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.

   

a Rafflecopter giveaway

£15 Amazon Voucher Giveaway Winner Announced

Congratulations Laura at Stranger than Writing. It's been great getting to know another British writer, and it's been fun having someone to share NaNoWriMo experiences with. Your success in June Camp NaNo really inspired me, and I'm both proud and amazed by your bravery of changing what you're writing for August Camp NaNo at this stage in the game. I hope your writing for the rest of the month goes well, and thank you for all the encouragement you give me, via blog comments and Tweets. ^_^
Laura, I have you email from where you entered the giveaway, so I'll send the Amazon voucher over now. Please let me know when you get it, so I know it's gone through okay. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks to everyone else who entered, and all you regular blog commenter too. I wish I could give you all something, and I will be hosting more giveaways throughout the year. Please know if any of you ever need something, ask and I'll do my very best to help. All you guys are amazing, and I always appreciate the support and encouragement you give me, and hope I can give some of that back!

Tuesday Teaser: Easy -- Tammara Webber

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following: 

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

For Today's Teaser Tuesdays, I've chosen Easy by Tammara Webber (Amazon|GoodReads), though technically I finished it yesterday. It's an excellent New Adult contrary romance, with a good slice of drama. I downloaded the sample on Saturday, and was hooked. After reading just five pages, I had to finish it, and did so in little over a weekend. 

Here's the synopsis: A girl who believes trust can be misplaced, promises are made to be broken, and loyalty is an illusion. A boy who believes truth is relative, lies can mask unbearable pain, and guilt is eternal. Will what they find in each other validate their conclusions, or disprove them all? When Jacqueline follows her longtime boyfriend to the college of his choice, the last thing she expects is a breakup two months into sophomore year. After two weeks in shock, she wakes up to her new reality: she's single, attending a state university instead of a music conservatory, ignored by her former circle of friends, and failing a class for the first time in her life. Leaving a party alone, Jacqueline is assaulted by her ex's frat brother. Rescued by a stranger who seems to be in the right place at the right time, she wants nothing more than to forget the attack and that night--but her savior, Lucas, sits on the back row of her econ class, sketching in a notebook and staring at her. He works at the coffee shop in the student center. He shows up at a downtown club, disappearing after several dances that leave her on fire. Her friends launch Operation Bad Boy Phase, and nominate Lucas to be the perfect rebound. When the would-be rapist turns stalker, spreading rumors that they've hooked up, Jacqueline has a choice: crumple in defeat or learn to fight back. Lucas proves supportive and protective, but he's hiding secrets of his own. Suddenly appearances are everything, and knowing who to trust is anything but easy.

And here's the two sentence teaser: “Well, sometimes it seems like we’re flirting. And once, he said Kennedy was a moron.” 

If you're thinking of checking it out, or any other book you've had your eye on recently, remember I'm hosting a £15 Amazon Voucher giveaway that ends tomorrow! Don't miss out! 

Six Sentance Sunday: 26.08.12

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

The idea 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 sharing lines from my current WiP, Camp NaNoWriMo paranormal romance, Cupid.

"Celestea and the rest of the Cupids spread love, passion, and devotion, Abraxas is all about lust, passing infatuations, and dark obsessions."

"Okay, and when you say I'll belong to him, you mean …"

"You will become part of his collection."

The word sparked a memory in my mind. My throat felt suddenly dry, and my chest tight. I thought I'd imagined him.

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

I'm still deciding if I'm going to take part every week, but it's highly likely. 

In some unrelated 6 Sentence Sunday news, below the cut are a few more writing related bits I wanted to share.

Buccaneer Blogfest: Week Four, Day Eleven - GIVEAWAY

 

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

Before I get started, first I'd like to thank everyone who commented on Monday's post. The continued support and words of encouragement are greatly appreciated.

Aug 1: Host a giveaway using Rafflecopter or a similar tool.

Today's is another post I've been waiting for. Back in May I reached 100 followers, but for various reason didn't host a giveaway. I felt terrible about it, and have been waiting for a good opportunity to give something back to all those who've supported me. Then this prompt in the blog fest came along, and I thought it was perfect.

I've only (properly) been blogging for eight months, but in that time I've made some wonderful friends, learnt a heck of a lot about blogging, writing, publishing and a whole heap of related things, and have received some amazing support and encouragement for my current writing projects.

I feel so grateful to have gotten to know so many people, and have them interested in my writing. I also feel blessed for all the advice and shared experience I've been given.

I love you guys. ♥♥♥♥♥

To show you all exactly how much I love you, and appreciate the continued support, I'm hosting a raffle in which you could win a £15 (or equivalent in your currency) Amazon Voucher, and there are multiple ways you can enter, including commenting on this post, liking my Facebook page, and following me on Twitter.

 
The giveaway will run from today (1^st August) until 29^th August.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to everyone who enters, and once again, thank you.