Buccaneer Blogfest: Week Two, Day Four And Hookers & Hangers bloghop

 

I'm back again with day four of the month long Buccaneer Blogfest hosted by Sharon Bayliss and Courtney Young.

First, I'd like to say thank you for all the comments on Friday's entry. The positive response to not only my interview of Pineapple Lightning's Brighton Luke (Pineapple) and Utsav Mukherjee (Lightning), but also Aldrea Alien's interview of me over at Thardrandian Thoughts was overwhelming. Thanks for the continued support.  

Week Two: Work in Progress -- July 16 – 20

This week the blogfest is all about your current work in progress, and I'm so excited to share some more information from my New Adult Contemporary Fantasy, Sibylline Nights with you all. The response I've gotten for Sibylline Nights so far has been really encouraging, and I hope you all continue to enjoy the little snippets I share with you. 

July 16: First paragraph of novel or WIP

I will be combining today's (and Wednesday's) post(s) with my entries for the Hookers and Hangers! Bloghop! being hosted by the wonderful ladies over at Falling For Fiction. 

Here's what the ladies from FFF have to say about the hop:

We all know how important the first and last lines are in every chapter. This blogfest will hopefully get your HOOKERS and HANGERS polished making it impossible for readers to put down your book and leaving them begging for more!

On July 16th, post the first sentence from each chapter.

On July 18th, post the last sentence from each chapter.

Post as many as you like!

We will be judging everyone’s first three HOOKERS and first three HANGERS. We’ll each pick two winners (MOST ENTICING HOOKER and MOST IMPOSSIBLE HANGER) making a total of ten winners! Winners will receive a 10 page (double spaced) critique and a Friday Spotlight on FFF!

Of course, my novel is a little different in that I have three protagonists, so I'm sharing the first line from the opening chapters for triplets Maggie, Nola and Esmee. 

First sentence from Maggie's opening chapter: "Look at that arse; that's one juicy arse!" (for a longer look at Maggie's opening chapter see here.)

First sentence from Nola's opening chapter: 'You look prettier with your clothes off,' Jerry had said, his palm sweaty as he had handed over a brown envelope containing notes. (for a longer look at Nola's opening chapter see here.) 

First sentence from Esmee's opening chapter: "She's out there again," Lauren called to Esmee. (for a longer look at Esmee's opening chapter see here.) 

You can find the full list of BuccaneerBlogfest participants here.

You can find the full list of Hookers and Hangers bloghop participants here.

A Little Frivolity

Thought I'd share something fun with you over the weekend. 

I’ve been on a doll making kick recently, I blame DollDivine, and have made a bunch of dolls based on my Sibylline Nights protagonists Esmee, Maggie and Nola.

You can view the rest of the collection over at my writing Tumblr. Enjoy 

Beltane and Birthdays

I was going to allow myself a blogging break after the A-Z Challenge, but then I realised what today's date is.

May First is important to me for two reasons.

Firstly, today is the Wiccan Sabbat (holiday or festival) Beltane. While I don't practice Wicca, I know a little about it, and this holiday that represents fertility, and has celebrations that include May pole dancing and bonfires. Wiccan traditions inspire me, and I try to include aspects of them in Sibylline Nights.

The second reason this date is important to me is directly related to my novel, as today is the birthday of my three protagonists, Esmee, Maggie and Nola. Even though my story is set a few months after their birthday, they would turn eighteen today.

Happy Birthday girls!

E is for Esmee

 

 Thanks to everyone who commented on D is for Dawn. It really means a lot to me.

Today we take a look at the first of the three main characters of Sibylline Nights, Esmee. And to introduce her to you I'm sharing with you Esmee's first chapter in the novel. 

Enjoy.

**

Lights, Camera, Action!

So Kyra's and Rachel's Movie themed blog hop is now here! Are we ready for some film themed fun and dramatic action?!! I know I certainly am!!!

Like a lot of you I've dreamed about who would star in my WiP if it was made into a movie. Actually, I've spent an unhealthy number of hours agonising over who would be the cast of my WiP film.

But thanks to a kick up the arse from this fest, I have cast all of my main characters, their love interests and a few extras too. Along with the 'dream cast' I've come up with a nine-track YouTube playlist that is inspired by my story.

So, without further ado, let's see what's on at the movies ...

Once More With Feelings

Happy Friday everyone! I'm here for the final part of the "I'm hearing Voices" blogfest.

But before we begin, I'd once again like to say thanks to to Cassie Mae and Angie for hosting the blogfest.

And also thank you to everyone out there who read and commented on Wednesday's Post. Your words of encouragement mean a lot to me, and were greatly appreciated.

Finally, welcome to my new followers, it's lovely to have you here.

I'll be back later today with a non-blogfest post updating about my WiP. ^_^

Now onto business …

As I did on Monday and Wednesday I'm 'cheating' a little and doing the challenge for all three of my main protagonists as it seems really unfair to leave out any of my girls. ;)

Today, however, due to time constraints I'm lifting scenes straight out of Sibylline Nights. Enjoy.

I Hear Voices In My Head, They Talk To Me

Welcome to the second day of the I'm Hearing Voices! Character Blogfest.

Once again, thank you to everyone who read Monday's entry, and left a comment. And welcome to my new followers. Great to have you here.

Additional thanks, once more, to Cassie Mae and Angie for hosting the blog fest.

Okay, now on with business …

As I did on Monday I'm 'cheating' a little and doing the challenge for all three of my main protagonists as it seems really unfair to leave out any of my girls. ;)

Today they'll be making introductions with their respective love interests. Enjoy.

I'm Hearing Voices ... Voices of Triplets

Today kicks off the character blog fest "I'm Hearing Voices" (click on the image for more info) and I'm so excited to get started.

And once again, I'm being an over achiever. 

This fest posed quite a problem for me, as I have three main characters in Sibylline Nights and I really didn't know which one to pick.

I thought of picking one character for each of the three challenges of the fest, but then thought that might cause me to miss out on some fun development.

So instead, I'm doing each challenge THREE times, once for each triplet. Pinning the girls down to chat was no easy feat, so I hope you enjoy this little snippet into the minds of Nola, Esmee and Maggie. 

Progress ...

Didn't write at all yesterday. Well actually, I did do some writing, just not on Sibylline Nights. I signed up for a fanfic thing on LiveJournal and was working on that piece yesterday. What? I still like writing fanfic. Okay?!

Today has been better though. Despite having to go out and deal with real life stuff I still managed 2034 words, bringing my over-all target to 19, 060. Not bad considering my January target was only 16, 000. I think I'll have to increase the target for February.

The story is progressing nicely too. I've hit a pivotal point with one character, and I'm building up to other character catching up with them.

I also made some notes of things to think about when I finally get to editing draft one.

Is it weird that I haven't read back the story AT ALL since I began writing it? I feel like if I go back I'll see mistakes, and inconsistencies and things that need fixing, and I'll get so preoccupied with those I'll never finish the story. And I really want to finish the story.

I feel really positive that I will, too. I have pretty much the rest of the story planned out in my head. I know what happens next in each section, it's just the finer details I don't know. And it's still fun. I'm discovering new things about my characters even now.

Today I explored what Nola, Esmee and Maggie would look for in romantic relationships. I hope those points are coming across in writing, and if not, it's something I'll fix in the second draft.

I also amused my self by deciding what Hogwarts house each of the girls would be in. You know, as you do. Maggie would be in Ravenclaw, Esmee in Gryffindor and Nola in Slytherin. Just in case you were wondering. I know you were all dying for that information!

And that's it really. Hopefully I can make some more progress tomorrow. 

Thanks for reading, and please check back soon.

Branching Out

So, as you might have noticed my blog has been re-named.

I've realised that if I want to get anywhere with my writing I need to start making contacts with other writes, and blogging seems an excellent way to do so.

Additionally, while I LOVE my NaNoWriMo novels, and Sibylline Nights is my focus right now, they're not all I'm about as a writer.

I also have two short stories in mind, and a third novel that's also in the first draft stage.

So, from here on out, Clare's Adventures in NaNoWriMo is evolving into Clare Dugmore Writes.

50 k Breached!

So, I've been away for a while, haven't I?

We went down to Southampton for my dad's wedding, and after that I didn't feel like writing for a few days, as I re-cooperated.

Gotten back on track the last couple of days however, and have been managing to write a couple of thousand words a day, meaning I've finally surpassed the fifty thousand word mark. And about time too, as my thirty days of "Na No" ends tonight!!

As it stands currently, according to the Open Office word count (it varies on online word counters, though they're all over 50k now) I'm on 53, 977!!

I'm pleased with that, though I wish it could have been higher.

Weekly Round Up and Character Pictures

So I'm just over half-way through my thirty days and only five thousand off my goal of 50, 000! Go me!!

Had a couple of slow days on Friday and Saturday, but made up for it today by writing nearly four thousand words. I'm aiming to bring my total up to the "winning" 50,000 tomorrow, and then I'm off to Southampton for three days for my dad's wedding.