NaNoWriMo A-Z Challenge 2019

Yes, I know I haven't updated in almost two months. I have started writing a March entry (which will become a March/ April entry now), but I've been busy with work (YAY! I have work. More on that in the full update). But I wanted to announce my participation in both NaNoWriMo and the A-Z Challenge this April, and ask for your help.

I've always wanted to combine the A-Z Challenge with NaNoWriMo. Some of you may remember me previously serializing All It Takes for the A-Z challenge, and the format works perfectly for me.

This time around I want to write a new(?) story and post a 2,000 word instalment each day for the challenge (the title of the chapter will be a corresponding letter of the alphabet.)

My problem is which story, and this is where y'all come in.

I have four different story ideas, and I want everyone to vote on which you'd like to see me write in April. Part of my reason for doing the challenge the way I am is to attracted new readers to my work, so what better way to do so than by writing something you're all interested in?

Here are the choices (some might be familiar to you, as they're re-writes of previous unpublished works.)

1. LGBT, Sci-Fi romance about parallel universes.

A recent episode of The Flash had me wondering, if parallel universes were real, would you be drawn to the same person from all universes? What happens if you've lost your lover and meet an alternate version of them?

The story I have in mind centres around a young (25-ish) lesbian couple - Sian and Jasmine - who met in uni, and have recently gotten married. Six months after getting married, Jasmine is killed in a car accident. Sometime later, a freak storm opens the doorway between universes, and a version of Jasmine comes through from Earth 2 to Earth 1, where she meets Sian. But E2 Jasmine doesn't know Sian, because in her universe they never met and fell in love.

2. Choosing Sides; urban-fantasy about witches oppressed by the government.

Those of you familiar with my writing will know Choosing Sides is my urban-fantasy novel about three young women, who discover they have magical abilities, in a world that hates those with magic. 

This will be my third draft of the story, as I try to get onto the page exactly what is in my mind. 

We have Esmee, who works with the 'good' witch resistance, and believes with the right policing witches and non-magical people can live peacefully side-by-side. Nola, who is part of the 'bad' witch rebellion, and believes witches should have power over those without magic. And Maggie, who is part of the PID, a team who believe witches are dangerous and should be imprisoned/ wiped out.

3. YA fantasy about a gender-divided magical school.

This one is a new idea, and I see it as a sort of cross between The Handmaiden's Tail and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

The story centres around a magical society where males are the elite and females are inferior. Men train in magic to become leaders, military, doctors, lawyers and other esteemed professions. Women are taught housekeeping, cooking and child rearing related magic.

Breena enrols at the Arcanium at fifteen, like all others her age, and at first falls in line like the other girls, knowing no better. But as her time progresses, she starts to see the inequality in the world and forms a group to challenge it, eventually uncovering a dark secret about society.

4. Cupid; upper YA/ NA paranormal-romance.

This is another one regulars to my blog will recognise, as it's a re-write of a previously unpublished story. 

Eighteen year-old Ruby Collins discovers her biological parents are fae, of the Cupid verity, and now she must give up everything she knows and loves - including her adoptive parents, and her best-friend Lucas, who she's never worked up to courage to admit she's in love with. If she doesn't embrace her new destiny as a Cupid, and help seventy-two couples fall in love before her nineteenth birthday, a dark fae named Abraxas will claim her soul. 

So those are my four story ideas. Two romances (though scifi and paranormal) and two fantasy with social commentary. 

Whichever gets the most votes, I will write and serialize on my blog during April, and then probably self-publish a paperback edition. The other three will be the projects I work on throughout the rest of the year - so don't worry, you will get to read all four stories eventually.

To vote for your favourite, and the one you'd like to see me write during April, please visit the following poll:  

What should Clare Dugmore write for NaNoWriMo/ A-Z Challenge April 2019?

1. LGBT, Sci-Fi romance about parallel universes

2. Choosing Sides; urban-fantasy, about witches

3. YA fantasy about a gender-divided magical school

4. Cupid; upper YA/ NA paranormal-romance.

Created with QuizMaker

NaNoWriMo 2018 and Writing Update

Due to various reasons, I haven't done much in the way of writing the last few months. 

I did add a bit more to Choosing Sides, and I now have about 12, 000 words/ eight chapters left until completion.

Additionally, I decided to serialize it on Wattpad. You can check it out here: ​www.wattpad.com/633473780-choosing-sides-author%27s-notes

Kyra and I resumed work on our co-novel, and decided to make some changes. 

The story we wrote in part last year, is now going to be book two in a series focused on a UK wrestling company. Book one will introduce the male lead for book two, but also follow two best friends, who're debuting in the company. 

It's a story Kyra and I have drafted a couple of times over the years, and we now feel it's the right time to really work on it and get it out there. 

It was going well, but we've had to put it on hiatus for a few weeks, so Kyra can work on her solo novel, Say What You Feel (Chaos and Consent #2), as she's on a tight deadline for it, because of it being due for release on November 6. 

Once her book is out, and she's had a break, we'll get back to it.

I spoke about re-writing my 2012 novel, Cupid, and I did start work on that, getting about 5k down, before illness hit. Then I lost my motivation to write ... until NaNoWriMo was approaching.

I've been conflicted on what to write in November, as I recently had an excellent idea for a young-adult, high fantasy book/ possible series. 

But, after much deliberation, I feel Cupid is the best choice to go with. It's more developed that the high fantasy, which I'm still working out the details of, and with less fantasy world-building needed. 

I think both could be excellent stories, but the high-fantasy probably isn't the right thing to write during NaNoWriMo, and I need to give myself more time to iron out the plot, and nail down all the world building aspects.

So I will be sticking with Cupid, and after re-reading the 5000 words I wrote in September, I'm certain it's the right choice. Damn it, I love that story, even if I do say so myself and what I've written so far is excellent. I'm so excited to work on it again once NaNoWriMo starts. 

If you're interested in following my NaNWriMo progress, or learning more about Cupid, please check out my profile here.

That's it in the way of writing updates, but if you want a more personal update, please check out my recent blog post over on my website. http://www.claredugmore.com/blog/october-update

Until next time. T.T.F.N ...

Writing Plans for September

One of my main goals for the month is to write 10k per week/ 40k per month, and I plan on doing this over three projects! Yes, three. I am insane. 

I plan on continuing to write Choosing Sides, which I estimate has 20k left before the story is complete. Kyra Lennon and I have also discussed re-writing our co-written novel to change some aspects, and I want to start re-writing a new version of my 2012 novel Cupid.

The basic premise is the same, and the main changes are that I'm making it firmly YA (it was NA previously, and I've aged down the characters a couple of years) and turning it into an origin story. I've also renamed and changed the dynamics of the characters somewhat, mostly to include a best-friends to lovers romance, which I think works really well in the story. My aim is to start by serialising on Wattpad once I've gotten enough lead.

Be sure to follow me on social media for updates on both Choosing Sides and Cupid, as well as my co-written novel with Kyra.

And if you want to know how my vacation was, and what I've been up to in August, please feel free to check out my main blog on claredugmore.com! 

NaNoWrimo '12 Progress: Day Nine

 

Day: Nine

Where I should be: 15,000

Where I actually am: 16,058

Word count for today: 1757

Favourite line from today's writing: He starts strumming a winding melody, full of little intricacies that aren’t usually found in his rock style. For some reason the song makes me think of walking through a field on a summer’s day, and being surrounded by butterflies. It’s quite lovely, and very uplifting.

Experiences of the Day: Today is the first time this NaNo where I've written something, then looked back and thought is this any good. There are words, lovely words even, but do they do anything to progress the story. I fear they're all fluff and filler, and will have to be cut in revisions. Sometimes that's the trouble with NaNoWriMo, and have to write a certain amount of words in a day!

NaNoWrimo '12 Progress: Day Seven & Eight

 Day: Seven and Eight

Where I should be: 13328

Where I actually am: 14301

Word count for today: 1073 (D7) & 3180 (D8)

Favourite line from today's writing: With only my long t-shirt-come-nightdress and nickers, and his jogging bottoms separating us, things soon become heated, as I press Leto down into the couch, and straddle his lap.

Experiences of the Day: Yesterday was a struggle for me. I had some stuff going on at home, and didn't manage to write until the evening. No matter how hard I pushed myself, the words weren't coming. I finished the day tired, and behind the daily target for the first time this NaNoWriMo.

Today more than made up for it, and I wrote 3k, in large thanks to word wars with Kyra Lennon. Competing really brings out the best in me, and I stop myself from procrastinating. All in all, I'm happy with my progress, where the story is heading, and am looking forwards to the rest of NaNo.

I'd just like to say thanks for all the supportive comments on these entries, and on the 'I’m Thankful For My Readers Bloghop!' and today's earlier post. I am trying to reply to all of them, it's just taking me a little longer than usual. I do really appreciate your support though.

NaNoWrimo '12 Progress: Day Five

Day: Five

Where I should be: 8330

Where I actually am: 10048

Word count for today: 2184

Favourite line from today's writing: In the back of my mind, late at night when my insecurities are worst, I still question our differences and wonder if he’d be better suited to someone he has more in common with.

Experiences of the Day: I had another crisis today. The first scene I wrote for NaNo hasn't actually happened yet chronologically, so when I was writing scenes in the 'present' characters were referencing something that hasn't actually happened to them yet, leaving me with an odd mix of present and future events going on. Thankfully, I managed to move around the scenes, meaning I've lost nothing. I don't think I'll be writing out of order again though; my head can't keep up!  

Thanks to everyone who has been reading my NaNo updates and commenting on them; they're greatly appreciated. I am trying to reply to all comments, but if I'm a little slow, please don't think it's because I'm ignoring you. 

NaNoWrimo '12 Progress: Day Four

 

Day: Four

Where I should be: 6664

Where I actually am: 7864

Word count for today: 1845

Favourite line from today's writing: My high is soon deflated when I take my break, and see a girl in her early twenties, with glossy blonde hair and perky breasts, being interviewed to take over my position come Friday. Great, I’m being replaced by friggin’ Barbie!

Experiences of the Day: Didn't get a chance to write until this evening today, but thankfully managed almost 2k in two hours. Nothing major has happened, but the story is ticking along nicely. Had fun trying to think of a pseudonym for my antagonist, Abraxas. Thought Sax Arab might be a little obvious! Finally settled on Byron Saxton – and yes, I know it's the name of a guy in WWE developmental, and I'll have to change it in edits. But damn, I love that name!

How is everyone else getting on?

NaNoWriMo '12 Progress: Day Three

Day: Three

Where I should be: 4998

Where I actually am: 6019

Word count for today: 2331

Favourite line from today's writing: Heightened by our mutual declarations of love, our usual frantic ‘rip each other’s clothes off and shag our brains out’ rhythm is replaced by a gentler one; full of butterfly light touches, languid caresses and deep kisses.

Experiences of the Day: I had a slow start today, and a mini crisis. I began NaNoWriMo part-way through Cupid, and decided not to write the rest of the story chronologically, but by scene that interests me. That worked well the first two days, as I was writing a Halloween masquerade ball scene I've been looking forwards to for months. But today, when I completed that scene and went to move onto something new, I had no clue what to do – I cannot write out of chronological order. So I made a scene list to give me direction, but could only think up thirteen scenes, which I wasn't sure would give me enough of a word count to make the “winning” 25k. Thankfully though, after a little time out, I boosted my scene list to 20, and that's not accounting for random, unplanned scenes that'll come from the creative flow of writing. With a bit more direction, I got my NaNo mojo back and was able to produce a word count I'm happy with. I wrote some good stuff today, especially another love scene, which has some important implications for my characters.

NaNoWriMo '12 Progress: Days One & Two

Day: One & Two

Where I should be: 3332

Where I actually am: 3688

Word count for today: 1777 (D1) & 1911 (D2)

Favourite line from today's writing: “Rules schmules. We also have rules where Cupids are taken from their parents at birth, and if they don’t meet their quota they become statues. Sometimes I think the whole Cupid logic is flawed.”

Experiences of the Day: It's been a bit of a weird start for me, especially if you consider at this point in August I'd done 12k already. Firstly, I'm starting 65k into a story, using NaNo as an effort to finish Cupid, not beginning a shiny new project I'm all excited about – that isn't to say I don't love Cupid, I still do. Also, I feel like I'm trying to keep up with a lot more regarding blogging, messaging and doing revisions on the first half of Cupid. I think I need to prioritize more, and have some days just for NaNoing or accept if I try to do everything, I'll only meet my daily target. I still haven't figured out which is best yet.

On the plus side, I had a major break through plot wise today regarding the over-all message of Cupid. During revisions my wonderful critique partner, and word wars partner Kyra Lennon, asked a question about the nature of Callie's Cupid abilities, and I tried to answer that in a scene I wrote today. It lead me to some unexplored, but fascinating areas, and Kyra and I had a deep conversation about love and destiny. I'm very excited by what I discovered, and its implications for the story. So, even though I only did 1911 words today, I feel like it was a huge success, as I have some important elements for end-game etc. sorted in my mind.

How is everyone else fairing?

NaNoWriMo 2012

 

I'm once again taking part in National Novel Writing Month this year. For those who don't know, the aim of NaNoWriMo is to write the first 50,000 words of a novel.

This year, I'm rebelling, by writing the last 50k. During the summer, I took part in CampNaNo and wrote the first 65k of my New Adult Paranormal Romance, Cupid. Since then, I've been reading through Cupid, tidying it up a bit and changing the tense from first person past to first person present. I couldn't let a NaNo come and go without participating - especially when two other members of my critique group are taking part too - so I thought it'd be a great opportunity to finish the story off.

As I did during the summer, I will update daily with my word count progress, experiences from the day and favourite line from the day. I'll be using the cute little graphic above that I spent all day Saturday making on Photoshop. *is a total dork *

If anyone else taking part wants to be buddies, you can see my profile here. Feel free to add me! ^_^

And if you don't know what Cupid is about already, here's a quick synopsis.


I'm a Cupid, it's my job to make other people fall in love with each other. Sounds awesome, right? Well you're wrong. I'm not even a fully trained Cupid, I've still got to fill my quota. In just six months I have to make fifty-four couples fall in love. You know what happens if I don't fill my quota? A demon called Abraxas gets my soul, and I become a stature in his collection for eternity. I'm on forty-six … should be simple, right? Now throw into the mix my journalism degree, and my role as a romance columnist for the Uni magazine, Cordelia - 'the tutor from hell', and my landlord threatening to evict me. Oh, and did I mention there's a boy … there's always a boy! His name is Leto, and he's a guitarist in a local bad. Sad thing is, he doesn't even know I exist. At least I have my best friends Rathi and Phoebus the cheer me up. They're awesome. And that's my life. I'm Callie Gibson, and I'm a Cupid. 



Don't forget to check back here Friday, when I'll have a review of Kyra Lennon's contemporary romance novella, If I Let You Go.  

Also, if anyone is interested, I updated my personal blog yesterday. You can find the post here.

One Lovely Blog Award

Last week I was awarded the One Lovely Blog Award by Carrie-Anne. Thank you, Carrie-Anne!

To accept the award, I have to write seven facts about myself, so here goes:

1. As a child I had imaginary friends called Emma and Eric. When my mum found out the baby she was expecting was a girl, she and my dad wanted to name her Emma. I protested saying there couldn't be two Emmas in the family. My younger sister is called Lisa.

2. I've been abroad four times in my life, once to Yugoslavia, which is now known as Serbia and Montenegro. I don't remember much about the holiday, as I was three years-old, but my mum has a picture of me wearing a massive wooden mask. 

3. As a teen I was obsessed with the Brit-pop band Blur, and even wrote to lead singer Damon Albarn asking him to sign the picture I'd sent. He did so, and the signed picture took pride of place on my wall for many years. I unfortuately lost it when I moved house though.

 4. I've - thankfully - never broken a bone in my body. Though I did have to have surgery as a child for a Hiatus hernia.

5. My oldest son was due on my twentieth birthday. The considerate boy was born a week early, so I could still go out with my friends for a few hours and celebrate.

6. I'm not allergic to any food, though I do have an aversion to sea food, especially prawns (shrimp). Their little eyes creep me the heck out!

7. I have my lip pierced. During my late teens, I went through a Goth phase and getting my lip pierced was one of the things I did, along with dying my hair black, and wearing white face make up. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt at all, though the anaesthetic almost made me sick, and caused me to drool everywhere on the bus home! Though I dress a little more 'normally' now, I still have my lip piercing, as it's part of me. 

I pass this award onto the following fabulous people:

Kyra Lennon

JayBird

Candilynn Fite

Christine Rains

Victoria Smith

Jaycee DeLorenzo

Carrie Butler

In other news, Hubby started reading through Cupid for me; we had a massive discussion on Friday, and worked out all the kinks for the ending. I'm so excited about what we came up with, it's gonna be awesome. Getting back to my read through today. So far, I've changed tense and made minor corrections to 37,993 our of 67, 733 words, and one of my CPs has read through seven chapters, so everything is progressing nicely.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my new personal blog, The Life and Loves of Clare Dugmore - I'll probably have another update later this week. :D

Also, before I go, can I please remind everyone about Jessa Russo's Ghosts and the Girls Who Love Them bloghop. It ends on October 15th, and my entry can be seen here.  Please check it out, and vote for me if you haven't already. 

Finally, what do you all think of my new header. I made it using vector stock from Vector Open Stock and love it. Isn't it pretty?

Hope everyone has a great week, I'll try to get around to as many blogs as possible during the week.

Lucky 7 Meme - Again!

Yesterday, I saw that Kyra Lennon had done the Lucky 7 Meme again, and posted a scandalizing snippet from her soon-to-be released Game On sequel, Blindsided. Check out her snippet if you haven't already, it's excellent. 

It made me realise I haven't shared anything from Cupid recently, so I thought I'd take part. But first, a quick Cupid update. 

I'm currently doing a read through/ edit where I'm fixing any problems I find, and also changing from past tense to present tense. It's going really well, I've done 32,067 out of 67,760 words this week. It's also helped pull me back into the story, and I feel confident once my revisions are done, I'll be able to finish it off.

The Rules:  

1. Go to page 77 of your current MS/WIP. 
2. Go to line 7. 
3. Copy down the next 7 lines – sentences or paragraphs – and post them as they’re written. 4. No cheating. 
5. Tag 7 authors. 
6. Let them know.

Anyway, here are my seven lines, from page seventy-seven.

“How are you? Have you been keeping well?” Delphia asks.
“Yeah … erm, not too bad thanks,” I reply, trying to keep my eyes on her face, and not my surroundings. While visiting Phoebus' home is like stepping into the future, visiting my Cupid parents is like taking a trip into the past. I've fallen into Ancient Greece, and I half expect Dionysus, with his chaplet of vine leaves on his head, to come rushing past with his harem of maenads.
“And your Cupid duties are going well?” 

“Yeah, I'm getting there slowly, I brought another couple together this week. How about you, is everything here all right?”

“Yes, we're fine. We want to know if you're okay,”  Stephanos says. “Because I was at Celestea's palazzo recently, and I heard some things …”

Ah … so Stephanos and Delphia already know about the Abraxas situation. 
      “Yeah … I … erm, was going to tell you.”

“Has Abraxas been visiting you a lot?”

 

The Next Big Thing Meme!

The wonderful Kyra Lennon tagged me in The Next Big Thing Meme. Thank you Kyra! ^_^ 
Go check out her blog, where she talks about her Game On sequel, all about Westberg Warriors' teen heartthrob Jesse Shaw!

Before I start talking about my current project, I just wanted to let everyone know about Deana Barnhart's GUTGAA Critique and beta connections post, where you can sign up if you're looking for a CP or beta, and Deana will try her best to set you up with someone. Check it out if you're after a CP or beta! :D My sign up can be seen here.

What is the working title of your book?
Cupid

Where did the idea come from?
I was on a paranormal romance kick, having just finished Kiersten White's fabulous Endlessly, and got to thinking about paranormal beings that haven't really been touched upon. I looked over to my bookcase, where my collection of Monster High dolls sit, and saw CA Cupid. That got me thinking about Cupids, and if it was possible there was more than one. The rest kind of flowed from there. 

What genre does your book fall under?
New Adult Paranormal Romance

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie?
I love these types of questions, especially as when I'm planning a novel, I always have a fantasy cast list in my head saved on my computer!
My MC, Callie, would be played by the beautiful Anna Poppelwell of Chronicles of Narnia fame, and her LI, Leto, would be played by the gorgeous Jackson Rathbone of Twilight fame.

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
[Why are one sentence synopsis so hard?!]
Trainee Cupid Callie must make 53 couples fall in love, in just six months, while juggling work at the local newspaper, a soical life and her budding relationship with local guitarist Leto - if she fails she'll be turned to stone by anti-Cupid Abraxas. 
[Run on sentences for the win!]
  
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I'm hoping for/ will be aiming for traditional publication, probably through a small, independent press. 

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
It's not complete yet, but so far, it's taken me six weeks. 

Who or what inspired you to write this book? The support and encouragement from Kyra, my hubby and my friend Kim. And also, all the great comments I've received around the blogosphere whenever I mention Cupid! ^_^

What else about your book would pique the reader's interest?
Erm ... just that I think it's an original take on paranormal romances, as it's not your run of the mill paranormal being. :D

I tag/ pass this meme onto:

Jaybird
Candilynn Fite 

Six Sentence Sunday: 02.09.2012

 

I'm here today with the 6 Sentence Sunday (weekly) bloghop hosted by Sara Brookes.

But first, I'd like to thank not only everyone who commented on my six sentences last week, the feedback was really encouraging, but also those who congratulated me on hitting 65k on Cupid; the support is always appreciated. Thank you.

The idea of 6 Sentence Sunday is pretty simple really: Pick six (6) sentences from anything you like (it can be from a Work in Progress (WiP), something you recently sold, something you hope to sell or even something already under contract and available for purchase – and don’t worry, Six Sentence Sunday is for published AND unpublished writers). Then post them on your blog on Sunday. That’s all there is to it! (for the full rules/ FAQ see here.)

For today's 6 Sentence Sunday, I'm once again sharing lines from my current WiP, NA paranormal romance, Cupid.

The normally bright blue sky was inky, with grey clouds gathering to block out a weak, pale red sun.

The buildings had all transformed.

Instead of the brightly coloured, jewel encrusted Cupid homes I was used to; pointed and spired obsidian obelisks rose from the ground.

The lush vegetation and flora had been replaced with twisting, gnarled and blackened leafless trees, and the flowers looked sinister in unusual colours - acid green, fierce orange, blood red and deep purple.

In the distance I saw a large palace, made up of many twisting spires, one jutting from the next, illuminated from behind by the dying sun.

I knew that castle, and at that moment I wanted nothing more than to run to it, because I knew all I'd ever need was there.

I hope you enjoyed my six sentences, and please check out the other participants here.

I'll likely be back next Sunday with another six sentences, and don't forget tomorrow kicks of GUTGAA.