Writing Life Archives - Monique McDonell Author

Welcome to March – is yours as crazy as mine is? I’m having my own mini version of March Madness it would seem.

I haven’t done a life update here in a while, so why not now?

So I’ve resigned from my day job to go back to consulting. I’ll still be working with that NGO and I already have my first client, so really that’s two clients. That’s the good news.

The bad news is I don’t finish until April and my new client has a big project in March so I’m working two jobs.

Mr Monique and I already have an #emptyesky trip planned mid-March. Basically I’m doing an ARRA (Australian Romance Readers) book signing in Sydney on Sunday and then on Monday night we’re hitting the road to Melbourne where I’m doing a second signing the following Saturday.

We were flying but after the Australian bushfires a campaign with the hashtag #emptyesky has happened encouraging people to visit the areas ravaged by the bushfires so that’s what we’re doing. We’re really looking forward to it and it happens to co-incides with our wedding anniversary so that’s fun. I’ll be posting on social media so keep an eye out.

Meanwhile I have a book releasing on March 6. No Time for Trouble, my next contribution to the No Brides Club Series. I’ve popped the blurb below and the goregous graphic my fellow Cinnamon Bay author, Connie made for me. I’m graphically challenged. I know what I like, but I often make graphics that are just plain ugly. It’s nice to have friends who are awesome!

So that’s a whole lot already. Oh yes and Something of a Spark is free right now so you might want to grab yourself a copy because you can’t get a better deal than that. I really love that series and I hop you do to. I didn’t do the best job of promoting it honestly so I hope more readers find there way to it because it’s a really sweet series about a bunch of very different sisters who each find their way to love. Something of a Spark is part of the March Freebie Giveaway, check out the others books in the giveaway as well and be sure to enter.

I know there’s more happening – oh yes I’m finishing a novella for an amazing boxset I’m in mid-way through the year. That story is a prequel to a new trilogy I’m launching in late 2020. And finally the Cinnamon Bay romance series is getting a whole new set of books later this year so there’s lots going on behind the scenes there too.

Like I said, March Madness.

No Time For Trouble, Blurb

When six friends make a pact not to let love get in the way of their careers, the No Brides Club is born. But could meeting the right man at the wrong time cause them to break their vows to each other?
One bad date too many leads Marnie to the No Brides Club but a fake engagement to a New Your playboy might just lead her to love.

When Marnie Bates’ sister announces her engagement and she’s summoned back to Lemon Tree, Tennessee for the engagement party she accidentally implies she has a fiancé. Unfortunately, the first name out of her mouth is Mal Cooper’s, he’s a friend and a player and she’s already turned him down. Still she’d rather swallow her pride and ask Mal for help than go home embarrassed and alone. She just has to keep reminding both of them, this isn’t real.

Mal can’t believe his luck when Marnie asks him to be her fake fiancé for a visit to her hometown. He’s been looking for a way to get closer to her and this is opportunity to prove he can be the best boyfriend ever. Let the wooing begin! From daily surprises at the office visits to chihuahua cuddling at the dog shelter Mal is ready and that’s before he even gets to Lemon Tree.

Can their time together prove to Marnie that they both want the same things and that Mal might be just the guy to give her everything she ever dreamed of, and so much more.

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Check out the March Freebie Frenzy & Giveaway 03/02 – 03/06! Our Romance Authors are offering so many FREE books… Most of them are ONLY FREE for a limited time. It’s just our way of thanking our loyal readers. Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card just for subscribing to our newsletters or following us on social media. Here’s the link to the March Freebie Frenzy & Giveaway Page: https://lovekissedbookbargains.com/2020/02/28/march-freebie-frenzy-giveaway-3/

March Freebie Frenzy Graphic — March Freebie Frenzy

3/26/2019

Writers on Wednesday - Rose
Today I thought I’d ask myself the Top 5 questions I get asked about my writing life.
Something to Savour - Jewel Sisters Series - Monique McDonell - Cover
1. How’s your writing going?
This is the question people who know I write but don’t really know about the details ask. It’s the most common question I get.

It’s going fine. I have another book out next month and my last release was okay although I didn’t promote it properly. It was a novella and I don’t think people really want novellas from me. My January release No Time For Temptation went well and readers are giving it great reviews which makes me happy.

2. When is the next book out?
This is the question from my friends who read and love my books.
Girlfriend, I’m doing my best here. It takes a lot longer to write a book than read a book you know. I’m working really hard here and but you’ll have books in April, May, June so don’t panic. There will be lots to read. I do really appreciate that you love my books and your support makes me cry all the happy tears.

3. Can I get it in paperback?
Asked by lots of non e-reading friends.

You know I used to do paperbacks and they just don’t sell unless you have a book launch or a signing but I have No Time For Temptation in paperback and it will be live on Amazon soon. I’m also ordering duets of the Upper Crust series soon, I promise.

Here’s an example!

Upper Crust Series Any Way You Slice It and Any Way You Dream It - Paperback Duet Example

4. How do you write so fast?
This is usually asked by other authors who don’t write as quickly as I do.

Firstly, I have had years of practice at being quick at turning work around in my day job where I’ve basically written all day for a living. Secondly, I’m not bad at time management in general so I’m really good at using 15 minute increments to get stuff done – a Facebook post, some emails, or some behind the scenes activity. Thirdly, I know my best times of day for creativity and it’s good to work these out for yourself. (Mine are 10am -12noon , 2-4pm, and 5-6.30pm) If I can get two one hour blocks in these times I can get 2-3,000 words of a draft done. I try and do a minimum of 1,000 words a day. That adds up. Fourthly, by writing every day I can dive straight back in where I left off which saves time and backtracking. Finally, i enjoy writing (editing and promoting not so much) but I do it because I like it and that makes it easier.

There is no correct pace to write at. It depends on a lot of things. I like to release regularly because as an indie romance author that helps me with sales, visibility and the pesky Amazon algorithms. Also I read quickly so I understand that kind of reader who wants to read a series back-to-back. That means I need to write quickly and it’s important to me so I make time for it.

Also I don’t watch TV hardly at all (except the odd cooking show). I haven’t seen a movie since January 2018 and I don’t play sports or have a time consuming hobby. As does meal preparation (we don’t eat take-away) and planning on the home front. Oh yes, and my house isn’t company ready 95% of the time. You’d be amazed how much time that frees up.

5. How do you come up with your ideas?
Lots of people ask this.

Ideas are not an issue for me. I have books planned out and so many things I’d love to write that I’ll never get to. The characters appear before me and then I want to tell their stories. Picking the right stories in the right order is the challenge for me as is deciding what people would like to read. I’ll have a plan and then get distracted by shiny new things. Staying focused is the challenge.

If you have any question please feel free to ask me in the comments below.

March Madness for Me

Today I interview myself about my writing life