Up and Coming: November

This is possibly the latest I’ve ever written this post!

October was a hectic month, with some momentous occasions. I finally had my graduation ceremony for my Masters. I also survived my first conference for work. Oh, and throw a horrible cold into the mix as well.

Being so busy – and not necessarily with things of my choice – meant the blog got put on hold for most of October. Thankfully I had enough posts scheduled that I could get through. But a month of not reading as much as normal meant I wasn’t certain what November would bring.

Thankfully, a few books were shorter than I anticipated and my graduation left me feeling inspired. It meant a couple of busy days of writing posts, scheduling content and getting a grip on reality again means November is once again doable. Yay!

Up and Coming: October

Hello October! Where did you come from? I love the summer, but am the first to admit digging out the jumpers and the blankets makes me happy. Nothing beats snuggling in with a hot drink and a good book!

I’ve got an interesting month coming up!

I should – if all goes according to plan – have my first conference for work. I have no idea what to expect or what I’m supposed to do but it feels like a big deal. Fingers crossed everything goes ahead.

I also have my graduation ceremony! Finally!

Over a year after I handed in my major project for my Masters, I get to say I’ve graduated. I know some people aren’t going and I understand why – it ends up being an expensive day. But I’ve taken a long route around to get to this point, and it’s not been an easy ride. I want the moment of walking onto that stage, not for myself, but for my parents and their unconditional support over the last eight years. Couldn’t have done it without them!

With lots of exciting things happening, it’s only fair that I have some exciting books coming up, right?

Up and Coming: September

It feels like it has been a while since I’ve been genuinely excited to write this post. Having a blogging break did me the world of good. Halfway through it, I suddenly realised I was feeling inspired again and spent an entire weekend catching up on posts, making a plan and getting content scheduled. I finally got my buzz back and I’m hoping it lasts.

I’m also thrilled with the content that I have coming up this month. It includes the next/final books in series that I have thoroughly enjoyed, plus returning to an author I haven’t read for quite a few years. It’s fair to say that no one is going to see me this month: I’m not going to look up from reading.

Up and Coming: August

I decided to take a break from blogging during July. While I was still loving it, I was finding that it was becoming increasingly difficult to stay on top of posts. That was ruining the enjoyment of it – it was feeling like a constant race to get through material rather than enjoying it. I’m hoping that one month off has been enough to get just far ahead enough that it stops everything feeling like such hard work!

I start my posts normally freaking out at how time has passed by. This time, however, I’m quite glad: I’m sure I’m not the only one who has been suffering immensely from hayfever over the last few month.

I never normally get it; a few weeks of sniffles and that is it. But it has really got into my sinuses this year, which has led to some pretty horrendous migraines. That makes a day at work staring at a screen fun.

Up and Coming: June

I’m pulling my exhausted self together to write this post because I’m trying to be productive and achieving more during the week.

You can just sense my enthusiasm, can’t you?

Nah, I’m kidding!

I’m still on a blogging buzz at the moment and am making the most of it while I can. That’s why I’m pushing myself.

I might have also promised myself a writing day on Sunday if I get everything else achieved during the week and my target at the moment is three posts a week. It works as good motivation.

So here we go!

Up and Coming: May

I’m not going to jink it by saying I’m more on top of things but…I’m more of top of things! Yay! For this month, at least.

I suddenly reached a point where I got about six posts done in a week and it broke the back of it. I used to have an organisation system where I wouldn’t even plan the following month’s posts until a certain date. Right now, however, I’m making the most of the mood and keeping ahead of myself while I can.

I won’t be thinking like this by the end of the month, I can promise that.

Up and Coming: April

I always used to pride myself as being organised and top of things when it came to the blog.

The last month has taught me it has been circumstances allowing that to happen.

I’m more organised for sure: I even have a spreadsheet of posts and my twitter schedule. That’s never happened before. I’m reading more; a commute means guaranteed reading time.

I haven’t seemed to have managed to get the posts done, though. My weekends are frantically catching up on reviews before I forget how I feel or writing content before the dates pass me by. I hate it is turning something I love into a chore.

Up and Coming: March

It’s crazy how much things have changed since I wrote my last Up and Coming post.

Then, I was freaking out about getting books read and my focus was on job hunting.

This time, I’m almost a month into my new job, and am catching up on some books quite nicely thanks to the commute.

Luckily, compared to previously, it’s a relatively straightforward and easy commute. I’m really enjoying the job, which means I’m motivated and inspired when it comes to the blog at the moment.

I’ve needed to have a bit of a catch-up. I’ve not been great lately at keeping on top of post promotions and actually getting everything written on time. I’m hoping, however, this month will be my turning point. I don’t have anything else stealing my attention and I have a guaranteed hour, minimum, of reading time a day.

I’m trying to utilise my evenings at the moment. I don’t want to just sit and watch television every night, even if there are some shows that I want to review. But I’m trying to do an odd job each evening, whether that is sorting out some blog posts, doing something creative or making it to the gym before crashing out. Once I’ve got that sorted, everything will be much easier to keep on top of.

Up and Coming: February

It is Monday, isn’t it?

Yes. Yes, it is.

But this isn’t a book review?

No. No, it isn’t.

There’s a simple explanation: I’m part of a blog tour this week for the amazing Paris Adrift by E.J Swift and my review is scheduled to go live on Wednesday. A quick post-swap later and I can get everything done without having to find additional content. See? Simple!

This is my second attempt of writing this post. I got half way through and deleted it. Why? I was moaning. I’m supposed to be focusing on positive thinking and my achievements in the last month, not whining about ambitions and targets.

Up and Coming: December

How many times can you delete a post before getting past the first sentence?

How long can you sit there staring at a blank screen, waiting for inspiration to hit?

The trouble with giving yourself a blogging challenge (such as doing the Twelve Days of Christmas as a feeble attempt to catch up on reviews that you are desperately behind on), is that it tends to take up most of your focus. I’ve been reading a lot recently, but everything has been for reviewing purposes.

I’ve got nothing to talk about in regards to books that didn’t make the reviewing cut. I’ve got nothing to squeal about in terms of shows that I’ve been (re)watching because I haven’t seen any.

When you’ve scheduled in advance as well, it seems pointless discussing the books that will be reviewed, because you’re only going to repeat those discussions in a few weeks’ time.

Hence why I have no idea what to write.