Friday, August 10, 2012

Blogging with Author MK McClintock & A Giveaway; How I Meet Deadlines and Remain Sane


Author Bio

McClintock is an entrepreneur, baker, photographer, tour host, reviewer, and multi-genre author. She was born on the west coast, but after less than eight years she left with her family to the Rocky Mountains. After more adventures around the country, business-college, and culinary school, McClintock found a place to call home in Montana.
Over the years McClintock traveled the country and visited magnificent Scotland. She dreams of a time when life was simpler, the land rougher, and the journey more rewarding. With her heart deeply rooted in the past and her mind always on adventure, McClintock will always call Montana home.

 
Montana Gallagher Series 


Gallagher's Pride

Brenna Cameron travels from Scotland after losing someone she loves in search of family she didn't know existed. Alone now in the world, Brenna makes an arduous journey, following the trail of discovery to Briarwood, Montana. Here she meets Ethan Gallagher, and the rest of the Gallagher clan. Only with their help is she able to discover lost family, heal old wounds and embark on a treacherous confrontation with a man who destroyed her family. As head of the Gallagher clan, Ethan has more than enough to occupy his thoughts and time-he didn't need the complication of Brenna Cameron and he certainly didn't need the trouble that came with her. Ethan takes on the unwanted duty of self-appointed protector to the headstrong Scot, only to discover there is such a thing as second chances and more to life than revenge.

Gallagher’s Hope 

She sought a new beginning.
He sought what he didn't know was missing.
Together they would discover hope in unlikely places.

Isabelle Rousseau must escape New Orleans and the memory of her family's tragic loss. With her younger brother in tow, she accepts a position as the new schoolteacher in Briarwood, Montana. Desperate to keep what's left of her family together, Isabelle joins her life with a stranger only to discover that trust and hope go hand in hand.

Gabriel Gallagher lived each day as it came believing he had everything he could possibly want . . . until a determined woman and her brother arrive with a little luggage and a lot of secrets. It will take a drastic choice to protect her and give them both hope for the future.


How I Meet Deadlines and Remain Sane
By MK McClintock


How often is a writer asked, “Why do you do it?” How often do non-writers wonder why we deal with the long hours, the research, the editing, and yes, the dreaded deadlines? How do we do all of this, have a life outside of writing, and remain sane?

I imagine that every author has their own method of making it through the grueling writing and editing process to meet their deadlines. With Gallagher’s Hope, I was pushed to my sanity limits because I was also editing Gallagher’s Pride at the same time. I had set deadlines for both and I never imagined the enormous amount of work two books at the same time would be. I made it through and met the deadlines, but I didn’t do it alone.

I have a day job too, so needing to find a balance and staying focused is paramount! My life is rather spontaneous, but I still make out a daily schedule to keep track of everything I have to accomplish on any given day. Sometimes I’m successful and other times life just happens, so I’ve learned that the little thing I do keep me sane and happy enough to continue in this maddening profession of writing.

Each of us have our own little quirks and secrets that help prevent us, we hope, from pulling out our hair and gorging on chocolate ice cream, as that big red “X” on the calendar gets closer and closer. So what are my secrets? How does this author manage it? I don’t suppose my methods are entirely unique, but they work for me. Will they work for you?

·         I make time for myself. I don’t let that deadline control my life. Sure, at the last minute I’m putting in long nights and endless days, but my life is still my own. Once a week I have a spa day. Once a week I make sure I take my dogs to a favorite hiking spot. I get out into the world and soak up life. I step away and spend an hour baking in the kitchen or I sit out on the deck soaking up the fresh breeze coming across the lake. No matter what it is, I make sure I take time just for myself each week.
·         I’m not afraid to ask for help. If I have a deadline approaching and I just don’t feel it’s possible to make it, I let those involved know and ask for help if necessary. For Gallagher’s Hope, my editor was a rock star! She cared as much about that deadline as I did and throughout the process we used humor and sheer determination to meet those deadlines. Authors can’t do it alone!
·         Laugh every day! I love my life and chances are I can find humor in most situations. Laughing and enjoying life helps to keep things low-key and makes me realize that if that deadline isn’t met, the world won’t crumble.
·         Daily workouts. This may seem odd, but my daily workouts or swims keep me balanced. I work out any tension and start my day fresh and ready to conquer whatever the characters, work, or life throws at me.
·         I go with the flow. Life happens and getting worked up about little things doesn’t do me any good. I learned a long time ago how to go with the flow. Things are what they are and I can either fight them or work with/around them. If I find out I’m suddenly allergic to roses and can’t write for two weeks, which then causes me to postpone my book deadline, I go with it.
·         Chocolate. This really doesn’t need an explanation.

How do you meet your deadlines and remain sane? 





Giveaway
Three signed paperbacks and a gift card using the same Rafflecopter widget (below) for each tour stop. Drawing takes place end of tour. (If a winner is not in the US, an ebook will be given instead of print).


a Rafflecopter giveaway


2 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for hosting on this tour Louise!

    ReplyDelete
  2. M K. Your books sound so interesting I just got Gallagher's Pride and look forward to a great read.

    You have a good system for meeting deadlines and setting goals. I've picked up a few pointers. Writing under presure sometimes brings out unexpected-- and good-- results.

    I have a muse that won't get off my shoudler until the words are out.

    ReplyDelete