Maggie's Newsletter
August 15 2008
Wow, where did the summer go? It
seems to speed by, doesn’t it? And here we are, heading
into Fall already. Fall’s my favorite season, so I
don’t mind much, but I wish summer had lasted a bit
longer. There’s a lot of news in this update, so scan
the headings and read what you need.
BABY
Houston, we have a baby! James
Kevin was born just a month early, on August 1st,
which explains why I missed my August 1st
update here. He weighed 7 lbs! A big premie, for sure,
but he’s been having a bit of trouble with his lungs,
and had to spend a little over a week (ten days to be
precise) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at
Crouse Hospital in Syracuse. I’m glad to tell you, baby
Jamey is doing just fine and his family are thriving now
that he’s home where he belongs.
DOGS
I got to dog sit for the duration,
and Dozer fell even more deeply in doggy love with
Chloe, the green-eyed blonde labrador. I hope
he’ll get over it now that she’s gone home. Those two were on the
go every waking moment, and tore apart anything they could get their paws on. I lost two telephone
directories, one fly swatter, and several catalogues.
My floor looked like a snowstorm or a tickertape parade
had just passed through. They dug up the entire flower
bed, and spread black soil over the entire deck. They
wrapped their leashes around the glass topped patio
table and dragged it over. I barely managed to drink a
cup of coffee the entire time. They would either crash
into the table where I set it down and spill it, or
crash into me so I wound up wearing it. Really, two
against one is too much for me! I remember when I first
got Dozer, thinking I really should have two dogs.
I was insane!
Besides, when it’s just the two of
us, I’m his only love. Then she comes along and
he all but ignores me. Harrumph! Men. ;)
 BLOODLINE
In other news—the book is
finished! I got BLOODLINE done on time despite all the
rushing to the hospital, babysitting, dog sitting,
rushing to the hospital again, and so on. I think it’s
fabulous, and I’ve just now heard from my editor that
she’s in complete agreement! Also, I have a preliminary
cover for it. I understand they plan to add some fangs
and change the lettering to a more spooky font. I made
a few suggestions too, so this is NOT the final version,
but it does give you an idea. BLOODLINE goes on sale in
May, 2009.
IN PROGRESS
I took a week off to let my brain
rest a bit, but now it’s time to dive back into work.
I’m taking the bull by the horns and writing two
novellas. One for Harlequin American, and one for a
secret project I’m putting together myself. Some lucky
publisher is in for a REAL treat once this one’s ready
to send out. I hope to be able to tell you about it
soon.
Next, I have an outline to write
for the next book, which will be the first book of the
new five-book MIRA contract. The thing is, we don’t yet
know if it will be a vampire novel or a new suspense—and
won’t know until I conclude meetings with my editors in
NY later this month. So I’ll focus on the novellas and
write the outline the minute I get clear on what comes
next.
With all the baby events unfolding,
I had to skip RWA in San Francisco. But the way things
turned out, I’m very glad I did.
SERENITY RISING
Okay, so what else is new? I guess
a progress report on the house is in order, though work
is proceeding at a snail’s pace, or it seems that way to
me, after nearly six months in this one little room.
The upstairs has been painted, but I think I posted that
a month ago, at the mid-July update. Since then, they
didn’t like one spot, so they spackled over the paint
and it needs sanding, more work and repainting, so it
feels like we’ve gone backwards.
This coming week, though, we’re due
to begin painting the ground floor. (I was told we’d
begin last week, but again, it didn’t happen. It hasn’t
even been primed yet.) But the cupboards have been
delivered and they’re gorgeous, and I’ve chosen colors
and even found the stencils I want for the living/dining
room—petroglyphs on clay colored walls. And then the
entire area will be done in a Southwestern/Arizona
Desert/Native American theme. I’m very excited about
the design. I love decorating and this is my first
solid lead on how the house should be.
I did the upstairs in pastels,
aiming for a pseudo-Victorian look, but I’m shifting
toward a feeling of whimsy and romance upstairs now. I
still haven’t found trim or border or stencils that suit
me for the upstairs and I haven’t settled on the exact
theme either up there either. Something romantic, soft
and feminine. I think I’d like old, vintage romance
novel covers up there. Wouldn’t that be cool?
I’ve chosen the fridge, stove,
washer, dryer, vanity, sink, toilet, and faucets. But
gosh, there’s so much to be done. Kitchen ceiling in
knotty pine, hardwood floors downstairs, carpeting
upstairs, ceramic tile in the bathroom, all the trim on
both levels, all the lighting fixtures—it seem an
endless list. So I need to stop listing and start just
expecting. I really am nearly the end of my patience,
though. Fortunately, I shouldn’t have too much longer
to wait. I’m dying to post photos but there’s just
nothing yet done enough to be photo worthy. So maybe
next time.
HEALTH AND FITNESS LIST CHALLENGE
Monday August 18th is
the first day of our next challenge on my Health &
Fitness List. This time, our challenge lasts for two
weeks. We need to weigh, measure and record every thing
we eat, and exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes each
day. We get one day each week off. It’s crucial to
figure out how many calories, carbs or points you should
be eating each day before we begin, so you have a goal.
(Choose what works for you according to your favorite
program. Points are for Weight Watchers, carbs for
Atkins or Southbeach or any of the other low carb plans,
calories for everyone else.) We’re giving away
autographed copies of the new book for the winners.
LIFE IN GENERAL
Life is still good. I’m extremely
happy and fulfilled and relaxed in almost every
aspect—there are still things I want that I don’t yet
have yet, (that’s our natural state, after all—by the
time we get one thing on our wish list, we’ve already
added ten more) but I’m not miserable without them, but
more just eagerly awaiting and knowing they’re on the
way. Which is really a key to living well—being happy
where you are, and eager for more.
Life is unfolding beautifully, and
every day brings something new and wonderful.
 NEW EXCERPT
I’m posting a brand new excerpt for
you today, the first chapter of
ANGEL’S PAIN, which is
coming to you on October 1st.
Happy Reading!
Maggie
Previous Newsletters
Maggie’s Feel-Good Websites:
www.hayhouseradio.com
www.abraham-hicks.com
www.effortlesshealing.com
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