Mr RIght and Other Mongrels Archives - Monique McDonell Author

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Musical Monday – the Meg Cabot edition.

August 2, 2021

It’s a while since I did a Musical Monday post but I simply couldn’t resist this week.

This week I want to talk about the Princess Diaries. I had no idea the Princess Diaries movie was 20 this week until the weekend and let me just say I LOVED that movie. I’m not sure if I thought it was older or younger. In fact, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen it and I’ve also lost track of how many Meg Cabot books I’ve read.

I’m pretty sure I’ve read all her adult books – I love them – and she was definitely an inspiration for me when I started writing. She writes sweet, sometimes sexy books about fun female characters who are usually a little bit awkward and out of their depth. The kind of books I enjoy reading. Her male leads are usually pretty tolerant guys, which these ladies need. I’ve fashioned a few or my heroes on similar types of men. I especially loved the Heather Wells series and the Queen of Babble. Last week I read No Offense her latest release, after not having read any of her books for a while and it was a delightful escape.

Ask any writer and I’m sure most of them will tell you they have a bit of a fantasy of having their books made into movies. Lots of us even cast our books. I know back when I published Mr Right and Other Mongrels I dreamed of Hugh Jackman and Rose Byrne heading the cast.

It’s hard to imagine anyone dreaming up a more perfect movie casting than The Princess Diaries – come on Julie Andrews as a Queen, Anne Hathaway was brilliant and Hector Elizondo was amazing!

The Princess Diaries works because it’s the ultimate Cinderella Story, but as much as anything, it’s about the character of Mia growing into herself as anything else.

This is the perfect mother-daughter movie or sleep over movie or just a movie to cheer you up, and we all need that from time to time.

I’ve played this song a lot over the years. Probably way more than my husband and daughter have appreciated, but I love it and I do believe miracles happen, sometimes… if you believe.

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My new store is open here on the website – finally!

July 21, 2021

I can’t believe my store is finally here.

Are you a procrastinator?

I am. Not when it comes to my writing, but I really am not a fan of admin or technical tasks. Sometimes the very thought of them stops me in my tracks.

I’ve had the task of creating my online bookstore on the to-do list for months and today I tackled the beast!

My bookstore is live! (It doesn’t look quite like this in real life, but it sure does in my imagination. I kept picturing Allegra’s bookstore from Mr Right and Other Mongrels – that store is totally real in my mind.)

The task turned out to be a whole lot easier than I expected and I’ve loaded up all the books I currently have in stock onto the site. At this stage it is only for Australian readers (postage from here would make the books cost prohibitive).

I will be adding Bookplates which I can ship interntionally – they’re ordered and should arrive in a couple of weeks so that will be exciting!

(All the books will be available on Amazon as well).

So if you would like paperback copies of my books, click here and see what’s available.

My original standalone novels have their original illustrated covers and not their updated ones. It’s kind of fun to have the past and the present merging.

I’m looking forward to adding my Marlin Shores Trilogy (Saltwater Song, Saltwater Tears and Saltwater Wishes) and two more No Brides Club books (No Time for Trouble and No Time for Tears ) in August . The remaining Cinnamon Bay Books, the Jewel Sisters and Courtside Romance series will follow quickly and then the Upper Crust Series.

Anyway, that’s my big achievement for today. The shop is a work in progress but I’m very happy with the progress thus far.

Happy Shopping.

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This blog is officially 9 years old!

May 1, 2021

So this is what 9 years of blogging looks like

How adorable was my original cover and swag? Pity about the poor photography skills!

I started my blogging journey as a way to talk about my books and my writing 9 years ago because that’s almost how long it’s been since my first book, Mr Right and Other Mongrels was published. I never would have imagined back then I would have published over 40 books across multiple pen names and over thirty in my own name.

Since then I’ve hosted hundreds of authors on here doing Q&A’s and other posts. Those have also been shared on my Twitter and Facebook and Pinterest accounts as well.

I’ve announced many, many new releases and hosted umpteen cover reveals.

We’ve shared book recommendations, favourite songs, and some cracking recipes over the years too.

There have been the highs and lows of my publishing career – though I tend to keep the lows to myself because nobody cares about those except me.

It’s been a fun journey. I haven’t always been consistent, and I have certainly considered quitting. I used to think I was a quitter, but it turns out that isn’t always true – I just quit the nasty stuff.

Anyway, a huge thank you to the many authors, editors, VA’s and friends from across the globe who have been part of my blogging journey with me. Along the way this blog has helped me feel part of a community, make friends, discover new authors and new books and learn an awful lot about publishing.

This month, as well as the regular features I run, I’ll be revisiting some memories, running some giveaways and looking to the future. So hang on and enjoy the ride. (Or is that read?)

Release day for Mr Right and Other Mongrels.

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Weekly Blog Challenge – Characters who remind me of myself

March 6, 2020

Given the topic of this week’s blog challenge I guess I should say The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland because yet again, “I’m late, I’m late for a very important date.” Except I’m actually very punctual in real life so that doesn’t work.

I’d say in this case maybe I should channel a charcter who isn’t a quitter instead.

This is actually a tricky topic for me. I love so many characters in books but I don’t necessarily think they remind me of me. I mean I used to want to be like Jo March from Little Women becasue she was a writer but she also was a fish out of water and kind of a non-conformist which I am too. She didn’t marry the man everyone expected her too in the end and neither did I and we’re both fiecely loyal but I don’t know if she reminds me of me.

I rather fancy myself as a bit of a Pippi Longstocking. She had a crazy imagination, red hair and freckles and again was a non-conformist.

Here’s one of my favourite quotes from her story:

The children came to a perfume shop. In the show window was a large jar of freckle salve, and beside the jar was a sign, which read: DO YOU SUFFER FROM FRECKLES?

‘What does the sign say?’ asked Pippi. She couldn’t read very well because she didn’t want to go to school as other children did.

It says, ‘Do you suffer from freckles?’ said Annika.

‘Does it indeed?’ said Pippi thoughtfully. ‘Well, a civil question deserves a civil answer. Let’s go in.’

She opened the door an”d entered the shop, closely followed by Tommy and Annika. An elderly lady stood back of the counter. Pippi went right up to her. ‘No!’ she said decidedly.

‘What is it you want?’ asked the lady.

‘No,’ said Pippi once more.

‘I don’t understand what you mean,’ said the lady.

‘No, I don’t suffer from freckles,’ said Pippi.

Then the lady understood, but she took one look at Pippi and burst out, ‘But, my dear child, your whole face is covered with freckles!’

‘I know that,’ said Pippi, ‘but I don’t suffer from them. I love them. Good morning.’

She turned to leave, but when she got to the door she looked back and cried, ‘But if you should happen to get in any salve that gives people more freckles, then you can send me seven or eight jars.’

Unlike Pippi, I would have probably been hurt and angry rather than defiant in that situation but I love that energy. I loved all of Astrid Lingred’s books as a child but Pippi most of all.

When my bookclub and I read the Time Travellers Wife, which I loved but remains one of our biggest room-dividers after 13 years, I complained about Claire being a bit of a doormat. My friends all informed me that I was Claire. My husband ‘s job met he dropped in and out of our home-life on a whim and I had little to no control of that which sent the rest of our lives in a constant spin. I wasn’t flattered and it definitely didn’t make me very Pippi-like.

Mr Right and Other Mongrelas

In my own books many people have told me that when reading my first book Mr Right and Other Mongrels it was like talking to me, I like to think that was meant to be a compliment but who knows. Allegra the main character did share my dog phobia so there’s that.

This was a hard one. Pop over to Long and Short Reviews to see what everyone else wrote this week.

(Please note this blog contains affiliate links).

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Four years – it’s my book and blog birthday

December 29, 2019

5/14/2016

This month is four years since I started this blog and four years since I published my first novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels. (I’ll be honest with you, I had to double check that because it feels so much longer than that to me).

Here is a screen shot of my first blog post. I remember feeling excited and so proud of myself that I had managed to set up my very own blog, all by myself and post something. Meanwhile behind the scenes I was busy getting my first book baby ready. It was a heady and scary time.

Last night I lay in bed and contemplated the last four years. Sometimes pursuing this writing dream seems thankless and pointless (ask any writer from the most to the least successful).

Here’s what I worked out:
– I’ve published five stand alone novels under my own name
– I’ve published one under a pen name (It was picked up by a publisher that shut and reverted back to me)
– I’ve published four books in the Upper Crust Series
– I have been included in a Mother’s Day charity anthology
– I’ve had commissioned work included in two non-fiction books about writing (One only came out this week)
– I have two more Upper Crust Books written and ready to go
– I have a Christmas and a Valentine’s Novella waiting to publish
– I have two novels under my pen-name ready to publish
– I have a novella going in a NYE box set

That’s not nothing. (Meanwhile I’ve run a small business and kept my family going and tried to be a nice friendly community member).

As writers it’s easy to focus on what doesn’t happen but sometimes it isn’t a bad thing to focus on the positive and reflect on what has been achieved. Writing can be lonely (that’s why writers are so grateful when you tell them you liked their book or leave a review – it is everything to us).

So if you’ve stayed with me on this journey, thank you. If you’ve read my books or followed my blog thank you. If you ask about my writing when you see me, thank you. I do appreciate it.

Mr Right and Other Mongrels is now on sale for #99cents if you haven’t yet read it, now might be the time.
https://www.amazon.com/Right-Other-Mongrels-Monique-McDonell-ebook/dp/B0086L8NBS

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Life’s a beach

December 29, 2019

2/25/2016

At least mine is…
It’s summer in Sydney and I happen to live in one of it’s lovely beach areas. I’m not really a sun worshipper because girls with red hair (sadly) are not designed for that sort of activity – big hats, sunscreen and long sleeves are more in my wheelhouse but I love the beach.

This week Travel Zoo released its list of best beaches in Australia and I was not surprised to find two of my favourites in the Top 10. As you’ll see Shelley Beach and Manly Beach are often in my photos.
https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/TravelersChoice-Beaches-cTop-g255055-a_Mode.expanded

Anyway, I thought I’d share some of my own more recent beach shots with you so you can get a taste of life her on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. We have a small boat we like to explore Sydney Harbour on so I’m lucky that I get to photograph it from land and sea.

I often go for a walk at the beach to clear my head when writing and when it’s not so hot (we’re having a heatwave right now) I also like to go and write down by the water.

My most recent novels aren’t set here but both my first two both have scenes on the Northern Beaches – Hearts Afire just towards the end and Mr Right and Other Mongrels is a set in beautiful Manly.

So enjoy the photos and if you feel the urge to escape to the beach via a book consider one of those.

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The book of your heart and hoping it finds readers

December 28, 2019

8/2/2015

Some of my experiences from US High School inspired this novel

This week we have a Japanese exchange student staying with us. It has me thinking about my own experiences living in the US as a 15 and 16 year old. It’s a pretty obvious trigger of course.

It’s also exactly 30 years since I made that journey…so many triggers.

My novel A Fair Exchange drew on my experience as an exchange student. There are certainly some resemblances between the main character and myself and I did end up on the Massachusetts North Shore. Like Amelia’s character I struggled for a prom date but the story is fiction.

Many of the really funny things that happened I didn’t appropriate because I wouldn’t want to tell anybody else’s secrets.

The book is however, of all the books I’ve written, is the book of my heart. (Well aside from Mr Right and Other Mongrels which was my blessing and my curse). That’s true because I got to go back in time and revisit the joy of being young and brave and taking on the world.

Matt, the male character in the book, while not even remotely based on anyone I know is my favourite male I’ve written and I like that Amelia struggles along the way because I know so many women who were bright and shiny at sixteen who lost their way as life went on. I wanted to write a happy ending for all those women. The book also has great female friendships, I should mention that.

Yet here is a truth writers don’t like to discuss. That has been my least successful book. My favourite and no one much has read it. Heartbreaking really from a writer’s point of view. Was it the timing? The cover? The story? The blurb? The marketing? Do my readers not like stories where people get a second chance at love? Check, all of the above?

It’s so sad to think the thing you most want to share is the thing that languishes. This happens to writers more than you might expect. We all want everything to go well and we know it won’t but I’m sure many writers would name unlikely choices as their books of the heart.

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Miss Chicklit 2015 – Celebrating Chicklit May

December 28, 2019

5/10/2015

Miss ChickLit May Pageant – featuring Miss Allegra Johnston from Australia.
Introduction: “Hi, my name is Allegra Johnston, and I’m representing the Nation of Australia! I run a second-hand bookshop and I’m passionate about vintage fashion and saving the environment, so I’m saving the planet one retro dress at a time, right. My dream is to make sure everyone around me is happy and has plenty to read…and world peace, I’m all about world peace. Is that right? Is that answer okay. I have never actually seen a pageant because I grew up without television…did I do okay?”

Swimsuit
I’m a not a huge fan of swimsuits in general, which is kind of a problem for me as I live at gorgeous Manly Beach in Sydney.

I do love vintage fashion and look at the delightful and perky Doris Day in this swimsuit. I have one just like this for the pageant. It’s demure enough that I don’t feel naked and it has all this amazing sculptural boning inside it. I’m a girl with a curvy figure and this sort of swimsuit is perfect for me.

You’ll never catch me in a teeny weeny itsy bitsy polka dot bikini or even worse a crocheted one (my hippy mother still wears those in her fifties, heaven help me!). This however is a swimsuit I can feel comfortable in, and a little bit sexy.

Talent
My talent today harks back to my childhood. I’m doing an acoustic guitar medley of Joni Mitchell songs. My voice is sadly not as haunting as hers but I hope to capture her essence. I’ll be singing Both Sides Now, Big Yellow Taxi and I Wish I Had a River (to Skate Away on).

Interview
What unique thing have you done to help the environment?
You may not be aware of this but I grew up on a commune so I spent most of my childhood building solar homes and organic farming – basically I had to build my own home and grow my own food or I didn’t eat. I’m not sure how unique it is but I haven’t met too many other kids who have done it.

***If you want to know more about me you can read about me in the novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0086L8NBS

WANT TO GO IN THE RUNNING TO WIN A BEAUTY GIFT CARD?

The Grand Prize for this international drawing will be:

US/Canada winner – $100 gift card to Sephora

UK winner – £65 gift card to Lush Cosmetics

Australia winner – $125AUD to Mecca

How to enter: Answer this question in the comments below and LEAVE YOUR EMAIL so we can contact you if you win.

What unique thing have you done to help the environment?
A winner will be chosen via Random.org on Monday, May 18th.

For more chances to win and to meet the other Miss Chick Lit Pageant Contestants visit these wonderful author pages:

Comments

Pippa Franks
5/11/2015 12:43:25 am

Great post Monique! 🙂 x

Nicole Skalij
5/11/2015 01:25:49 am

….hmm I recycle every week and use my com-poster to help my gardens.
Reply
Monique
5/11/2015 11:27:49 am

You need to leave your email to go in the draw Nicole.

Whitney Dineen
5/11/2015 01:57:57 am

Darling!

Celia Kennedy
5/11/2015 04:27:14 am

Loved this… brave to take on a whole nation. I think I need that swimsuit… but I have no musical talent.

I became a Landscape Architect that specialized in ecologically friendly resort development (true dat)!

Bethany Clark
5/11/2015 04:50:30 am

I really do not do anything unique per say, but my 5 year old is very in to recycling now and he shows me what to do every day!
Reply
Monique
5/11/2015 11:28:52 am

I love how earnest kids are. (You need to leave your email to go in the draw) You can leave it in this form if you prefer

Catherine Lavoie
5/11/2015 06:37:28 am

Great post! 🙂 Love that Doris Day-inspired suit!

Rachel
5/11/2015 09:06:19 am

I love the title of your book! can’t wait to read it

Tracy Krimmer
5/11/2015 09:18:22 am

Great post!

Glynis Astie
5/11/2015 09:34:48 am

Nicely done, Monique! I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Allegra again. 🙂

Gina Henning
5/11/2015 10:58:43 am

I love “Wish I had a River” by Joni Mitchell and cute suit!
Reply
Monique
5/11/2015 11:27:03 am

That song always makes me mist up!
Reply
Monique
5/11/2015 11:26:23 am

Thanks everyone for the comments. I have a retro swimsuit similar to that which is black and white check…quite flattering.

Monique McDonell
5/11/2015 11:29:55 am

TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAW YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR EMAIL…
You can leave it as Monique (at) gmail.com if that makes you feel more secure.

Danielle
5/11/2015 11:53:34 am

I’ve reused food containers to make holders for things like my makeup – floyddg@hotmail.com

steven weber
5/11/2015 04:28:36 pm

I take shorter showers

Tracie Banister
5/12/2015 06:56:18 am

Fun post, Monique! I think that Allegra and Willa (from my book, Twin Piques) would get along well since they both love vintage fashion!

Jessica Meddick
5/12/2015 07:06:56 am

I recycle.

shireen
5/14/2015 07:45:48 am

Hi,
I self published a Meatless Protein Cookbook on Amazon encouraging people to eat less meat, to save on energy, land, and water.
Thanks

shireen
5/18/2015 04:20:54 am

I’m shireen, this is my comment, I’m adding my email address:

Arielle
5/14/2015 09:06:43 am

I wish I could say that I’ve done something unique to save the environment but the only thing I can think of that I do is recycle. I do my best to recycle all paper and plastic products and have influenced my family to do their best to separate recyclable bottles and cans too. I’m open to some clever and creative ideas though!

-Arielle

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Three years since my first blog post – look how far I’ve come. (An uncharacteristically self-congratulatory blog post)

December 28, 2019

5/5/2015

I was talking to my mother today and I said I’d been at this blogging and self-publishing game for three years. I came on here to check and May 5th is the birthday of this blog. So three years exactly.

I remember being terrified and excited and overwhelmed – not much has changed there.

That month – May 2012 – I was bravely preparing to self-publish my first novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels. I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t know a single person in real life who had uploaded a work of fiction to sell online. I knew almost no one (certainly here in Australia) with an e-reader. I knew nothing.

What a gift ignorance can be.

If I knew how much I didn’t know I probably wouldn’t have jumped off the cliff. Ask any indie author and they will talk about what a steep learning curve it is. Not only that just when you think you know what you’re doing the rules change. I’ve had to unlearn and relearn things many times in the last few years.

Forget what you knew yesterday – it’s wrong today.

I often think “Monique, you lazy chick. You’re just not doing enough.” (I’m not that kind to myself, I’m a little judgmental, not so great at celebrating the fabulous.)

So here is what I have achieved in three years:

– I’ve written and published six full length novels and one novella under two names.
– I’ve contributed to two charity anthologies and had a piece in a non-fiction publication.
– I’ve had a novel included in an international author box-set.
– I’ve written another five novels that will be released this year.
– I’ve had over 100,000 copies of my novels downloaded (sadly they haven’t all been paid for but 100,000 plus people have a copy of my books).
– I’ve hosted countless authors on my blog and kept it running for three years.
– I’ve handled all my own marketing and PR.
– I’ve hired cover designers, editors and book formatters to help make my books look good.

– I’ve guest blogged all over the internet.
– I’ve done signings and author talks, both of which terrify me.
– I’ve made hundreds of new friends, both readers and writers.
– I’ve given loads of advice and support to authors looking to head down this path.
– I’ve kept going when I wanted to quit.

I’ve done this on my own, I certainly haven’t done it all right. Some things I’ve done I would undo. Some day, some moments, some choices would be best erased.

Still, today I choose to focus on the positive. The list of what I have achieved looks pretty good to me right now.

If you know another author like me who is alone, starting out and fumbling in the dark then – be kind to them. They probably don’t talk about their journey with you because they are pretty sure you’re not that interested but listen to them, support them, buy their books, leave them reviews…it does matter, at least to them.

Comments

Kerrie Paterson
5/5/2015 04:23:07 pm

Wow, what an awesome list of achievements! Well done!!
Reply
Monique McDonell
5/5/2015 04:32:39 pm

Thanks Kerrie, I think as writers we sometimes forget to look at what we’ve achieved. 🙂

lily malone
5/5/2015 04:41:15 pm

I’m with Kerrie – well done Monique. I’ve read Hearts Afire of yours and I really enjoyed it.
Reply
Monique
5/5/2015 05:53:37 pm

Thanks Lily…I know your output has been amazing these last few years. I can hardly keep up!

Pamela Cook
5/5/2015 05:10:47 pm

Nice to see you acknowledging your achievements Monique. And they are massive! You constantly inspire me with your ever increasing word counts, brilliant networking skills and fabulous PR abilities. Not to mention the fun books you write and keep us all entertained with. And the support you give to all your writing buddies, including me. I know it’s been tough at times but hang in there – I’m sure you’ll reap the best is yet to come.
Reply
Monique
5/5/2015 05:54:31 pm

Thanks Pam…I appreciate having you in my corner, reading my work, taking my calls and listening to me moan. I could not have kept going without you.

Deb Nam-Krane
5/5/2015 09:59:15 pm

Happy anniversary, congratulations and good job!
Reply
Monique
5/6/2015 08:43:41 am

Thanks Deb…you’ve been a great supporter on my journey.

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What I’ve learned writing a series and #MusicalMonday (It’s only the beginning)

December 28, 2019

4/27/2015

Book two of my Upper Crust Series – Any Way You Dream It is now with the editor. Yes, I know, those of you who actually read my blog and read my books know it should have happened a while ago, but it has finally gone.

“Why the delay?” I hear you cry.
“Good question.” I reply.

The truth is apparently I am really bad at writing BOOK TWO in a series. Book one is fine and book three is fine. I’ve written two series now (one under a pen name) and I’ve experienced the same issue with both. The whole series has stalled because of Book 2.

I don’t exactly know why that is. Well, I do, I think in my effort to make the main character in that book different from the main character in the first book in the series I tie myself in knots.

Additionally, I think book two brings about fear of success (what if everyone loves it?) and fear of failure (what if everyone hates it?) into play in a strange and disturbing way. By the third book I seem to have pushed through it and the interplay between the characters carries me through. By then I’m one of the gang (I’m probably Thelma not Daphne but I’m in the gang) and there is a gang, a group of characters I know well and enjoy spending time with.

At least now we know. In the Upper Crust Series the good news Any Way You Fight It, Book 3 is done and will be released quickly after the second. Books four and five are also nearly done.

I really love Chase, the hero in Any Way You Dream It and Lucy is a girl who deserves a happily ever after (HEA) so I think you’ll love the book like I do. (And Six books in the series will have been released by the end of this year, so I really hope you do).

Now let’s turn up the music because it is Monday.

I love this song and have since I heard it back in the olden days…it’s a great love song and it features in my first novel Mr Right and Other Mongrels…my first book baby.

Comments

Laurie Baxter
4/29/2015 11:06:57 am

Ooh, yay! Very excited to hear this! I really enjoyed book one. 🙂

Sandie Docker
4/30/2015 07:59:13 pm

The curse of the second book!!! But to have 6 box released by the end of this year – yay you!
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So this is what 9 years of blogging looks like

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