Two-year Blogaversary Giveaway Winner!

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Congratulations, Sheena-kay! I'll email your gift card shortly.

Thank you to everyone who entered, and everyone who has supported me and my writing career throughout the years!

Two-year Blogaversary Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Turning 30, Overcoming Adversity and Blogaversary Giveaway Winner

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

I'd like to start off this post by sharing Nick Wilford's news that his "Overcoming Adversity - An Anthology for Andrew" - all proceeds from which will go towards to college fund of his step-son who has cerebral palsy- now has a release date of March 4th 2013. For those of you not aware, Nick held a bloghop where entrance had to write a piece of flash fiction about Overcoming Adversity, and he's compile all entries into an Anthology. Myself and many others took part, and some great stories were created. If you want to know more about Nick's anthology, you can find details here.

In the second piece of news for today, I'm pleased to announce the winner of my Blogaversary Giveaway.

Congratulations, Kyra! I can think of no one more deserving to win my Blogaversary giveaway. You've been with me since back when my stories were just fanfic. Your constant support and encouragement means the world to me, and your own success is a real inspiration. Love you. <3

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Thank you to everyone who took part in the giveaway, and promoted it. I wish I could give you all something more thank words, because I do truly appreciate the constant support and encouragement of everyone who visits my blog and leaves comments. You guys are awesome! <3 

In personal news, I turn thirty today. I'm not doing anything special - though we did have takeout and cake last night - and it'll mostly be another normal day. I'm trying to be reflective, without regretting anything. There's a lot I wishy I'd accomplished before turning thirty, most prominently getting something published, but I'm focusing on the things I have achieved, like getting married and having two beautiful sons, starting this blog and making a place for myself in the writing section of the blogosphere, and working towards my dream of being published by writing a lot of first drafts and learning important writing lessons. hopefully this year, I can take the next step and move close towards completion.

In writing related news, I've begun proper work on my new project. I spent most of January plotting and planning, and now I'm writing in a slightly different way. Instead of rushing ahead NaNoWriMo style and knocking out a first draft in a matter of weeks, I'm taking things more slowly. I'm writing chapter one, which contains roughly three scenes, and I won't move forwards until I've gotten it as perfect as I can by revising, editing and seeking second opinions. Hopefully this new approach will make the over-all editing process go more smoothly, and create a stronger first draft.

To whet your appetites a little, here is the (current) first line(s) of chapter one:

It’s been twelve weeks since I saw my first dead body. That’s when everything I knew changed and I learnt the world of prenatural entities was real.

Finally, before I head over to my personal blog for a more in-depth personal life update, some more news from the world of my fellow writers. Tomorrow is the release of Christine Rains' third book in her Thirteenth Floor Series: 1303 - The Dragonslayer.  Christine was once again kind enough to allow me to beta for you, and let me tell you, this is one terrific book with a very sexy (shirtless) male lead. You can join Christine and I here on Friday 15th, as part of her Dragonslayer Blog tour, where were discuss fictional dragons and what it takes to be a dragonslayer. Check out Christine's blog for the full schedule of tour dates, and links to where you can buy the Dragonslayer from.

Celebrate the Small Things Meme

Today I'm taking part in Viklit's Celebrate the Small Things Meme. The basic idea is to get together every Friday and celebrate the small things you've achieved; be it finished a section of your WIP, stuck to your diet, done some exercise, etc. Look back to last weekend and what you wanted to accomplish this week, and congratulate yourself for the things you've achieved.

First, I want to say thanks to Vik for the shoutout on her blog. Much appreciated. 

This week I'm celebrating achieving fourteen out of the fifteen things on my 'to-do' list, and the fifteenth thing, I've done half of. 

Some of my tasks included planning my current project - yesterday I got down a one-sentence summary, and a three act synopsis of the story. Now I can begin working on a scene list.

I've caught up on emails and messages for the whole week, including beta reading Christine Rains' soon-to-be released paranormal romance, The Dragonslayer.

I've also gotten my youngest prepared for him starting nursery school this coming Monday, by having a teacher home visit on Wednesday and a one-hour stay-and play session today. The little guy can't wait to go back Monday. 

I'm very happy with all I'm managed to get done, and the extras that I added to the list, like helping my Hubby edit his article on the Dangers of Sexting (which I will link you to when he's had it accepted somewhere.)

Next week, I'm looking forwards to three hours in the morning without the little guy around, and think it'll be time to start making real headway on my new project.

What are you guys celebrating this week? I'd love to hear what you've been up to, and I'll also be hopping around to some of the other blogs on the sing up list.

I'm also celebrating Kyra Lennon's success, as she's giving away her contemporary romance, Blindsided (book 2 in the Game On series) for free this weekend. The offer is only available until Sunday, so check out her blog for buying links. You won't regret it, this is a sweet, warm lovely story about first love between two people who really deserve it!

Kyra has even more to celebrate as it's also her one year Blogaversary and she's hosting a giveaway in which you could win 2 eBook copies of Blindsided OR Game On OR If I Let You Go. Paperback copy of Blindsided OR Game On. 3 Chapter Critique. Enter the giveaway here.  

Speaking of Blogaversary giveaways, in celebration of my one year Blogaversary, I'm giving away a £15 Amazon Voucher. Details can be found here. 

Hope everyone has a happy, healthy weekend and I'll be back sometime next week.

Clare Dugmore Writes One Year Blogaversary

  Images from Vector Open Stock

One year ago today, I branched out from blogging only about my NaNoWriMo novels/ blogging around NaNo time, to blogging more frequently, discussing many aspects of my writing career, and taking part in blogfests/ hops; with my first foray into fests being Cassie Mae and Angie Cothran's I'm Hearing Voices! Character Blogfest. Cassie Mae and Angie, thanks for having me in your fest, and the kind and encouraging comments you left on my entry. 

At the same time, one of my very best friends, critique partner (though I didn't know the term for it then), and awesome author, Kyra Lennon started blogging about her writing journey too, and we entered our first blog fest together. I'm so honoured to have shared the first year of my writing journey with Kyra, and so proud to have watched her grow into this confident, successful self-published author. Kyra, congratulations on all you've achieved in the past twelve months, and thank you for the endless support you've given me. I love you. ♥ Check out Kyra's blog for her own Blogaversary celebrations.

Over the past twelve months, I've met some amazing people and had some fantastic experiences. I thank each and every one of you for the support you've given me in the last year. Whether it's regular comments, or just one offs here and there, all of you have encouraged me in some way or taught me something new, and for that I'm very thankful.
 
In honour of my Blogaversary, I'm hosting a Rafflecopter giveaway below, to win a £15 (or equivalent in your currancy) Amazon voucher.

   

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