All posts tagged blogging

The Liebster Award

I have been tagged by the lovely Kat Ellis with a Liebster Award yay! Kat is hugely supportive of other writers and I know 2013 will bring her much success with her own writing. Thanks Kat!

liebster2

Here’s how Liebster works:

- I list 11 random facts about myself.

- I’ll answer the 11 questions asked of me by the person who nominated me.

- I will then nominate my 11 picks for the award, along with my 11 questions for them to answer when they post a response.

- If you’re nominated, your name/link will appear at the bottom of this post along with the questions I come up with.

- Follow the same format; paste the award badge to your blog, give us 11 random facts about yourself, answer my 11 questions, and choose your nominees…but you cannot nominate the blog who nominated you.

My 11 random facts.

This is hard because I’ve had to do a lot of facts over the past two years and I’m really not that interesting so I apologise if you’ve heard these before:

  1. I don’t drink coffee. I feel I let all writers down by this but it tastes horrible. I’m not all that keen on the smell either.
  2. When I went to Vegas, my cousin and I were asked to roll the dice for two men playing Craps. They won big and gave us a $1,000 chip and bought a bottle of Cristal champers to celebrate!
  3. I don’t like eating starters – most of the food I dislike is used as starters like pawns, mushrooms, pâté, tomatoes.
  4. I had three imaginary friends growing up called Belly, Colic and Jasmine. Maybe it was written in the stars I’d make up people for a living :)
  5. I went to Warwick University and have a degree in Sociology.
  6. The first novel I ever wrote was when I was about fifteen, I wrote it with pen and paper and my inspiration was Sweet Valley High.
  7. The celebrity I feel would be my BFF if we knew each other is Taylor Swift.
  8. My film collection is half girlie romance and half films made for teenage boys.
  9. The fictional character most similar to me is Liz Lemon from 30 Rock. Tis true.
  10. I’m very clumsy. I can’t really walk through doors without hitting the frame as I pass.
  11. I’m scared of fireworks and heights. I’m pretty much a wimp.

Now, here are Kat’s questions:

1. What would be your last meal?
My mum’s roast dinner.
2. Who’s your favourite literary character of all time and why?
Elizabeth Bennet. Pride and Prejudice is my favourite book – Lizzie is smart, feisty and witty but also blind. I like the journey she takes to discover herself and ultimately the love of her life.
3. Have you ever written an ex into one of your novels/stories?
No. They’re not interesting enough haha!
4. What’s the worst pick-up line someone ever used on you?
I never get chatted up, seriously! Only over 70 year olds come on to me (this happens a lot).
5. Which song are you listening the most right now?
My currently top played song on iTunes is Jealous of the Angels by Jenn Bostic. It’s a sad but beautiful song.
6. Paris or New York?
New York!!! I’ve been twice and I love it. Don’t shoot me but I’m not a massive Paris fan *hides*
7. Which book do you wish you’d written?
Harry Potter. I think you know why.
8. Got any tattoos? If yes, what and where?
Yes – on my hip. This is it:
tattoo
9. What made you choose the genre/category you write now?
I chose YA because I loved Twilight so much. My first stories weren’t original enough then I decided to write about contemporary issues, I think my Sociology degree came into play.
10. If you were going to write a completely different genre under a pen name, what genre would it be, and what would be your pen name?
I think the least likely choice of genre for me to write would be erotic fiction but I could have fun with a pen name if I did – how about Honey Fox?
11. Name three things you will do this year.
Get a book deal.
Turn 30.
Eat a cupcake.

Okay I’d like to tag these lovely people:

And these are the questions I’d like you to answer if you wish to take part!

  • What made you want to be a writer?
  • Where do you find the inspiration for your writing?
  • What are your goals for 2013?
  • What’s your favourite quote?
  • Where in the world would you most like to visit?
  • What five things would you take to a desert island?
  • What is your biggest strength and your biggest weakness?
  • If you could met one author, who would you choose?
  • What’s your favourite film?
  • If you went into The Hunger Games, what would be your most useful skill?
  • Which fictional male would you most like to marry?

    • Victoria

    xoxo

    27 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on January 3, 2013  •  Permalink
    Posted in Achievements, blogging
    Tagged , ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on January 3, 2013

    http://victoria-writes.com/2013/01/03/the-liebster-award/

    Two years of blogging

    Two years ago this week I joined WordPress and tomorrow is the second anniversary of my first ever post. When I started blogging, this blog had a generic name and my profile picture was a cartoon. I didn’t have my name anywhere and no one offline knew about it. I had no followers and didn’t really know what I wanted to write about. All I knew was that I wanted to write something. I’d submitted my first novel to agents that year and I had really caught the writing bug. I just had no idea where it would take me.

    Two years later, my blog has changed dramatically. My name and picture are on it for one! I now have 333 blog followers and I share my posts on Facebook and Twitter so everyone I know could read it if they wanted to. I have declared myself a writer. I have written more novels and decided that I want to make a career out of writing.

    The two biggest changes though have been that I took a leap of faith and took a year out of my job in HR to focus on writing and that I found a literary agent. I really believe this blog played a huge part in this. It has been a real journey accepting that I want to write, sharing that dream and doing something about it. Not only have I been able to vocalise my ambitions on here but I found an amazingly supportive community who have got behind me every step of the way. I have been continually touched by the encouragement bloggers have given me and count many of you as friends.

    This blog has become a home for me to share not only my writing journey but my life.

    It seemed like fate when I found out that I’d been nominated for the blog of the year 2012 award by the lovely and talented Jenny Keller Ford on this anniversary. I’m touched Jenny thought of me for this award but I am always thrilled when I receive a blog award, knowing that someone has taken the time to think of me and this space. So thank you not only to Jenny for this award but to the givers of the awards I have been given over the past two years.

    Blog of the Year Award 6 star jpeg

    I’m not sure my blog is worthy of such an award but I love that Jenny thought of me so I will display proudly!

    Only recently I questioned whether I wanted to be so honest online but the outpouring of support on here and on Facebook and Twitter convinced me that the only way for me to be online is to be myself. This wasn’t always the case. This blog was a secret for a long time and I was really nervous about people who know me reading the things I wanted to say but I’m learning that if I don’t believe in myself then no one will. And I know I’m incredibly lucky to have so many people who believe alongside me.

    So thank you to everyone who follows this blog and thank you to everyone who has supported, encouraged and cheered me along on my journey. You helped me chase my dreams and if I wanted this blog to do anything it would be to encourage others to chase their dreams.

    So I hope you do, and I hope you continue to tell me all about your journeys too.

    If you can dream it, you can do it – Walt Disney

    Victoria

    xoxo

    35 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on December 20, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in Achievements, blogging, Personal, Writing
    Tagged , , ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on December 20, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/12/20/two-years-of-blogging/

    When you’re not alone

    I wrote my post on Wednesday The Ups and Downs of being a Writer hoping that writing down how I was feeling would ease some of my stress. I didn’t expect to get such a reaction to it. It was one of my top-viewed posts, it was re-tweeted on Twitter and it received lots of comments.

    A lot of the time being a writer feels solitary, you can feel lonely pushing on to make your dream come true by yourself but seeing the response to my post, made me see that I’m not alone. Some of the response came from fellow writers who are also battling but others were from non-writers declaring their support and encouraging me to keep trying.

    The consensus from all parties though seemed to be – don’t give up.

    I’m always saying this so it meant a lot for others to say it back to me. It meant a lot to know how many cheerleaders I have out there wishing my well. It made my day a whole lot brighter. So thank you.

    You may have noticed that I added an image to the right of the blog, and changed my Facebook cover photo. It’s one of my favourite quotes, said by Walt Disney who built an empire on a cartoon mouse despite people telling him he was crazy. I think it says everything we were trying to say. I hope it encourages us all today and tomorrow.

    If you can dream it, you can do it!

    Victoria

    xoxo

    18 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on September 14, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in blogging, inspiration, Musings
    Tagged , ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on September 14, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/09/14/when-youre-not-alone/

    Daisy award

    Thanks and hugs to Becky over at Blogs-of-a-bookaholic for passing me the rather lovely daisy award!

    The rules for this award are:

    1.) Thank the person who nominated you.
    2.) Tell your readers 7 unusual things about yourself.
    3.) Nominate some worthy bloggers.

    I’m not sure there is 7 unusual things about me so I’ll just give you 7 facts and you can make up your minds as to whether they are unusual or not:

    1. I don’t like sharing – this is probably because I’m an only child or maybe I’m just mean :)

    2. I like to have a cooked breakfast every Sunday – it’s like a ritual. A yummy one.

    3. I have fancy editions of my favourite books mostly Jane Austen.

    4. I spent quite a few years thinking people with tattoos were crazy … then I got one.

    5. My feet are always cold, even in summer. I’m usually in a pair of fluffy socks around the house.

    6. I’m a writer but I don’t make any money from it. Yet.

    7. My bedroom is colour co-ordinated in browns and cream, down to cushions and teddies.

    Now to pass not the award. I’ve picked some of my favourite bloggers who brighten up my day like daises. See what I did there? :)

    Chandara Writes

    Limebird writers

    Rebecca Aberto

    Kourtney Heintz

    Jenny Keller Ford

    Lynn Rush

    4am Writer

    I hope you enjoy reading their blogs!

    What is unusual about you? Go on, tell me!

    Victoria

    xoxo

    Last chance to enter the Joules journal and voucher giveaway, hop over here now!

    23 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on September 6, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in Achievements, blogging
    Tagged , ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on September 6, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/09/06/3152/

    Inspiration in its many forms

    Firstly, a big thank you and virtual hug to my lovely blogging buddy Kourtney Heintz for passing me two awards!

    It’s amazing how the universe can turn things around. Yesterday, I was feeling the wobbles. But today, I’m inspiring to someone. Wow. Thanks Kourtney. I love being inspired and I love to inspire others. I was amazed how many of you have felt wobbles too when you’re all so talented and generally fabulous to me so just goes to show how we’re unable to see ourselves and our qualities sometimes.

    I felt pretty sucky about my writing skills yesterday but today I’m editing my WIP and am feeling more inspired to improve it. I can see the good bits, the bad bits and the ugly bits and I’m inspired to tackle the changes needed and hopeful that I can make it something worthwhile.

    To accept this award, I’m meant to share seven things abut me. Instead, I’m going to share seven inspirations as it feels like we all could do with some!

    I hope this inspires you today.

    Please check out my blogroll for the bloggers who inspire me everyday – I hope they will inspire you too!

    What’s inspiring you guys today?

    Victoria

    xoxo

    26 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on May 24, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in Achievements, blogging, inspiration
    Tagged , ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on May 24, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/05/24/inspiration-in-its-many-forms/

    Putting a smile on my face :)

    This is just a quick post to say hello and thank you to my recent new followers. A big smile always creeps over my face whenever I get an email saying someone has subscribed to my blog. It feels amazing to know that people want to read my words. I try my best to check out your blogs if you have one and I love finding fabulous new ones to read and enjoy. Thank you for taking the time to read mine. A big fat cyber hug to you all!

    16 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on May 18, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in blogging
    Tagged

    Posted by Victoria-writes on May 18, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/05/18/putting-a-smile-on-my-face/

    I’m it, apparently

    I’ve been tagged by the frankly hilarious Thoughts Appear. She gave me a list of questions to answer and I’m feeling the pressure as she said I’d be graded ;)

    1. Pop-Tarts: frosted or unfrosted? – I’ve failed at the first hurdle as I don’t think I’ve eaten one, not for many many years anyway. But I think I’d like them frosted if I did!
    2. What age would you want to stay forever? - I still feel like I’m 16 inside but I quite like the age I am now – old enough to have made mistakes and know what i want from life. Although I already have grey hair but at least I could avoid the wrinkles :)
    3. Do you think I’m pretty? You can use this pictureas a reference. – You are the fairest of them all!
    4. Where’s Waldo? – Wherever he wantes to be. And we call him Wally fyi :)
    5. What’s your favorite quote? – If you can dream it, you can do it. By the genuis that is Walt Disney!
    6. Name one food you’ve never tried…and don’t want to. – Snails. Yuck.
    7. Do you believe in the tooth fairy? – She used to drop by when I was younger. I haven’t lost a tooth for a while so we’ve lost touch.
    8. If you could change your first name, what would it be? – This is a tough one, I’d prefer one that people didn’t shorten but then again, why be anyone other than yourself?!
    9. If you could be any animal, what would you be? – A cat. I like food and sleeping :)
    10. Who shot the sheriff? – I did but don’t tell anyone!
    11. How much money would you need to quit your job for one year? – I’ve just quit my job for a year but I don’t have that much money, I’m just crazy :)

    Phew. I hope I passed!

    I love Thoughtsy’s questions so much, I feel no need to make up new ones but WordPress is being annoying today and I need to write and not spend hours trying to tag people. So anyone reading this, please answer the questions in the comment seciton below. Go on, I dare you :)

    Victoria

    xoxo

    21 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on April 25, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in blogging, Fun
    Tagged ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on April 25, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/04/25/im-it-apparently/

    Magic in the air

    Yesterday I got my first ever care package from the lovely Lisa who blogs over at Lisa Wields Words. A couple of weeks ago some of my favourite blogs all posted about a certain food product on the same day. I immeadiately felt left out as it’s not sold here in the UK but Lisa solved the problem by sending me some Reese’s peanut butter cups:

    For my fellow UK readers, they taste very similar to Kit Kat peanut butter. Lisa didn’t stop there – she also sent me a cute notebook and a book of quotes. She knows how much I love reading inspirational quotes and now I have 8789 to get through!

    I flicked open the book of quotes and my eye was instantly drawn to this one:

    No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings (William Blake)

    I love this quote, I’m always banging on about being yourself and following your heart and your dreams so it felt a little bit like fate to stumble straight onto this quote.

    Lisa also wrote me a lovely card (I admit I welled up a bit!)

    I hope she doesn’t mind me sharing the last line of it as I can’t stop thinking about it. She said “the magic is in the air” – what a beautiful thought. And opening up a package from a blogging friend, I have to agree with her. This community is pretty magical all over. Everyday I’m amazed at the connections I’ve made with people sometimes thousands of miles away, living a completely different life to me yet sharing the same hopes, fears and dreams. Lisa and I often joke we’re sisters from another mother, we often feel the same way at the same time and think alike a lot of the time and if that’s not magic I don’t know what is!

    So thank you Lisa for adding some sparkle to my day :)

    Victoria

    xoxo

    32 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on April 24, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in blogging, inspiration
    Tagged ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on April 24, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/04/24/magic-in-the-air/

    Paperclip award

    Many thanks to Hope over at ElvishJesusFreak for passing me the paperclip award!

    The award comes with some questions for me to answer. Here goes!

    1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
    I actually wrote a post all about this – some of the ones I went through were a vet, lawyer and a journalist. I ended up in HR and now I’m pursuing writing so life doesn’t turn out the way you plan :)

    2. What is your ultimate favorite place to be?
    This is a tough one, I’ve been to some amazing places but to be honest my favourite one is home.

    3. Name one famous person who inspires you. (Just one!!!)
    Right now I’m really inspired by other writers and their journeys so I’m going to pick JK Rowling as her struggle for success keeps me going and I really admire her story-telling, charity work and courage.

    4. Tea or Coffee?
    I can’t let the Brits down, I’ll have to say tea! I don’t drink coffee at all, never have.

    5. If you could be any other person for 48 hours, who would you be?
    The little girl I used to be says a princess just to try it out :)

    6. What is your earliest memory?
    It’s hard to pick just one that stands out. I’m actually quite bad at remembering things, I tend to remember a photo of it instead. But I do remember having three imaginary friends when I was little so I’ll say that one. And look how it turned out – I still imagine people when I’m writing so I got an early start on that!

    7. If you could ask anyone in the world, living or dead, anything, who would you ask, and what would you ask them?
    It’d be nice sometimes to ask about my future but I’m sure I’m better off not knowing :)

    8. What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
    I think leaving home to go to University was scary. As was getting a tattoo. But lately, quitting my job to focus on writing fits the bill.

    9. What is your favorite book?
    Pride and Prejudice.

    10. Briefly explain one of the weirdest dreams you have ever had.
    Last night I dreamt I was in a restaurant with my mum and from the counter up to get food and she followed, leaving our bags under the table. When we came back, they’d been stolen. Mine was a white Juicy Couture bag, which I don’t even own. I was very unhappy with my mum in the dream. Werid.

    11. What one song best describes you? (Feel free to post a link to a Youtube vid)
    I’ve written a post about this song before. It inspires me so I’m going to pick it even if it is from a Disney film :)

    12. Pen or pencil?
    Pen. I haven’t used pencil since school.

    13. Is 13 an unlucky number or not?
    I don’t think so. I don’t really have lucky or unlucky numbers.

    OK bloggers, now I have to pass the award on. I wanted to tag some newer blogging buddies that I haven’t awarded anything to before so here goes …

    Kendel at XJustAnotherTeenBlogger
    ThoughtsAppear
    Rachel at Freelancing to freedom
    Jenny Keller Ford
    Beth at Limebird writers
    Rebecca aka NovelGirl

    Victoria

    xoxo

    30 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on March 5, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in Achievements, blogging
    Tagged , ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on March 5, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/03/05/paperclip-award/

    Thank you

    Whenever I feel frustrated or down, I am always guaranteed to smile when I log on to my blog and hear amazing encouragement and support. I love reading comments and seeing that “like” button pushed. I enjoy reading all your blogs and feeling that whatever I’m going through, I’m not alone in it.

    This week was no expection as I recieved two blog awards from the lovely  Bianca over at Glittertheair:

    The awards didn’t come with any rules so I thought I’d take this moment to just say a big thank you to everyone who’s stopped by this blog recently and shown me the love.

    I’d like to pass these awards on to my top 5 recent commenters. I’m so grateful that you guys respond to my ramblings!

    Nancy at Spirit lights the way

    Angelia at Living, Laughing, Loving

    Juliette at Juliette Burke

    Bonnie at Life of Bon

    Lenore  at Lenore Diane

    Hugs and kisses to you all :)

    Victoria

    xoxo

    18 Comments
    by Victoria-writes on January 27, 2012  •  Permalink
    Posted in Achievements, blogging, Love
    Tagged , ,

    Posted by Victoria-writes on January 27, 2012

    http://victoria-writes.com/2012/01/27/thank-you/

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