Sunday, August 30, 2009

FROM ENDING TO BEGINNING

I thought you might like to see what three novels look like before galleys and before they're made into page proofs. I usually start out with a small notebook, the 3 ring binder kind. Once I get further along, I print out each chapter with tabs for each one. I have a divider for history proof and research. Another section I have is for a couple of correspondence from my editor or agent and maybe marketing. Last, but not least, I have a section for my support, and I have so many and I’m so lucky to have them. Notice that I don't have art work for the cover yet for A Love of Her Own.

Now for The New Beginning…I’ve just signed another contract with Revell for a new series entitled, The Blue Willow Brides. Of course, I’m never sure if they will keep my series title or book titles. Book one is Deeply Devoted, book two, Three Little Words, and the last one, Timeless Perfection. This time I’ll try not to get too attached to the titles but will still fight for them. It will be about three sisters, the eldest committed to her younger sisters welfare. This idea came to me when searching for the next book idea as I wandered into my living room and dining room. I looked fondly at my Blue Willow in my hutch that I have collected and thought about the first time I ever saw Blue Willow. My sweet brother, Sam and his wife Olevia, gave me a Blue Willow tea set when I was in the third grade. Since then I’ve been fascinated with its beauty and have decorated my home with the beautifully designed plates. My brother died in June right after I finished book 3, but Olevia died years before. How precious the thought when it came to me to base my next book around a woman’s only cherished possession besides her Bible.

I’m excited about this new series, but along with that, I feel a touch of anxiety to create the best that I can to make the readers happy. In the long run, I have to make myself happy because I know that not everyone will like them. To which I say--then don’t pick up an inspirational historical. I do strive to write about the West in the truest and most honest form that I can, enjoying all the research that it takes to find that one little tid-bit to make the story come alive.

I’ll be talking about the series as I get the momentum going. I’ve already made up the new notebook and started what will soon become one of the larger ones you see on my desk. I look forward to filling it with adventures of three beautiful heroines from Holland…

Monday, August 17, 2009

MEET MY EDITOR

Recently I had breakfast at the famous Flying Biscuit with my editor, Andrea Doering. It was so good to meet her face to face after communicating through phone calls and emails. Andrea was so easy to talk to and I was glad that we didn't talk about edits or the industry, but spent time talking about our families and later my writing.

It's a special thing when you connect with your editor, not to mention the fact that she enjoys my novels and told me that she always learns something when she reads them. How cool is that? I'll tell you--it makes me want to do my best on the next novel to insure that I find a forgotten but interesting historical piece that will work within my story.


I really appreciate the fact that she took time before her conference in NC to drive down to Marietta to meet me. Breakfast was great and a new frienship was formed that I hope will continue for a long time.

Monday, August 10, 2009

DYED-IN-THE-WOOL

This is my Pendleton Mouse Pad


Hi folks! Hope your week is off to a great start! Just dropping in to tell you that I have a new blog posted on Bustles and Spurs today that you might find interesting. It's all about Pendleton. Check it out. http://www.bustlesandspurs.com/.




Monday, August 03, 2009

ATLANTA CHRISTIAN EXAMINER INTERVIEW

Good morning friends!

I have an interview up on the Atlanta Christian Examiner Online by Tracy Ruckman. I enjoy doing interviews because it allows me to connect with my readers and hopefully they can learn a little something about me as well. Check it out - http://www.examiner.com/x-9177-Christian-Writing-Examiner~y2009m8d3-3x3-Interviews-Maggie-Brendan.

Now back to my regularly scheduled day-completing edtis. :)