Category: Daily Musings

Writing into September

So I’ve tried to get a wrap-up post posted a bunch of times now, but I am just kind of low on energy and September, with all it’s starting, has taken my attention. But I want to, and I think I might wait till the end of the month and do one big wrap-up post.

I’ve also switched back to weekly NL’s because enough readers told me that’s their preference. I am waiting on the cover and edits for Gardenia and Dax! I’m so delighted with how this story turned out, and I really can’t wait to share. There was something about the “stick to one kink per one book” comment that lodged itself in my brain, needing to be expressed and the result is this story of the exploration of what’s too much and what’s too little and what’s just right, and it fits in with the Bandit Brothers Series so well. Inspiration comes in interesting places, a lot of times, mine comes through/from … spite, I guess. I have a long history of doing things people said I couldn’t, and I guess I’m not stopping now *laughs*.

My plant table needs a new plant friend; I think the atrium lily is done – maybe too cold or not enough sun? Whatever it is, I didn’t get the combination required to make this plant happy, le sigh.

Must go get some words down on Nick and Mulberry’s story; she is growing increasingly annoyed with his attention one moment and his coldness the next. Can’t say I blame the girl, I’d demand better, too.

Writing Update and Flame For Two $0.99 cent sale!

The skies I am under have been overcast for the last couple of days, and I feel both like dramatically donning a cloak and packing a trunk for a grand new adventure in a steam=punky way AND curling up by the fire.

I think it’s safe to say that I long for some alone time.

While I’m waiting for Flame For A Weekend (Dax and Gardenia’s story) to be sent back to me, I am trying to get back to Mulberry and Nick.
I am loving this book. It’s both darker- because we get into the nitty-gritty of her kidnap and maybe, just maybe, find out who was behind it–and lighter because it’s a fake dating trope- than the other books, and it’s fun, though reminding myself where I left off and trying to find the flow of it again, feels a bit sluggish. Thank gods for my outlines!

 

And August is outta here… Flame For Two on sale for $0.99cents

And just like that, August is done. Almost.

Just popping in quick to say that Flame For Two, the second book in the Bandit Brothers Series, is on sale for 0.99 cents for a limited time. You can grab it from Kobo, Kobo Plus, Kindle, Nook, and Google Books; see linkys here: https://books2read.com/u/mZZ082

This book has some of my favourite characters, two hot Doms, one strong submissive and a suspense plot with lots of twists and turns.

Flame For Two by Raleigh Damson

What’s with the finish?

And this Monday has almost closed and I’m feeling kind of weary, in need of a good sleep and seeing the stars.

Dax and Gardenia’s story is done! Done.

Well, except for the last chapter, which I have re-written twice. I’m not sure why, but something feels off with it and I think I’m going to go with the best version and send it off for edits.

Sometimes, you just gotta be done with it and keep going.

Hope it was a good one for you, friends.

Midweek Roll

I went down a rabbit hole trying to answer the question, “how does your disability affect your writing?” First off, which one? *grins.* It’s almost an impossible question to ask because there is no separation between me and my disability. It’s just there; it makes certain things “harder” than my peers or for me to obtain society’s standards, but it’s not an easy thing to break down.

However, for me, formatting is on that list. This is something I want to get better at, and I find it a challenge and I know other people do too, but this is something that because of my disability it’s challenging because I don’t have the base skills and numbers are not my thing; I can’t number as part of my disability, and right and left and directions and inches and centimetres, and all of that ties into graphics and formatting. See? Clear as mud.

Ivy Whitaker has some serious writing skills. Her world-building and emotionally gripping and introspecting characters are off the charts, and I am so humbled by her review of Flame Again. It’s really nice when your peers say kind things about your work, and I weigh it slightly differently, you know? Check it out here: https://ivywhitaker.com/2022/08/17/review-flame-again-by-raleigh-damson/

I am near the end for Dax and Gardenia and I must get words down on that story today. Now that I’ve gone this far with them, I don’t want to leave them but I want readers to fall in love with their figuring it out, as much as I have.

Guess we gotta get to it.

Yeah, it’s the Monday feels but I’m drinking the coffee Mr. Damson made for me and shaking out the cobwebs. I spent the weekend diving into my TBR list and I have no regrets. Also got words down on Dax & Gardenia: we are entering the 2nd/3rd act, and half the reason why I love writing suspense arcs is that I don’t have to write that second act break-up scene. Gardenia is seriously doubting herself right now, and Dax isn’t going to have any of that kind of nonsense.

I think I owe this book another week before returning to my series because maybe, maybe I can get it to beta readers by week’s end. I’m looking for a couple of new beta readers for this, so if that’s your jam, let me know. It is officially a Daddy Dom (yep, I went there after realizing how well it suited Dax), praise kink, romantic suspense, insta love-ish, getting kinky over a weekend, kind of read. I don’t have a word count yet, but it’s supposed to be short! Not sure if it’s cooperating. Anyways let me know if you want to read.

And with that, I’m off to get going on, coz things have to be done, people have to be fed, etc, etc.

Finding A Schedule/Tools That Work: Feature Friday

Today’s #AuthorAugust22 asked: Scheduled writing time or whenever the muse strikes?

I have a schedule like this: Get words down during the day, using whatever time I can, and I usually have a good chunk of time in the morning. When I came back to writing, I’d get up at 5 am each day and get words down (I don’t think you have to get up early to write; this is what helped me add another ball into the air…it’s about making it a priority, not about tormenting yourself) anyways… that’s a writing schedule. Still, I am on the hunt for some tool that’d make my life easier, to schedule posts and NL swaps.

Because I need a new system, and I think when I mentioned this before, people thought I was joking. I’m not. I have missed two social media things, and I missed sharing Loren Beeson’s newest release, not once but twice in my newsletter! How crummy is that?  My sincere apologies to Loren. One More Kiss: A Fake Dating Age Gap is available on Kindle and KU. I can’t wait to read it!

So, I need some tool…is it a physical planner? A physical calendar? I don’t know; I need to be visual that sorts out things like FB parties and NL swaps because my system right now is horrible. I draft it in my Gmail and tried to connect to my Google Calendar, but that hasn’t worked with high success. Stuff like this is how my disabled self shows up, too, because adding things to a schedule and a system is all kind of murky until I figure out a way to add the ball in; like, I did with making writing a priority. I know that having something on my phone doesn’t work – it’s too easily ignored and I put my phone on silent a lot, unless I’m out with the cubs or something. Open to ideas, friends.

This Feature Friday is One More Kiss: A Fake Dating Age-Gap Romance, Topica Bay #1, check it out!

 

Books Worth Clicking For 

A couple for the cover of One More Kiss

I’m homeless in paradise.

What’s a girl to do when her stepfather cuts her off from the family finances?

Accept an offer to room with a sexy—albeit grumpy—divorcé, of course. Damon Carlisle just might have it all. He’s a senior developer of one of the hottest dating apps in the country for starters, and he’s got that whole twelve-years-older-than-me, broody-loner thing going for him. But going through a breakup means I’m in need of a solo vacation, and I won’t be giving in to temptation where Damon’s concerned. This heart of mine is closed for the summer, and no amount of fake dating is going to fix it.

When it rains, it pours.

Not always a bad thing, right? I’m on a two-week beach vacation—away from my cheating ex-wife—and soaking up the sun. Bonus, I’m set to accept an award for the countless hours and dedication I’ve given to my team. But while I should be elated… I feel utterly empty.

When Kate dances her way into what’s supposed to be my chance at a little R & R, something dormant inside my soul awakens. Having fun with her isn’t part of our agreement, and kissing her certainly isn’t either. But I can’t help myself. I can’t get enough of Miss Katelynn Harris, and she just might ruin me.

**One More Kiss is a full-length standalone summer romance and can be enjoyed in any reading order.

 

WIP Wednesday (not a thing)

Coz, I’m probably not going to do this on every Wednesday. Anyways, it’s Wednesday, I got words down on Gardena & Dax (I’m looking for a beta reader for this Daddy Dom/Praise Kink *short* story…it’s supposed to be short) this morning and I have more to write on that. We’re almost at the second half. She’s really not going to tell him and it’s so odd, considering she works for the private operative place…geez.

Anyways, thought I’d share the teaser i made for AuthorAgust on IG (@RaleighDamsonBooks if you’re not following me over there), here. And I’m on my second cup of coffee but could use a nap. Or more coffee. Maybe a salad.
Have a good one, friends.

And Monday.

So this week, my household’s usual routine is thrown in the mixer as half of the members are away. I feel utterly exhausted at the moment and by the day, but it was fun and sound and a lot more quieter than I am used to.

And somehow, I managed to get 15k down, which is fine but I feel like I have been on this chapter forever. Gardenia is about to tell Dax her past; it’s not the only secret she’s hiding, but it’s a start. Got a lot of ground to cover in one weekend, you know.

And I have to constantly remember not to forget Gardenia’s cat Snowflake. And on twitter, I called her Snowball…oy. Most of my characters do not have pets and I kind of prefer it that way, though pets are fun and require no character arc/development plot.
Going to try to finish up this chapter and start at a new page for tomorrow.

Paperbacks for Flame Again Are Here!

Someday, dear readers, I will have signed paperback copies available to order from my website. It’s on the list. But in the meanwhile, paperbacks o Flame Again are now available! It’s so exciting! This is a case where readers might get to hold the book before I do and I’m okay with that but if you do have it and want to send me a photo or tag me on social media, go for it!

You can get your hands on a paperback from Barnes and Noble by going here or from Amazon by clicking here 

Now it’s back to writing Gardenia & Dax. They really need to get over those first meeting nerves, because Gardenia wants to be over that man’s knee in a red hot nanosecond.

Hope your Saturday is a good one!

Raleigh Damson, Flame Again Quote