It's been a little bit since I posted. Hopefully, posting/blogging will be something I can do more frequently in the coming months. Starting after Thanksgiving I'll be writing full-time and—fingers crossed—I'll have more time for these types of things. You know? The stuff that I really love doing, but ranks lower on my priority list? Have any of those? For me it's blogging, and I really miss it.
Because goals.
Mr. Mabie and I had a really fun summer. We traveled more than we ever have and met hundreds of readers, authors and new friends. Now that it's fall and things are beginning to slow down, I can get back into a normal writing schedule and set some attainable goals.
Here are some things that are on my short-list that you may be wondering about.
The Very Second Time. Let's cut the crap here. I had an expected date for release that isn't going to happen. Am I the only one who's noticed? God, I hope not.
Let's talk about why.
First, this book is just plain old harder to write than the Wake Series. Where I'm used to only worrying about two frustrating as hell characters, now I'm dealing with two characters and this little thing called the time-space continuum. Okay, it's not that crazy, but it's definitely different—which is good. I want it to be different than my other books.
Second, I want it to be DIFFERENT than my other books. This may come as a surprise, but I can't turn off Casey. I mean, in real-life I'd probably have no problem turning a guy like him off, but, figuratively speaking, he's still so damn loud in my head. So I'm trying some things others have suggested to clear my writing palette, if you will.
And third, I didn't give myself enough time. I was ambitious as hell to set that date knowing I had over eight signings, a full-time job still, the finale of a series to finish and publish, and a little, tiny scrap of a social life. Plus, um...hello... a husband and dog.
What is it they say? If you don't set goals, then you'll never fail.
Newsflash: I set goals. I'm going to fail at many of them. I'm okay with that because sometimes I won't.
Here's a few pictures of what I was doing when I wasn't writing The Very Second Time. I wasn't just watching the Kardashians. My summer doesn't feel like a failure. It was awesome and I don't feel guilty.
So please don't worry. I'm not pushing TVST back too far, but it isn't going to be ready when I planned. It is still at the top of my priority list. I am still working on it. I just want it to be what I know this story can be, if I give it what it deserves.
Also, I'm thinking a lot about Reggie and Troy. At the same time you ask? You're damn right—but let's stay focused here.
I seriously can't wait to get these stories out. I keep falling harder and harder for my new men... er... I mean characters.
Another project I have in the hopper is audio. You might have seen a post here and there when someone asks about it. Yes, I'm working on it. That said, I'm learning that I'm a picky, picky bitch when it comes to Blake and Casey. It has to be them. I've been listening to many auditions and I think I've found my Blake, but Casey is still eluding me. Anyway, there are many more auditions I need to listen to and hopefully our man is in there.
Treading water.
As you'll see, if you look around, my website has been refreshed. Anchor paperbacks have been added to the store. I still need to update the events page, and I plan to do that in the next week or so.
I'm also trying to stay ahead of giveaways and mailings. If you're expecting something from me, know it's coming.
While re-working the website, I realized I really miss recommending books. So in the near future, I think I'll make a weekly, or bi-weekly, post about what I'm reading and what's being recommended to me. It's so important to talk about books and I really miss that. If you have any recommendations you'd like added to my first post next week, email them to mo @ mmabie dot com or send me a message from my contact page by clicking here.
Since I've been cleaning Casey's voice out of my head, I've been reading and finding there's been so many books freshly out in the past few months that I simply haven't been able to get to. Never mind, the ones that are coming out over the next few weeks that I'm dying to get my hands on.
I'm trying to come up with a way to make those posts interactive and fun.
Oh! Plus, I'll have a few new shirts up on tee-spring in the coming days.
Mo Love
Over the summer I've ran into a few things that are AWESOME! I wanted to share them with you.
BookOutlet. OMG. I have an addiction to this site. A full on lady boner. I'm not just saying that either. I added it up. This is real math, folks. I've spent $176.25 on $884.01 worth of books. I don't think I need to say much more than that.
If you haven't visited the site, it has NEWER books at significantly reduced prices. I'm not sure why they're reduced (some are scratch and dent, but they're noted that way). I'm too afraid to look into it any further. My best guess is they are over stock or reduced for promotional reasons. I'm not going to bite the book hand that feeds me though. Why ask why?
If you're interested in buying paperbacks starting at $1.99 check it out. I'm obsessed.
Hashtag. Bookhaul. Epic freaking bookhauls. Here are a few pictures of my most recent deliveries. Click here if you want to shop what they have in stock. → BOOKOUTLET
The second thing we need to discuss is StitchFix. Here's the deal. I hate shopping. I hate going to the store. I hate looking through rack after rack. I'm busy, y'all. Then I get stressed and impulsively buy something, anything, to get me out of there with something new to wear.
Stich Fix is cool because they pick the stuff out for you. You set it up with your preferences, sizes (which, for me, needed a little tweaking for my first couple boxes), your price range and how often you want new stuff. You can get anything you want, including jewelry, scarfs and I think bags too.
Of the five boxes I've received this summer, I've kept things out of each one. Then I ship whatever I don't like back. THEN, and only then, I'm I charged. Seriously. It's crazy sweet.
I live in a part of the country where finding cool clothes is a major challenge. Ordering online is hard because of the hassle and it always looks different. This is nice because it's a surprise. Your personal shopper sends you a letter and tip/ideas on what to pair your new stuff with.
Another cool thing, you can pin clothes you like on Pintrest and they monitor it! Like actually look at what you're into. I told my stylist that I had a signing in Vegas coming up and I wanted a few fun dresses, and she sent me three really great choices.
It's easy. Totally personal and customizable. The clothes are excellent quality and different than anything I can find around my home town. AND I DON'T HAVE TO GO SHOPPING!
I love it and thought I'd share. If you're interested in trying it out, click here → STITCH FIX
And last—but not least! Matt Bellassai. Matt Fucking Bellassai. Where has he been all of my pathetic, lonely life? My weeks are better because of this wine-drinking, witty, pasty, hillarious man.
If you've been living under a rock, here's what you've missed. Every Wednesday Matt chooses a topic to complain about on camera, while he gets drunk at work. I can't wait to quit my job and figure out a way to monopolize on this trend. Moan About It Monday? I see big things in my sweatpants wearing future.
Here's a link to all of the Whine About It Wednesday episodes. Watch these after you finish reading this whole post. lol Click here to laugh your ass off → MATT BELLASSAI
All the normal things
Now for all the typical stuff.
It was Bait's 1st Birthday this week! And, know what? It's still free. Boom.
Amazon Kindle http://amzn.to/1Kd2vWm iTunes http://bit.ly/baititunes NOOK http://bit.ly/BaitNook Kobo http://bit.ly/BaitKobo
If you haven't read Bait check out this page here.
Sail, of course, is still available.
Amazon Kindle http://amzn.to/1OtDglR iTunes http://bit.ly/sailitunes NOOK http://bit.ly/SailNook Kobo http://bit.ly/SailKobo
If you haven't felt like it was the right time to read Sail yet, go here.
And ANCHOR IS NOW LIVE! Woot!
Amazon US http://amzn.to/1YuQhQx Amazon UK http://bit.ly/ANCHORUK Amazon CA http://bit.ly/ANCHORCA Amazon AU http://bit.ly/ANCHORAU iTunes http://bit.ly/ANCHORITUNES B&N Nook http://bit.ly/AnchorNook Kobo http://bit.ly/ANCHORKOBO
You can learn more about Anchor here.
Oh, how could I forget Fade In? I didn't, but it's not free or new. It is still really funny and sexy though. So if you haven't read it yet, go here to see what it all about.
Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter (see the bottom of the page), message me on Facebook anytime, Tweet me, Instagram me, Pin me (that one actually sounds fun) or just yell out your window, "I love Mo!" I'll hear you. I'll know. And I love you back.
I'm probably forgetting something, but you can find me ealisy.