How to start writing a book in November

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November is the start of National Novel Writing Month which is followed by avid writers around the world. Often referred to as, NaNoWriMo, this event started out in 1999 as a challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel during the thirty days of November and it’s grown ever since.

If you’ve always wanted to write a book, but aren’t sure where to start, we have some top tips on making your literary dreams come true.

Create a writing toolkit
If you want to write, you need the tools to help you. Notebooks and pads, a variety of pens and pencils, a writing journal as well as sticky notes and notecards, all help. An alarm clock can block out time, and ensure you have a decent computer too because the last thing you need is a dodgy hard drive swallowing 50,000 words of a book!

Build a vision board
A vision board is a great way to bring your ideas together. Photos of people to inspire characters, snaps of magazines where you’d like to be interviewed, snaps of sandy beaches that could be a beautiful proposal setting, and even film tickets can all lead to something special for your book.

Create an outline
When it comes to outlining your book, starting with the chapter headings is a great way to go. Under each heading, create a list of the content that chapter will contain and build from there. Spacing out small chunks of work will help you start to see your story and ideas come to life.

This is where those notecards come into play, as you can start to create chapter parts on cards and put them in order, reorganising as you go and the story evolves. This can work really well with a fantasy novel, chick lit or a YA story, and you can create the scenes and build the characters day by day.

Use images
A bit like the vision board, but you get stuck for ideas, photos and memes can really help inspire a story. Choose an image, maybe a couple, an old woman, and ask questions about what’s happening. What they’re doing? What’s their name? Are they in a relationship? Use this method as a basis for 15 minutes to write a mini-story, read it aloud and take it from there.

Write everyday
Whether it’s during November, or in the middle of summer, the only way to get your novel done is to write every day. Even 15 minutes each evening will see you make progress and if you can commit to the routine, you will see the words and pages add up. If you really, really want to write a novel, you can do it but you have to write.

Be accountable
It’s very easy to lose momentum when you are trying to complete something as massive as a book, so be accountable. Whether you join a writing group, use an online community, find a book buddy or update your progress on your blog, make sure people know you are on a mission to make a dream come true and they will be there to support you from start to launch!

Good luck and remember – you’ve got this!

Team Pure Beauty

Buy a charity Christmas card, change a life

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Alzheimer’s, cancer, celebrity, charity, Charlie Waller Memorial Trust., children, CLIC Sargent, deaf, dementia, depression, dream come true, gorgeous, help, holiday, life, London, London themed cards, Make a Wish, message, movie, National Deaf Children’s Society, organisation, polar bears, postbox, research, robin, robins, Santa, sheep in the snow, snowmen, society, suicide, support, understanding, young people

Whilst a text or email is enough for many, sending a Christmas card is still the traditional way to send love to those you care for.

Whilst you can go into any supermarket or chain store and pick up a great offer on a box of twenty cards, why not show your nearest and dearest you care as well as giving back to a charity close to your heart?

There are plenty of worthy organisations out there, so we have done some research and come up with what we think are the the pick of the bunch.

CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children, young people and their families. They provide support to help people cope with cancer and get the most out of life. From diagnosis onwards, this great charity helps deal with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement. From sheep in the snow to contemporary candles, they have a gorgeous selection of cards to choose from.

‘Hounds for Heroes’ is a brilliant organisation that not many people know about. The team provide specially trained assistance dogs to disabled and injured personnel from the UK Armed Forces and the Emergency Services. They are based in Hampshire, where the puppies are put through their training before they go onto offer the companionship and love that can be missing when someone becomes disabled.

The National Deaf Children’s Society is dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people. This charity believes every deaf child should be valued and included in society and have the same opportunities as everyone else. Their cute cards feature Santa and polar bears, robins and snowmen and as you pop your cards in the postbox you know the profits are going to a great, life changing cause.

You cannot help but notice more and more media coverage about Alzheimer’s and you might even know someone who is suffering from it. The Alzheimer’s Society is a key organisation that campaigns for better quality of life for those with dementia and greater understanding of the condition. They are involved with research as well as support and are really getting the message out there so people know where they can get help.

A less well known, but still very worthy cause, is the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust. The Trust raises awareness of the symptoms of depression and believes early identification and improved treatment can help reduce suicide numbers and ensure sufferers receive the care they needed and deserve. We love their London themed cards and found their website, pretty impactful.

Last but no means least, is Make a Wish. We have a soft spot of this charity, which makes magical wishes come true for children and young people with life-threatening illnesses. From walking with dinosaurs, going on a brilliant holiday, meeting a celebrity or making a movie, this is where lives are changed and memories are made. Their robin on a pot card is as traditional as it gets, but it is Santa dressing the Christmas tree has stolen our hearts.

Remember, if can change in a moment so support a charity and change a life this Christmas.

Team Pure-Beauty