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

Why getting up early could be good for you

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The early hours might not be something you are familiar with or keen on, but they are not only the quietest time of the day but can also be the most productive.

No one yelling “mum,” no phone calls coming in and no emails landing in your inbox that need an urgent response. There’s also something really special about watching the sunrise and feeling accomplished before breakfast.

If you’re not a morning person, this might sound like hard work, but setting your alarm just a little earlier each day can be all it takes to make big shifts and we have some suggestions on how to make the switch.

Me time
We all know that time by ourselves can be hard to come by, but even a few extra minutes by yourself with your own thoughts can be huge for your peace of mind and mental health. Whether ‘me time’ to you means meditation, doing some yoga, writing a gratitude journal or listening to a podcast with no interruptions, mornings can give you the time to do this, so you feel cared for and looked after.

Do some exercise
We all have good intentions, and we all have our own body clocks, but while the rest of the house sleeps, you could fit in the exercise you keep meaning to do. It could be going for a walk as the sun comes up, running on the treadmill, doing a boxing session in the living room or lifting weights, all of these are a great way to start your day and work towards a goal. Whatever makes you feel good and gets you moving, go for it and we think you will be surprised the energy and motivation this will give you for the rest of the day.

Enjoy one hot cup of coffee
How many times do you make your first coffee of the day but never actually get to drink it while it is hot? Even getting up half an hour earlier than usual will mean you can make yourself a coffee, or tea, and sip it while it’s hot and plan your day.

Eat breakfast
Giving yourself a little extra time in the morning means you can prepare and enjoy a healthy breakfast. It is so easy to grab a cereal bar or knock back a smoothie as you run out of the house, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Eggs on toast, a bagel with smoked salmon and lemon juice or smashed avocado on rye bread are all easy to prepare, quick to eat and good for you – so make that extra time in the day count.

Get to work
For some people, the stillness of the morning is the perfect time to do some work. With an increasing number of us working for ourselves, or having flexible hours, being able to get through your to-do list can be done on your terms. Maybe you are most productive at admin at 6am, or you like to write blog posts when the office is silent, or it could be that getting your accounts done before 7am makes you feel organised and efficient.

Find what works for you and you’ll be amazed at how those extra hours can change the way you live and feel.

Team Pure Beauty

Random acts of self kindness

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We all know that being kind to others can give you a feel-good boost, but what about turning the goodness in on yourself once in a while? Far from being selfish, random acts of self-kindness can give your body some much-needed love, a little self-compassion releases a dose of feel-good serotonin and the chance to sit back and take your foot off the cortisol pedal can only be a good thing?

We know this might sounds a bit ‘out there’ but bear with us and we think you will like at least one of the suggestions we have made and hope you will try it out for yourself.

Write a gratitude diary
Before you go to bed, write down your thoughts from the day and make a list of what has made you happy and those things that made you grateful. It could be having a coffee with a friend, watching a beautiful sunset or simply having a hot bath are just some of the simple things which help life look better. Buy a pretty notebook, make a list each day and you will be surprised at just how much good there is in your life.

Just say no
You might not think it, but it is OK to say no to plans from time to time. We know that people have busy lives and family and friends make constant demands but sometimes missing that party or those drinks in the pub really won’t matter and you will be surprised at how taking it easy can perk you up way more than a sugary cocktail.

Colour in
The craze for adult colouring books isn’t going away, and for good reason. Turing off from the demands of life and simply drawing in between the lines with nothing else to focus on or worry about can be really relaxing and slightly addictive.

Work on yourself
Investing in your emotional wellbeing and mental health can be one of the best things you do for yourself in the long-run. Whether you see a therapist to talk over your issues, have a reflexology session, or read a self-help book and put the ideas into practice, all of these will help you see you who are so you can be happy.

Have cake and tea
Find a quiet café, where no one knows you, take a magazine or book, order a cup of tea and a slice of cake and enjoy the moment.

Try a little retail therapy
Every once in a while, buy something just for you. This doesn’t have to be something extravagant but treating yourself to a unicorn mug, your favourite scented candle or a really soft sweater can remind you that you are worth it.

Have a massage
Every now and again, book a massage, facial or manicure and let someone else look after you for a while.

Chill out
Do a yoga class. Meditate on the beach. Be alone with your thoughts. These are ways that you can turn off from the world and listen to your body, you just need to find what works for you.

Drop the guilt
Too many of us are consumed with guilt and what other people think of us. Leave those unhelpful feelings at the door and learn to accept that you are human and perfect the way you are. Use your time for what makes you feel good and don’t worry about what anyone else thinks.

Enjoy a bath
This one is super easy but often left off lists. Turn off your phone, pour bubbles into warm water, light some candles and let your worries melt away as you really let go and relax. Make Sunday night your escape night, a random act of kindness to yourself and you will end the weekend, and start the new week, looking after number one.

Team Pure Beauty

Love the life you are in

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Life can be overwhelming in the 21st century and living in a world of perfect, filtered Instagram images it can be easy to compare ourselves to others even though this knocks our self-esteem and dents our confidence.

We have had a look at how to feel happier with your lot, however shiny everyone else’s lives might look.

Keep a journal
Yes, it might seem a little old school to write things down on paper but keeping a journal helps you get a better perspective on things and can make life look a little less scary. Buy a pretty notebook and make time at the end of each day to just write. There are no rules when it comes to journalling so just write and let the pages soak up your stress and you will see the sunny side of life again.

Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the buzzword of the moment and is quite simply a form of meditation that bring things into the present, and can be beneficial to your mind, body and soul. Sit quietly for ten minutes a day and move the focus of your attention away from the world, away from the past, away from the future and just focus on now. Doing this will help you relax and be at peace with your thoughts and while it can take time to really get into meditation, it is time well spent as it will be worth it in the long run.

Be number one
This might sound selfish, especially if you have a family, but putting yourself first is key to being happy and feeling more in control of your life. It can be hard to say no sometimes, but saying it will give you the time you need to look after number one and in the long run it will boost your energy levels and self-esteem.

Keep alcohol down
When times are hard and the pressure is on, it is really tempting to have a drink, or two. While it might take away some of those feelings of overwhelm in the short-term, it can make you feel angry and aggressive and leave you feeling down, depressed and hungover. Keep a check on how much you drink each week and if you feel like the odd glass of wine is becoming a more regular occurrence, look at what is going on and what you could do instead of heading for the bottle.

Move
As well as keeping you healthy and getting blood and oxygen pumping around your body, moderate exercise will release the feel good chemicals in your brain that make you happy. Find an activity you really enjoy, so it is fun not a chore, and you will find that you will start to feel brighter and lighter and as well as having more energy in the day, you will sleep better at night.

Talk about it
The old saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved, and that is so true. Holding onto worries and concerns can really get you down, so chat things over with your partner or a friend and feel the weight lift off your shoulders.

Of course, if things do feel too much, speak to your GP and see if they can help put a support system in place to make life easier once again.

Team Pure-Beauty