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 ...

Calling All New Adult (NA) Writers - Opinions Needed

I know some of you - especially the girls over at NA Alley - have gotten into this genre, and I was wondering if any of you could offer Kyra Lennon and I some opinions, please.

As you may - or may not - know, Kyra ans I are currently co-writing a NA romance about best friends in their first acting job out of Uni and the experiences they have.

We recently got onto the subject of sex scenes, and wondered what the precedent for those type of scenes in NA fiction is. Whenever I've written erotic fiction it's been pretty graphic, and purely erotica. I don't think we're 'allowed' to go that far, but we have no real insight into what is accepted. Would it be the same as in romance novels or toned down for NA stories?

Any thoughts, opinions and experiences of writing sex scenes in NA would be most welcome.

Thanks. 

Dust It Off Bloghop: What I've Learned from this WiP

I'm here with the final day of Theresa Paolo and Cortney Pearson's three part Dust It Off Bloghop.

Before I share my get to what I've learned from this WIP, I'd like to thank everyone who read and commented on Saturday's post. The positive response Kyra and I got for the excerpts were again overwhelming, and very encouraging. It now seems very likely that we're going to start work on this project again in the next few weeks, inspired by how well it's been received so far. Thank you for the kind words, it's greatly appreciated.

Without further ado, onto today's post.

Post what you learned from this WiP

Oh goodness, I've learned so much.

The first thing is that I can write in first person. Before this WiP, I'd never written in first person, but Kyra said it offered a lot more chances to get inside the character's head, so I gave it a try. I found I quite enjoyed it, and while I still prefer third person, I have another project written in first person too.

I also learned how fun it can be co-writing with someone. If you're lucky enough to have found the right person – which I've been blessed with (♥ you Kyra) – it's an awesome experience. You can bounce ideas around, and explore areas you might not have discovered before. Plus, a new person brings new perspectives and life experiences to add to the story. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and combining strengths can lead to some really great writing.

I've learned that if you shelved a story, and it's still in your head six years later, it might be worth revisiting. Sometimes a story gets put to one side, not because it isn't good, but because other things take precedent. That doesn't mean the story was rubbish and should be given up on.

In addition, I've learned that time away from a story, and growing as a writer, really changes your perspective. When recently looking through this WiP, I have so many new ideas for the plot and characters that I didn't have six years ago.

**

WhatKyra learned can be found here.

Dust It Off Bloghop: Excerpt

I'm back with the second day of Theresa Paolo and Cortney Pearson's three part Dust It Off Bloghop.

Before I share my excerpt, I'd like to thank everyone who read and commented on Thursday's post. The positive response Kyra and I have gotten has been overwhelming, and we're now giving serious consideration to reviving the story.

For those of you who were wondering, Kyra and I wrote a character each. Kyra wrote Tori, and I wrote Caitlin, and we alternated a chapter each.

Now without further ado, onto today's post.

Post your favorite excerpt (300-350 words)

For my excerpt I've gone with a girly moment between Tori and Caitlin. Enjoy!

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Dust It Off Bloghop: Pitch

I'm here today with the first post in Theresa Paolo and Cortney Pearson's three part DustIt Off Bloghop.

The aim of the bloghop is to talk about a shelved manuscript, that for one reason or another has been put on the back burner.

I have the honour of doing this bloghop with one of my close friends, Kyra Lennon. Kyra and I started work on this story back in 2006, and wrote nine chapters, before other projects, real life, and a whole heap of other stuff got in the way.

Now we're "dusting it off" for this bloghop. After that, who knows what the future holds for this manuscript?

The idea of today's post is to write a 1-2 sentence pitch (Great way to practice pitches) about the shelved WIP.

Here is what Kyra and I came up with for ours:

For best friends Caitlin and Tori, their first acting job out of Uni opens up a whole new world for them – unfortunately, it wasn’t the world they were expecting. When the strains of adult life and tangled relationships threaten to ruin their friendship, they are forced to take a look at what’s really important.