"Pandora": The newest review on Amazon

"Maggie creates such a completely paranoid world that you need to run to get the next story to help solve this satiating puzzle, just so you won't lie awake an night wondering where it is going next. Futuristic books somtimes get too clinical, but with Pandora, Maggie keeps her characters grounded in reality and emotion as they struggle with the unfathomable. Sorry, I have to go and see what happens next."

5 reasons I like writing "Pandora"

I am really enjoying writing The Pandora Chronicles. Here are my top 5 reasons, in Dave Letterman-style order.

Number 5: I'm having great fun incorporating the science I read about every day where I work (at a major medical center) and twisting it into a futuristic vision.

Number 4: Designing the landscape of Arcadia and the suburbs makes me feel like an architect.

Number 3: Writing the action scenes is like watching an action movie over and over again in my head, and I can make the characters do anything I want -- at just the right moments to heighten the tension.

Number 2: It's exciting for me to know the ending and then decide exactly how I want to get there.

And the number 1 reason I enjoy writing The Pandora Chronicles: Writing the character of Hope is allowing me to explore some deep emotions, like grief and determination.

Are you having fun reading The Pandora Chronicles? We learned something BIG in story 4, Blood Line Zero. Story 5 -- not yet named -- takes it to the next level. Can't wait to share it with all of you.

"Pandora" free 12/7 &12/8: revving up!

I've started the engines on this free promotion of Pandora, coming up Dec. 7 and 8. Who doesn't like free books, right?

I've submitted the information to about a zillion websites and will be tweeting and FB-ing both of those days, too.

Tell your friends. Mark your calendars.

What's really wonderful is seeing how many venues exist to publicize independent authors' eBooks. It tells me that a lot of people still love to read, even if it's not the "old-fashioned" way (remember paper and binding?). Plus, our ability to publish what we write without waiting for a publisher has opened up whole new worlds for all of us.

I remember a few years ago, a college literature professor told me she could never imagine reading an electronic version of a book. I've thought about contacting her and asking her if she's bought a Kindle yet. She was on the cutting edge of technology, herself -- really into website design and e-learning -- so I'd be surprised if she didn't have a cool eReader of some sort.

Anyway, I'm also revving the engines on story 5 of The Pandora Chronicles. Can't wait to finish writing that one, so I know exactly what happens, myself. :-)

Snowing in NYC

It's a dreary day here in NYC, with a mix of snow and rain. Not too cold, but definitely ... depressing.

But you know what? That's good for me, because if you've read story 3, Freefall, and story 4, Blood Line Zero, you'll know that they take place in the wintertime -- cold, snowy, moody.

While some people may not like this NYC weather, it's going to help me continue writing story 5.

What will Hope learn from her mother in story 5? Will she even get a chance to ask her anything at all?

It's a revolution

It's a "go": my Amazon Author Page is now live, right here: www.amazon.com/author/maggiewaters.

My author page lists everything I publish, all in one place. Easy-peasy.

I'm excited to be part of the self-publishing revolution. By reading my books and others by self-published authors, you're part of the revolution, too.

(Cue The Beatles song here!)

Thank you, as always, for your support. And happy reading.

Let me entertain you

As I sit here typing on the computer, my cat Sophia is lying next to me, as always. Right now I'm taking a look at some writing I initially did for story 4 that will, instead, appear in story 5. (I always save my drafts -- all of them!)

As a fiction writer, my goal is simple.

I want to entertain you. 

I want you to read my stories and disappear into a world I've created just for you.

I want to give you characters you can root for and enjoy getting to know.

I want to pump up the adrenaline by taking you on a thrill ride.

I want to have it all play out like a mini movie in your mind.

And if I can generate some thoughts about deeper issues along the way, that's great, too.

Let me entertain you.

If you haven't climbed aboard The Pandora Chronicles yet, on Dec. 7 and 8 I'll be offering the first story, Pandora, free on Amazon Kindle.

Mark your calendars. And you can bet I'll remind you of those dates. A few times. :-)