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Madison J Edwards Guest Post and Giveaway (over 18 please!)

Thursday, September 8, 2011

I’ve been asked many timesWhen did you start writing, and did you always want to write? The short answer is Yes… and No.

Before I started writing in January 2009 I’d always thought of things I’d like to write, but never did. This will sound convoluted but until I started, I wasn’t ready. And I wasn’t ready, until I started. Say what?

This twisted thinking is very much like one of my favorite sayings – Wherever I go, there I am.

When I sat down to write my first book, which naturally would sail into the top 100 list *indelicate snort*, I had no clue about the craft of writingand writing is a craft let alone the business end of publishing. I wrote exactly as I spoke. What a mess.

Six months after putting fingers to keyboard, Shelby’s Legacy was complete and I started shopping around to see who I would allow to publish my Pulitzer Prize winning discourse. In blissful ignorance I decided the Wild Rose Press would be honored to receive my book.

With great confidence, off went the first three chapters and a synopsis. For two weeks I waited, feverishly checking e-mails every day. My heart soared when an editor requested a full submission. I was on my way. Then, the bubble burstREJECTION.

However, this editor must have seen a glimmer of something in my writing because she sent two lengthy e-mails, explaining what I needed to do to improve my skills, and provided a link for an on-line critique group (which I’m still a member of).

The second phase of my writing career began. I signed up for creative writing at the University of Western Ontario, attended every workshop within easy driving distance, and became a member of Romance Writers of America and the closest local chapter, Toronto Romance Writers.

There’s something to be said about letting your mind relax and allow the subconscious to come to the fore. Many ‘aha’ moments occurred as I drove home from one workshop after another. I soon realized how gentle the editor had been with the first draft of my manuscript. It really was awful. The manuscript evolved with me, and in January 2011 I sold to Turquoise Morning Press.

According to Plan is my debut novel. Formerly titled Shelby’s Legacy, which came complete with a handsome Scottish Laird trapped in a mirror before evolving into another working title, called Shelby’s Dilemma. The Laird had been dropped, and a cowboy introduced to compete with the hero for Shelby’s heart. Finally, I cut all the fat and concentrated on the love story between Tank and Shelby. This was when it became the book of my heart and the title appropriately changed to According to Plan.



What do you do when things do go According to Plan? For starters you trick, deceive and lie to the very person who ruined your best laid plans.

Welcome to the world of Shelby Stewart, P.I., who’s been hired to find Harrison Grant. To complicate matters further, Tank the ex-partner, ex-lover, ex-everything shows up looking for Harrison as well, albeit for a very different reason. Harry is the prime suspect in the grisly murder of a call girl in L.A.

That wouldn’t be so bad, but Tank plans on staying at Shelby’s house, and makes it obvious he’s willing to help her heat the sheets again. Shelby knows that sex with Tank is dangerous, fast and sometimes a little dirty. Now is not the time to become side-tracked. Besides, this job could launch her company into a whole new stratosphere, so it’s imperative she remain focused.

Frustration becomes Shelby’s newest partner as she makes plans to out maneuver Tank in their parallel quest. Tank, on the other hand, is always one step ahead of the game – and isn’t what or whom Shelby thought.

Shelby doesn’t want to be hurt by Tank again. A year ago he walked out on her for another woman. Tank loves Shelby so much he’s allowed her to hate him. This was the only way to keep her alive and safe. But the danger has passed, and now Tank can start tearing down the walls Shelby’s erected. First, he’ll start with a kiss.



Visit my website, and check out my other books - www.madisonjedwards.com, or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Madison-J-Edwards-Author/148483455220051 you can Twitter me: @MadisonJEdwards, I’d love to hear from you.



Buy Links:




GIVEAWAY (pdf copy of book): This is INTERNATIONAL.  Leave a comment for Madison and your email, one extra entry to GFC followers.  Giveaway will close on September 19th.

15 comments:

  1. Madison said...:

    Thank you for hosting me today, this has been fun.

    Madison
    Some Things Are Meant to be Naughty

  1. Loved your blog, Madison! And amazed that your first novel will be published. I have 7 or 8 almost finished novels that I cut my teeth on, but probably will never finish. It took me longer! So many writers today just sit down and write and, as you say, try to decide which publisher they'll let publish it. But you're so right--you have to learn the craft. I also took classes, had a great critique partner, and WROTE until I got it right. And soon, I will be publishing the first book I ever finished--NOBODY'S ANGEL. But could I have published it two years ago when I first wrote. Hell to the No! Like you, I worked on it until it was ready for the light of day. Okay, so I'm still working on it and probably will until Sept. 27 to meet my Sept. 30 publishing goal! :)

  1. JenA said...:

    Great post Madison! I can't wait to read According to Plan. I didn't set out to be a writer but a writer I am! My first is also with TMP and out in 2012 but a short it out in Nov 2011! Thanks again.

  1. Kelly said...:

    Hi Madison...
    I love your books and can't wait to read this one...

    crazybookfairy@gmail.com
    GFC follower

  1. Thank you for hosting Madison today. Great post.

  1. Unknown said...:

    A big *mwah* to everybody who visited today. Love you all.

  1. Robin said...:

    Madison, what a journey to get your book published! It sounds really great now though!

    Robin D
    robindpdx (at) yahoo (dot) com

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Another one that has to go on my TBR list. This sounds very interesting.
    Patricia
    panthers.ravens@yahoo.com

  1. Darlene said...:

    I'm always on the look-out for Canadian authors! Please enter me in the draw, and thanks for the giveaway!

    darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com
    GFC Darlene

  1. Unknown said...:

    Sounds spicy thanks lisapeters at yahoo dot com I follow Lisa

  1. Unknown said...:

    Wow...book sounds incredible! And steamy! Count me in!
    Viajeradelmar@aol.com

  1. Very cool! Madison, it sounds like we don't live too far apart, I'm about 2 hours east of Toronto. Always exciting to meet a fellow Canadian writer! This book sounds great. :-)
    irishstar_83(at)hotmail(dot)com
    GFC follower

  1. msmjb65 said...:

    This book looks great! Please throw my name to the virtual hat.
    GFC: MJB
    MJB
    msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com

  1. I haven't read anything by Madison yet...but this sounds like a book that I will love!

    GFC - Maria (pronounced Mariah)

    Thanks for the chance!
    mmafsmith at gmail dot com

  1. Yto said...:

    sounds like a great book ^^ i hope i will get the chance to read it.

    GFC: Yto

    witchvela@web.de