

Working, working, working . . .

Posted on by Maggie McGuinness

There’s been lots of very serious work going on around here lately, just like in this picture. In fact, that’s me in disguise in the middle, madly tapping away at the first draft of Book 2 in the Mirrabooka Romance series. Having just gone over the 30,000-word mark, I’m calling that halfway! Meanwhile, it’s springtime here on the coast, which means wind, wind and more wind – a bit like Tilly after she’s eaten too many of the revolting, squidgy things she finds on the beach.

We haven’t had anywhere near enough rain, unfortunately, which means everyone’s a bit nervous as fire season approaches. To quote one of our fire station personnel: “We’ve got 1,000 houses and two fire trucks. You do the maths”. Yikes! I’m glad my place is in a fairly cleared area. Even so, I’m doing lots of cleaning up in the yard to lower the fire risk as much as possible. Here’s hoping we get some decent rain soon.

Progress at last!

Posted on by Maggie McGuinness

It’s been ‘all systems go’ around here. Mirrabooka Magic (Book 1 in the Mirrabooka Sweet Romance series) has been published both as an ebook and a paperback, and Planet Single is now available in paperback too. Now to write Book 2 of the Mirrabooka series!

I’ve actually written quite a lot of it already, but only in my head. I do a lot of long drives to Melbourne (about seven hours on the road) and that time is perfect for picturing the scenes and listening to the characters interact with each other in my head. When they get too noisy I have to tell them to shut up so I can concentrate on driving. After all that, merely writing it down will be a cinch, right?

I also have another romcom that I’m about a third of the way through, but I’ve parked that one for now. I will get back to it someday, though, I promise!

PS – Do you like The Mirrabooka Magic cover? It’s from The Cover Collection. They do a great job and provide exceptional service Iincluding this 3D marketing image).

First romance novel is on the way

Posted on by Maggie McGuinness

I’m happy to announce that I’ve been working like a slave – or perhaps a slightly obsessed accidental cat owner (see below) – on my new manuscript. Mirrabooka Magic is the first book in my Mirrabooka Sweet Romance series, which is planned to be a trilogy.

I’m in a frenzy of editing at the moment, and in my attempts to get enough peace and quiet to allow me to focus on the book (i.e. not getting interrupted by young-adult offspring, demanding cat, friends who think I should actually socialise, or other assorted life inconveniences) I look like this:

Then, when I knock off for the night, I look like this:

It’s all fun, fun, FUN!

To be serious for a moment, the book is coming along very nicely, and I’m excited about getting the editing finished, choosing a cover, and then doing a final proofread and writing the marketing blurb. Not long to go, so watch this space!

(Re the cat: I’m not a cat person, right? But when you realise some poor frightened cat is living under your house and slowly starving to death, what do you do? You feed it, that’s what. And, eventually, that cat realises it’s on to a good thing and begins to roll out its plans for complete household domination. It’s a pretty smart cat.)

Death of the Hope Fairy

Posted on by Maggie McGuinness

Hope fairy 3Sometimes, I reckon that being a writer really sucks, and this is one of those times.

For years, I’ve been scribbling away on a fiction manuscript, giving it all the TLC I’d give one of my babies. I’ve cooed to it, coaxed it along, and suffered through the sleepless nights it gave me. I never gave up, even when it was stubborn and horrible and spat words back in my face like clumps of mashed pumpkin. Sometimes, I wondered why I persevered, but mainly I just loved it. I loved watching it grow and I marvelled at what it taught me. Finally, my baby took shape and grew up, and it was time to send it out into the world.

Now, as a writer, I know a few undeniable truths. I know the chances of a publisher snatching up a fiction manuscript from an unknown like me are teensy-weensy. Apparently, there’s a higher probability that I’ll be mauled to death by a rabbit. Even so, when my manuscript came of age I still lovingly dressed it up and brushed its hair with a neat side-part, and sent it off for its great adventure.

Continue reading “Death of the Hope Fairy” →