NaNo Fail...

So early into NaNoWriMo, I was struggling to find time to write. It got harder and harder, and everything else needed to come first. So, I decided not to beat myself up about it, and not finish this year. There's always next year, or the year after...when I have a little more free time. Sooo 5895 was what I hit on my word count this year. Maybe I'll get there next year, maybe not. I'm okay with that. 

NaNo update

It's day 11 of NaNoWriMo. I am so behind, I've written just over 5000 words and I should be heading to 25,000! It is extremely difficult to find the time to write. I think I overestimated the amount of free time I would have to do this. I've also been slow, I didn't plan anything so I'm writing as I come up with the plot. It's slowing me down as I think about what happens next. At this point in time, I don't think I'll hit the target by the end of the month. I'm feeling disappointed and a little unmotivated, but I'm going to try and keep writing, and see how far I get.   

NaNoWriMo...

Happy Autumn all! It's almost November, which means people in their thousands will be participating in NaNoWriMo. As you can see above, this stands for National Novel Writing Month. Through November, you commit to writing 50,000 words of a novel. Your novel. From your own brain straight onto the computer/paper/parchment...If you want more information you can head over to the website: nanowrimo.org

This year I've decided to take part. So far I have no idea what I'm going to be writing, not even a vague plot idea. So I have a lot of planning to do before November 1st rolls around! I've pulled together a notebook dedicated to NaNoWriMo for my notes & plans, and intend to just write with abandon and see what comes out. I'm looking forward to the challenge, despite it being a slightly daunting one.

If there are any other NaNo's out there, my username is BeckyBoops :)  

Penpal Epidemic

Through bullet journalling I've discovered the joy of having pen pals. I excitedly check the post box every day to see if I have any new letters, and I enjoy writing to people from all over the world. It's so exciting to get letters from strangers, and getting to know them via snail mail. I enjoy writing, and letter writing is helping me to get back into it.

I've written to quite a few people, not all of them have written back, but that's okay. I've received quite a few replies and letters from people, and have gone back and forth a few times with some people too. I'm keeping a log of letters received and posted in my bullet journal, but when I started to get more correspondents I thought I'd better find a way to organise my letters and keep track of hobbies, birthdays, interests etc.

I got a cheap and bright wallet folder organiser, and have turned this into my pen pal storage folder. I've also dedicated a notebook to pen pals, which includes notes on their interests and a post log. This should help me keep track until I get to know my penpals better! As well as put one of my many notebooks to use...I'm a bit of a stationary hoarder, especially since I started to bullet journal.

I currently have 5 letters pending replies, so I'm hoping to spend the weekend catching up on those!

If you come across a penpal group...definitely join it. It's fun to write, and who doesn't love getting post that isn't bills?!

Writing Process Tag

Writing process? What even IS that?

I kid. Mostly.

A lot of my posts are very spontaneous, and a lot also come into being while I'm out and about. This can lead to sporadic rambling posts, and short, swift ones. This makes explaining my process-in depth-quite difficult, so I'm going to nab the questions that Somdyuti from One Tiny Wish answered for her post (in which I was tagged - thank you for thinking of me!).

What am I Working On?

Not very much outside of this blog and my health and fitness blog to be honest. Unless emails count! I've been enjoying writing on here and over on bekbek19.wordpress.com, and recently I have been thinking about writing more. This has lead me to jot down a couple of ideas and whatnot when inspiration strikes, but nothing has come of those yet. Who knows what could develop in future...

How Does My Work Differ From Others of its Genre?

Well, first and foremost it is a blog about my lifestyle, thoughts and opinions. These are all quite individual to me, so are not likely to be echoed in quite the same way. Despite there being tons of lifestyle bloggers around, everyone still has very different opinions and writing styles.

Why Do I Write?

Because I enjoy it. 

I like doing it, it has become a hobby to post on here. In a way it takes courage to put yourself out there and post online, and I like thinking that maybe I can reach out to someone through writing. Both are good feelings. It's also enjoyable when people interact with me because of what I have said, or the opinions I have. I find it cathartic to word vomit onto a page whatever is going through my mind at the time. It is quite cleansing!

How Does My Writing Process Work?

Slapdash something together and hope for the best! No, I do plan things as well. 

I have a list of blog ideas, which I regularly jot things down on to look at on a later date. I look through these regularly, and will draft up a post or two that I feel inspiration for or wish to develop further.

Then I write what comes to mind, often with little asides and comments from myself - usually I leave these in as italicised comments, but not always.

Once I  have something, I think about an image for it - this will depend on what the post is about, and where I am writing it. If I am writing it on my phone on the move (commuting or otherwise away form my laptop) I am less likely to use images because I'm lazy...

All of my posts are very organic, and don't require much planning. Maybe that shows in the rambling quality of my posts? I 've no idea. I don't spend hours editing posts (unless there's a lot of images to dig out e.g. Hair Chronicles) though I will absolutely, always, without a doubt, check for spelling mistakes, grammar misuse and parts that just don't make reading sense. I'm not saying I'm perfect on this front, but I do try to make sure my posts are readable.

Upon completion of all of this, I then think of a few labels and go ahead with posting. Then you - readers - come along and devour and judge my words, flittering back off into the blogosphere when you are finished. Enjoy!

Bloggers, I choose you!

Cozy Corner With Emily

A Love Triangle

Shout John

Congratulations. Grab the questions and get writing...

I look forward to reading your posts!

P.S. I have tomorrow off work and now I feel EPIC. Enjoy your fridays!

#BLOGTOBER14 - Day 2

Today's prompt:

 Dream job when you were little/what is it now? 

I have no idea how many Dream jobs I had when I was younger. At all. I was always changing my mind and one day I might decide one thing, and another it will have changed again. they range from huge things to seemingly mundane things, maybe not dream jobs as such, but jobs I remember wanting. 

I've listed those that I can remember!

1. Writer
2. Journalist
3. CEO of a company (I don't know what company...just A company)
4. Musician
5. Dancer (Ballerina, obvs)
6. Teacher
7. Hairdresser
8. Beautician
9. a Personal Assistant
10. Secretary
11. Receptionist
12. A leading actress in a big musical theatre production
13. Burlesque Performer
14. Costume designer & maker
15. Theatre Manager
16. Makeup Artist - Stage make up in particular
17. Expert in special effects make up and prosthetics
18. Stage Manager
19. Deputy Stage Manager
20. Lighting Designer
21. Singer
22. Professional Book Reader (that's a thing, right?)

That's about all that I can remember! 

Now for the more difficult part - What is my dream job now?

I don't know is the honest answer. I have no idea what I want to do anymore! 

I was always really set on theatre and being involved in that in some way (which you may be able to tell from the list above!). A huge part of me still wants that, and want to go touring with a company and get involved in behind the scenes at festivals. However, I have also started to explore writing, and I feel like that should be given a good chance. I don't expect to get anywhere from it, but it's fun. 

I suppose writing is more of a hobby I'm beginning to take up at the moment, which does include blogging. 

Therefore, a theatre-based role - preferably backstage - seems like it might be the one. Then again the hours are all insane. Perhaps this is something I should think about doing now while I'm still young, then move into a different area as I get older and want more routine. 

Maybe I can somehow combine the two - writing and theatre - reviews perhaps? Or a little of both and lots of the other?

I've no idea, this is just how I feel about it today, who knows what I will think about it tomorrow!

Check back tomorrow for day 3 of Blogtober14 : One Thing You Cant Live Without

Link up are over on HeleneinBetween

Join in!