Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Gotta Love The Sweet Spot, And Other News by Margo Hoornstra



Right now I'm at that sweet spot in my current work in progress. Coming into the home stretch to push through the soggy middle and have it completed. Ready to type THE END. In the next few weeks, anyway. Followed, of course, by edits and rewrites then even more edits and rewrites.

True, I do have a ways to go, but I am pumped.

Thanks to the universe et al, I'm cruising right along with On The Make, Brothers in Blue Book 3. I know who the bad guy(s) is/are, I know what happens to whom and why. For the most part, anyway. After all, I am a pantser. However, I do know exactly how my hero and heroine reach their Happy Ever After.

Not to brag or anything, **wink, wink** but the other day I wrote virtually from sunrise to sunset and beyond, and logged an impressive (I think anyway) three thousand plus words. I even wrote most of the final chapter. I'll admit, a little out of sequence, which drives some, I should say one, linearphobic critique partner I know bonkers...but I digress.

As nice as it is to be finishing this one, there are still those Brothers in Blue Books 1 and 2, On The Surface and On The Force respectively. It's promo time for those. Especially OTF, whose release date is fast approaching. (October 29, to be exact.)



Since we've all come to the conclusion blogs don't necessarily sell books, I'm not heavily involved in a blog tour or anything. But. to promote On The Force I am going to make an appearance, as I noted here not too long ago, on the widely read blog Just Romantic Suspense. My dates are November 7 and 8. A reader's format choice copy of On The Surface is my Giveaway Prize.




Thank you, by the way, fellow Rose Buds and others for the wise counsel and always valuable suggestions for tweaking my post to make it more interesting, so I can make the most of my time there.

Another promo event I have going on is a local book signing on Thursday, November 15th from 1-7 PM. The Great Escape: A Deer Widows Expo at the Saranac Public Library in Saranc, Michigan. It's a townwide shopping event with vendors, artisans and authors. This will be my fourth, or maybe it's my fifth time participating, and I've always had good luck, as in many sales, at this event. It's an added plus to be able to get in some shopping myself. Fellow Rose Diane Burton will be there with me. (If nothing else, we can enjoy each other's company if things happen to slow down some.)

In and around that, there's On The Make to wrap up. So I guess I'd better get busy, huh?

My days to blog here are the 11th and 23rd. For more about me and the stories I write, please visit my website at www.margohoornstra.com


19 comments:

Leah St. James said...

That is a good feeling, isn't it, when you're in the home stretch and you know it. When the end is in sight and you can see the light down there! (How many cliches can I throw in here?) :-) Yesterday I was at the dentist for one of those long appointments (ugh), and the dentist (who knows I write fiction) told me it amazes him how authors can take all those bits and pieces of a story, blend them and shape them in a way that makes sense, flows and is enjoyable. (I'm paraphrasing.) My mouth half paralyzed, I could only mumble, "It is hard work." (I'm so eloquent.) Anyway, it was a nice reminder that the hard work is worth it. Congrats for making it to your sweet spot. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series! (Loved ON THE SURFACE.) :-) Have fun with Diane!

Margo Hoornstra said...

It dos feel good, Leah, but there sure is a lot more work to do. But I sure can see the light down there with The End in sight. (Cliches are good!) Amazing, I was at the dentist last week too! He sure didn’t comment about writing though. Nice of your dentist to be interested in what you do. You are eloquent, given your ciircumstances. LOL I’m so pleased you enjoyed ON THE SURFACE. Hope ON THE FORCE delivers for you too. I’ll let you know how the signing goes.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Ah! The highs are lovely...when all the stars align and words flow easily. I'm glad you wrote the blog to hold the memory. These times are rare. Here in our VRBO in San Miguel de Allende, I can't find a place to write that's comfortable. You know I travel a lot...and write during my travels. Amazing how important it is to the back/mind/creativity, to have the right place to write. Your marketing plans sound like fun. Do say hi to Diane!

remullins said...

Love being in the groove - one of the best feelings in the world. Stay true and enjoy the ride.

Jannine Gallant said...

I need to capture some of that groove. But IN ORDER, not writing willy-nilly all over the place! LOL I wish I knew where to promote to find readers. It certainly isn't blogs. For my next release in November, my pub set up an Instagram tour at stops with readers/reviewers who have a lot of followers and use a lot of book type hashtags. I'll let everyone know if it produces sales. Keep on writing!

Diane Burton said...

Congrats on feeling in the groove. 3k words is fantastic. I've never written that much in a day. Wow. See you in Saranac to hear more. I wrote out of sequence once. Never again. I'm your critique partner's clone. LOL

Margo Hoornstra said...

It was pretty special, Rolynn. In fact, I'm on track today to repeat that feat, or at least come close. With me, though, I'm bouncing between two different chapters. Although they are two consecutive chapters, that's something. LOL Enjoy your travels. You'll find that sweet spot. I know you will.

Margo Hoornstra said...

It is a very nice ride, Robin. I'm hanging on.

Margo Hoornstra said...

My job is to take it as it comes and clean up the mess later. (Or have you help me with that.) LOL Instagram, huh? Is that where all the readers hang out these days? (I lose track.) Best of luck. (Don't read my response to Rolynn - it'll make you crazy/crazier! ;-)

Margo Hoornstra said...

That last one was meant for you, Jannine. Senior moment. Forgot to include your name.

Margo Hoornstra said...

There's a lot to be said for those of you who are slow and steady and linear, Diane. Can't tell you how many times I've wished I was like that. Somehow, though, my writing always seems to come together. New picture of you. I like it. Yes, to Saranac. Can't wait. Congrats on your latest release(s). Wow. What a feat.

Sharon Buchbinder, Romance Author said...

Congratulations on hitting your stride and for seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. How's that for a couple of cliches in a row. I also suffer from the hop around syndrome, however, before I start I have a story grid. I take all my sticky notes and plug them in sequence. That way when I realize my hero has a backstory of being bullied in HS and that's why he's in law enforcement, I don't lose that fresh idea that sprouted as I washed dishes. Good luck! I love this cover and the series!

Sharon Buchbinder, Romance Author said...

HA! I did not read Leah's comment before I wrote, this, I swear!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Oh good. Another hopper. I’m in good company then. I’ll have to try the grid thingy. I do admit to getting my facts screwed up now and then. Cliches’ it is. Laughed out loud when I read your next comment. Talk about your great minds. LOL So glad you love this, thank you. PS Yes, that has to be my favorite cover so far.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Meant to say, Sharon on that previous. Ah the senior mind.

Alison Henderson said...

I'm thrilled this one is going so well for you! I hate those soggy middles, too. It's such a relief to get past them and charge toward the finish line.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Thanks, Alison. It feels pretty darned good to be here. Not to say there isn’t lots of work ahead, but now i’m at the fun part.

Alicia Dean said...

Good for you...wow, 3,000, yes, that's impressive! I haven't had that feeling of being in the home stretch for a long while now. I have to get back to writing! Congrats...can't wait to read it!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Long time getting here, Ally. I hear you about getting back to writing. Sometimes it can be hard. Been there myself. Hang in there. You’ll get it back.