rebekah writes stuff.

Category: hot tips

  • Write the damn book

    Write the damn book

    Folks, if you need a wake up call, I’ll give you one right now.

    It really helped me, so I’m going to share it with you too.

    Your book will not write itself (unless you’re getting ChatGPT to do it).

    There will also never be a right time to get started or get back to it. You can put it off all you like and make excuses, but your book isn’t going to get any longer, refined or finished if you do that.

    How do I know this? Well, because that’s what I was doing. I was waiting for the right time. I was procrastinating. Why? Because I didn’t know where to start. It felt like I was standing at the bottom of Everest, looking up and thinking “this is going to be a huge task.”

    Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

    And I’m not wrong – writing a book is a huge task! It’s possible – but not without a bit of elbow grease.

    It’s very easy to get wrapped up in thinking:“but where do I start? I don’t have time. There’s so much to do.”

    If you’re in a similar place, where your book is gathering cobwebs in the corner, or your project hasn’t been updated in a while, or you don’t know where to start, here is my advice:

    Take action. Just start, and do a little at a time.

    I took action and I’m back working on my book – and you should too.

    Remember: this is your dream, your goal!

    You’ve got to take action because the hard truth is … it’s up to you. Unless you have a ghostwriter, the person who is going to write the book has got to be you.

    But how?, I hear you ask. Well, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. What does that mean?

    Photo by RENATO CONTI on Pexels.com

    It means just start.

    Just put one foot in front of the other. Write down the ideas for your new book. Set aside time to work on it. Pick up where you left off, whether that was a month or six years ago. Tell your family or friends that you are working on your book and have them hold you accountable. Remember, you don’t have to do this alone!

    Slowly and surely you will get to where you want to be – and your future self will thank you.

    Now, go! Isn’t there a book you’re supposed to be writing??

    Subscribe for more blogposts, and follow @rebekah_writes_stuff on instagram!

  • Let’s have a Q & Hey!

    Let’s have a Q & Hey!

    Hey blogsters! Bloggeroonskiis – it’s April! I thought I would answer a few questions. I haven’t done something like this before, so let’s get into it!!

    Image by Storyset on Freepik

    Why did I start a blog?

    I started blogging for a bunch of reasons: I wanted to practice writing, I wanted people to read my writing and I wanted to be more confident (especially posting my writing!). I definitely struggled getting posts out when I first started and perfectionism really blocked my flow. I worried a lot about what people would think of my writing. Plus, physically setting up a blog seemed so daunting! I’m glad I just decided to give it a go. It took a few tries on different platforms, and now I’m pretty happy with my WordPress blog.

    Interestingly, the less I worried about what people might think and whether my writing was perfect or not, the better the words flowed. I’ve realised that the more I blog about stuff I enjoy, and because it brings me joy, the easier it is to press publish!

    What’s my favourite blog post so far?

    I think my favourite blog post is the thing with spicy food. It was genuinely a lot of fun to write and such a funny concept. I’m not great with spicy food – a mild curry is about my limit – and it made me think lol this could be a fun and relatable post to write about. Everyone has an opinion on spice, you know? They either love it or hate it!

    How’s your creative writing journey going?

    Yeeeeeah, it’s fair to say I haven’t even looked at my novel drafts in well over six months. It’s hard when you’re busy! I spent a while working on my novels and they say it’s good to take a break and come back with fresh eyes – and I will! Besides, blogging is fun and a good way to keep the writing muscle ripped.

    I would definitely like to talk more about my writing and any tips I’ve learnt along the way and hear about your guys’ writing journeys too!! Are you an aspiring novelist like me? Do you want to be traditionally published or self published? Or are you already published?? Let me know!

    What advice would I give to new bloggers?

    Just wing it! As a new blogger myself, I’m still getting my head around it! It can definitely seem quite daunting. I think it’s helpful to remember why you wanted to start a blog in the first place: i.e to write about whatever it is you are passionate about or that you enjoy or think is interesting! Pizza, movies, cooking, whatever! I write about pretty much anything I think is interesting because I enjoy it!

    Don’t get too bogged down about views and statistics. It’s easy to look at some blogs and accounts and compare. Remember, you’re just starting out! Sometimes I feel disheartened when I don’t get many views on a post or followers on instagram – but so long as my stuff is out there and I’m writing, I honestly don’t really care too much! It’s a win when I publish a post! And when I do get a like or a new subscriber or a follower, it always makes my day. I appreciate my little community!! Shout out to you who is reading this! 🙂 So yeah, as a relatively new blogger, just focus on actually writing and getting your stuff out there and the little wins along the way.

    Thinking face cartoon on Freepik

    You got this!! Hope you enjoyed this lil Q&Hey!

    rebekah writes stuff. is on insta! @rebekah_writes_stuff

  • Spending Valentime with yourself: how to love your own company

    Spending Valentime with yourself: how to love your own company

    In the tangles of red hearts and pink fluff, Valentine’s Day can be many things to people. Overwhelming, special, fun, lonely. It depends on who you ask.

    It’s easy to be swept into the ‘it’s a couples only holiday‘ narrative. To think that if you don’t have a partner, you’re exempt from all celebratory activities. That you’re not tall enough for the ride. Well, this is simply not true. Valentine’s Day has slowly become more inclusive of the fact that you don’t need to be in a relationship to be celebrated. Valentine’s Day celebrates all kinds of love.

    So, if you’re spending this Valentine’s Day on your own this year, or if you’re single, like myself, here are some ideas on how to celebrate you! And if you’re celebrating as a couple, my advice still applies. Regardless of your relationship status, finding love for yourself and for your own company is essential.

    Buy the damn rose

    Buy yourself flowers, as Miley Cyrus would want you to (I am, of course, referencing her very new, very relevant hit song ‘Flowers’). A single rose, even. Treat yourself to that present you’ve been eying up. Buy a box of chocolates. Order pizza and watch a cosy film. Water your plant. Write yourself a card. Go out for coffee. Organise brunch with your friends or dinner with your family. Celebrate your pets. See? Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be miserable.

    Self love

    At the end of the day, you’ve always got your own back. If you find yourself suddenly alone, you’ll always have yourself to rely on. It’s important to nurture the relationship that you have with yourself. Luckily, self care is talked about almost everywhere nowadays. Remember, self love isn’t selfish.

    So, don’t wait around for someone to buy you a rose. Do it for you, period.

    What if I’m in a couple?

    As I mentioned, Valentine’s Day celebrates all love. So, reflect and celebrate the love you have for your special person AND for yourself. What’s to say you can’t buy yourself a little treat and be treated out at the same time?

    Why wait for Valentine’s Day?

    What’s to stop you from loving who you are everyday? On your low days and your high days. Enjoying your own company can feel alien at first but it gets easier with time. So, whether you’re single, in a couple, or if it’s a tad complicated, don’t forget yourself this Valentine’s Day and every Valentine’s Day after that.

    Cover art: pink heart shape made from flowers by Freepik

  • Overcoming the fear of being the newbie

    Overcoming the fear of being the newbie

    No three words strike more fear into people’s hearts than ‘try something new’. There’s many reasons people avoid trying new things. We’re afraid we’ll look silly or that we won’t know what we’re doing or that we might not even enjoy it!

    We might feel a bit apprehensive or nervous when entering unfamiliar territory – it’s completely normal! However, instead of letting the worries hold us back from signing up, how can we, instead, accept them and challenge them? Naturally, this is much easier said than done.

    You are now leaving the comfort zone

    Ah, the comfort zone. The big cushy halo that surrounds us all and makes us feel, well, comfortable. Why would we want to stray out of it?? As Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory put it: “Why would we want to do that? It’s called “the comfort zone” for a reason”.

    Source: TV GAG & The Big Bang Theory

    Well, because it’s good for you, and you might just be pleasantly surprised. Granted, the comfort zone is great and it does what it says on the box, but it’s taking those tiny-nay-nerve-wracking leaps out of it which can open our comfort zone to new and rewarding experiences.

    In saying that, here are few tips that have helped me over the years when diving headfirst into that new activity, which will hopefully help you too.

    Embrace being the newbie!

    Say it loudly and proudly – “Yes, this is my first time painting fruits in a bowl!”, “Yes, I’ve never done tap dancing before!”. You will feel a bit lost or overwhelmed at first, and why you may ask? Say it with me – because it’s new to you! It’ll take some time to find your feet and that’s ok! It’s part of being the newbie! It says so right here in the definition:

    New: (adjective)

    – already existing but seen, experienced or acquired recently or now for the first time

    Ask questions.

    What better way to learn than to ask questions. That’s what your instructor/teacher/mentor/director is there for, right? Never feel silly for asking for help. You won’t know if you don’t ask! Knock and the door will open! Maybe the person next to you could offer advice – they might be in the exact same boat as you.

    Remember – you won’t be an expert straight away!

    Yes, despite the rumours, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Be patient with yourself. It might be hard for a bit, or frustrating, but be resilient! Slowly, but surely, you’ll get better at it. You might look around and think: “wow, they’re so much better than me”. STOP! Comparison is the thief of joy! Plus, they might look around and think the same thing about you! It’s hard not to compare yourself to others but, trust me, focus on yourself, your own journey and enjoyment.

    Manage your expectations

    I think keeping your expectations at a reasonable level is important. Don’t go in there expecting you’ll have the most amazing time or, on the flip-side, the worst time. Instead, keep your expectations at a manageable level. Go with the flow and take it from there.

    If you didn’t enjoy that new activity as much as you thought you would, that’s ok! We move on to the next hobby. The important thing is that you put yourself out there and gave it a whirl. And if you had an awesome time, hooray!

    Lastly, and most importantly, be open to learning!

    Let new knowledge and skills into your life with open arms!

    Cover art: try something new beads message typography by rawpixel.com on Freepik