October 17, 2006
Rewards
Written by Margo Maguire in Jaunty PostI just finished a manuscript and overnighted it to my editor, so it should be on her desk by noon today. This book out of my usual genre, so it took a good bit of research to get the time period right … and it’s also paranormal. Not just paranormal elements (which I’ve had in a number of my past books), but the hero is a sorcerer-warrior who has to leave his own realm to come to earth in order to find an artifact of power. Of course he meets the heroine (a mere human) and falls for her.
Well, I didn’t mean to go on about the story … what I do want to go on about is something Shirley asked me. She wanted to know how I’m going to reward myself for finishing on time.
I need suggestions. Bear in mind that my birthday was less than 2 weeks ago, so I had some nice ‘rewards’ then … So what do I do now? Food is out - I try not to let that be a reward, ever. It’s a cold, rainy day here in Michigan so I can’t even take the dogs to the woods for a nice, long hike.
So I’m open to ideas … and if anyone gives me a winner, I’ll send them a signed copy of The Perfect Seduction (my September Avon release).
9:12 am | Share This
AndreaW Says:
I say curl up with your favorite movie (or a good book
), a comfy blanket and your favorite drink…then enjoy! I love rainy days just for this reason. 
AndreaW Says:
OR, if there’s a movie playing at the theater that you’ve wanted to see, go see it! OR, go shopping!
Congrats, Margo, on finishing!!
Susan W Says:
Why don’t you and your husband go away for the weekend at some nice country inn where you can sit by a fire and enjoy a meal together and then go to your room and snuggle under the covers…..In Niagara On the Lake, Ontario, Canada there is an inn called the Oban Inn…a lovely place to be. You can shop at the little quaint shops in town.
Melissa Says:
Buy some books you’ve been dying to read, go for a mani, pedi, massage, facial, etc.
Take a long nap, or a road trip.
Minna Says:
Curl up with your favorite movie or your favorite TV-series (I guess there isn’t one you couldn’t get on DVD these days).
Dorothy Says:
I say treat yourself to a trip to the day spa. Let them pamper you and work out all the kinks in the shoulders and hands that comes from sitting at a desk and typing all day!
And Congrats on finishing your book!!
Shana Says:
I agree with the people who suggested a day of pampering. I like to have a facial, pedicure…something relaxing. if money’s short, you can always soak in the bubble bath, open a nice bottle of wine, and listen to your favorite CD.
ladydawgfan Says:
Okay, here’s my suggestion:
First off, start with sending the kids to Mom’s for the weekend, and the dogs to the boarder’s on Friday. Then arrange for Saturday morning to start with breakfast in bed, followed by “canoodling” with hubby as a reward for his cooking. A romantic lunch (ordered in, of course) should follow. After this, both of you should pack off to the nearest spa for his and hers massages to work out the kinks and stress. Later that evening, a romantic dinner for two at your favorite restaurant, including champagne, is followed by a bubble bath for two either at home or at a local hotel (don’t forget the candles).
The kids, dogs, and distractions are out of the house. Take the time you need with each other and let the ultimate romantic weekend be your reward!!!
Kristol Says:
I say go for a girlfriend day. Shopping, lunch followed by a nice massage.
Isabel Says:
Hi Margo!
Congrats on finishing your book, look forward to that story already.
You say it’s cold and rainy, how about attending a play or concert? Or maybe visiting an art gallery or museum? Or if you want to stay indoor what if you through your favorite family vacation pictures. Everytime I look at my favorite pictures it reminds me of how lucky I am and how hard I’ve worked to get to where I am today.
Isabel
Jennifer Y. Says:
I would curl up with a book or watch a movie or watch tv.
Or give yourself a spa day…go get a manicure, pedicure, massage, facial, etc.
Go shopping!
Take a nap!
Lynne Simpson Says:
A spa day sounds wonderful! Hmm, I’ll have to remember that for when I hit a couple of milestones next month.
The story sounds fabulous, by the way!
Michelle the Merry Says:
This is my idea of a good day of pampering:
Wake up, have a quick shower, pick out something nice, doll yourself up, by that I mean do your hair, make-up, the whole ten yards, and wear comfy shoes.
Go to the mall and then pick yourself out a matching earring, necklace set. Mine would be silver since I have enough gold items.
Next, go window shopping, then have lunch at your favorite place.
After that, hit the book store, like a B&N, or Borders, where you could purchase a book for just YOU, or your favorite DVD or music!
Then come home, have hubby make you dinner. Toast your sucess with the drink of your choice. Then soak in a hot bath, with your new book in hand.
Michelle
Lois Says:
Well, if it were me, I’d be off to the bookstore. . . if it were my Mom, she’d be off to the shoe store.
Lois
Crystal B. Says:
a day at the spa and while you are there, have a cleaning service clean your house.
After the spa, some leisurely shopping.
Shirley Karr Says:
I’m always in favor of pampering.
Like Margo, I try not to make food a reward (sugar-free chocolate doesn’t count). If money and time are tight, some little thing is usually enough to make me smile. A new lipstick, a silly keychain, whatever. Not long ago I was feeling stressed out, and while running errands found myself looking at a black bandana with rows of skulls and crossbones, and smiling. Did I *need* another bandana? Of course not. But two bucks was a cheap, no-calorie way to boost my mood. And now you know what I carry in the back pocket of my jeans.
Kathleen Says:
I like to go for a walk somewhere…and in particular, this time of year, when all the trees are turning colors and the temp’s are cooler. Or in the evening, go somewhere to take the time to watch the sunset. Unless, of course, it is cloudy outside. Then go to Plan B.
Plan B: find somewhere that serves fantastic ice cream or sorbet. Yummy!!
Kimberly Logan Says:
I had to laugh, Margo and Shirley. I’m exactly the opposite. My rewards usually ARE food, LOL. It’s a good thing it’s not every day I finish a book or I’d be about 100 pounds heavier.
When I finished Devil’s Temptation recently, I treated myself to a meal out with friends at Red Lobster, my favorite restaurant. I haven’t gotten to eat out in forever, so it was a real treat. 
Kathleen Says:
Well, I guess Plan B won’t work since it is food….so go to Plan C.
Plan C: turn on a CD or cassette that you haven’t listened to in a while. Sit back and relax.
KimW Says:
I think you should spend the day doing as little as possible. Take a nice hot bath, sip some tea, read a magazine or a book, watch Oprah or The View, paint your toe nails, call a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while and just relax. You deserve it!
Haven Rich Says:
Congrats!!
I say celebrate several ways. Go out for a nice dinner…take the longgg bad before getting ready. Buy a movie and relax..and eat some of your favorite ice cream. You’ve earned it all!!
Margo Maguire Says:
These suggestions are all great! I can’t choose only one, so I’m going to have to draw a name. So I’ll be putting all these names into a hat and doing a drawing before I got to bed … which will be in about 30 minutes! Good luck!
Margo Maguire Says:
Well, there’s probably a nice way to randomly pick a name, using a computer program.
But since I haven’t a clue about that, I wrote all your names on little pieces of paper and mixed them all up. Then I drew one…
Lynne Simpson won the drawing, but since she didn’t really give me a suggestion, I did a second drawing. AndreaW won that one!
Congratulations, ladies!
Lynne Simpson Says:
Wow, thank you!
I’d definitely recommend the spa day. Here in Atlanta, one of the best getaways for that is Château Élan. I’m SO going there when I make my first sale!
Rainy Says:
Margo,
Congrats on finishing your book on time. Got here a day late and a dollar short. Just relaxing after all your hard work sounds…well, relaxing!
If I had gotten here earlier, I might have suggested buying something you especially would like to have as opposed to need. And since you finished on time, I’d suggest some kind of watch, maybe one that you have engraved. It’ll always be there to remind you!
Haven Rich Says:
Congrats!
I suppose I need to work harder on my bribes hehe j/k.
I hope you enjoy the book!
Shana Says:
Congrats, Lynne!
AndreaW Says:
Thank you so much, Margo! You have made my day!
Let us know how you decide to reward yourself.
Michelle the Merry Says:
AndreaW, congrats! And enjoy the book.
MightyAphrodite Says:
Congrasts Andrea!
As for me, I would take a decadent bath with some new soaps or bubble bath. A friend of mine recently came across a bubble bath that smells just like chocolate! Its pure, no-calorie heaven!! If you wouldn’t reward yourself with food, then you could bath in it, lol! Then i would get out a camera, whther it be a desposable or your favorite 35mm, and unleash your inner artist. Take shots of regular, everday objects that are made beatiful because of how the light is cast down on it or shoot beloved family members going about thier lives. Something so simple can make a nothing day feel fruitful with little effort and make some wonderful photos of the people you love. Just a thought.