Showing posts with label Wings Witches and Wonder. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wings Witches and Wonder. Show all posts

Promo Help Wanted for Beyond Starlight: An Alien Fated Mates Limited Edition Box Set

 


While I've been *vague* about my publishing plans over the last few weeks, the wheels are moving so it's time to talk a little more about what I've been working on.

As some of you may recall, I was serializing a paranormal romance called WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER, but I felt the first draft wasn't quite where I wanted it to be, so I pulled it from Ream and other platforms.

At the same time, I heard of Beyond Starlight: An Alien Fated Mates Limited Edition Box Set brought to you by Storyteller Publisher 22, and knew with a little tweaking, the story I wanted to tell in WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER would work perfectly for a sci-fi romance. Thus THE STARLIGHT PRINCE was born.

The first 30k * of THE STARLIGHT PRINCE will be released on November 19th, as part of the Beyond Starlight: An Alien Fated Mates Limited Edition Box Set.

*More news on the remaining ~60k of THE STARLIGHT PRINCE will be coming in due course.

Beyond Starlight will feature nine other awesome authors, and we'd love your help spreading the word about the box set. If you're interested in all the good things like cover reveals, release blitz and ARC sign-ups, all the information can be found on this helpful DS Book Promotions Google form. 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc60vLz_6pVs93YgNcqKzvOthGU1X-pdzcUy4L8NwDoHH5gcA/viewform

Thank you in advance to anyone who signs up to help spread the word in any way, and watch this space for more news about both Beyond Starlight, and my story, The Starlight Prince.

The Trouble with First Drafts when you have ADHD

 


If you've been a follower of my blog for a while, you may have noticed that I often start a project, and dive in full steam ahead, only to lose my momentum a few months later.

I used to think it was a failure of mine. I used to think there was something wrong with me because I had so many incomplete stories on my hard drive.

Then I learned I have ADHD.

For those who don't know, ADHD is basically a dopamine deficiency. This means almost everything someone with ADHD does is in pursuit of that precious dopamine (and why we struggle with tasks that don't give us much/ any).

Writing, specifically starting a new project and sharing it with everyone gives me a huge dopamine rush. Sometimes I share details of a new story when it's barely past a half-formed idea. Then the dopamine wears off, and I lose interest.

I'm trying my hardest to find ways of generating dopamine differently so that I have more success with completing projects. Coaching is helping a lot.

But one of the pitfalls I've realized of my frenzied, dopamine-seeking early sharing of projects is that, sometimes, after they're shared I realize they weren't quite ready for the world yet.

You know me, I love a good food analogy, and when I was talking to my ADHD coach recently, I likened this problem to telling all your friends you're baking a cake. Halfway through cooking you announce, "The cake is ready, come and get it." Only, when you cut into the cake, there's raw batter in the middle.

When I get a new idea and start a new project, I get over-excited and want to share it with the world. So often, I do. Sometimes in the form of snippets or blurbs, sometimes in the form of serials ...

You can see where this is going, right?

I love serials because they give me that instant gratification dopamine I crave. BUT what if the serial I'm sharing is a first draft, and halfway through, I realize, crap, there's raw batter in the middle?!

THAT'S where I find myself with Wings, Witches and Wonder. I still love the story, and I still believe in the concept of serials and the platform Ream Stories. But, for me at least, I realize first drafts probably aren't the type of thing I should be serializing.

There are parts of Wings I love, and parts of Wings I hate and want to re-write. And I don't want to continue serializing a story with parts I know aren't as good as they should be. I want to give you my BEST stories. (As a side note, this is one reason I unpublished Truly, Madly, Deeply. But that's a story for another time.)

So yes, all that to say, I have unpublished Wings, Witches and Wonder. It will be back (this year, hopefully), and when I release it (I'm not sure if it will be as a serial or complete novel), it will be a version I'm closer to 100% happy with. No raw batter in the middle! ;)

As I said above, I still believe in the concept of serials and the platform Ream Stories, only for me, it works better with a story that is complete, and that I'm as close to 100% happy with as I can be. A story I won't want to later pull and re-write.

To that end, I will be serializing ALL IT TAKES. It was on Amazon for many years, but I want to reach new readers, especially as Kyra and I have been working to tie it into both her Game On Series and our forthcoming co-written wrestling-themed novel. And, as previously mentioned, I have plans for an age-gap rockstar romance also set in that shared universe (don’t worry, I won’t jump the gun serializing this one! lol).

Additionally, SEEKING THE TRUTH is also on ReamStories as it’s complete and I don’t foresee me making changes and/or expanding on that universe.

So yeah, that's where I'm at. If you've read/ commented on the previously published chapters of WINGS, thank you! Your support and encouragement means everything to me. <3 <3 <3 I hope you will still love the story when I've had a chance to work on it more.

From here on out, I will be posting weekly chapters of ALL IT TAKES and SEEKING THE TRUTH, and I'll have news about other projects -- including WINGS and the aforementioned rockstar romance -- when I'm sure they're properly 'cooked' as it were.

I'm also considering starting a blog series on my experiences as a writer with ADHD, so please let me know if that's something you'd like to hear more about.

Until next time, stay safe, and keep reading & writing!

T.T.F.N



Story Updates & Taking a Break

 

This will be my last Ream Stories update of 2023. While I'll still be around *somewhat* over the holidays, my stories are taking a break until the new year. But I've uploaded a free, bonus short for you all.


I usually *break up* for the holidays around the 20th, but this year I'm feeling a little burned out/ hormonal, so while I'm not officially going offline, I will likely be around less. I want to try and finish my proofreading course by the end of the year, and then begins all the festive fun, visiting family and Youngest Kiddo's birthday.

If you follow me on social media, I will likely still be active over there, even if it's just sharing photos and memes.

While I am here, I'd like to thank everyone for their support over 2023, not just of my writing, but of me personally. 2023 was a wild year for me, but also one of the best years, as I *finally* feel like my life is on the right track again.

I'm excited for the Christmas break, crafting, and seeing family, and then to dive back into things next year by launching my proofreading business, and also giving more focus to my writing career, including the return of ALL IT TAKES, and hopefully some other projects.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me in any way, be it by becoming a subscriber, commenting on my stories, or offering me words of encouragement.

I hope you all have a wonderful time with loved ones over the holiday period, and that 2024 gets off to a wonderful start for you.

Until then,

Peace, love, and blessings



Wings, Witches and Wonder Chapter Nine, and Other Updates


Chapter nine of WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER, a weekly, serial paranormal-romance, web fiction on ReamStories is now available to subscribers of the Apprentice tier and above. Chapters 1-4 are now FREE to all tiers. 

https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public

Additionally, chapters 1-4 of my urban fantasy novella, SEEKING THE TRUTH are free to all tiers.

I will also have a little Christmas surprise for everyone later in the month.

Plus, in the new year, I will be re-serializing ALL IT TAKES.

And if that's not enough content from me, here's a little snippet of the new paranormal story I've started working on, featuring a brooding vampire, and a witch on the run. Hopefully, this story will also be coming to Ream Stories in 2024!


In other news, this past Monday, Me, Kyra Lennon and Paula Grabow recorded the Christmas episode of the Write Here, Write Now podcast, with special guest, children's Christmas author, Kirsty-Louise Garbutt. Many laughs were had. I will let you know when the episode goes live, but if you want to follow our Facebook page, and take part in the regular discussions over there, here's where to find us.

https://www.facebook.com/whwnpodcast

And last but not least, speaking of Kyra Lennon, after a three-year publishing hiatus while she's been building the Write Here, Write Now Community, Kyra is releasing a new book. Her cute, grumpy/sunshine Christmas Romance, RE-WRITING CHRISTMAS is out on December 14, and it's AMAZING!

You can pre-order your copy here: books2read.com/rewritingchristmas 

A Quick ReamStories Update For You

 


WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER. A weekly, serial paranormal romance web fiction on Ream Stories. Chapters 1-3 are now FREE to all tiers. Chapters 4-8 are available to subscribers of the Apprentice tier and above. https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public

Over the coming weeks, I will be tweaking the subscription tiers on Ream Stories, as I prepare to re-publish ALL IT TAKES, and transition to a paranormal/contemporary hybrid author.

I will also be going "wide" with my serials, meaning they will be available on other web fiction sites like Wattpad etc.

The advantage of subscribing on Ream Stories will be that I will be updating more frequently for paid tiers, so if you find a story of mine you love, you'll be able to read it more quickly by subscribing. Plus it will support me, and I'll be offering other perks, like discounted paperbacks.

In fact, I'd LOVE to hear your thoughts on perks in the comments. What types of things would you like me to offer that would encourage you to become a subscriber?

That's all for now, as I'm off to beta-read Kyra Lennon's forthcoming Christmas release! Who's as excited as me for this new story?

 

Saturday Snippet from chapter eight of serial paranormal-romance web-fiction WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER, which will go live on ReamStories this coming Friday. https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public

Wings, Witches and Wonder Chapter Seven and Some Other Updates

Happy Friday, everyone.

First, chapter seven of Wings, Witches and Wonder is now available on ReamStories to all members of Apprentice Tier and above.

Secondly, I have made chapters 1-3 of Wings, Witches and Wonder available (and free) to all tiers, as well as chapters 1-3 of Seeking the Truth.

Over the next few weeks/ months, I'm going to be experimenting with ways of making my stories more available, in the hope of growing my community.

This might mean I move to an "early" access period, where paid subscribers will get chapters weeks or months in advance of non-paid subscribers.

Additionally, I am working on another story alongside Wings, which has a sexy witch/vampire pairing.

Here's a little peek!


Whenever I start a new project, I can't help but make the character on something. This time Sims 4. Any guesses who inspired my vampires, Antares?


Another thing I am considering adding to my subscription is contemporary romance stories, including my previously published on Amazon and now unavailable MMA romance ALL IT TAKES, and my queer romance TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY, as well as any new stories I write (I may have ideas for an age-gap rock-star romance!)

Be sure to follow me for regular updates, so you know what's coming, and when a new chapter is released.

https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public

Finally, for those who were following my NaNoWriMo progress, I decided to stop. I added almost 17k to Wings, which means I have a decent backlog of chapters for you. But I've come to realize I am no longer able to write daily, especially with a specific target (i.e 1667 words a day for NaNoWriMo), and it was actually having the opposite effect and making me LESS motivated. Go figure. Anyway, rather than forcing it and coming to hate writing, I decided to stop. 

Now I'm free to work on what I want and when I want, as well as devoting time to setting up my proofreading business and co-writing a contemporary romance with Kyra Lennon.

All that to say, while I dropped out of NaNoWriMo, I don't see it as a failure, and you should expect lots of fun things from me next year!

Until next week. Stay safe, and read on!



Wings, Witches and Wonder Chapter Six and NaNoWriMo Progress



Happy Friday, everyone!

Chapter six of my serial, paranormal-romance, web-fiction WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER, is now live and available on ReamStories to 'Apprentice' to 'Master Wizard' tiers. 

And it's a spicy chapter! ;)

https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public

In other news, NaNoWriMo has been a bit hit-and-miss this week, as it's PMS week, and I often struggle when my hormones are out of whack. I don't really want to do much of anything.

Though I did get in a few days of writing, and recorded a new episode of the Write Here, Write Now podcast, which will be with you on November 15. https://www.facebook.com/whwnpodcast

Hubby bought a new camera this week and is trying to improve his Youtube content. If you like handheld gaming (SteamDeck, ASUS ROG Ally etc.) or retro gaming, you should definitely check it out. https://www.youtube.com/@RetroResolve

Finally, I recently discovered the Italian rock band Maneskin, and have been listening to them for the last couple of weeks. Today they released a new deluxe version of their Rush album, with five new songs, and OMG! They're amazing. There are three upbeat, danceable bangers, and two absolutely heart-breaking ballads. I can't stop listening to them. https://open.spotify.com/album/2kcJ3TxBhSwmki0QWFXUz8?si=bn_ExXecRCaU9usV1KloVQ

That's all I have for you this week. Hopefully, I can shake the PMS blues soon, and get some more words on the page. 

Until next week, take care and read on!

T.T.F.N




Wings, Witches and Wonder Chapter Five is Live, and NaNoWriMo Progress

Chapter five of my serial, paranormal-romance, web-fiction WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER is now live, and available to all Ream Stories subscribers of Apprentice Tier and above. You can find my Ream Stories profile here:

https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public

My progress on NaNoWriMo is going well, and I'm perfectly on target. Not only that, but I discussed the story with my hubby (who is my number one sounding board and editor) and I figured out the conflict and ending. I then made a brief chapter plan, and promprtly went off the rails during a writing sprint last night! But that's NaNo for you! lol

I'm taking today off to spend some time with my mom, but I'll be back at it tomorrow, continuing to write Wings, Witches and Wonder, and of course, I'll have chapter six for you next Friday!

Until then, stay safe and read on!

T.T.F.N



NaNo-a-go-go

 

Today is the first day of NaNoWriMo, and I'll be using the event to finish Wings, Witches and Wonder.

I've gotten off to a good start, with 1760 words added to the story.

I'm currently trying to iron out some plot points. I'm a bit of a plantster when it comes to writing. I can't just write by the seat of my pants, but a too-rigid outline stifles me. Right now, I know my ending, I'm just trying to figure out the conflict and how I get to the planned ending.

I also edited and scheduled chapter five on Ream Stories ahead of its release on Friday. Here's a quick teaser for you all.

I'll be back tomorrow with another NaNoWriMo update, and maybe another sneaky peak at chapter five! ;)

Until then, stay safe and write on!

T.T.F.N



Wings Witches and Wonder Chapter Four Preview, and NaNoWriMo

Hey all,

I have a little sneak peek of chapter four of WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER for you all ahead of its release on Friday.

-- I wanted to get dressed and rush to Chanctonbury Ring there and then, but I knew my duties to the Ancile and my promise to Janine came first. Plus, after the way Janine’s father had reacted the previous day, I’d never forgive myself if he did something to prevent his daughter from getting the help she wanted, and I wasn’t there to stop him.

Soon, I whispered on the wind, hoping that the alabaster man heard my promise.

I headed through to the ensuite bathroom to shower, and then after getting dressed, I made my way downstairs to the hotel restaurant for breakfast.

By nine a.m., I’d already had a large fried breakfast with sausage and bacon, as well as a stack of blueberry pancakes drenched in butter and syrup, and consumed four cups of tea. Using my abilities always made me hungry, but I was jittery too. 

On edge.

I wanted to go straight to the Goddard house and check if Janine was okay, but I knew showing up early might only antagonize her father.

So, instead, I did the only sensible thing I could do. I called Joseph. --

We're getting closer to Maddie actually going to Chanctonbury Ring, but first, one last visit to Janine.

If you want to read Wings, Witches and Wonder, chapter-by-chapter each week, you can do so on ReamStories for just $5 a month. The money will support me as a writer, and enable me to produce things like paperbacks.

Head over to ReamStories for full details of the tiers and perks I offer.

I'm taking a small writing break for the rest of the month, both so that I can focus a little more time on my proofreading course, but also because I have decided to devote ALL of November to completing Wings, Witches and Wonder by taking part in NaNoWriMo.

For those who don't know NaNoWriMo is a yearly event (with two camps in the summer) where writers come together, either online or in-person to write 50k in one month. Some do this by writing about 1500 words a day, others do bigger chunks to fit in with their lives/free time. But the basic aim is to use the month to get into a writing habit, make writing your focus and by writing 50k you get a jump start on a story.

Usually, participants write the beginning of their stories in NaNoWriMo, but I'm rebelling a little by already having 45k written. My aim is to add an extra 50k to what I already have, which will bring Wings, Witches and Wonder to ~95k and complete the story.

With the story complete, I can focus on editing the weekly chapters, getting the whole book ready for publication on Amazon etc. and working on book two of the Ancile Series.

If you're interested in following my progress, my NaNoWriMo profile can be found here. And if you're a fellow writer taking part, I'd love to add you as a buddy so we can cheer each other on.

That's all for now, but I'll be back on Friday with chapter four!

Until then, stay safe and read on.



Wings, Witches and Wonder Chapter Three is Now Live on Ream Stories

One thing I love to explore in supernatural stories is how humans react to paranormal beings. That's touched on in chapter three of my ParanormalRomance serial WebFiction WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER, which is now live on ReamStories https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public

Wings, Witches and Wonder Chapter Two AND The First Episode of the Write Here, Write Now Podcast

 


A little later than planned, but chapter two of Wings, Witches and Wonder is now on ReamStories. https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public



Wings, Witches and Wonder isn't the only thing I've been working on. Today the first episode of the Write Here, Write Now Podcast went love, and I discussed writing villains with Karen Sanders and Paula Grabow.

If you'd like to listen to the episode, it can be found at the following places:

Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/podcastwhwn/episodes/Views-on-Villains-e2a3fi3?fbclid=IwAR2HNumMPBVBkZNKqMSwlfMkPRKpAsoI6KhKD3BN6VqvbEGHOoAqh69nThk

iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/write-here-write-now-podcast/id1711987407

Youtbe: https://youtu.be/B0wYzHElx6Q?si=qEAgAZNDFIqQTuSn

Please note, the Youtube version is a little longer and unedited, as we wanted to provide a video version, with captions, for those who might have difficulty just listening.


Tiers and Teasers



As I'm gearing up to launch WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER, I've added the tiers and perks to my page so you will see exactly what you're getting by supporting me and my writing.

I'm so excited to share WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER with you all. I'm making good progress on the story, with 13 chapters/ 30k words written. I LOVE this story so far, and can't wait to see what you guys think when it launches.

Here's a little taste of what's to come.


Saturday Snippet

To celebrate the fact I added the sub-tiers and perks to ReamStories, here's a Saturday Snippet from my WIP PNR WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER. Coming to ReamStories this October! https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public



COVER REVEAL -- Wings, Witches and Wonder

I'm excited to reveal the cover for my paranormal romance WINGS, WITCHES AND WONDER, coming to Ream Stories this October!

https://reamstories.com/claredugmore/public

He came to me in my dreams. Whispering my name.

Madelyne.

The man made of alabaster.

Ever since her magical abilities manifested at thirteen, Madelyne Grant has been dreaming of the alabaster man, and hearing his voice called out to her.

Now a fully-fledged member of the supernatural Order of the Ancile, Madelyne uses her biokinetic abilities to help others, while in secret she searches for the man from her dreams.

When her dreams lead Madelyne to the allegedly haunted Chanctonbury Ring on the British south-eastern coast, she finds a hidden barrow buried underground.

And there in a chamber leading off from the barrow’s many labyrinthine tunnels she finds the alabaster man of her dreams.

Using an ancient grimoire, Madelyne combines her biokinetic abilities with blood magic, to awaken the alabaster man; who reveals himself as Kalas, the last of an ancient race of supernatural, humanoid beings called the Kralian.

Having dreamed of Kalas for almost half her life, Madelyne is drawn to his ethereal beauty and impressive physical form, and soon sparks are flying as the two unite.

But everything Madelyne thought she knew is soon called into question when Kalas reveals it was an early form of The Order of the Ancile who wiped out the Kralian and that a witch with abilities very much like her own imprisoned him in stone.

Now Madelyne is torn between the only place that’s ever really felt like home, and the only man she’s ever loved.