My Writing Process

The lovely Julia @ Miss Trend She tagged me in a post to write about my writing process last week. This is such a fun thing to learn about other bloggers. I hope that I wrote enough to help you if you're ever feeling stuck.

1. What am I working on?
Right now, I am exculsively working on my blog and guest posts! I will occasionally still write articles for Hollywood Music Magazine, but I always feel burnt out if I do too many reviews. I really want to start writing my novel again, but I'm hoping to participate in NaNoWriMo this year.
2. How does my work differ from others of it's genre?
As far as blogging goes, I know that I have a different voice and subject matter than most other bloggers. I really don't like to post the same things, unless it is in a collaboration. If there is something I really want to write about, I may wait to write about it because I don't want my post to get lost in a sea of other posts. I also think that my writing differs because of my journalism background. 
3. Why do I write what I do?
The words I write are all a part of a story - my story or another story that I feel needs to be told. I am compelled to write. My mind starts buzzing and I get it out. I write because I need to write. It clarifies my life. The particular topics that I write are geared toward changing the world because I have an insatiable desire to do so. 
And

4. How does my writing process work?
This depends a little bit on what I am writing. I always have to begin with my introduction or lede, though. I literally am stuck if I cannot figure out how to begin. Sometimes, I begin with my headline and that helps me with my lead, but other times the headline or title comes last. 

I usually write what comes out of my fingers in whatever thought process I am having. I then go back and reorganize in a logical manner. If I know I want to hit certain big points (and for articles) I always map out what I will put in.

For example, an article would look like this:

Lead - Sexy Quote -
Nut Graf -
Quote-
Transition-
Quote-
ETC

I fill in all of the quotes before I write the article because it helps me to write my transitions. Believe it or not, a good news article is led by the quotes, not the other way around. 

Oddly enough, some blog posts and articles come out handwritten, first. 

And that's how I do it! :) The three people I am tagging are:

Tiffany @ Endless Bliss
Emma  @ It's Emma Elise
Paulina @ Color Me Brave

1. What am I working on?

2. How does my work differ from others of it's genre?

3. Why do I write what I do?

And

4. How does my writing process work?

Even if I didn't tag you, I am curious to know you're writing style! Answer these questions (in the comments or on your blog) and make sure to send me the link!!



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Very Inspiring Blogger Award

Yay!! Rachael at The Overwhelmed Undergrad nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger award!! I'm so excited.

I met Rachael through the Her Campus Blogger Network, and I adore her blog!! Go check it out! 

The Rules

1) Link the person who nominated you

2) List and display the rules

3) Share seven facts about yourself

4) Nominate 15 other blogs and let them know they have been nominated

My Seven Facts 

1)  I've always had a passion for inspiring people to follow their dreams. I was that annoying little kid. 

2)  Sometimes it seems like I make rash decisions, but really I've just been thinking nonstop about the decision for the past few hours. 

3)   My OCD causes me to have a lot of anxiety, but when there is the crisis, I will be completely serene and handling the situation. This epic problem solver takes over.

4)  I'm a problem solver.

5)   My mom taught me to love everyone and try to help however I can, whenever I can. That's how I live my life. 

6)   I spend as much time and money as I can each month giving back. People don't usually realize it, but aren't surprised when they find it out.

7)    Finding people I have a connection with is my favorite past-time. 

Here are my 15 nominations!

It's not customary to write how they inspire you, but I am doing so because I want to thank them! 

• Paulina inspires me with post ideas and bravery. No joke, this girl's always got my back: www.colormebrave.com
• Tiffany writes Motivational Monday posts every week, but she's also so REAL in her posts: www.endlessblissblog.com/
• Jess is becoming one of my great real life friends. She's got a beautifully inspiring blog: www.jesslovesthislife.com
• Lesley made me first aware of bloggers giving back as a whole. I love it! She volunteers so much: www.bytheporchlight.com/
• Melyssa co-hosts Bloggers Giving Back events in OC. Her passion for life is contagious: www.thenectarcollective.com
• Megan chooses to share her love of art on her blog and she inspires my artistic side: theartisticbrunette.com/
• Nadine runs Great over Good, an art collective and blog in OC. Her love of life and art is contagious: greatovergood.com
• Sydney is so open and honest in her posts: www.sydneyluella.com
• Alex from Radiating Sunshine inspires through her sunshine! alexmhons.blogspot.com/
• Brittany inspires me to travel and embrace life's changes: www.lifechangesii.com
• Zauni's blogs have always inspired me to look at life and people differently. She truly is a kind soul. www.morningneon.blogspot.com/
• Victoria inspires me to live creatively with her Etsy and blog about living a great life on a budget www.povertyluxe.com
• Jay's blogs are the type that make you think, and she inspires me to write more thought provoking posts www.mindofmcshorty.com/
• Kim blogs about her anxiety and how blogging is a release for her - just like it is for me! kimberlyschronicle.blogspot.com/
• Laura's passion for traveling and life is very inspirational to me laurainwonderland.org 

Go check out these lovely blogs and be ready to feel inspired!!



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Calling all Guest Bloggers and a quick game of Never Have I Ever

Today, I'm not too sure what to blog about. Maybe it's because yesterday I cranked out 3 blog posts, or maybe it's because my brain is consumed by wedding planning, moving planning and all other types of planning...but my brain is full, basically.

If you know much about my personality, you know that when my brain gets full of planning and things to do, I make quite a few lists. So that's what I'm doing. One of those lists is one that could benefit you!

This is how I feel about guest posts :) 

I'm looking for guest bloggers for the months of April and May! Our wedding is April 19th, and we leave for our honeymoon the next morning! I am looking for guest blogs for April 21-25, April 28-May 2 and May 5 (in case I'm too jetlagged on my first day back). Please feel free to email me your interest! 

So that's my list that I'm making to benefit you all - free guest post opportunities! Seriously, don't miss out!!

And, for some fun, since it's been awhile: an updated Never List!

Never List 

• Had a surprise birthday party
• Broken a bone
• Been to an exotic country (Does Holland count for our honeymoon next month?)
• Written a full book
• Spent a day without worrying
• Kept my room and closet clean for a year
• Been to the Grand Canyon
• Made amends with family members lost
• Accepted that I can't control everything
• Gone to prom
• Surfed
• Been on the radio
• Had breakfast served to me in bed
• Gone toiletpapering
• Swam with dolphins
• Bought and worn dominatrix boots
• Learned to play guitar
• Raced a car
• Done strip-tease aerobics
• Driven up PCH from start to finish
• Played spin the bottle
• Rode a skateboard in heels
• Known more than two languages fluently
• Been seduced in a foreign language
• Gone paintballing
• Been serenaded in public
• Had a cake fight
• Gotten married (6 weeks!) 
• Been to an OSU vs Michigan Game
• Been a mommy
• Laid down in the middle of the street
• Watched Aurora Bourealis
• Seen a meteor shower with someone else
• Seen a Shooting Star
• Been to Mardi Gras
• Owned my own house
• Been in a hot air balloon
• Made my own fashion line (well, Color Me a Warrior Queen has begun!)
• Gone to an NFL or NBA game (we went to see the Eagles in November!) 

What's on your never list? What should I add to mine? 

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Love Month: Warrior Princesses

Ooh, I am so excited to introduce you to these two lovely bloggers today!

I don't quite remember how I met Areeba and her twin, Noor, but these girls are the absolute best! They're so, so funny and keep me laughing late at night when I can't sleep [they're in Pakistan!]. Areeba is one of the sweetest hearts I've ever met and she is obsessed with blogging and blog design! If you're looking for a laugh: head over to her twitter! 

Blog // Bloglovin' // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram

1. What do you love most about yourself?
I can make people laugh. I can make them feel better. That's like my super power and I seriously love this thing about me!

2. Who is the most important person in your life? Why?
My mother. I know she's always here with me when I'll need her. Can anything beats motherly love or needs a reason?


3. If your life was made into a movie, who would play your love interest?
Murat Yildirim, please? Most of you might not be familiar with this name, he's Turkish. I've seen only one English-dubbed Turkish drama of his work and I wanted to be his heroine and I ain't even kidding. So I'd choose him!

I met Erin about a month ago and I just love her blog...who couldn't love a blog about favorite things? She's posted a delicious banana bread recipe recently and I was drooling reading it. She's also a teacher, just like me!! Head on over to her blog and check her out...and wish her warmth in that polar vortex! [Although...she looks pretty warm in this picture here].

Blog // Bloglovin' // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Instagram

1. What do you love most about yourself?
I love my red hair! It's very bright and a unique shade, which I just love. :)


2. Who is the most important person in your life? Why?
My parents are the most important people in my life--they are so supportive and fun to be around. I feel so fortunate to have such a strong and close relationship with them!


3. If your life was made into a movie, who would play your love interest?
If my life was made into a movie, Ryan Gosling would be my love interest! Actually, I'm pretty sure we are meant to be together anyways, but just haven't met yet. Hahaha! ;)

Stay tuned for this week's #dogood52ways challenge!


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5 Little Grins Week 18 [Link Up]

Happy Monday! I'm not sure why I am up and at-em earlier than normal, but I am, so let's take advantage of it! [Coincidentally, I put makeup on and cute accessories...who am I?]

<a href="http://www.beawarriorqueen.com" target="_blank"><img alt=" 5 Little Grins " height="246" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/4fb1b81a9b1ad6d17c9317ea03174589/tumblr_mucw6eXUKG1s3gqbyo1_400.png" width="350" /></a> 

We'll go ahead and say it: Most people think Mondays suck / are the worst / should die a fire-y death. I'm sure you get the picture.

We've all had our fair share of bad Mondays and bad Tuesdays and just plain ol' bad days. Instead of focusing on the bad, what if we focused on the good things?

What if we focused on the little things that made us smile today, yesterday, last week? Could our whole attitude change? In time, would we find that we're having more good days than bad?

Cassandra, Paulina and I would love for you to join us on our weekly link up counting at least 5 things that made you smile in the last week. We could start our Mondays on this positive note!

Of course, this is all about encouragement, so hop on over to some other blogs and leave a positive note and make a new friend!
The Rules! (These are really just kind suggestions)

1. Follow your hosts: Cassandra, Raewyn, and Paulina!

2. Link up your post that includes 5-ish things that made you smile in the past week

3. Comment after you link up

4. Go visit some other blogs and make some friends!

5. Have fun, and don't forget to smile!!
Last week was a tough one. They come around every once in awhile, but I am so happy that I had these little things that I can't help but grin...

1. Iman and I went bowling more this week. I suppose I should say that I went bowling with Iman more this week, since he probably bowled the same. It was fun and relaxing, mostly because it was just the two of us, or with a couple of friends :)

Blogger Happy Hour!! 

2. I participated in my first Blogger Happy Hour hosted by Erin @ Living in Yellow and Whitney @ I Wore Yoga Pants. That was fun - and gave me tons of ideas!
3. On Friday, I got my first Brazillian and it didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would!!! 

My new watch!! Officially the first nice watch I've owned as well 

4. Saturday had an impromptu game night with some friends - We downloaded Cards Against Humanity [legally, for free!] and my friend gave me a moustache watch she had found! 
5. We had dinner with my grandparents yesterday. They're a little crazy, but I love them. It's was extra special because my grandpa was out of the hospital [he had sceptic shock last week] and I got to take one of his blue shirts home for my "something blue!" 

goofing off Friday night :) 

How did your week go? 

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51 Weeks of Doing Good

Alright, who did the #DoGood52Ways challenge last week?

Join us on Instagram! :) @raetothewyn #dogood52ways

Now's the time to let me know! I am going to put a link up form, but you don't have to do a blog - feel free to just share a picture from Instagram! I just want to go and comment! You can also hashtag the picture in Instagram. I didn't come up with the hash tag, it's from the jar that I received, so the Do Good Bus is following the hashtag, too!!

Don't know what the #DoGood52Ways challenge is? Go here to find out!

We completed week one! I hope it was an easy one - I mean - taking a few minutes to write a Yelp review is very simple and easy, and so gratifying! I reviewed Sushi Joint - my favorite sushi restaurant for the past year! I had no idea that I hadn't reviewed them yet. I'm usually pretty good at that stuff. They have the most awesome and caring staff I've ever encountered, so they definitely deserved the accolade.

Erykka reviewed California Health Foods, a store where she purchased a one day cleanse. I am so excited to share with you that Erykka has joined me in the blogging world! She got a Tumblr where she plans on posting her good deeds, inspirations and other ways to be the change. We're on this path together!

Seriously, you should go follow her. She's the girl who got me into yoga and someday wants to be a yoga instructor. On top of that, she shares my passion for giving back! I am so happy to have called this girl a best friend for almost a decade!

Last night, we picked this week's #DoGood52Ways challenge and it might be a tricky one for anyone effected by snow. You can table this one and come back to it - but still do something good for someone :)

Join us on Instagarm! @raetothewyn #dogood52ways

Can't wait to surprise someone with a car wash!




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Heck yes! Looking for Guest Bloggers

This isn't a super post per se, besides to mention how incredibly busy I am with work today! Heck yes, I happen to be working 8-5, rushing over in So Cal traffic to my second job at 5:45 to close the dining room.

Heck yes, I'm reliving the old days when I did this on the reg.

Heck yes, I'm looking for guest bloggers to join me in writing and maybe even swap guest blogs. I put it  on Passionfruit, but let's be real: I'm always down to work something out. A swap of guest blogs, a shout out, etc, I just like to share YOU guys.

Heck yes, When I started WQ I was looking for a community of posters and magazine writers sooo guest blogging is perfect-o.

Heck yes, this post doesn't make much sense.

LET'S MAKE GUEST BLOG BABIES.

For the record, Guest blogs will post on Thursdays :)



P.s. Clearly, I need sleep.

June Carabox Reveal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, I got my Carabox last week but I've just been way too busy to post it. :( This week is much calmer though so here is the box i got from Aly at Cup of Ting!! She got me so many super cool things that are so very me aaaand a gift for my wedding!

Ahh! I love my envelope :)

Yum, yum yum. I see a tea party in my future!

WHAT I CAN TOUCH THEM

Candy and chapstick <3333 p="">

My frame broke :( But my mom had some glass to replace it!

We're going to have old fashioned Coca Cola bottles as centerpieces, so she gave us this cup for our sweetheart table!

Hi, my name is Raewyn and I have a Cupcake Problem. See my old blog.

Card cover was so inspirational!

I just love when people love the warrior queen movement!

If anyone wants to see what I got Megalin (who is from Cali but living in Tennessee aaand we instantly became blog bffs!!!) I was so excited to get to know her and send her box (which has a gift for her wedding too!) 

P.S. Have you heard of The Carabox Exchange? Kaitlyn at Wifessionals created it. It's like adult pen pals with care package. The. Best. Thing. Ever.