Memorable Mondays: Followers Blog Hop

A new week starts with my new Posting Schedule and the first of three weekly posts on my blog(s); Memorable Mondays.

Normally, I will reserve Mondays for book releases, cover reveals, blog tours & blog hops etc. from around the Blogosphere. My way of highlighting what my fellow writers are doing.

However, the first Memorable Monday will focus on me because it falls on the same day as Mel Chesley's Followers BlogHop, and I thought the beginning of a more scheduled style on by blog would be a perfect time to connect with some new people. 

I love meeting new people, and I love the community in the Blogosphere. In the 18 months that I've been blogging, I've met some really awesome people, that have gone on to become great friends. I have a lot of fantastic memories, have picked up some excellent tips, and through blogging have found some brilliant books.

I'd love to continue expanding my blogging world, and meeting even more great people. So, if you think we could get along, please follow me.

I have two blogs, my writing blog here at Clare Dugmore Writes, where I promote fellow authors and update on my current work in progress - a new adult paranormal romance in the first draft stage - and my personal blog, The Life and Loves of Clare Dugmore; where I write about TV shows, video games, books and movies I love, as well as what I've been getting up to with Hubby and our two sons. Feel free to follow me on both blogs, or just one, whatever appeals to you most.

I'd also love to connect with people on social media, and I can be found on Twitter and Facebook, as well as Tumblr, GoodReads, Pinterest and Polyvore. 

Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read my post today, and I hope to get to know some of you better.

If you'd like, check back for Working Wednesday for an update on how I'm getting on with my WiP, and how my internship at Curiosity Quills is going. 

Buccaneer Blogfest: Week One, Day Two

 

I'm back (again) with day two of  the month long Buccaneer Blogfest hosted by Sharon Bayliss and Courtney Young. Thanks ladies, you're doing a fantastic job hosting.

First, I'd like to say thank you for all the comments on Monday's entry. It's really nice getting to know so many new people. I've read some great blogs over the last few days, connected with some interesting people, and I can't wait to get to know more of you as the fest progresses.

Additional thanks to everyone who commented on Tuesday's entry, either wishing me luck in the NA Pitch contest, or to comment on my flashfiction. The support is much appreciated.

Okay, on with today's post.

(July 11) Why you did you start blogging? What are your goals for your blog?

In November 2010 I took part in NaNoWriMo for the first time, and started this blog as a way of sharing my experiences while doing the challenge. In January this year, I decided to take my writing more seriously, with the hope of publication, and treat writing as a job. That's when I re-branded my blog (from Clare's Adventures in NaNoWriMo to Clare Dugmore Writes), and started taking part in fests, contests and the like.

My aim is to connect and make friends, with other writers in all stages of the writing/ publication process. I want to form a support network where I can come, to exchange advice, support and general experience of the writing process.In addition to that, I want to also make friend with the people I share experiences with. It amazes me how someone can live on the opposite side of the world from you, and you can still have so much in common, or how you can come from completely different walks of life, and still find something to connect with. I love making new friends, and some of my best friends I've made online. I hope to make more through this blog, and fest. 

Nine facts and One fake - the answers!

Thanks to everyone who commented on my Kreativ Blogger Award entry on Tuesday.

Before I reveal which fact was a fake, I wanted to do a little bit of promotion for those of you who might not be aware.

Today, the lovely ladies over at Falling For Fiction are doing a Critique Partner Mixer, where people can comment on the entry with what they're looking for in a CP/ beta reader for their current project, and hopefully be matched up with someone similar who meets there needs. I think this is a wonderful idea, as many of us aspiring authors are all in the same position, and if you're new to blogging or a little shy, it's hard to know where to find CPs. I'll be heading over, and I hope to see some of you there too. 

Okay, I won't leave you handing any longer as to which was the fake.

Kreativ Blogger Award

 

Last week, in between the final entry in the Dust It Off Bloghop and the launch of M. Pax's The Backworlds, Sherry of  Mama Diaries presented me with the Kreativ Blogger Award. Thank you Sherry!

Following the lead of Sherry, in response to the award, I'm going to write ten facts about myself. Only, as an added twist, one of them will be fake. Can you spot which isn't real?

1. In 2009 I met WWE superstar Christ Jericho at a book signing. He told me my t-shirt of Animal from the Muppets was cool. 

2. The first story I every wrote was a "fan fiction" based on my science teacher, when I was fifteen. The story was about a girl with magical powers (she often levitated to class in stead of walking) who used said powers to make her teacher fall in love with her! I kept it hidden under my mattress, and worked on it in secret every night in bed. 

3. I've been abroad four times in my life. To Yugoslavia when I was three years-old, to Germany with the school when I was fourteen, to Majorca with my mum, sister and (at the time) step-dad when I was sixteen, and to Crete with my dad and sister when I was seventeen. 

4. My (maternal) grandfather is of Turkish decent, though he moved to England with a scholarship at the age of sixteen. He still has a holiday home in a little village called Tuzkoy, where a lot of his relatives live.

5. For Christmas last year, my mum took me and my sister to see the Nutcracker ballet. I've been obsessed with the story of the Nutcracker since I was a child, and it was one of the most magical experiences of my life. 

6. When I got married in 2010, my wedding dress was fuschia pink. I had a handmade bouquet of pink tulips, roses, gerberas, and a lot of the wedding decorations (balloons etc.) were also pink. Hubby refused to wear a pink tie though. His outfit was black and white, and looked amazing on him.

7. I've seen the WWE wrestle live twice. Both times have been in Sheffield. The first time was with my (now) husband, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and the second time was with my now (husband) and friend. The second time, we stopped in a Bed and Breakfast, and the shower was in the middle of the shared bedroom, so Hubby and I had to go down to the bar while my friend showered.

8. My dad is a Jehovah's Witness, and I was raised in the religion until the age of twelve, when he said I was old enough to make the decision if I wanted to go to meetings or not. Of course, my twelve year-old self thought stopping in bed on a Sunday morning was much more appealing. Though I don't follow their religion today, I am still friendly with Jehovah's Witnesses, and enjoy chatting with them whenever they stop buy.

9. As a teenager, I was a massive supporter of Midlands football team Aston Villa, and with my dad I've seen them play at least seven times, including three times against Tottenham Hotspur, and twice against Manchester United - one of which times was at the Man U grounds Old Trafford, in an executive box, the tickets for which my dad got as a gift from a work client.

10.  My oldest son was due to be born on my twentieth birthday. He was born a week early, meaning I still got to go out for a few drinks to celebrate. I tell him now (nine years later) that he was considerate enough to come early so that I could still go out. 

And in the spirit of the award, I'm 'tagging' ten people to give the award to. I'm going to choose new followers, as a way of getting to know people better.

I tag:

1. Clarissa Draper
2. Mary Pax 
3. Christine Rains 
4. Pamela Skjolsvik 
5. DazeDiva 
6. Jaybird 
7. FrostLord 
8. Peaches Ledwidge 
9. Rachel Searles
10. Andrea Teagan

Feel free to take part if you wish, and write some facts about yourself. If you haven't got time, that's fine. I still want you to have the award, and know I read and enjoy all of your blogs, even if I don't always have time to comment.

Later on in the week, I will post which of the ten facts about me was fake. 

Blog Tag

It seems I've been tagged by two lovely ladies, Kyra Lennon and Ashley Nixon.

Here's my answers to your questions, and then some of my own, too.

1. If there was only one food you could eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Part of me wants to say cheese, but I'm sure I'd get tired of that very quickly. So pasta, as it's so versatile.
2. What was your favourite TV show as a child?
The Moomins, both the cartoon and the version with puppets. I distinctly remember being age three and crying my eyes out because my mum made me miss the final episode of the puppet version.
3. What movie do you dislike, that everyone else seems to love?
Pirates of the Caribbean. I liked the first one, but after that they got repetative and silly.
4. What was the first record/cassette/CD you ever bought?
Babylon Zoo. Yes I was THAT cool
5. What would songs would be on the soundtrack of your life?
Right now it would be the entrance theme for the WWE wrestler Brodus Clay. It always puts me in a good mood and makes me want to dance.
6. If you could excel at one thing, what would it be?
Dancing. I'd love to be able to dance like Beyoncé.
7. If you could choose your own first name, what would you choose?
Hum ... I'd like something original but not really unusual like Apple! LOL I love Wanda, it's become a name I connect with because of my online alias wandaXmaximoff. So yeah, I suppose I'd pick Wanda. 
8. Can you remember the first story you ever wrote? If so, what was it about?
Yes, when I was fifteen I wrote a story about a girl who was in love with her teacher, inspired by my crush on my sience teacher. Only she had magical powers and used them to seduce him. I think I must have watched the Craft too much as a teen. I'm actually thinking of working with this idea again to make it into a short story.
9. What is your favourite snack?
I love pretzels. But really I'd fond of any savory salted snack.
10. Do you have any pets, and what do you have?
Nope. Two children is more than enough, thank you. Actually, I'd really love a dog, but our apartment is too small and my youngest is too young to have a dog around.
11. Who or what inspires you?
My family, because I want to offer them a better life. My mum because she's given me so much and I want to make her proud of me. My writer friends, becasuse they make me want to match their success. My non writer friends for always having faith in me and encouraging me. 


1. Writing or reading, who is your favorite character and why?
Oh that is a really hard character. Often, both with reading, and writing, that depends on the mood I'm in. I think if I had to pick one though my favourite character in literature is A Song of Ice and Fire's Daenerys Targaryen. Even if a lot of what happens to her is fantastical the journey she goes on as a character is inspirational. 
2. What's your favorite color?
Fuschia pink. I find it so vibrant and uplifting. If I'm wearing pink I feel more confident. It's the colour I got married in.  
3. Your favorite book-to-movie movie? (lol). 
Can I pick a book to TV adaptation instead, please? If so, HBO's Game of Thrones. If anything they've in riched the story told in the books. 
4. Favorite book? 
Oh god, I have a bunch. Again, it depends on my mood. A lot of books I have I've read ten times over. I find them comforting. It's like slipping into an old pair of slippers. 
5. Do you have a pet? If so what kind and name. 
See above answer in the questions from Kyra. 
6.Aside from writing, what's another hobby you enjoy?
I love making graphics and drawings on Photoshop. It's actually something I coinsidered professionally. And though I've got a long way to go, I find it a fun and relaxing hobby. 
7. Have you ever visited another country? If so, where did you go?  
I've visited a few foreign actually. What was at the time Yugoslavia when I was about three, but I can't remember anything from then. Germany with the school when I was fourteen. Majorca with my mum when I was sixteen and Crete with my dad when I was seventeen. Each holiday was a create experience, but Crete was my favourite. My Granddad is Greek, so I really loved experiencing the Greek food, culture, history and way of life when I was over there.
8. Have you ever went sky diving or bungee jumped or something crazy like that? 
No, I haven't. I have been tempted to bungee jump, but never gave it proper thought. 
9.What's one word you would use to describe yourself?
Persistent. I've been through a lot in the twenty-nine years I've been alive and over-come some real hardships, and I've never given up on life or those I love. I'm now applying that persistentance to writing and I will not give up until I'm published, even if that takes me twenty years!
10. What is something you have to have on you at all times? 
My mobile phone. At one time I wasn't all that bothered about it, but now I have to take it with me everywhere. I like to feel connected. 
11. What's your favorite website? (Maybe writer's resources?)
My favorite writing website is The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL), it's fully of useful tips and exercises.
My favorite non writing website is Tumblar, I'm pretty much addicted to it right now.

Okay, now here are my questions to you, if you've already answered them from someone else, please just copy and paste, or whatever.

1. What is your earliest childhood memory?
2. Which do you prefer, tea or coffeee?
3. What inspired you to become a writer?
4. Which of the four seasons do you prefer?
5. Which fictional character are you most like?
6. What are you scared of?
7. Do you believe in life on other planets?
8. What is your favorite flower?
9. What smell(s) do you love?
10. If you could live anywhere else in the world where would you pick?
11. What movie do you love that everyone else hates?

For these questions I tag (but please don't feel like you have to. This is just for fun and if you haven't got time or don't feel like it that's fine):

1. Dianne Gardner
2. Hope Roberson
3. Cassie Mae
4. Kelley
5. Angela Cothran
6. Roland D. Yeomans
7. Donna Hole
8. Leigh Covington
9. Ashley Nixon.
10. Kyra Lennon
11. Tasha Seegmiller