Sudden Inspiration

Sometimes, pretty rarely, though, I get this rush of inspiration to write, and I do so immediately (or at my earliest convenience). These rushes have resulted to one short story, written in about 2 hours, a prologue for my novel that I'm currently working on, and most recently, I wrote 162 words for the same novel; a scene that's been troubling me. Now I finally knew how to write it.

But yeah, told you it doesn't happen that often. Three times so far. Of course I have an inspiration to write every day, but now I'm talking about something stronger. An urge to write now, right now, and knowing exactly what to write, without giving it that much thought. Does that ever happen to you? It's like the words were all there in your head, and then, click, all of a sudden they rearrange themselves and everything is clear. It's kind of frustrating… Once it happens, I want it to happen again and again. But I guess if it did, there would be no magic.

I have had a very loose week, but still very little time to write. I have read a lot, though, I had forgotten how much I enjoy it. I guess I'm still a bit confused after my vacation, even though I've been home for almost two weeks. I have made a firm decision to write more, and even cut my working hours. Not by much, because a girl's gotta eat, but I will have a couple more days off from now on. Yay!

I will try to do a post about everything I got from the US sooner than later. Also, I'm working on some changes for my blog, and one of them is the layout in Blogger. I'm in the process of changing it, so don't be surprised if it's different every time you check my blog :)

Have a great rest of the weekend!

New beginnings for everyone! (Not you, Iira)

So far this week has been crazy, and it's only Wednesday. Well, I guess it's a good thing; at least time goes by faster. And I could just skip right into next Thursday! 8 days and I'll be USA bound<3

Yesterday I started making serious notes about my novel. Seems weird, considering how long I've actually worked on that novel, and how much I've told you. But I've never been that good in taking notes about anything, so this was a big step ;) And the more I wrote, the more motivation I gained, which is always a good thing. I'm going to start working on the notes again in a few, but wanted to blog first! I feel like I've been neglecting you and that's not good :/

We dined out yesterday with some family friends, and it was really nice. It was a special occasion, too, because one of them is moving to Germany on Friday. Today I said goodbye to him, and to be honest, I feel kinda empty now. He and I have known each other since we were little kids, it's going to be so weird not being able to see him anytime I want to. With whom am I going to watch the Oscars from now on?! 

Seriously, I have to move the heck away from here, too.

Ok, I'm calm now. 

Next year is going to be different. I don't know how, but somehow it will. I can't wait! Oh, wait, I totally can. I have an awesome vacation planned before this year comes to an end. 

Talk to you soon<3

'Nuf said

Y'all know I'm all about becoming a writer, and if you didn't know, well... now you know. I'm always looking for tips and advice for aspiring writers, because I'm determined to make writing my career. Today, while googling stuff (I google stuff a lot), I stumbled upon some tips from some of the greatest. I wanted to share some of them with you.

You're welcome.

The first draft of everything is shit.

-Ernest Hemingway

If you have any young friends, who aspire to become writers, the second greatest favor you can do them is to present them with copies of The Elements of Style. The first greatest, of course, is to shoot them now, while they're happy.

-Dorothy Parker

You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.

-Jack London

There are three rules to writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.

-W. Somerset Maugham

If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time -or the tools- to write. Simple as that.

-Stephen King

If writing seems hard, it's because it is hard. It's one of the hardest things people do.

-William Zinsser

Write drunk, edit sober.

-Ernest Hemingway

Start telling the stories that only you can tell, because there will always be better writers than you, and there will always be smarter writers than you. There will always be people who are much better at doing this or doing that - but you are the only you. 

-Neil Gaiman

Don't take anyone's writing advice too seriously.

-Lev Grossman

Sometimes I feel like the Universe is messing with me.

Sometimes most of the time life just baffles me. The unpredictability of it. You never know what's going to happen tomorrow, you never know where you'll be a year from now. I didn't expect to be the way I am at 24, I didn't expect to be here at 24, I didn't expect... I don't really know what I expected. Something more, something less... Oh yeah, I expected to have a freakin' clue. 

The truth is, I don't think anyone's got it all figured out. Being content is one thing, but when you think about it, how many people are there who are totally and completely happy with the way their lives have turned out? I'm not unhappy, but could be doing better. Knowing I'll be stuck here this way for at least another year is both relaxing and tormenting. But seriously.. I need a way out. Rather sooner than later :) Don't think of me as a depressing person.. think of me as an adventurer who's resources to see the world are very limited right now. 

Writing gives me a great escape, which is one of the main reasons I want to blog. And I want to blog more regularly, but I'm going to need your help with that. I was thinking of topics the other night and here's what I came out:

The reason there's a "HAHA!" after hairdos, is that I suck big time when it comes to doing my hair. I can use a flat iron and a curling iron, but that's about it. I just wrote that down because it popped into my mind, and didn't really think it through. But I actually have a really nice hair! 

This is where you come in. What do you want to read about? (Or hear about? 'Cause the video is happening! Maybe even videos, as in plural!)  :)

cozy and warm

It's 70 and sunny, but the sun doesn't feel as warm as it does in the middle of summer. Today I put on my mom's wool socks. I know, right?! At least I don't wear them all year round, like my dear momma does ;)

In my previous post I was talking about change, and how fall has always been a perfect time for that.. well, after that post and some thinking, I've come to the conclusion that this fall will be no exception. It doesn't matter how small that change will be; a change is a change. 

-I will change my hair (but you already knew that...)

-I will change my blog. It's going to be a hell of a lot more interesting, I swear. If not, then feel free to find me and give me a good ol' slap in the face. 

-I will change my wardrobe. I'm in desperate need of new clothes. I've taken so much more interest into fashion lately, so this ought to be fun!

-I will look into YouTube Channels and consider one of my own (yikes!)

That's a lot, already! I'm feeling really good about this :) Excited for new things! 

Have a nice weekend!

A little repair and renovation

Hello, my lovely readers :)

Sorry for being MIA for so long. I won't make any excuses, but I do want to let you know that I have been extremely busy lately. Work, work, work (and yet, I'm always broke -something doesn't add up, right?!)

I've had a lot on my plate, and I realized that for my own good, I would have to get rid of some things. Some time ago I was presented an exciting job opportunity, and had I gotten the job, I would have left Finland in the fall. The ultimate dream of mine (besides making it as a writer): working abroad. BUT, I decided not to apply this year. It was just too fast; I didn't want to figure out my entire life in just a few months. So I'm giving myself a year and have another look at the job next year :) I feel very good about my decision and a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I've also been dealing with some ear-related health issues for a while now, and until I have that all figured out, I don't want any other major twists in my life. 

Writing was also one of the reasons I decided to stay. My job abroad would have been very hectic and I knew I wouldn't get any writing done in a long time. Right now I'm feeling like I've made some real progress with my novel, and I'm not ready to give all that up just yet :)

So after deciding to stay put for another year, I took a hard look on my apartment. When I first moved to live on my own four years ago, I had almost everything ready. The only major purchase back then was a dining table + chairs. I got everything else from mom, dad and other people. Had to do some little basic shopping, but the point is, I never really got to decorate. I had some vision of the colors I wanted, and mostly I got what I wanted, so I was happy. But now I was ready for a change. So I went to IKEA and shopped. 

I'm sorry I don't have the 'before' shot. But the colors in my apartment changed from brown-pink to white-blue-red. It's so much more brighter and fresher now. I got the expedict-shelf from IKEA, also the turquoise baskets in it, and the picture frames used to be pink. I used to have a dark brown carpet and I am in love with the new white one! I have no idea how long it will stay white, but it's certainly inspiring me to be more neat ;)

My couch is also dark brown, and since couches are expensive, I just bought a blue cover for it and some pillows to add more color :) The cover doesn't reach over the entire couch, since it's pretty big, but it does the job! 

Redecorating a studio apartment is not that expensive in the end :) I'm very happy with the result and just love spending time home! It's so worth to making your place feel like home. Also makes for a better learning/studying/writing environment! 

I am enjoying summer to the fullest, even though the heat makes my apartment feel like a sauna. I'm a Finn, and don't like sauna, weird? 

Hope you all had a great weekend! :)

-iira

Thoughts from 2012

I was browsing my old blog, Pandemonium, and came across this post that I wrote last summer. 

It made me feel pretty good, so here it is, as a follow-up for my previous WHAT?! -post. Enjoy!

Yeah, so I admit I've had my share of small panic attacks relating to whether or not I've accomplished enough in my life. I'm 23 years old, and sometimes I feel like nothing's not enough. Most of the time, fortunately, I feel like I've done pretty well.

I've traveled in a lot of places, ever since I was a baby. I learned some English before it was a mandatory subject at school, and then went on learning, so ever since I was 10-11 years old, I've managed to communicate in English on my own, without much help. It has encouraged me to test my limits abroad. I can travel alone in the biggest cities in the world, and know I have what it takes to survive, and survive well. I've made some very useful contacts overseas, if I may say so myself. I have been blessed with common sense. I tend to be bossy sometimes, but hey, someone's gotta keep it rolling. I take after my mother on that one. 

I have friends, who enrich my world with their own backgrounds, stories and experiences. 

I'm a daughter of two people, who support my desire to explore the world. 

I have a brother, whom I love so very much, and whose occasional special needs make him the most special guy in this world. 

I'm not much of a talker, unless you get me reallyreally drunk (don't), but I've come to realize that blogging is the easiest and the best way for me to say things I may not be comfortable saying to someone's face, even if the things I want to say, are positive. 

I've gone crazy with my friends, laughed so hard it actually hurts, cried my eyes out, attended concerts of world-famous singers', screamed in awe, screamed in anger, loved, hated, embraced, gotten up from the bottom. I have lived. 

For a 23-year-old... could be a lot worse :) 

Love, 

me