Welcome to Magdalenaville

Beautiful

2011-12-23T06:12:00.000-05:00

I hope you're having a beautiful holiday season. It has been particularly lovely here in Magdalenaville. We've attended a family wedding, several dinners with friends and co-workers. I start a new job in the "real world" with the new year, which is a huge blessing, even though it is sad to leave the part-time job I love so much.

Yesterday marked two years since my husband's diagnosis. The brain tumor has changed him, but has also changed me, our son, and everyone in our lives. We are stronger, I think, and more grateful for things we used to take for granted. I am surprised, looking back, at all the beautiful things that have happened in the past two years. Truly, in this season and throughout the year, the most meaningful gifts are not wrapped in colorful paper under a Christmas tree.

Have a beautiful Christmas!

Mags

So thankful

2011-11-24T07:04:00.000-05:00

For family and friends, a job I enjoy, a place to live and enough money to pay the bills. For energy to do the tasks at hand, and wise counsel when I need it. For the circle of love that surrounds me and keeps me going.

Tomorrow, instead of Black Friday, I'm celebrating White Friday. I already had the dump truck rented before I read Miss Minimalist's post last night, but I love that she has named the day for us. Here in Magdalenaville, today is for celebrating our blessings, tomorrow is set aside for clearing out clutter, and making donation trips to Goodwill.

And then we can celebrate our blessings again. That's the great thing about "thanksgiving"--it's never out of season. Without doubt, it is my favorite holiday.

I hope yours is lovely.

Magdalena

Farewell to a gentle spirit

2011-10-23T07:06:00.000-04:00

A friend and fellow author died this week. I have mentioned his work here before, but wanted to do so again.

Harold Dean Dixon published two volumes of poetry, written from his heart to yours.

Ups and downs

2011-09-19T17:20:00.000-04:00

So today I received an email from a cousin who was concerned about me. She'd been checking the blog occasionally and noted that my spirit seemed to have returned...and then I'd done a disappearing act. That is only a slight paraphrase.

And she's right. For a week or two, I felt as if I was getting myself back on some type of writing track. I wrote a little bit almost every day, and sometimes what I wrote was good. Then my husband started having more problems, other issues arose, and sure enough, I disappeared from the blog.

Sorry about that, for those of you who check here to see how we're doing. The answer is, not quite as well as before. My husband had a really bad fall last week, and it has me worried. He's recovering pretty well (the stitches look as good as stitches can). But I worry about him falling again. I'm looking into options for getting some caregiving help. I think, maybe, I will not be able to keep going as we have been.

And, once again, writing romance is not anywhere in the mix of our rather mixed-up existence. We're still thankful for the absence of pain, and the presence of people who love us. That part is definitely not mixed-up.

Thank you for caring!

Magdalena

Finding Home

2011-09-01T09:43:00.001-04:00

Ah, Legend, how we love you!

If you haven't read the first four novellas by Janet Eaves, Maddie James, Jan Scarbrough, and moi, here is a cool way to do it. The four stories are seamlessly woven together in the composite novel, Finding Home.

Fall in love--in Legend, and with Legend. And if you already love Legend, why not share it? Tell your friends about Legend, Tennessee, where romance lives next door!

Magdalena

Refreshed

2011-08-29T17:28:00.000-04:00

What a lovely weekend! Friday evening I took my husband to his cousin's for an evening of fishing. We ladies sat on shore and visited while the guys puttered around in the pontoon boat, fishing, talking, and laughing. Their laughter was such a wonderful sound. We missed the swans and the bald eagles, but maybe we'll get to go again, and they'll be visible. (Note: No fish lost their lives in the making of this delightful evening.)

We spent much of Saturday afternoon at Art in Speed Park, a juried arts and crafts festival in our area. Only bought one item, a birthday gift for my cousin the Writing Conscience. Her birthday isn't until December, but I'm ready! In order to take my husband to an event like this, I needed help, so once again I am appreciative to the people who support us in so many ways.

Sunday was church and a wonderful meal at a state park inn--again, with friends--and afterward, a drive through the park.

The weekend was great for both of us. My husband may remember some of it, though even the much-anticipated fishing trip is already faded and confused in his memory. I awoke Monday morning feeling thankful and refreshed, and started writing a Christmas short story.

As we often say at our house, life is good.

Mags

Limping along

2011-08-26T09:16:00.000-04:00

Yikes--My fiction-writing muscles are really out of shape! Two days in a row of the two-hour writing slot, but not exactly a giant pile of words to show for it. I have managed to salvage some old partial manuscripts (Oops--how did they fall out of the hard drive?) and make a teensy bit of progress on a new short story. It's something, at least.

Cannot seem to sleep more than a couple of hours at a time, so I'll blame part of my general sluggishness on that.

Very much enjoying the current romance read, a Harlequin American, My True Cowboy, by Shelley Galloway.

Happy Friday!

Magdalena

P.S. Ask me next week about our fishing trip.

Back at it!

2011-08-22T17:07:00.000-04:00

I am SO excited. In fact, I'm SO EXTREMELY excited, that I look twenty years younger! Oh...wait...that's clip art, isn't it? Kind of looked like me, or anyway like my hair, or anyway, like my hair used to look.

Sigh

BUT I am still SO EXCITED because now I have a Plan--a writing plan, and a marketing plan--hot off the press and likely to change (yet again) sometime in the next twenty minutes. But I still count it as progress.

Due to some personal circumstances, our family's schedule is changing, and my work at the part-time job will be curtailed. But I am taking what might have seemed like lemons (fewer hours at work = less money in paycheck) and turning it into lemonade. As in, I am setting aside the "extra" time for writing. Every morning, from seven to nine o'clock. And I will squeeze in time each weekday afternoon for marketing, which I have not touched in months.

I'll let you know how it goes, but I just had to share a couple of things about my Plan, because I was going to explode from the excitement if I didn't. And that would have been a sticky mess--all that lemonade splattered on the walls.

Mags

"What you seek, you already are."

2011-07-03T16:35:00.001-04:00

This week marks ten years since my mother died. She was an artist, a seamstress who also designed clothing, a homemaker, and lover of God and people. At age forty-six she became a first-time parent, and like everything she did, she went at it with energy and creativity. The woman was an embodiment of the French term joie de vivre--cheerful enjoyment of life.

When I realized this would be the tenth anniversary of her passing, I thought perhaps I should do something splashy to honor her. Then I realized that, in my way, I honor her every day, by trying to live an authentic life. For me, that means gratitude, simplicity, love, and happiness.

One thing that has occurred during our year and a half (so far) struggle with my husband's illness is that I have become more comfortable with myself. This is me. My hair is turning white. I like to whistle church songs. I could stand to lose some weight. I smile a lot. I am not particularly graceful. I write (or at least, wrote) romance. I am very happy with less (stuff, money, busy-ness).

The other evening when my son gave me time off from caregiving, I went to a bookstore. Still unable to become engaged by fiction, I found myself in the self-help section. I scanned, among other titles, Deepak Chopra's The Book of Secrets. This sentence jumped off the page at me: "What you seek, you already are."

My mother was a great reader--of all kinds of things, but I especially remember her sitting with a pen for underlining and margin-writing, and one of her many books on religion and spirituality. I guess my current search should not be so surprising to me. I am finding what was there all along.

I am my mother's daughter. Lucky me.

It works--I think!

2011-06-27T19:47:00.000-04:00

So far so good on the new, pared-down website. As far as I can tell, it works. (Yay!) I guess I should have taken screen shots of the old website before taking it down. Oops.

But I like the new one. Can make additions or changes pretty easily, if I get around to it. Let me know if there's something you'd especially like to see.

Here's the link... Please leave me a comment if it doesn't work for you. http://www.magdalenascott.com/

I appreciate the help!

Magdalena

Friends

2011-06-19T17:54:00.001-04:00

I had a lovely visit today with a friend from out of town. We sat by the lake, watched the Canada geese swim along, and caught up on each other's lives. It was a wonderful gift she gave me, to take the time from her visit with family.

I'm blessed to have some amazing friends, who show up with just what I need, exactly when I (or we) need it. Today it was a talk by the lake. Friday it was dinner at our favorite Mexican place. Saturday it was a "thinking of you" email. Often it is a phone call.

It's a hard life, isn't it? We all have our struggles. Great friends make it much easier to survive. Just wanted to say how thankful I am.

Magdalena

Paring down

2011-06-16T16:31:00.000-04:00

My website will change in about a week. I've decided to pare down the cost and the content, so instead of using a web hosting company, I am moving it to Blogger. I designed the current/old site using some neat tools provided by the hosting company. I don't have any issues with them--just ready for a change. I'll give you a look at the new site when it's "live," but for now if you want to say good-bye to the old one (*sniff*), click here.

Also paring down physical stuff here at the casa. This has been ongoing, in fits and starts, for many months. I think about, and talk about, being a minimalist, but I know some people who are actually living it. Their experiences are so inspiring to me! Evidently I need to go to an IKEA store, because in the past couple of days, two friends (who do not know each other) told me about something in particular I need to see there. Tiny minimalist "apartments" set up right in the store, so you can imagine living in, say, 250-600 square feet.

Two people telling me exactly the same thing. Don't you love it when life slaps you upside the head like that?

And GUESS WHAT!?! Last year's Ladies of Legend Christmas anthology is now available in print! Click here to get all the info at Amazon. I know, I know... You only buy ebooks. No room for paperbacks. Well, I'm holding onto a paper copy. Once in a while I am a little bit sentimental.

Magdalena

Books and Germs

2011-06-10T17:30:00.000-04:00

So, my current read is The Secret: The Power, by Rhonda Byrne. It's a library book, but if you want to check it out at Amazon, they have both print and Kindle versions available. There are loads of reasons this is the right book for me to be reading right now, but the main one is that I am learning to think more positively. Some other recent reads have been nudging me in that direction, and this one is moving me even more toward becoming a "glass half full" kind of gal.

That came in very handy this week, when we learned my husband has a staph infection. It is in his elbow, which is kinda weird. The elbow looks weird, too, and the goop the doctor drained out of it--well, I enjoy looking at a syringe of pus as much as the next girl, but...um.... Anyway, we had to go to the hospital a couple of days for shots of antibiotic, he's been taking antibiotic tablets, and yesterday we were back at the hospital. This was for a full-body scan, because the doctor was afraid the staph might have spread throughout his bones. A very scary possibility!

My husband always had a sunny personality, and now that he doesn't remember his brain tumor, or understand what might be in his future, he is sunnier than ever. Yesterday we sang and laughed and he charmed everyone he met at the hospital.

While he was having the scan, I got to the chapter in this book about the placebo effect, and how much good we do our health just by telling ourselves/believing that our health is good. A year and a half after his brain tumor diagnosis, he is a walking-talking-singing example of this. So I spent yesterday and this morning, after a good night's sleep, telling myself that his full body scan was clear. (The "old" me would have been up half the night, sick with worry...)

I'll bet you can guess what the doctor said when he called.

Happy Friday!

Magdalena

When is it too much?

2011-05-23T15:56:00.000-04:00

I am currently reading Gary Zukav's Soul Stories, and finding it inspirational and humbling. I have some baggage to get rid of, and am working on that. Emotional baggage is heavy stuff in more ways than one, and this is a great time to leave it at the edge of the road.

Also, as I mentioned a few days ago, I'm reading Inner Simplicity, by Elaine St. James. One of the things mentioned in both of these books, and in the sermon I heard at church yesterday: The concept of Enough.

Do I have enough? Yes. We live simply, but so far we're okay. For my own future, whenever that happens, I'm working toward being able to walk away empty-handed if necessary, but I've not quite wrapped my mind around it. Closer, but not there yet.

I didn't realize that Friday, my husband was the one who had TOO MUCH. Too much mental stimulation. Too many things going on, too many people coming and going, things happening, etc.

We took him to a local festival. He enjoyed eating, and seemed to enjoy seeing people, but he soon became demanding and short-tempered. And most of Saturday he was terribly confused and upset. He cried about it several times. A friend pointed out to me that Friday's festival might have been the cause. Well, duh. Of course it was. He paid dearly on Saturday for our intention to entertain him on Friday. It was definitely not worth it.

Today someone mentioned an upcoming event, and suggested I not take my husband to it, because it would likely just confuse him. She understands his situation so well, and I'll be following her advice.

I get him out almost every day, sometimes more than once. It isn't as if we stay in the house all the time. He enjoys seeing people, and tries hard to be his normal chatty self. But I need to keep in mind that there is Enough, and then there is Too Much.

Magdalena

Re-frame

2011-05-16T18:08:00.000-04:00

Today I received a less than glowing review for Under the Mistletoe. She gave it 3.5 out of 5, and that hurt. I've always been a people pleaser--not a healthy personality component, but there you are.

I was so glad the reviewer liked the writing, and the setting, and the characters. But she was hoping for a passionate love scene, and was disappointed that, instead, it was a sweet romance. She also felt the ending was abrupt.

My thought process went something like this:
1) My story is great. She doesn't know what she's talking about.
2) My story stinks. I'll never write another.
3) I can see what she means about the gymnasium scene. I could have ended it differently.
4) I was lucky to complete that story at all, considering the state of our life, and my husband's condition, at the time I was working on it.

I took me less than ten minutes to get from point 1 to point 4. I'm getting quicker at re-framing; have done a lot of it in the last year and a half, mostly about real life instead of a book review. I think if you can re-frame "My husband is dying of a cancerous brain tumor and the person I've been married for 28 years is being slowly destroyed" to "My husband has cancer, but thank goodness he has forgotten that, and although he is tired, he is not in pain," then you are starting to get the hang of re-framing. We do it a lot at our house.

If you would like to read the review in its entirety, click on this link.

Note to the world: Most of my books are sweet romance. I do not want to mislead anyone into buying something of mine with the expectation of a passionate love scene. The closest I've gotten to that so far is in Midnight in Legend, TN, and it's not very close at all. I'm not saying I won't write one, but I haven't. Fair enough?

Magdalena

On stuff

2011-05-04T15:29:00.000-04:00

I really love having a dishwasher. So very handy. But I can live without it, as I have done for most of my life. Today, mid-cycle, my formerly terrific machine stopped working. It is an aggravation, but even more, a reminder to me that:

1) Everything that comes into this house has original cost, upkeep and maintenance cost, and space cost; and

2) I need to declutter the cabinet in which I store dishes, glasses, and mugs.

I bet there are lots of people who actually need dishes. There is no good reason for me to hold onto these things for the sake of convenience (doing dishes less frequently).

I'm sure The Progeny won't mind washing his plate/cup/bowl/glass after each use.

Right?

Mags

2011-05-02T06:30:00.001-04:00

Behold. An "oldie but goodie" from Rosamunde Pilcher... Snow in April. Delicious setting, wonderful characters, such a nice wrap-up at the end. Lovely.

It was perfect to finish reading this a couple of days ago, while I rode alone in the back seat of a car driven by The Progeny. Perfect for him because I kept quiet, perfect for me because I remained [mostly] calm.

I think of Ms. Pilcher as one of the big names in quality women's fiction. Who are your favorite authors in this genre?

Magdalena

Surprises among the storms

2011-04-26T18:49:00.003-04:00

The weather in our area has been mostly rainy, with periods of flooding. I generally enjoy rainy days; as long as severe weather does not occur (which it has) and wind and heavy rain do not interrupt my sleeping (which they have) I am fine.

Even though I have been walking around sleep-deprived quite a bit, there have been some nice surprises among the rain showers.

1) Finally! I was able to lose myself in a full-length novel, for the first time since my husband got sick nearly a year and a half ago. A million thanks to Marcia Willett for creating wonderful characters, a lucious setting and an engaging story that kept me turning pages like the "good old days" of free-time reading! If you are a fan of Rosamunde Pilcher and Maeve Binchy, I think you'll enjoy Marcia Willett. I started with the book pictured here in paperback, but her titles are also available in ebook. Yay!

2) French Press coffee. LOVE IT. Our coffeemaker broke a couple of weeks ago and I purchased a French Press. Yes, it takes a little more effort to make coffee this way, but--to me--the amazing results are worth it. Ours is a Bodum, and you can see their page here. I love that it is filter-free, thereby reducing my paper consumption a little more.

3) Inner Simplicity. I finally purchased the book, after wanting it for a long time. I am a huge fan of Elaine St. James' Simplify Your Life. This is another step on the journey for me. I'm reading a two-page chapter each day

I've been spending a good deal of time in quiet contemplation (occasionally interrupted by thunder, lightning, high winds). Our slide off the plateau is still gradual, allowing time to become accustomed to each new level. And time to peer, through rain-streaked glass, at what may lie ahead. It isn't quite as scary anymore.

Magdalena

Must remember to check email

2011-04-19T11:00:00.001-04:00

Sheesh! This is what I get for not checking email on a regular basis. I missed telling you about the review Kelly did last week, of the four first Ladies of Legend novellas. It is posted at For the Love of Books.

I must say that, for someone who can't currently eke out a short story, this is a treat!

Magdalena

A Piece of Her Soul

2011-04-18T16:31:00.000-04:00

There's nothing like finding a good review in one's email inbox. Many thanks to Stesha of Night Owl Romance for reading the short story collection Something Spooky this way Comes and posting the review. Go here to read it.

Here is my favorite sentence, from the review of my short story, A Piece of Her Soul. "This is a very lovely, romantic story."

Well. Email just doesn't get much better than that!

Magdalena

Gratitude

2011-04-15T16:47:00.000-04:00

It has been a stressful week at our house. My husband got out on his own--not a good idea--and it took us a little while to find him. SO thankful he was fine! It sure gave The Progeny and me a scare, though.

Just when I think everything is under control, life proves me wrong.

I think that may be a lesson I will eventually learn through the process of my husband's illness. I have created routines and processes so day to day life can be as smooth as possible. But when I become complacent, something comes along to wipe the smug grin off my face...

And the self-doubts and worries take over. Why do I think I can keep all these "balls in the air?" How long can my husband continue to do some things for himself? What will happen if he loses his desire to sing--the one thing about him that is still him? What will we do if he needs long-term care that we cannot provide at home? How do we pay for that? The furnace sounds funny. It's really old--wonder if it is getting ready to quit. Cooling season is almost upon us, and one of the window units needs to be replaced. Several big bills are queued up for my attention. I have a mountain of stuff to sort through and decide whether to sell, keep, give away.

POOR ME with so much to worry about!

Which is why I needed to read the Greenimalist blog today. Aaron said exactly what I needed to hear. I am trying to remember gratitude.

Happy Friday.

Magdalena

"I Could Not Do Without Thee"

2011-04-12T16:54:00.000-04:00

Different songs for different moments in our lives, I suppose. This is one that comes to my mind quite frequently, and the young ladies in this video do a beautiful rendition...

Magdalena

Fabulous Review

2011-03-29T08:46:00.000-04:00

This week had a rocky start for my family, so a five-heart review for Midnight in Legend, TN was a lovely thing to see early Tuesday. Read the review at The Romance Studio site. It is also up for favorite review of the week! If you want to vote for it here, I certainly thank you. I also thank reviewer Brenda Talley for the glowing words of encouragement.

You'll see some familiar names also in the running, but that's okay--friendly competition, you know.

:)

Magdalena

Riding on clouds

2011-03-22T10:26:00.001-04:00

What a great workshop Saturday! It was a delight to spend a whole day in the company of the writing community. Kudos to Scott Eagan of Greyhaus Literary Agency, who held us entranced all day.

I won't bore you with my take on things, but definitely suggest that if you are a writer and get a chance to hear Mr. Eagan speak, you try to make it happen. He represents romance authors, but most of his talk would have been useful for writers of any genre.

I appreciate everyone--the members of Kentucky Romance Writers for putting together a great event, Jan Scarbrough for letting me ride from Louisville to Lexington with her (cutting my drive in half), those who stayed with my husband so I could get away, and "The Kids" for having supper ready when I got home. Saturday was kind of like riding on clouds for fourteen straight hours.

And looky what arrived in my mailbox while I was gone. My author copies of Finding Home: A Ladies of Legend Novel. Thanks, Turquoise Morning Press!

Mags

Beautiful day for dinner by the river

2011-03-17T17:31:00.001-04:00

I was in the mood to have dinner here, but it didn't work out. (This picture is a couple of years old.) The weather today is glorious, and I thought riverside dining would be fun.

We did have a little treat, though--takeout ice cream consumed beside a local lake. For those of you following my husband's health news, this week has been immensely better than last week.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope you're enjoying it.

Magdalena

Papers

2011-03-16T16:08:00.000-04:00

So, today the bane of my existence is paper.

Been looking for birth certificates today, and our marriage certificate. One birth certificate, and the marriage certificate, are (as yet) unfound. Drat. I used to be so organized!

Have also spent some time in an effort to receive less paper--signing up for online bill paying with some of the utilities. With the electric company I could do it over the phone, but with the natural gas company I have to fill out a paper. (In order to not have more paper.)

When we submitted the FAFSA the other night, I said I wanted to print it. The Progeny, who had the laptop in his hand at the time, printed it--to PDF. Now, I think printing to PDF is great, but sometimes I want to stick a piece of paper into a file. He's right, of course--we saved the PDF where it can be found later. (I hope.)

Received a royalties statement by email today, which I printed to PDF and did not generate a hard copy. It was a struggle, but I forced myself. I really like the convenience and the fact that there is less waste with these options, and of course with ebooks (not that I'm trying to get you to go to my Amazon page and shop, or anything).

I do wish I could find my business cards (see lack of organization, above). I wanted to take the cards with me to the workshop Saturday. Drat. Again.

One interesting paper made its appearance during my foray this afternoon. A small note written (I think) by my husband's dad, who died forty-plus years ago. The note has information about the house where we live, the fact that it was built in 1857 and added onto in 1870. Maybe I'll scan it and save in my laptop. Who knows when I'll find the original again!

Mags

Discover Legend, all over again

2011-03-14T06:30:00.007-04:00

The town of Legend, Tennessee, began in the minds of four authors--Janet Eaves, Maddie James, Jan Scarbrough, and myself. The series, including the Matchmaking Chef books by Maddie James, has over twenty titles.

Now the first four Ladies of Legend stories have been re-released in a slightly tweaked novel. (Trade-size paperback only.)

Finding Home: A Ladies of Legend Novel does not read like four separate novellas. It is the same stories you read in the first anthology, except the stories are now woven together more closely, into a novel with four heroes and four heroines, four love stories, eight points of view... It is pretty cool. Discover Legend, all over again.

:)

Magdalena

Walking

2011-03-12T10:09:00.000-05:00

Because The Progeny was home and could be in charge of his dad, I was able to get out for a walk early this morning. What a wonderful way to start the day and weekend! Just stepping out of the house is a relief some days, and a two mile walk--giving me time to think without distraction--is such a blessing.

I planned the day's tasks: Errands to do, laundry, soup to make for a dinner at church tomorrow. I also had some ideas for fine-tuning one of the books I hope to pitch at next Saturday's workshop.

(Of course, I always carry the cell phone, just in case, but all was well while I was gone, and when I got back.)

Walking is pretty cheap therapy. Yesterday I had a forty-five minute phone call from a friend who thinks I need to try anti-depressants. I think if I can lace up my shoes and get out more often, I can avoid that.

Maybe.

Mags

Higher education. MUCH higher.

2011-03-11T16:16:00.000-05:00

I wish someone had told me that, before I got a marriage license, and way before I brought a baby home from the hospital, I needed to be a Registered Nurse (or Medical Doctor in general practice), and also a C.P.A. This whole marriage-and-a-family gig is much too easy to get into without the proper credentials.

Years ago I stumbled along through caring for a baby with jaundice, baby with colic, baby with pneumonia... (All the same baby. Wonder why he is an only child?)

Now I am trying to take care of his dad's health problems, and everybody's finances, and not lose myself or my sanity in the process. This week has been rough, and each night I think tomorrow will surely be better. So far I've been wrong.

I think we have at least one new reader here on the blog, and I'd like to mention a website I've found helpful--Seeking Peace: Brain Tumor Hospice Care. Don't spend much time at the page called From the Trenches unless you're ready to shed tears.

Mags

One task checked off

2011-03-10T19:02:00.000-05:00

Tax returns in hand as of last night, and today I whipped through the FAFSA in only about three hours! (Estimated time being one hour, I felt pretty good. I do not do numbers.) The Progeny checked my work*, and we officially submitted the document online. Whew.

All in all, today is better than yesterday. No writing done, but I did find a manuscript that I had forgotten about.

Mags

*It's hard to be sure of yourself when you find something in the fridge that was not supposed to be in the fridge, and you know for certain you are the one who put it there.

Wednesday

2011-03-09T12:01:00.000-05:00

Wednesdays have become our mid-week "day off." Instead of taking my husband to the center and going to work for three more hours, we stay home, I cook a big breakfast, get some things caught up, and take him for an outing...

But not today. Today he is more confused than usual, and not his easygoing self. He has talked a lot, but made no sense. Recollections of things that didn't happen, questions about my part in this or that event.

Him: "Was your girlfriend really surprised when you came out on stage dressed as a clown?"
Me: "?"

I've filled two large garbage bags with his too-small clothes, ready to donate. He'll never need that many dress clothes again.

It's chilly and grey outside, and it's raining--of course.

I want to pitch a story to Scott Eagan next Saturday at the KYRW workshop, but it isn't finished. The tax returns aren't ready at accountant's office. I can't get the FAFSA (due tomorrow) finished because I need the info from the returns. Doing the FAFSA online at the last minute is chancy. The website gets overloaded. What if I don't get it done in time? No help for our son on college costs this fall.

Somebody shut Spot into the back room overnight; he wet the floor. I cleaned that up on my way to work this morning at dawn.

Yeah. It's definitely grey, and not just outside.

Mags

Checking the map

2011-03-08T07:54:00.000-05:00

As you can see, the blog is changing. Welcome to Magdalenaville opened in late 2008 with high hopes for my romance-writing career. Good things happened. We had lots of fun here!

My husband's diagnosis in December 2009 with inoperable Glioblastoma, and the year-plus of adding full-time caregiver to my resume`... Well, let's just say the reinvention of Mags has taken an unexpected turn.

I'm still trying to figure out the map.

I have struggled with the blog, but cannot let it die, because I miss you all. SO. We're returning to the original intent, of sharing with my friends/readers the road I'm on--even though this road has wound through some wild terrain!

Posts will be shorter, and on a variety of topics, from my own personal reinvention-under-fire, to life observations, to a weekly (or so) Riveting Question. (The first one is about pajamas, but don't tell!)

I still write romance. We'll talk about that, too. :)

Mags

Update

2011-03-07T06:30:00.081-05:00

Midnight in Legend, TN received two nice reviews recently. That's always exciting! Read what they have to say about Midnight Shelby and Martin McClain over at Sizzling Hot Book Reviews and at Night Owl Reviews. I've been looking at this story again, and in a way I wish I'd made it a full-length novel. Midnight is such an intriguing character. This, in fact, is what I hear about every novella I've written: I wish it had been longer.

Um...about "longer..." We had a major turning point in the silverizing process. I gave in to my lack of patience and got my hair cut, rather short. The new look is a little startling, but not as much as I'd expected/feared. This is the spin we're giving it: European cut with platinum highlights. Try to keep that in mind if you see me, okay?

Speaking of that, I hope to see some writer friends at the big event in Lexington, KY, on March 19. If you're a writer, or aspire to be one, check this out. Taryn Raye posted a great blog about it.

My current read is Focus, by Leo Babauta. Boy, did I need this one! Mr. Babauta has a free version for download, or you can purchase the premium version. What a great, and very generous, idea. Learn more about the book by clicking here. I struggle mightily with focus, and that's on a good day. On a bad day I don't struggle at all, and simply accomplish nothing.

Okay, back to work...or whatever I was doing...

Magdalena

Embrace the wind

2011-02-17T16:19:00.000-05:00

As I write this, Magdalenaville is experiencing high winds. The afternoon is punctuated by the occasional rattling of one of the inside doors of our old drafty house. I'm not a big fan of high winds, straight line or otherwise, but one thing is sure. Winds bring change.

I can choose to embrace change, or hide behind something solid and hope the wind will pass me by.

This one time, maybe I'll run out and meet it. What about you?

Magdalena

The Emporium

2011-02-10T15:56:00.001-05:00

In Midnight in Legend, TN, the heroine discovers Legend, Tennessee via the internet. She also purchases a large brick building that for generations had been a family-run bar. Midnight's plan is to convert it into "The Emporium" and sell locally made arts and crafts.

What a great idea. That Midnight Shelby thinks outside the box!

But will the citizens of the little town accept her and the ideas she has for marketing Legend? Times are tough, and although a new factory is expected to locate in town, you never know what might happen.

And you never know what kind of trouble Midnight might run into from stick-in-the muds like handsome realtor Martin McClain, who distrusts outsiders and likes his hometown just the way it is.

To read an excerpt, click here.

Magdalena

Popcorn would be good with this!

2011-02-09T15:02:00.000-05:00

Legend by Starlight

2011-02-08T16:54:00.000-05:00

RECIPE FOR LEGEND BY STARLIGHT

by Midnight Shelby, proprietress of THE EMPORIUM

Pour hot, freshly brewed French roast coffee into a twelve-ounce mug, allowing 1 1/2 inches of space at the top.

Stir in 1 teaspoon premium Turbinado sugar, and one-fourth cup Bailey's Irish Cream.

Spoon onto the top a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream, and sprinkle with tiny dark-chocolate stars. Serve immediately.

Drink up – and enjoy!

If you've read Midnight in Legend, TN, you know Midnight and Martin McClain really, REALLY enjoyed Legend...by starlight... Mmmmmmm....

Magdalena

Midnight and Martin... CAUTION: There may be KISSING!

2011-02-07T16:30:00.001-05:00

Midnight Shelby and Martin McClain are meeting for the first time on Main Street in downtown Legend, Tennessee. They're striking sparks off each other, trying not to be attracted... Well, you know how that usually ends up, at least in a romance novel.

If you haven't read how Midnight and Martin get together (or do they???), now is your chance to find out. The novella is available at many ebook retailers. Here are some places to buy the ebook...click on the name to go to the website:

Bookstrand
All Romance Ebooks
Barnes & Noble - nook
Amazon

In fact, the novella was available yesterday, so I'm hoping lots of you were downloading and reading it while the ballgame was on. Hey--a girl can dream, can't she?

Magdalena

Midnight is on her way

2011-02-04T14:37:00.003-05:00

Monday, Feb. 7 is Release Day for Midnight in Legend, TN from Turquoise Morning Press. This is your BIG CHANCE if you haven't had an opportunity yet to read the romance of Midnight Shelby and Martin McClain. (Hey, it's really a fun read, even for me, and I've read it a bunch of times!)

Let's pretend the lady in the picture above is reading Midnight's story on her laptop. Yay for her! I'm reading more on my laptop these days, and really enjoying it. In fact, I realized that I don't even want a dedicated e-reading device. I still use the IPAQ some, but my laptop is handy almost all the time, and I'm home a lot. For me, at this point in my life, reading on the laptop is great. It's all I need. Big sigh of relief, and one less thing I have to think about.

So with that in mind, here is a link to Miss Minimalist's blog about making this the Year of the Butterfly. I'm heading down the minimalist path little by little, and the Year of the Butterfly sounds doable for me. Kind of excited about it.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Magdalena

National Wear Red Day

2011-02-03T15:00:00.001-05:00

Pssst--if you need to, rifle through the closet quickly, and find some RED to wear Friday. Why? To help remind us all of the dangers of heart disease to women.

Romance Writers of America is partnering with the American Heart Association. When you sign up and complete the Better U program, you can get two free romance ebooks. For more info, head over to Go Red For Women.

I've got a red shirt to wear tomorrow, and as you can see, Liberty Ann is prepared for the big day, too.

Magdalena

Gotta love Legend, Tennessee. sigh

2011-02-02T12:47:00.002-05:00

As you know, the first four novellas in the Ladies of Legend series are being re-released. Janet Eaves' Claiming the Legend came out in ebook this week, my novella, Midnight in Legend, TN will release on Monday, February 7, Maddie James' on the 14th, and Jan Scarbrough's on the 21st. March 7 is release day for the print novel containing all four stories.

To get you into the mood for a trip to our mythical town of Legend, Tennessee, click here to watch the slide show of "Legend pictures" Maddie James made. It's always a good day to visit Legend, Tennessee, where romance lives right next door!

Magdalena

Happy Friday!

2011-01-28T18:18:00.000-05:00

Wanted to pop in and wish everyone a Happy Friday! I was talking to someone earlier today along the lines of yeehaw it's the weekend and I'm excited. Not because I have big plans, but because I do not. There may be hours of unscripted time! The fellow I was talking about understood. He confided, "I'm thinking about reading a book." Yeah. Me, too.

And. There is news in Writerland. Coming up on Saturday, March 19 in Lexington, KY is the Kentucky Romance Writers annual Spring into Writing event. This year the workshop will be led by Scott Eagen of Greyhaus Literary Agency. You might want to bookmark the KYRW website where details will show up in the near future.

Last night's presentation, "Writing and Publishing in the Twenty-First Century" was fun. Plenty of participation by the ladies in attendance, which took some of the pressure off the nervous presenter. Thanks, y'all!

I love the image, above, of an old typewriter. Of course, it reminds me that I have one like it around here somewhere... Which reminds me of the decluttering and minimalism I'm into these days. I finished reading The Joy of Less, having dragged it out as long as I could, immensely enjoying each chapter. I'm really thankful to have discovered this book at this point in my life. The timing was just right for me.

I hope you'll get to spend some quality time with a book this weekend.

Magdalena

2011-01-21T16:36:00.000-05:00

Guess what!?! I wrote the beginning of my 2011 Christmas novella yesterday. The title is A Perfect Christmas, and it will release from Turquoise Morning Press in late September. Can't tell you a lot about it yet, but it feels good to have actually begun. Is it wrong of me to get enjoyment from making my characters suffer through the kind of cold weather and snow we've been having this winter?

Next week I'm to give a talk on the topic of "Writing and Publishing in the 21st Century." That should be interesting. I'm really hoping it will be interesting, and that people won't, you know, nod off. One thing I want to mention is this year's Tools of Change Conference in NYC next month. What a thrill it would be to attend that!

I'd like to blog about all the great fiction I've been reading, but the weird thing is, I cannot seem to read fiction. In the last year I've started reading dozens of novels, and have given up on them--some after just a page. I have always preferred novels to non-fiction. Always! And life being what it is, an escape would seem to be just the thing.

But my current reads are The Joy of Less: A Minimalist Living Guide, by Francine Jay, and Ageless, by Suzanne Somers. In fact, I've set aside The Joy of Less for several days, not even allowing myself a chapter a day as I had been. Why? Just wanting to savor it as long as possible.

What about you? What are you reading? Have your tastes changed with the seasons of your life?

Magdalena

The final frontier

2011-01-14T16:32:00.000-05:00

Just kidding with the title, above. Making fun of the previous post, in which (just guessing) I got a bit too full of myself. Good grief. And GOOD LUCK making space in the schedule! That part made me laugh when I re-read it just now. Thank goodness for my part-time job. Thank goodness for being busy, really, because--you know what? If I weren't busy, I think I'd go crazy. When you are the primary caregiver for a person who is losing his mind, there will be times when you question your own sanity. You heard it here first, folks. (Maybe. Unless you'd been there and done that, and then I'm betting you've said it, or at least thought it.)

My husband seems to be sliding off the plateau we've been on for many months. He's less energetic, and more temperamental. The hallucinations are frequent. I'm very grateful they aren't frightening to him, like the hallucinations he had during chemotherapy. Those were awful. The current hallucinations are mostly conversations with random people--an engineer on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic, an Amish guy...

We have much for which to be grateful. We're still able to laugh, and enjoy music and friends. (And food. But don't get me started on that.)

So, when you are a full-time caregiver and a part-time employee, what do you do with your free moments? Those times when you're home with the caregivee (made that word up) -- and he is napping? In my case, anything unrelated to caregiving and the outside job. My big faves right now are watching my hair turn silver (fun, easy, inexpensive), and getting rid of stuff (fun, easy, inexpensive, and addictive).

My current focus is on cleaning out the home office. What do I need, what can I do without? The desk may be going out. Why have a desk when I can curl up on the daybed with the laptop, or the Bills file...and the tissue box. (And hey. I thought there was some kind of law that caregivers do not get head colds. Didn't I read that in the fine print somewhere? I need to know where to file an official complaint. Leave the address in the comments below, please.)

What do you do to keep yourself sane when life is hard? I'd be interested in knowing, and I bet other people would be, too.

Magdalena

Space

2011-01-05T07:28:00.000-05:00

I love space. My current read is The Joy of Less, a Minimalist Living Guide, by Francine Jay. Until reading about her love of space, I had not realized this about myself. I've always been bothered by clutter, but didn't realize until now why I feel so good when I've done some de-cluttering.

So I've been "creating space" in a couple areas of the house. First and easiest, I cleared the mail and other extranea off the kitchen table, leaving only a small centerpiece of paperwhites that have begun to bloom. Not only did that little bit of space make me smile, but my husband noticed and enjoyed it, too. (Kind of a big deal.) Making space in the house will create a more peaceful environment for all of us.

What I've also realized is that my schedule needs more "space." I am not a great juggler, and trying to keep all the balls in the air for a year has taken a toll. In general, when I'm not working on something, I'm thinking about working on something. The latter may be more tiring than the former.

One result is that even when I have time to sit with the laptop, I am too keyed up to settle into working on a story. But. Now I know how great it feels to create physical space, to breathe deeply and gratefully. Now I realize its importance to my well-being. Kind of excited about finding a way to do that in the mental plain.

Magdalena

A fresh start

2010-12-30T19:55:00.000-05:00

Midnight Shelby is one of my favorite characters. She's beautiful and exotic, and she's a risk taker. After a painful divorce, Midnight left New York City. Legend, Tennessee barely showed on a map, but she discovered it in some internet research, bought a big old building, and moved there to start over.

And now...Midnight is starting over again, but in a different way. Her novella will be re-released by Turquoise Morning Press in February. More later about the print book with all four of the first Legend stories. The series has grown quickly, but it started with the Ladies of Legend: Finding Home anthology of Claiming the Legend by Janet Eaves, Midnight in Legend, TN (by me), Bed, Breakfast and You by Maddie James, and The Reunion Game by Jan Scarbrough.

It seems like a good time of year to talk about a fresh start. And it was high time I showed off Midnight's lovely novella cover.

Happy New Year!

Magdalena

Putting up a tree

2010-12-14T16:27:00.000-05:00

Thought maybe I should go ahead and put up a tree. This one goes right along with my current mindset of trying to simplify life as much as possible.

Have a merry little Christmas!

Magdalena

Celebrate

2010-12-02T17:26:00.000-05:00

The writer's life isn't all "up," even when real life is going reasonably well. So I thought I'd share some really nice news about the Legend Christmas novellas. Each of them was recently reviewed at Two Lips Reviews, and each got 4.5....um...lips. That's really good!

In chronological order, here is the link for Janet Eaves' 1945 Through Her Eyes, Jan Scarbrough's 1969 Not Quite Christmas, and my 1978-set novella, The Holly and the Ivy. Many thanks to reviewer Rose...her honorary key to the town of Legend is in the mail. :)

Magdalena

Colors

2010-11-27T16:15:00.002-05:00

I have been thinking about colors lately. My son and I had a discussion about text color on book covers the other day. And I've been thinking about (not doing, but thinking about) painting the living room...

And...well...I'm updating my hair color. Pretty excited about this--I'm going with whatever the natural color really is. Lots of white, I can tell. Not as much chestnut brown as there used to be. But you know what? I think I'm okay with it. If I'm not, I have a box of color in the bathroom drawer. I seldom fly without a net.

It goes right along with my re-reading of Simple Abundance, about becoming authentic. I used to have (without the box) dark brown hair. Further in the past--elementary school--I was a blonde, but few remember those days. A neat thing is that I keep happening on people who are also in the process of going natural. A cousin of my husband's, a friend of mine whom I don't see often. I find myself noticing and appreciating gray or white hair all the time. It's surprisingly pretty!

I call it Silverizing. Because, you know, I can if I want.

I just finished reading Anne Kreamer's terrific book, Going Gray. Highly recommend this even if you're not planning to silverize any time soon. (I love the cover photo. Love it.)

This is not huge news. I realize I'm not rocking your world. Just sharing. I figure, as complicated as my life is right now, I'm adopting silverizing as my new hobby. Easy and inexpensive. And, believe it or not, fun!

Magdalena

P.S. I will attempt to link to IndieBound when possible for books. Just a reminder to buy books at independent bookstores if you're able and so inclined.

My two lives

2010-11-17T17:11:00.001-05:00

Life on the plateau isn't as good as it was, but although we're sliding off, it is a gradual descent. I am so grateful my husband still has no headaches from the brain tumor. Grateful, too, for the amazing love and encouragement many, many people.

Still, sometimes it is my "other" life--the writing life--that bails me out of depression. Like today when Maddie James told me about the glowing review of A Piece of Her Soul posted on the Amazon book page for the anthology Something Spooky this Way Comes. Many thanks to the reviewer, Arkali, for a much-needed UP on a mostly DOWN day.

And guess what?!? It looks as if early December may bring paperbacks of the 2010 Legend anthology, A Christmas to Remember. Stay tuned for the unveiling of the anthology cover. I'm looking forward to it; the novella covers have been particularly nice this year.

Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY is hosting the annual Kentucky Romance Writers booksigning in just a few days. I haven't done a big public writerly thing in a while; maybe I've forgotten how! We'll find out on Saturday, November 20, 2:00-4:00 PM. I'm hitching a ride with author Jan Scarbrough. I betcha we'll talk writing stuff on the drive. *Sigh*

Magdalena

Halloween Story Collection

2010-10-20T11:17:00.000-04:00

Surprise! I'm writing again, and it feels great!

I can't dedicate much time to writing, but what a thrill to have a short story in this nifty collection, coming soon from Turquoise Morning Press.

I know I am the caregiver around here, but this short story has been great medicine for me.

If you haven't already bought your copy of The Holly and the Ivy, it's available now in Kindle format at Amazon.

Mags

Ready for a Christmas snuggle?

2010-10-09T15:21:00.001-04:00

Eli McClain, that bad boy singer and Jeannie Adams, faithful stuck-in-the-mud Legend resident, are so darn cute together. They have a history, and if love conquers all, they a future.

Read more about Eli and Jeannie on The Holly and the Ivy book page at All Romance eBooks. While you're reading--and shopping--check out Janet Eaves' Through Her Eyes and Jan Scarbrough's Not Quite Christmas.

Hey--it's Christmas, right? Better treat yourself to all three of the Legend Christmas novellas! Go ahead. This excuse only comes around once a year.

Happy reading!

Magdalena

Return to Legend

2010-09-16T07:06:00.000-04:00

Wow, I am deeply in like with the covers for this year's Ladies of Legend Christmas novellas--
Jan Scarbrough's Not Quite Christmas, Janet Eaves' Through Her Eyes, and mine--The Holly and the Ivy.

I wanted you all to be the first to know that they are NOW AVAILABLE in electronic format at Resplendence Publishing. Whee!

Read the blurbs and excerpts by clicking on the novella titles in the first paragraph here. There are lots more Ladies of Legend books. If you haven't read them all, check out the Legend, Tennessee website. Our little town of Legend is always a good place to spend some time. After all, it's "Where Romance Lives Next Door."

Magdalena

Meeting

2010-09-06T15:12:00.000-04:00

Yesterday and today I've sat through a couple of long meetings. Meetings with myself. The meetings looked almost nothing like the picture at left, except there was a tree nearby.

The first meeting was to take stock--I began with a list of the numbers 1 to 100, and next to each I wrote something to be thankful for. I stopped at 100, but could have gone on for a while. Most of the "things" weren't things at all, as you might imagine.

Then on one side of a steno pad, I made a list of the negatives in my life. On the other side of the vertical line, I wrote the positives. Not just random positives, but things that are positive about my problems. This was an eye-opener.

I've been re-reading Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach. These two exercises were in some of the recent chapters. (The book is set up to be read January 1 to December 31, but I started in August with the first chapter. Such a rebel.) I've loved this book for years, but it is more worthwhile to me now than ever before. I had intended to do the next exercise, but got busy with something else.

So I began the next exercise at about 3:30 this morning! It happens once in a while--I wake up with our family's problems on my mind. So I decided to lose some sleep in order to gain some peace of mind. I wrote out the conversation with myself. With my husband's illness, so much about our lives has changed. My mind is constantly full of what I should be doing--worries, questions, possible solutions--but it's just a chaotic swirl. Writing things down always helps me, and today was no exception.

I won't bore you with details, but I must take a sabbatical from writing. I don't have time and energy to do what I have to do in real life, and do my writer gig too. If I try, neither will be my best.

Each day lately when I fail to work on a story, I feel like a failure in general. In order to get through our family's situation as well as possible, I have to take care of myself--mentally, physically, and spiritually. If I don't do that, I can't take care of anyone else.

I intend to post here at least once a month. I hope you won't forget me; I won't forget you. There are books I want to write, and one of these days it will be time for that.

Magdalena

In my mind

2010-07-27T17:44:00.000-04:00

On a recent shopping trip, my friend told me I should not be looking at short skirts. As a woman of a certain age, I am beyond that. Wearing a short skirt would make it seem as if I were trying to look twenty-five.Well, I'm not trying to look twenty-five. But I feel good, and I thought if I liked the skirt it would be okay...

Yeah, yeah, I know I'm twice twenty-five and change. But I don't creak, at least not very often...

And then the picture CD from our family reunion arrived. OUCH. Not only am I not twenty-five, I look four times that, at least. I have chicken neck and am making weird faces, and NOT SMILING. What's up with that? I am a person who smiles a lot. Or at least I used to be.

So today I started Smile Therapy. It will make me feel better, and the wrinkles it causes will be at the corners of my mouth instead of between my brows.

I am smiling as I type this. See my smile? :)

I think it would look good with a miniskirt...or maybe not...

Magdalena

No more assumptions

2010-07-17T08:54:00.000-04:00

Just a quick word today on an entirely different topic--the reinvention of me.

Remember back in 2008 when I said I was reinventing myself? And then my husband got sick and the reinvention process got really serious?

Here is something I have learned. I am not always wrong. Believe it or not, this was a huge surprise. The context of this realization is that we have received several billing statements this year that were in error. Many, but not all, are medically related. We are talking thousands of dollars that we did not owe, but for which we were being incorrectly billed. When this happens I sigh heavily and go into The Mode. Make calls, follow-up calls, send emails, follow-up emails, and produce records. Most of the time people are very pleasant on the phone, yet a correction almost always requires at least one follow-up call. The process often takes weeks.

I am not writing this as a rant. It is an epiphany to me that I need to watch everything so very closely. Who has time to second-guess every single bill that arrives in email or snail-mail? Just guessing this isn't just happening at our house; likely everyone needs to make the time. In this case, time is definitely money.

Magdalena

Celebrating the completed first draft!

2010-07-14T06:45:00.000-04:00

Whee! Breaking out all manner of bubbly to celebrate the fact that I finally completed the first draft of my Christmas novella.

I am mortified to be so horribly behind on my deadline, and I am also extremely grateful to Resplendence Publishing and my editor, who have been wonderfully patient with me. This is, of course, the worst time of my life, and I struggled like crazy to try to get my head into the story. I did not want to renege on the contract, but was still afraid I could never finish the novella.

Thank you for being with me through this past week for the word count challenge. Your encouragement, and the fact that my daily count was hanging out in the air for the whole world to see, are what got Jeannie Adams and Eli McClain to The End.

As I said, it's the first draft. This afternoon I start back through it, and likely will do at least one more pass before sending it in. But what a huge, huge thrill to have gotten to this point. Thank you all for caring and for helping! I hope that, like my daily walks, the daily word count has now become a habit I can maintain most of the time.

Magdalena

Day Six

2010-07-12T23:35:00.000-04:00

I took Sunday off from writing, and today my muscles were sluggish. But I did finally manage 2,028 words for this 24-hour period. Giant sigh of relief. I was determined to make it, but still wondered...

And on another, somewhat tragic note, I went to the grocery today. Fortunately they have a resuscitation committee on hand for people like me who are surprised at the magnitude of their total bill. Aack!

Happy Monday!
Magdalena

Day Five

2010-07-10T20:58:00.000-04:00

Well, gosh darn it, my face is mostly gone again, but at least my hair is back to the right color. Must be the dark roast coffee... And here is our faithful companion Spot, who (in real life) had a bath this morning in spite of his better judgment.

Just wanted to drop in, share cute clip art AGAIN, and let you know I wrote 2,014 really fun words today. It is wonderful to feel productive, and to enjoy the story. Finally, Jeannie and Eli are real to me. Before this week they were--um--fictional. Can't have that, can we?

;)

Magdalena

Report for Day Four

2010-07-09T19:09:00.000-04:00

The word count challenge continues, as does my enjoyment of new clipart images. Here we discover one reason I don't write more words per day.

I should be typing with both hands! Instead of drinking--let's see, that looks like orange juice, right?--with one hand.

So, lesson learned, and I'll try to keep this mind in future.

Fortunately, today was a good day, word count challenge-wise.

2113! I didn't make up for yesterday, but I didn't fall further behind, so it is a victory!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone--and let's keep both hands on the keyboard, okay?

Magdalena

Day Three. Not Entirely My Fault.

2010-07-09T07:05:00.000-04:00

It is not entirely my fault that word count for Day Three (Thursday) is slightly under 2,000. Um... 739, actually.

Disappointing to say the least, but I want you to know it was partly caused by my inability to find a Coffee IV clip art in my new Veer Images. Sometimes the stars just do not align.

Today will be better.

Magdalena

Report from Days One and Two

2010-07-07T17:27:00.000-04:00

Really enjoying these new clip art pieces. Here I am trying to figure out how to drink coffee after accidentally erasing my face when I bleached my hair. Oopsie.

So the writing challenge is going well. Day One (Tuesday) I wrote 2,049 words, and today 2,074.

I might be able to do more, but don't want to strain a muscle. Especially with this face injury already in full swing.

Tomorrow--we take over the world! Bwahahaha... Or I write 2,000 words. Actually, I'd prefer that.

Check in with me tomorrow. Keep me honest. Keep me motivated. It's working great so far. Thanks, everybody for the comments, emails, Facebook stuff, etc. What fun! (Coffee helps, too. May have to do an IV if my mouth doesn't reappear by tomorrow.)

Magdalena

Help?

2010-07-06T16:43:00.003-04:00

I'm sorry--just could not restrain myself. Somehow I have new clip art in my computer, and when searching for "laptop" I found this. Obviously my writing process is wrong on so many levels.

But seriously. What I'd like to request is that you help me for the next few days. In order to reach my goal, I want to write 2,000 words each day, for six days. Today being Day One, we will complete this task on July 12. (I'm going to take Sunday off.)

At the end of each day, or the beginning of the next if I'm too sleepy to function, I will post the word count for the twenty-four hour period. Your mission (yadda yadda) is to check in and see how I'm doing. Heckle me if I'm slacking, etc.

Today so far I have zero words. So on my mark, get set--go!

Magdalena

Mountaintop!

2010-06-30T16:55:00.000-04:00

Gotta love an email that contains a lovely gift. Yesterday I opened an email from Night Owl Reviews and got a fantastic surprise. Not only had reviewer Maria read Home Sweet Legend, she really, really liked it.

She gave it a 5 out of 5! So here is the beautiful Top Pick emblem that I am allowed to display, so potential readers can know the story struck a chord with a reviewer.

Of course all of this is subjective. This business is painfully subjective, which is why I am standing on my mountaintop enjoying the experience while I can.

Here is a snippet of the review:

"I loved this novella by Magdalena Scott; it’s a sweet romance with just a little bit of spice and is part of the “Ladies of Legend” series by a group of authors. This novella can be read as a stand alone book, it’s not necessary to read the rest of the series first. The characters are well written and the plot moved at a very comfortable pace. This story truly brings out nostalgia about living in a small town, where everyone knows everyone else and where the community comes together to help each other achieve the best."

To read all of what Maria said, go to Night Owl Reviews.

Whee! ...Now back to work on the Christmas novella...smiling...

Magdalena

Just enjoying the sea breeze

2010-06-01T16:30:00.000-04:00

Here I am, in front of our beach house, finishing yet another 100,000-word novel. Whew! Only three weeks for this one!

But seriously. Say hello to the nice clip art lady. She is here to help me share good news that Home Sweet Legend is now available at All Romance eBooks, where it was featured (last time I looked) in the "What's Hot" section.

It also showed up today at Amazon for Kindle. My Amazon author page isn't exactly bursting at the seams, but it has a nice cozy feel.

So, I'm a writer, true? Because I have books with my name on them? That makes me a writer? And rich and famous and the coolest mom on the block?

Uh, no, don't think so. What makes me a writer is sitting down at my laptop even though I don't have a beachfront house, even though real life intervenes, even though I would sweat blood trying to eke out a 100,000 word novel in a year. (I think.)

And even though most people will never ever see my cozy Amazon author page. I write because it's who I am. A finished story is a wonderful gift I give myself. Lucky me to get to share it with you, if you're interested.

Thank you for joining me in the little celebration. Clam bake at the casa later...

Magdalena

Now available. Sigh

2010-05-19T11:43:00.000-04:00

Many thanks to the wonderful people at Resplendence Publishing, who have been so good to me during my husband's illness.

Home Sweet Legend released today as an ebook on the Resplendence site. In the near future it will be available at third party retailers like Fictionwise, Barnes & Noble, All Romance Ebooks, and Amazon. Eventually it will come out in paperback as a two-book anthology with Where Her Heart Is.

To read an excerpt, go here. I love Greg and Chloe. Just love them. Definitely hope you will too!

A neat thing about the timing for this--Maddie James' new book, Romancing the Scone, also released today. Maddie's matchmaking chef series is a spin-off of the original Legend book. If you were needing a Legend, Tennessee fix, today should help.

Magdalena

Items in, items out

2010-05-13T07:57:00.000-04:00

We continue to enjoy a plateau of "okay-ness" here. My husband's strength is increasing, he is able to get out daily because of nice weather, and so many lovely memories have been made, thanks to friends and family.

Happy memories in.

Also in is my new cover. Home Sweet Legend is the story of Greg Andrews and Chloe McClain, who were both supporting characters in Where Her Heart Is. I love the cover's rich texture, the fact that Chloe's art is represented there with the paint brush and the interesting light on the models, and particularly because it makes me feel the passion that exists between these two characters from page one. The story is sweet in that there is no love scene, but there is lots of tension and innuendo. What I have put them through--shame on me! But it will all be worth it. :) Publication date to be announced... You'll hear me shouting about it later.

Going out is stuff. I've been purging stuff, little by little, the last few months. Today the floor-length crinoline (yes, seriously, I have one of these) is going into one of the bags for Goodwill. I think I only wore it once, for our local pioneer festival. It's amazing what one can accumulate without even trying.

The less stuff I have, the lighter I feel, and the more capacity I seem to have for enjoying life. What a great trade-off.

Magdalena

So many pretty flowers

2010-04-21T16:46:00.000-04:00

Yes, I know it's a dandelion, but isn't it amazing? There are lots of these in our yard right now. They looked so pretty when they were yellow, too--before changing into this beautiful yet ominous seed-delivery unit. On the way to a much-dreaded appointment Monday, I was enthralled by a field of wild mustard. I know it's a weed, but that big field of yellow was gorgeous anyway.

Our other "pretty flowers" include the fact that my husband is now strong enough to use a walker part of the time and is no longer stuck in the wheelchair. He can walk without help for brief spans, but a walker gives him needed stability. This is the man who, last fall, was mowing our yard, and a couple of the neighbors' yards, too, if they got busy and didn't have time. This is the man who tilled and tended a huge garden every year, who could out-work many guys half his age. Because he was just plain strong. And determined.

Now he has a small collection of vegetable and flower plants for a miniature garden in our back yard. It will be good for him to get out and dig in the dirt. I didn't realize he would regain this much strength, didn't realize he might have another season as a gardener. I'm so glad to have been wrong.

Yesterday I gave a talk about my writing career. I had notes but didn't refer to them; just stood there and talked, then answered questions. I mentioned my husband, and the fact that the career has been pretty much dormant for a few months. One of the ladies asked about him, and through some tears, I told her the story. Told her, too, that I recently laid down a book by one of my favorite authors because a character is suffering with Glioblastoma Multliforme, the same thing my husband has. That particular book will likely stay on my virtual shelf for a while. Just not ready for it now.

Edits for Home Sweet Legend were light, and I am so grateful to my new editor, Wendy, for her kind words. It's good to be doing some writing stuff, intermittent as it is. Good to be tending my miniature garden of words part-time. Thank you for visiting it.

Magdalena

At long last

2010-04-07T16:56:00.000-04:00

Omigosh, how long has it been since I sent a manuscript in for first-round edits? A million years, maybe?

As of just a few minutes ago, Home Sweet Legend is on its way to my editor at Resplendence Publishing. Sure hope she likes it!

We're still resting on a plateau here; my husband is physically stronger, and the beautiful spring weather has helped both of us.

Magdalena

Plateau

2010-03-24T07:13:00.000-04:00

We seem to be resting on a plateau.

My husband's condition had worsened more or less steadily, radiation and chemotherapy notwithstanding, since his diagnosis December 22. But for the past three days he has been a bit more himself. I feel as if we are resting on a plateau after being on a three-month downward slide.

I don't know whether this plateau is wide or narrow, whether it has a steep drop-off or a gentle slope beneath it. Just very, very grateful that it is here for us. We have had more semblance of quality time, as he has been in my reality more often than in the one the brain tumor is creating.

Spring arrived a few days ago--the same day we were "gifted" with a ramp that makes it possible for me to take him out for a wheelchair walk whenever we want to go. We have a routine for all our daily tasks; it even allows me some time to write while he naps--at least on the days I don't have loads of paperwork to slog through.

Life is good here on the plateau. The respite is so refreshing.

Magdalena

She's back!

2010-03-11T15:21:00.000-05:00

Chloe McClain, back on my computer screen, giving Greg Andrews a rough way to go, and an introduction to falling in love, Legend-style.

Wow, I have missed these people!

I have a story to finish, a deadline long gone... And an opportunity to fall in love with Legend, Tennessee all over again.

Magdalena

Auto-buys

2010-03-05T15:01:00.000-05:00

There are some books I consider, some I definitely want, and some that are auto-buys.

Take Susan Wiggs' newest, The Summer Hideaway. I pre-ordered, even.

A friend of mine, fellow Kentucky Romance Writer member Cammie Eicher, recently saw her first book published. Congratulations, Cammie! Here's the striking cover for Out of the Shadows.

Happy weekend...and happy reading, everyone!

Magdalena

Happily ever after?

2010-02-17T07:28:00.000-05:00

If you read my January 18 post, you may have been wondering how we are doing. The answer is, in spite of everything, we are doing okay. We are determined to do okay.

These days I run into people all the time who have lost a loved one to this brain cancer. It takes the person away from you bit by bit, and you suffer a little differently as he loses each part of his personality or his functionality. Alzheimer's took my mother bit by bit over a period of ten years or so. Glioblastoma is likely to complete its work here in months.

At this point I am still able to care for my husband at home. There are lots of friends willing to come and help, day or night, at a moment's notice. My cell phone contacts have probably doubled in the last few weeks, because of so many offers of help.

Every day we get a card, or an email, or a call, or a visit, from people who care. Friends have shoveled our walks, picked up our groceries, invited us out to dinner. Dozens of people have taken my husband to his radiation treatments, over thirty miles from here. Six weeks of treatments, and except for me, he will likely have a different driver each time.

The community is pulling together and pulling us through this. It's not the happily ever after I would have chosen, but it's the one we have. Somehow, it will be okay.

Magdalena

Snow will out

2010-02-06T09:53:00.000-05:00

I can't help but smile today, because we have a beautiful snow covering our part of the world. I love snow. It's cold, inconvenient, and really heavy to move--especially when you can't find the snow shovel and are moving it with a scoop shovel--but I love it!

Somehow, for me, snow transcends all that stuff. Even though my husband isn't having a particularly good day today, and yesterday sure wasn't much fun for either of us. Even though The Progeny couldn't make it home for a much-anticipated visit, due to the weather between home and school. Even though it's more work with the shoveling and cleaning up after Spot when he's been out, and mopping up after whoever comes through the front door today, it's all worth it.

Just because it's beautiful, I guess. It makes me happy.

Magdalena

Nice to know the industry is still out there

2010-01-28T07:34:00.000-05:00

Last night I actually spent a little time with my Google Feed Reader. Marked a lot of things "read" that I didn't have time to read, chose the option to hide the total of items unread so I wouldn't feel overwhelmed by how far behind I've gotten...

Then I started going through Publishers Weekly posts, and discovered that iPad had been introduced--and I had managed to hear about it on the same day. It looks interesting. Here is a link to the Publishers Weekly article, which is nice and short. There are a gazillion places to read more about it.

It might be a nice option for people, though right now it's really pricey. I like that it isn't "just" an ebook reading device. But once again I'm reminded how happy I am with iPAQ, which fits in my purse (or even my back pocket), and does lots of things (similar to iPad, it seems). In the last couple of months, I've pulled it out and read when there was time in hospital waiting rooms, doctor offices, etc. I keep medical notes in my laptop and sync to the iPAQ so I can refer to them away from home.

Anyway, no real point here except I'm interested to see a new device introduced that can do several things. I imagine that's the way ebooks will be read in the future.

Magdalena

Reinvention, the hard way.

2010-01-18T07:03:00.000-05:00

Maybe you have noticed I haven't been here lately. Maybe you have noticed I haven't been at anybody else's blog lately, either. Today I decided I'd just as well tell you what is going on.

We have a crisis in our family. My husband has a cancerous brain tumor. It's fast-growing, inoperable due to its location, and is also considered incurable. He has changed so much in the last several weeks due to this horrible thing--he's gone from being the smartest, most capable person I know to someone who relies on me for just about everything.

When I first started writing this blog, in October 2008, I said I was going to reinvent myself. Back then my thinking was very, very superficial. In the last couple of months--especially this past month--I have been reinvented because of this cancer.

We live in a small town and are surrounded by hundreds of people who care about us and are incredibly supportive. Home-cooked meals have been brought in, volunteers take my husband to his daily radiation treatments, and we had a huge turnout for the pitch-in dinner held in my husband's honor. We receive cards, emails, calls, hugs, and more types of help than I can name.

But essentially, it comes down to me. Little me, the gal who avoids decision-making because she's bad at it, who hasn't checked the oil in her car in all these years of marriage because it was done for her... I'm not the same person I was a few months ago, or even a few days ago.

It's reinvention. I guess I'll be a better person because of it.

Lately a few people have asked me if I'm still writing. I had a book due to come out electronically in March, and I haven't quite finished writing it. Haven't touched it since (I'm guessing) mid-November when we were beginning to try to figure out the cause of my husband's symptoms. But if I can, I would like to write again. I want to go back to Legend, Tennessee, and reintroduce myself to the characters I left in the lurch so many weeks ago.

People do, I know. People persevere in creative pursuits even while their hearts are breaking and they are emotionally exhausted. Not sure if I'm that kind of people or not.

Thanks for listening. I have missed being here...

Magdalena

CyberTour: Susan Crandall and SLEEP NO MORE

2010-01-04T07:00:00.015-05:00

We have a guest today, Susan Crandall, a fellow RWA-WF member whose novel Sleep No More is now available. Welcome, Susan! Now...

1. Tell me about your book.

SLEEP NO MORE is the story of Abby Whitman, who was a sleepwalker as a
child, setting a fire that destroyed the ancestral home and scarred her
younger sister for life. Abby's sleepwalking passed with puberty,
but the guilt did not. She lives alone, structuring her life to insure
that if her sleepwalking reoccurs no one else will be in harm's way.

Now Abby's mother has recently died, her sister is being her usual
manipulative self, and her father is showing signs of Alzheimer's.
And her sleepwalking has returned.

One night Abby awakens behind the wheel of her van at a fatal accident.
Sleepwalking, or more specifically, sleep-driving, is the only
explanation she can come up with for her presence at the scene. But it
soon becomes clear that there was a third party involved, and that
person begins making threats for Abby not to tell what she saw. But
Abby has no recollection of the accident. She seeks the help of a
family acquaintance and psychiatrist, Jason Coble to try to figure out
what happened at the accident and why someone is threatening her.

Abby's journey toward truth and self-forgiveness uncovers long
buried secrets in both her family and her town. Secrets someone will go
to any lengths to protect.

2. When did you first begin writing?

I didn't actually begin writing until I was in my thirties. My
younger sister sort of dragged me into it. She came to me one day with
a stack of paper and admitted she'd been writing in secret and
wanted me to look over her work. Being the older sister and an avid
reader, naturally I had an opinion. We worked on some stories together,
then she stopped writing, but I was totally hooked. I could no more
stop writing than I could stop reading. The first novel I wrote solo
was RITA and National Readers Choice winner, BACK ROADS.

3. What is your favorite thing about writing? What is your least
favorite thing?

I absolutely love the beginning stages of writing a book. I love the
brainstorming, the research, the exploring of possibilities, the laying
awake at night pondering "what ifs." It's the stage when
everything is possible and you aren't yet hampered with the reality
of making all of the parts work.

My least favorite? This may sound contradictory, but it's the blank
page, the blinking cursor waiting like a teacher with a tapping foot.
It's that stage between all of the daydreaming and actually having
something concrete to work with. It's the place where you have to
begin to make the real choices that will chart the course of your
character's journey. Once I have something started, it's fun to
work with it, expand, delve more deeply into my characters.

4. What is your advice to aspiring writers?

Because my son is writing his first novel, this is an easy question; I
give the same advice on a weekly basis:

1) Read widely, and read like a writer. When an author has elicited a
particular emotion from you as a reader, take the work apart and figure
out how he/she achieved it. Study the story construction, the pacing.

2) Continually hone your craft. Learn from workshops, classes, and just
chatting with other writers.

3) Learn to trust your writing instincts. We writers are filled with
self-doubt, constantly questioning the quality of our work. If
you're a writer, there is something special inside you that lead you
to it. Don't follow every suggestion made by everyone who has
glanced at your work. Carefully evaluate criticism. It's a
valuable tool, but it must be weighed.

4) And lastly, put on your armor and send your work out there into the
world. No one is going to come knocking on your door and say, "I
heard you're writing a book. I'd like to publish it." Yes,
you'll probably receive rejections. That's all part of the
process.

5. What is next for you?

Now that SLEEP NO MORE is safely launched, I'm focusing on two
novels. One is a mainstream women's fiction. The other is a
slow-boil psychological suspense. I'm having a great time with both
of them!

Here's hoping your holiday is sweet!

2009-12-24T07:56:00.002-05:00

Hello out there...

2009-12-17T07:29:00.000-05:00

Just dropping in for a minute to say hello to anyone who may have stopped by the blog and think I've totally skipped out. I haven't.

Our family is very much caught up in real life right now, and my opportunities to escape to Magdalenaville are few. I hope to get back here occasionally, and return to some sort of normal schedule in the not-too-distant future. I do miss sitting here by the sunny window and visiting with you.

Magdalena

Fantasy, anyone?

2009-12-14T06:35:00.000-05:00

I love a good fantasy, don't you? When life is difficult, I've often escaped for a while into a book.

Cait London posted a great blog December 3, discussing, among other things, "finding" time to write. I really enjoyed her blog, as I always do. But even better (for me) in the comments section Cait said this:

"Writing can also be a handy, brief, safe mental spot when life is churning really badly around you and you need a break. Somewhere to go when times are just too tough."

I am really, really not good at this. It's much easier to lose myself in the pages of a novel written by someone else.

So. Writing through Adversity--yet another thing I need to work on. I am such a project.

Magdalena

GARDEN SPELLS by Sarah Addison Allen

2009-12-11T17:10:00.001-05:00

I just finished this book, and wanted to let you know about it--Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen.

This story is so beautifully told, I never had a moment of wishing it would move more quickly, or a moment in which I lost interest. (These things happen a lot when I read. Call me impatient if you must.)

This is romantic women's fiction--there is a romance or two (or three) but so much else going on, and we get the points of view of several characters. I love that. There's also a bit of suspense, and a large dollop of magic to bind it all together into a lovely package. To read the book blurb and an excerpt, click here for Fictionwise, or here for Barnes & Noble. Click Ms. Allen's name above to go to her website.

And just in case you're judging the book by its beautiful cover, stop that! You know we shouldn't do that!

Isn't it gorgeous?

Happy weekend... and happy reading!

Magdalena

Books sold, given away, and... Ahem...

2009-12-07T07:00:00.028-05:00

Jan Scarbrough and I were pleased to have a nice turnout for Saturday's booksigning. (I forgot to take pictures, so I'm making do with these lovely clip art people. I'm sure they want to read Three Decades of Love, too.) It was fun to visit with people, spend some time talking books.

After the signing I called the winner of the day's drawing, and delivered her prize--a copy of Jan's Kentucky Cowboy and a copy of The Blank Book. I also delivered some of the author copies I had earmarked for certain people. What fun it was to sell books on Saturday, but it was also lots of fun to give those away!

BUT. It is not fun to give books away unintentionally. Darnit, some of my ebooks have been pirated (also known as stolen), and I am both surprised and frustrated. I think author Shiloh Walker always does a great job of talking about ebook piracy, so if you want to learn why it's such a bad thing, click her name.

Many thanks to everyone who made Saturday's booksigning special--including whoever created that yummy minty hot chocolate the soda fountain was serving. Mmmm!

Magdalena

Reason #4 that You Have Not Read THE BLANK BOOK

2009-12-04T07:00:00.011-05:00

Aha! It's that time again! Time to discover yet another reason that you have not red The Blank Book. To read all the previous reasons, just type reason # into the search box at the top left of the blog.

So, Reason #4?

"I only read mysteries."

This is your lucky day! Because there is definitely mystery in this book...

1. Where did the mysterious Blank Book come from?
2. How can Alice and Robert get the book to leave them alone so their lives can return to normal?
3. How does the Blank Book control its owner's life? (Or is that really what it is doing?)
4. Why are people in small towns so gossipy?

Just kidding on that last one. The novel is only about 68,000 words, so I sure didn't have space to dissect a huge topic like small town gossip. It's in there, as we discussed in Reason 7.

Interested in learning more? Click on either of the book covers at the right--ebook or paperback--and read an excerpt.

Magdalena

Hey--Saturday, 1:00-3:00 pm, booksigning at Salem Apothecary, Salem, Indiana. Jan Scarbrough and me, signing Three Decades of Love. Christmas parade begins at 2:00 PM, and local shops are participating in Christmas Around the Square, 2:00-6:00 PM. Be there. Aloha. :)

Sheesh. Is it Wednesday already?

2009-12-02T07:00:00.004-05:00

I spent part of Tuesday napping, and the rest of it dragging myself from place to place--mostly inside the house--sneezing, and blowing my nose. And yes, I popped a couple of Echinacea to try to nip this thing in the bud. Not a great way to spend the day off, but better than being sick at work.

I finished reading a really good historical romance the other day, The Borrowed Bride by Elizabeth Lane. Maybe I'm losing it, but the ending genuinely surprised me (in a good way). Very enjoyable read! Click either the title or the author's name to learn more. And boy, do I love this cover!

If you're a writer and interested in a challenge, the deadline has been extended for The Writers' Digest Short Story Competition. You have until December 10 to write and submit a great story that is no longer than 1,500 words. I'm much too verbose for something like this, but more power to those of you who can be succinct.

As you may know, my author copies of Three Decades of Love arrived Monday. They are so pretty! I have hugged and admired them, and need to deliver to people who won them in drawings, etc. Going to wait until I know I'm not delivering a cold virus, too. Bleh.

Really looking forward to Saturday's booksigning with Jan, at Salem Apothecary. It's very likely I'll mention it again Friday. Just so you know.

Did I tell you the dishwasher broke? So spoiled was I for twelve years,
but now I'm hand washing. The upside is I get to listen to the radio. While I was listening (and washing) the other night, I heard about a new CD--The Definitive Vince Guaraldi. Love the music from the Peanuts Christmas special? This may be music you'll enjoy. Click on the title to go to the B&N page and learn more and/or listen to some of the tracks.

What's new and exciting in your part of the universe?

Magdalena

Back to the grind

2009-11-30T07:19:00.000-05:00

Back to the grind this morning after four days off work. May I share a secret? I know, I shared one Friday and it's hard to remember too many secrets... Okay, you don't have to keep this under wraps.

I'm glad to be heading back to work this morning. (Hey, this surprises even me!) I'm glad the alarm went off at 6:00 and I couldn't ignore it and roll over for an hour or so. I function so much better within a routine...a schedule. Ah, blessed organization!

Try not to notice that my slippers are mismatched. We're not perfect around here, you know.

And I imagine that by 4:00 I'll be glad to head away from work...

I'm going to try to curtail my blogging in December, and only post three days a week. We'll see how that particular schedule goes, shall we? It seems every time I try to cut back, important (to me) things happen and I feel the need to share them with you.

Happy Monday!

Magdalena

Shhh... It's a secret!

2009-11-27T11:36:00.000-05:00

On the morning of Thanksgiving Day, I took a walk. This isn't unusual for me. What was unusual was that I saw two city police vehicles in the first few blocks. I met the first one and waved; the officer waved with more animation than I expected. The second police vehicle was following me. (Did I mention I was walking?) I heard the sound of an engine running, and when it didn't go by me after fifty yards or so, I looked around and saw the second cruiser. This one had its lights on.

Usually one pulls over when a police vehicle has its lights on and is following... But. Did I mention I was walking? The officer's window was down and I asked, "Are you looking for something?"

"Oh, no." He kept up with his very slow progress, finally passing me and then pulling off to the side.

The thoughts that went through my mind were that perhaps there was a desperado, or a rogue white tail deer, terrorizing our town, and these guys were looking...

But the officer said he wasn't looking for something. Huh.

As I trudged up a hill, two teenage girls in running gear trotted past me. Well, this never happens. I seldom see even one walker when I'm out, let alone a runner. Another half mile and I headed toward home the same way I had passed originally. I met dozens of walkers and a few runners. Some greeted me by name, others said Happy Thanksgiving.

That's when I realized I had thrown off the police escort for the YMCA walk. Those officers thought I was the leader of the pack! And guess what! It'll just be a secret between you and me that such was not the case.

Mags

Just FYI--Wednesday I posted Reason #5 that You Have Not Read The Blank Book.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

May your holiday have a little romance!

Magdalena

Reason #5 that You Have Not Read THE BLANK BOOK

2009-11-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Back by Popular Demand, our next installment in The Top Ten Reasons that You Have Not Read THE BLANK BOOK. Please visit the annals of this series by typing reason # in the search box at the top left of the blog. Blogger will find all the previous reasons and put them at your disposal for easy edification.

Okay. Here is Reason #5.

"The guy and girl are, like, such an unbelievably unlikely couple. I mean, a movie star dude coming to a small town and falling in love with a woman who has never lived anywhere else? Puh-lease!"

Oh, but my dears, this is the stuff of which dreams are made! Movie star dudes are wasting away wishing they could meet and fall in love with small town girls and live happily ever after. Small town girls are wishing somebody interesting would stop in at the local five and dime and sweep them off their feet and into a new, exciting life.

Plus. There is a whole lot more to Alice Williams than the title "small town girl" would suggest. Robert Diamond is handsome, debonnaire, and even a nice guy when he's not sleep-deprived. They need each--nobody else will do--because of what The Blank Book is doing to their lives. They both have history... Well, we don't want to get into all that, do we? That might be giving too much away. I don't want to spoil any surprises for you.

Fortunately if you buy ebooks from Fictionwise, The Blank Book is one of the many titles discounted 45% this week. WOW.

To read the blurb and an excerpt, click the cover in the right margin here for whichever you prefer--ebook or paperback. I hope you'll give Alice and Robert a chance. They really are such a neat couple.

Magdalena

Books! and, like, ways to read them!

2009-11-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Since I'm too lazy to write anything original, I'll share some links. If you already know all this, please accept my apologies.

Fictionwise is having yet another big sale. They're celebrating Black Friday all week, with 45% rebates on multiformat titles, and 45% micropay rebates on secure titles. There's also a sale on the Ebookwise reader. This device uses older technology and isn't particularly tiny or sleek, but I know people who have the Ebookwise and absolutely love it!

Literary agent Nathan Bransford posted a blog yesterday, The Top Ten Myths about E-Books. I get a kick out of his sense of humor, but he's also a very pragmatic guy.

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine said she was considering the Google Droid phone from Verizon, which can read ebooks. I was mortified that I hadn't heard of the Droid. I did run across a very engaging review of it by someone who considers herself non-techy. Go to Dear Author blog to read the review.

When my iPAQ gives up--no signs of that yet, thank goodness!--I'll likely go to a phone that can read books and keep my calendar, etc. I love the idea of all that capability in one cute little package.

And for those of you who think Brave New World when talk turns to e-reading, here is a link to my favorite big, wonderful bookstore in Louisville, Kentucky--Borders on Shelbyville Road. I started going there when it was an independent called Hawley-Cooke, and when the Hawleys and Cookes sold out, I transferred my loyalty to Borders for keeping the store going. I told a friend at work about the store last Friday; she tried it this weekend and fell in love with the place. If you've read The Blank Book, this is the store I had in mind when Alice went book-shopping and saw the movie poster on her way out. The photo doesn't do justice to the store, which is beautiful, and on three levels. (There isn't a coffee shop. I made that up for Alice.)

Well... I feel as if I wrote a blog, even though all I did was give you some links. Happy reading!

Magdalena

LAKESHORE CHRISTMAS by Susan Wiggs

2009-11-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

Last night, thanks to a writer friend, I think I figured out what has been missing from my current WIP.

I celebrated with a supper of popcorn, and while munching this healthy meal, finished reading Lakeshore Christmas by Susan Wiggs. Then I needed to clean my beloved bifocals, because I had specks of runny mascara on them. The book ended beautifully. I dare you to read it without shedding at least a few tears. Happy tears--you know the kind.

The love story is between small-town librarian Maureen Davenport and former child star Eddie Haven. But there is so much more going on. This book is about miracles and second chances and working together as a community.

Lakeshore Christmas is available in hardcover or ebook at various locations, including Barnes & Noble. You can learn more about Susan Wiggs at her website and her blog.

(In case you didn't know it, I love Susan's books, and I hope to eventually write well enough to put specks on my readers' bifocals.)

Magdalena

Was this a crazy week, or is it just me?

2009-11-20T17:07:00.002-05:00

I don't know what the sign of the moon is right now, but if it isn't full, it should be. It seems there has been an overabundance of stress and drama the last several days in various parts of my life.

Don't worry--I'm not going to load you down with details. I'm guessing you have plenty of your own stress, anyway.

I'll just say that I'm worn out with it. Hoping really hard that the weekend will be pleasant.

If all else fails, I can always come here to Magdalenaville and take a few minutes to chill out on these cute little steps. Feel free to do the same.

Happy weekend!

Magdalena

Let's talk romance

2009-11-19T07:00:00.001-05:00

Boy, sometimes I like clip art a whole lot. What a nice picture, huh? Wow. I type in "romance" and up pops this gorgeous picture. Sheesh...

Anyway, I do have a topic, and that topic is the chat I'll be participating in, with several other Resplendence Publishing authors. It happens online, tonight from 8:00 to 10:00 PM EST.

There will be lots of different types of romances discussed, and blurbs and excerpts tossed out for your reading enjoyment. There are usually prizes at such events, too, if that piques your interest at all. (I don't know about you, but my favorite kind of prize is a free ebook download.)

Tonight, November 19, join us at CoffeeTime Romance for the chat. Follow this link to participate.

I'll just hang out for a while and look at this clip art if nobody minds.

Magdalena

What motivates you?

2009-11-18T07:00:00.001-05:00

I'm not just talking to writers, but to everyone.

What motivates you in your career? What is the reason that you get up and do your job on Tuesday when you just had a horrible day on Monday?

I once had a co-worker who would answer that with, "I love my house."

She was single and had no one else to rely on to make the mortgage payments, but she was--is--also a very talented and energetic woman. She could have gone out and gotten another job pretty easily. (Note: this was years ago and the job market was quite different.) So, why did she stay in a job she said she disliked? I don't think it was money, though I think she believed it was.

Stream of consciousness, I'm going to throw out some possibilities for what motivates you. Grab onto one or more, or discard the lot and add to the list.

1. Money
2. Fear
3. Love what I do
4. This is my calling
5. Love my co-workers
6. Short commute/great working conditions
7. Self esteem
8. Respect/adoration from others
9. Never thought of changing
10. Work hours accommodate my personal life
11. Family business/no choice
12. It gets me out of the house
13. My work makes a difference
14. If I don't do it, nobody will

Can you tell I'm in one of my analytical moods?

Magdalena

Big sale at Fictionwise

2009-11-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

Fictionwise is offering Multiformat books at a big savings this week--30 to 40 percent off, depending on whether or not you are a member. I am a member, and that 40 percent off price tag is very tempting!

Multiformat books are generally offered by small presses, so this sale should be good for the little guy.

All my books are available at Fictionwise. Just in case you were wondering...

Magdalena

Swirl. But the good kind.

2009-11-16T07:00:00.000-05:00

Saturday I received some lovely feedback from the first Legend anthology, Finding Home. (Thank you, Jennifer!) You can read her nice comment on Friday's blog post.

I spent much of Saturday reading and editing my current story, and Sunday I started moving forward again. (I didn't want it to be another holiday story, which is where it was accidentally going. Oopsie.) LizBeth Ann is a minor character in this story, and it's such fun to write LizBeth Ann dialogue again. What a cutie pie!

(In the back of my mind, I'm mulling over the next project, which I think will be more romantic women's fiction instead of straight romance. But that's the back of my mind, a place known more for its cobwebs and confusion than for anything else. Still, mulling is enjoyable, and surely burns a calorie or two, so why not?)

Also on Sunday I learned that books have been ordered for a December 5 signing of Three Decades of Love. The signing will be held at Salem Apothecary, on the town square in Salem, Indiana. This is the afternoon of a community event called Christmas Around the Square, and it should be a busy and festive time. Another fun thing about the December 5 signing is that Jan Scarbrough plans to be there signing the anthology with me!

I attended a great concert with friends Friday evening, talked to The Progeny on the phone Sunday (OMIGOSH, that's what his voice sounds like! I'd nearly forgotten!) and did other non-writerly stuff like adding to the Goodwill donations bag and throwing a few things away. All in all, a terrific weekend.

Now if we can just carry over that feeling into the work week... What do you think the chances are?

Magdalena

Magdalena is on a BookTour. Kinda.

2009-11-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

I have really been a slacker on my internet promotion stuff recently, but I did finally remember to add a booksigning to my BookTour page.

If you're not familiar with BookTour, it's a nifty tool for both readers and writers. You can search for a favorite author, and see if there is a signing in your area. You can sign up for email updates within a certain distance, and get email notice of authors who are coming to your area.

I put a BookTour widget on my website Appearances page, and the Appearances button here at the blog goes to the website, so I only have to put the date once at BookTour, and it goes everywhere.

As long as, you know, I remember to do it once.

;)

Happy Weekend!

Magdalena

Ahhhh...technology...

2009-11-12T07:00:00.001-05:00

Monday I had issues with three computers. My new laptop locked up for (this is an estimate) the milliontieth time. Then at work I could not log on. Typing the password exactly as it was given to me, all I got was an obnoxious na-na-na-na-na computer sound. So I went to another computer and things were going fine--until I got tossed out of the program I was using.

Four times.

I forget what happened Tuesday.

Wednesday morning as I did my usual check Gmail, check Yahoomail, put up a blog, Twitter, Facebook, check the weather forecast, all in separate tabs, the new laptop locked up again. There was nothing for it but to shut the thing down. Just like I did Monday (and maybe Tuesday. I forget). Not a good habit to get into.

Thank goodness I finally took the advice of my tech guru. He had said perhaps I should go back to Mozilla Firefox because Google Chrome isn't up to dealing with all my insanity. That isn't quite the way he worded it, but that is the gist. I downloaded Firefox, imported my bookmarks, and so far, so good. As I write this, I intentionally have all those same tabs open.

I have to admit, I'm really proud that I was able to accomplish this small task by myself, instead of just yelling at the new laptop, sending a frazzled email to the tech guru (oh yeah, I couldn't do that; locked up!) and digging out the old laptop to try to write.

Writing is what I was supposed to be doing. But I couldn't even open a Word document... cuz it was locked up...

All is well, for now. And I wrote about 3,000 words on the new laptop yesterday. But I still have my chisel and stone tablet in storage, just in case.

Magdalena

Sigh of relief

2009-11-11T07:41:00.004-05:00

There are no bookstores in my small town. A few stores sell books, and there is a Bible bookstore/gift shop, but, as is becoming more the case across the nation, we don't have an independent we're-here-just-to-sell-brand-new-books kind of shop. I know people who have considered it at times, and I imagine they're glad now that they didn't make the investment. Many independents are having a grim time of it, as are chains.

I was holding my breath this morning when I saw a link at the RWA-WF chapter website about Waldenbooks closing approximately 200 stores. Waldenbooks, about thirty miles away, is the nearest actual brick and mortar bookstore to me, a little shop tucked into an old shopping mall. Somehow through the years the mall has remained viable, and evidently so has the bookstore, because it isn't among those listed in the PR Newswire article. So I breathed a sigh of relief, and plan to buy something there next time I'm in the area, in celebration.

Last year I mostly gave books for Christmas, and this year looks like more of the same. Maybe books and bookstore gift cards. Hm...

Magdalena

Terri Dulong and SPINNING FORWARD

2009-11-10T07:00:00.003-05:00

The RWA-WF CyberTour is a busy place! Please meet Terri Dulong, a fellow member of RWA-WF, and author of recently released Spinning Forward, a women's fiction title.

Tell me about your book.

A New Englander born and bred, the last place Sydney Webster expects to find herself starting over is on an island off the west coast of Florida. Yet here she is in Cedar Key, trying to pull herself together after her husband’s untimely death and the even more untimely revelation of his gambling addiction. Syd takes shelter at a college pal’s bed and breakfast, leading her to discover her true identity and feminine soul. Her passion for spinning and knitting draws attention due to the unique composition of her wool and a door is opened. She finds herself in the embrace of a community rich with love, laughter, friendship . . . and secrets. A tale of new beginnings, old friends and lives forever bound.

What pulled you into the story and made you think "I have to write this?"

The actual people of Cedar Key, the small town where I now reside, made me feel I wanted to write about the closeness and caring of a small community. As far as my main character, not all women have the final say-so when it comes to decisions or financial matters in their marriage and although it may seem fine and easy at the time, my story deals with the fact that women owe it to themselves to be aware of these issues. For Sydney, her uninvolved attitude came back to bite her.

What is your writing process and where do you write?

When I’m on deadline, I begin around ten in the morning and generally work six to eight hours a day. When we moved to Cedar Key, we had a writer’s studio built for me, detached from our house but connected by a screened lanai. So this is where I work.

What is your favorite thing about writing? What is your least favorite thing?

I’d have to say my favorite thing about writing is all the feedback I get from my readers. Their comments on my characters, plot, how my story affected them, etc. Least favorite? Call me Pollyanna, but I really don’t have one. I love writing and the feeling of accomplishment when I finish a story.

What is next for you?

My Christmas novella that I’m doing in the anthology with Fern Michaels headlining will be released November 2010, the same time that my second book in the Cedar Key series will be out.

SPINNING FORWARD released by Kensington Publishers Oct. 27, 2009

Book #2 in the Cedar Key Series and Christmas Novella with Fern Michaels headlining the anthology to be released November 2010

http://www.terridulong.com

http://www.islandwriter.net

Now at Amazon and thanks for families

2009-11-09T07:16:00.003-05:00

Three Decades of Love is available at Amazon. Go here to look at the buy page. It generally takes a few days for all the bells and whistles to kick in, like the excerpt, search inside, and having it show up on my author store page. This is the first, and of course very exciting, step. Yay!

I'm pleased and surprised to report that I added nearly four thousand words to my NaNo story this weekend. Yay for the inspiration provided by innocent people who don't realize their behavior might show up on a page of one of my books.

For various reasons, I have been focused on Real Life lately, both good and bad. It all makes me particularly grateful for family and friends. How appropriate that in the midst of the last few days' sorrow I was suddenly reminded of a bit of my mother's wisdom. It helped me see things more clearly. Today is her birthday, and a cousin and I are lighting candles.

Magdalena

Welcome to Magdalenaville

Beautiful

So thankful

Farewell to a gentle spirit

Ups and downs

Finding Home

Refreshed

Limping along

Back at it!

"What you seek, you already are."

It works--I think!

Friends

Paring down

Books and Germs

When is it too much?

Re-frame

On stuff

Surprises among the storms

Must remember to check email

A Piece of Her Soul

Gratitude

"I Could Not Do Without Thee"

Fabulous Review

Riding on clouds

Beautiful day for dinner by the river

Papers

Discover Legend, all over again

Walking

Higher education. MUCH higher.

One task checked off

Wednesday

Checking the map

Update

Embrace the wind

The Emporium

Popcorn would be good with this!

Legend by Starlight

Midnight and Martin... CAUTION: There may be KISSING!

Midnight is on her way

National Wear Red Day

Gotta love Legend, Tennessee. *sigh*

Happy Friday!

The final frontier

Space

A fresh start

Putting up a tree

Celebrate

Colors

My two lives

Halloween Story Collection

Ready for a Christmas snuggle?

Return to Legend

Meeting

In my mind

No more assumptions

Celebrating the completed first draft!

Day Six

Day Five

Report for Day Four

Day Three. Not Entirely My Fault.

Report from Days One and Two

Help?

Mountaintop!

Just enjoying the sea breeze

Now available. *Sigh*

Items in, items out

So many pretty flowers

At long last

Plateau

She's back!

Auto-buys

Happily ever after?

Snow will out

Nice to know the industry is still out there

Reinvention, the hard way.

CyberTour: Susan Crandall and SLEEP NO MORE

Here's hoping your holiday is sweet!

Hello out there...

Fantasy, anyone?

GARDEN SPELLS by Sarah Addison Allen

Gotta love Legend, Tennessee. sigh

Now available. Sigh