Plans for 2021

It doesn't seem like many people are sad to be saying goodbye to 2020. And while I agree that the pandemic really messed with a lot of my plans, there was still a lot of things that happened in 2020 that were exciting and fun. 

The biggest thing from this year was that I got my Master's Degree in Creative Writing! Between the strikes and the pandemic I wasn't in class a lot of the time, but I still completed plenty of assignments and I met amazing people. I became a published writer when our anthology was released. Most importantly, I got to do all of it in Edinburgh, Scotland, which was beautiful and so fun to explore.

When I got home from Scotland in June I was reunited with my family and childhood friends. We spent plenty of time together and shared a ton of laughs.

Now for 2021 goals...

BOOKS

I always set a Goodreads challenge. In 2020 I started with a goal of 50 but dropped it to 40. I completed the 40 books, but this year I'm going to try for the 50. I still have my Book of the Month subscription, which I love and motivates me to try new genres every once in a while. 

I am hoping to get more into classic novels this year. I started collecting the Chiltern Publishing editions and now I have to read them! 

TRAVEL

So many of my friends moved out of state after college and now I want to visit them all! I at least want to see all of them in person at least once this year, whether I go to them or they come to me. There are also the friends I made in Scotland that I would like to keep in contact with. I don't know what travel is going to look like this year, but I'm going to do as much as I can. 

LIFE

My biggest life goal for 2021 is to get a full-time job. I've been doing a ton of tutoring, which has been great, but hopefully, the kids are back in school next fall, so at the end of this school year I would like to have something lined up for myself. I still want to work in publishing somehow, and I'm trying to make connections in the field, but the pandemic has been making it challenging.

ETC.

This year I also want to make better habits for myself. Specifically, I want to create better writing and exercising routines for myself. 

What are your goals for 2021?

NaNoWriMo WrapUp

NaNoWriMo finished on Monday, and when I checked my word count at 11:59pm, I was at 50,018! 

I had heard of NaNoWriMo before and even tried it once when I was in college, but I only made it to about 14,000 words. I was super proud of myself for completing it this year, especially when Thanksgiving hit during the last week, and I thought I would come in 4000 words short. 

Like any exercise, NaNoWriMo is one of those things that you love once you finish, but the process includes a lot of aggravation. I could never keep this pace up year-round, but it was a fun challenge for the one month. 

I wanted to share a few things this experience taught me:

A Lot of Words:
I am fully capable of writing 50000 words in 30 days. In fact, I can write 50000 words in 24 days, but not continuously. That is not something that I thought I would do, and proving that I could do it was really satisfying. However, some days I wrote a lot of words that I knew weren't very good. However, because NaNo is about the word count and not editing, I left them on the page. Hopefully, I'll be able to salvage some parts of those passages.

Writing isn’t always fun:
Some days stunk. I didn’t feel like writing. I didn’t know what to write. I just wanted to watch TV, but I pushed myself to write. Even if I stopped before meeting my word goal, I wrote almost every day that I could. 

Time limits vs. Word limits: 
To write 50000 words in 30 days, you have to write about 1667 words a day or 11667 words a week. I wasn’t very good at that. I would stop early one day and feel like I had to spend all the next day catching up. I learned that I did my best when I had a 2-hour mostly-focused two-hour “writing shift.” Whether I wrote 600 words or 2000 words in that 2-hours, that was pretty much all I was good for. Thankfully, 2-hours a day isn’t that hard for me to find in my schedule, so I’m hopeful that I can continue writing as part of my everyday routine.

Weekends are for fun:
My least motivated days were Saturday and Sunday. They were also the days that I had the freest time, so you would think I’d be able to write most of my words those days. Sometimes I did, but what would have taken three hours to get done on Thursday took about five. I would have my word document open but be watching TikTok videos on my phone. Weekends should be about hanging out with friends and family or going to Target, not locking yourself in your room, and writing three pages of garbage.

Giving up other joys:
Because I was writing/trying to write during my free time at home, I gave up many other joys. Mostly reading and watching TV. Now, I’m sure most people can do with less TV in their lives, but some days I really wanted to watch a movie or show before bed, but I couldn’t because I had 2000 words to write. I would feel guilty if I spent my free time doing anything but writing, which took the enjoyment out of it. Obviously, that's not what I want, which is why I think time limits are more productive for me. 

Did you try NaNoWriMo? Did you reach your word count? Will you bring doing it again next year? 

Have you signed up for NaNoWriMo 2020?

Have you ever heard of NaNoWriMo? It stands for National Novel Writing Month, and it encourages people to write 50,000 words within the 30 days of November.

Writing an average of 1,667 words a day can be challenging, which is why NaNoWriMo focuses on the draft. Get the words on the paper and worry about editing in December. Now for me, that's a really tricky thing to do because when I write, I often go back and reread what I've already done. My plan is to use that to my advantage, and if there's a day where I feel like I don't know what to write, I'll go back and try to fit in more words. However, I'm also going to try to use it as motivation to not get stuck on a scene that isn't working out the way I want it to. Instead of getting frustrated, I'll move on.

Although NaNoWriMo's challenge is to write an entire 50,000-word novel draft, you can totally make it your own. In 2015 I tried to do it starting at 0 (I failed; only got to about 14000 words), but this year I'm going to continue a story I already started. In fact, I'm hoping this month will be the push I need to finish the first draft. This will help me succeed in this year's challenge because I already did some of the world and character building, and I have an idea of where I want the story to go. However, I do not currently have very good self-discipline when it comes to writing every day, so that's my biggest goal for November.

Plenty of well-known novels have started as NaNoWriMo challenges. Their published versions may look different than their NaNoWriMo drafts, but this is where the authors started, and it's where you can too! Some of the books that stood out to me were The Night Circus (you guys know that's one of my all-time favorite novels), Water for Elephants, Fangirl, and Cinder, but you can learn about more on Goodreads.

If you're interested in challenging yourself to NaNoWriMo, you can sign up HERE. And you can friend me HERE.

I've designed a simple NaNoWriMo Tracker for you to print out. I already have mine taped to the wall next to my bed since that's where I write. Putting it up where others may see it, even if they don't comment on what it is, will be an extra motivating tool to make sure I'm writing every day.

Celebrating my 24th birthday in Salem, MA

In February 1692, two young girls from Salem Village started acting bizarre. After a local doctor diagnosed them as being bewitched and other girls in the village also started acting strangely, the original girls accused their slave and two other women of being witches. And thus began the Salem Witch Trials. From February 1962 to May 1963, over two hundred people were accused of witchcraft, and thirty were found guilty. 

Today, Salem is sometimes called the Witch City, and the month of October is usually filled with events and people walking around dressed up as witches and other scary characters. If you've seen the movie Hocus Pocus: it took place and was partly filmed in Salem. Due to COVID, most of the festivities were canceled this year, but there is still plenty to see and do.

My friend, Erin, and I talked a few weeks ago, and she brought up how none of us have ever visited Salem at Halloweentime. I looked into it and decided that for my birthday, I wanted to spend a day in Salem with Erin and our two friends Megan and Carli. So we organized our schedules and spent the day wandering around the city. 

The first thing we did was make our way into a shop called Witch City Wicks, where I (obviously) bought a candle called "Sleepy Hollow," since that was the short story I wrote my Senior Thesis on in college.

We then ate a morning snack at Gulu Gulu Cafe. I can't think of a better way to start the day then Mimosas, French75s (for Gin lovers a.k.a. not me), a soft pretzel, and a charcuterie board. Can you? It was delicious, and it was the first time in a while since the four of us had all been together to talk instead of just texting. 

When we had first arrived in Salem, I said to my friends that I had spent the morning talking myself out of buying a witches hat because I simply did not need one. Famous last words, right? While we were sitting at the Cafe, I saw a woman walk by wearing a cute, subtle witches hat and new I wanted it. So we found them at Coon's Card & Gift Shop and it's actually called "Modern Witch Hat." I'm in love with it, even if it's only practical one month a year. I bought the gray one, and Megan, whose birthday is also in October, bought the red.

We were in and out of plenty of stores, all located in one area, so it's not like we were wasting time walking all over the place. At one point, Erin pointed out that the Hotel Salem has a Rooftop Bar, so we made our way up there. We all ended up getting specialty cocktails because 'tis the season. Erin got the Cramble, Carli the Autumn Mule, Megan the Orange Blossom Rita, and I had the Maple Smash. We also had to order nachos because of the new COVID guidelines that don't allow people to get drinks without food, but there were zero complaints all around.

From The Roof, we slightly rushed to make our appointment for the Witch House. Formerly the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin (1640–1718), the Witch House is the only structure you can visit in Salem with direct ties to the Salem witch trials of 1692. It was a quick, self-guided tour that let us learn about how the Corwin family lived and their involvement in the Witch Trials.

We left Salem after the tour, but not without ticking off some Hocus Pocus boxes. Unfortunately, the Sanderson Sister's house isn't real, although I like to believe that if Disney had known how big that movie would be, they would have built an actual structure in Salem. However, Allison's house is the real-life Rope's Mansion, which we walked through the gardens of, and Max Dennison's house is someone's actual home.

I could have spent more time in Salem, but I had to get back to Carli and Megan's apartment to jump on a Google Meet call. When I was done, we ordered pizza, and my friends sang Happy Birthday to me. While picking up the pizza, they also stopped and grabbed some Hostess Cupcakes to put candles in. The funniest part was that they didn't have a 4 candle, so it was 22 + 2. 

It's crazy that I am officially in my mid-twenties. My 23rd year was pretty crazy: going from living in Edinburgh to spending most of my time with my dog. Plus the whole start-of-a-worldwide-pandemic thing. Nonetheless, it was a pretty great year, and I can't wait to see what 24 brings!

One Boston Day 2020

Yesterday was One Boston Day, a day that celebrates acts of kindness in remembrance of the Boston Marathon Bombings in 2013. However, instead of remembering the hurt and scariness of that day, One Boston Day promotes selflessness and love. For more information and stories, check out their website HERE

Due to the current pandemic, I decided to focus a little more on self-kindness this year. A few days ago, I decided the best thing I could do for myself is have a day that is super productive, so that's what I did. I woke up really early and hiked Arthur's Seat with my roommate to see the sunrise. Later I went to the grocery store and bought some tulips because my trip to Amsterdam to see the tulip fields is currently canceled. I spent a few hours outlining my dissertation that I have a facetime meeting for tomorrow. I also did some meal prep and updated my scrapbook and journal that I've had since arriving in Edinburgh. The early morning and productive day did eventually catch up with me and I was asleep by 8:45pm, but I felt very accomplished.

For small acts of kindness, I cleaned up the kitchen in my flat, which I share with multiple girls. However, my main thing was emailing a bunch of people (family, classmates, past and current professors, past internship supervisors, etc) and just telling them that I'm thinking of them and the things that they taught me over the years. I think days like One Boston Day/Randon Acts of Kindness Day are nice excuses to reopen lines of communication or say things we think all the time but may feel a little awkward bringing up randomly. Everyone likes to know that they're thought of in a positive light.

The world is very bizarre right now and no one is certain when "normal" will return. Some of us are frustrated, stressed, extremely bored, the list goes on...but it's important to remember to be kind. To ourselves and others. One Boston Day reminds us of how resilient and strong we can be. This won't last forever, but we have to stay patient. 

What's an Act of Kindness you've performed recently?

Plans for 2020

2019
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I didn't think much could top 2018, but 2019 really came out swinging. I traveled to 12 different states (Florida, New Hampshire, California, Rhode Island, New York, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Philadelphia, Maine, Massachusetts) and to Scotland. My sister tried to plan a trip to Toronto, but it never happened. I didn't reach my reading goal, only getting to 35 out of the 50 I strived for. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire and started Graduate School in Scotland. I got to live with four amazing girls during my senior year of college, my friends and I made so many memories that all included laughing and inside jokes, and I surprised my parents by coming home for Christmas. It was a great year, and I can't wait to see what 2020 has for me...

Books
I am once again setting my Goodreads Reading Challenge Goal to 50 books this year. I've only accomplished that once, but I am hopeful I can do it again. I've been in more and more contact with authors and publishers, so this year I hope to continue making those connections and being a trusted reviewer by these different people.
Travel
I'm living in Europe for most of 2020, so I'm hoping to make my way to a few new countries while I am here. My bucket list includes St. Petersburg and the Faroe Islands. My family is coming out to visit me in May, and I have at least three different groups of friends coming to see me. Although I may have to repeat a few things, I'm sure each visitor will leave a unique impact on me.

Life
If all goes according to plan, I will have my MSc in Creative Writing in November 2020, which will be a huge accomplishment. After that, I intend on moving back to the states, unless something drastic happens that requires me to stay in Europe. Hopefully, it won't take me too long to find a job once I'm home. However, before all that happens at the end of the year, I hope to continue growing the friendships I started during my first semester. And maybe even meet a few new people. There is also a publishing course that takes place in September that I might apply for. It's highly selective, and even if I get in, I don't know if I'll be able to afford it, but part of me still wants to try so that I never have to wonder what if.
etc.
I always set blog related goals for the new year. In 2019, I got a logo made, which I think is gorgeous. As usual, I'm just trying to grow the audience and interactions on this site and my social media. If you're not following me on everything, please consider doing so. I'm intending on sticking with a new posting schedule for Instagram, so bets can begin for how long I can stick to it.

Look Back on Twenty-Two

I was texting with some friends the other day trying to figure out where the line between early and mid-twenties lies. We decided that 21-23 are early twenties, 24-26 are mid-twenties, and 27-29 are late twenties, which makes sense mathematically, so it was pretty easy for us to all agree on.

So here I am, officially in the final year of my early twenties. My birthday was Tuesday, October 8, but before I fully embrace being 23, I wanted to take a look back on what being 22 brought me.

This was my second year using the "1 Second Everyday" app. I love using this app, but there were definitely a few days I wasn't using my phone or forgot to record something. When that happens, I try to recreate something or put in the picture that correlates with what I did that day. However, you'll probably figure out that any day where I'm wearing a pink long-sleeve and speaking to the camera is a make-up video.

Last October, I was a senior at Saint Anselm College, living in an on-campus apartment with two of my best friends and two girls who I didn't know when the year started, but quickly became close with.

It was also an exciting time because the Red Sox won the World Series! I skipped school and went to the parade with my best friend, Casey. I filmed the day, and you can watch it here

It was also a time for me because I was writing my thesis. I chose to write it about "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" by Washington Irving and how different adaptations have sprung from that original piece of work. It was a long process, but now it's an essay I am extremely proud of. Let me know if that's something you'd want me to write about in more detail :)

In November, my sister and cousins went to New York for a night. This involved a flat tire, sightseeing, and a comedy show. And then in December, I spent New Year's Eve in Orlando, Florida, to visit Disney. I wrote about both of those trips in a blog post you can read here.

I also went to Providence to visit my best friend, Erin and see Anastasia the Musical. I've talked about my fascination with Anastasia Romanov a lot this year, but it's true. This play was amazing!

And at the beginning of December, my family and I got all dolled up to go to my brothers' best friend's wedding. It's not something we do very often as a whole family, but the wedding was a blast!

When my second semester of senior year started, I had a new internship that I really enjoyed, and I was still working on my thesis. At the end of January, I was talking with my boss, who is also a professor at my school, and he talked me into applying to Grad School - something I wasn't super interested in pursuing originally. I was fully applied by the beginning of March and accepted by the beginning of April.

February brought another New England victory and even more celebrating. Unfortunately, my schedule didn't allow me to attend this parade, but I watched it on TV.

During the first week of March, my sister and I went to California to visit her friends and our cousin. We saw the sights, toured Dodgers Stadium, went to a Kings game, and went on a Wine Safari. I wrote about that more in-depth here.

With the spring came graduation and the Senior Days we had leading up to that. I filmed the weekend, and you can watch that here.

This summer, I went on a road trip with my best friend, Erin. It was almost two weeks of making our way from Massachusetts to Colorado. I filmed the entire trip, and you can watch those videos here. I also went to New Hampshire for my Aunt's birthday, Philadephia, for a friend's birthday, and Maine for a final hurrah! with friends. I wrote about all those trips here.

I have taken on the mantra, "Make plans, God laughs." because that's what 22 felt like for me. If you had asked me on my 22nd birthday how I thought I'd be spending my 23rd, I would have said that I'd be living at home and working, probably in some entry-level marketing position because I wouldn't be able to afford to live in New York and work at a publishing company. Instead, I'm living in Scotland and studying for a Master's in Creative Writing.

Like I said, this is my second year using the "1 Second Everday" app. I bought it right before I turned 21 because that year I had a trip planned for Iceland and I was studying abroad in London. I never expected 22 to top that, but I think it did. And I've got a few things planned for 23 that might make that year even better, so I hope you keep following along!

From Baby Shower Invitations to Graduation Announcements | Basic Invite*

Basic Invite is the one place shop for any type of invitation or notecard you could ever need. They have cards for everything from Baby Showers to Graduation Parties to Weddings and more. They also offer business cards and business stationery.

I was super intrigued by Basic Invite because not only do they offer designs you can customize, but they also let you upload your own logos or complete designs so that everything you order matches your brand completely.

A great thing about Basic Invite is their color options. The company offers over 180 colors to choose from and they offer instant previews. This allows you to make sure your card is perfect to the tiniest detail. I spent a decent amount of time picking out the perfect shades of pink to go on my different designs.

Another cool thing about this website is that you can purchase custom samples. Not many companies allow you to order one singular custom product, but Basic Invite does. No matter how great a product looks online, there is always a chance the physical product won't look exactly how you want it.  Ordering a sample allows you to hold the product in your hand and make any necessary adjustments before buying a larger amount to hand out to friends, families, and possible employers. I found that some of my uploaded images printed a little blurry, so I was happy I got to see one before purchases in a whole bunch.

Since I'm in my final semester of college (eek!), I chose to design a graduation announcement card. I was able to import my own photo and write whatever I wanted. It was a little bittersweet designing this card because it reminded me that my college days are quickly coming to an end.

However, I know not all of you are graduating in May. Some of you may be planning a wedding (Congratulations!) and want to design a Save the Date card. Or you or someone you know may be pregnant (Congratulations!) and want to design a card for that. Basic Design has an adorable teddy bear baby shower invitations and twin baby shower invitations, all of which you can customize to your party's theme.

Even if you don't have a party coming up, you can customize the given card templates to say whatever you want. I decided to design some cards for a few friends of mine, so I wrote out an inside joke of ours and added a picture of the three of us at a Kenny Chesney concert from 2017. It was super easy and I know they will be super excited to get these cards in the mail.

The attention to detail even goes into the envelopes at Basic Invite, allowing you to order envelopes in over 40 different colors. Honestly, though, I was just happy with the peel and seal feature because licking envelopes that were mailed to you from an unfamiliar location can be a little scary. Also, by sharing a link through social media, you can have your friends import their addresses to be printed on the envelopes. That way you know for certain your cards are going to the correct location. I chose not to use this option because I only ordered a few samples and I wanted to write out the information myself, but that would have been super handy if I was hosting a huge baby shower or something with a ton of invites.

I've been interested in ordering business cards for a little while now and you guys also know I am such a sucker for rose gold foil, which is an option at Basic Invite. They offer foil detailing that can come in gold, silver, or rose gold, and it can be flat or raised. So obviously, I ordered a sample of a business card with some rose gold foil, but I also ordered one of their new clear business cards, and a business card I designed completely on my own.

Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with the coupon code 15FF51. If you have any type of party coming up or you're like me and felt like sending a card to some friends, check them out! And if you order anything make sure to share with me your designs with #BasicJuliann

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*This post is graciously sponsored by Basic Invite, but the opinions are my own