Blogging - Where to Begin

Photo courtesy of Shuttershock.

So you want to start a blog.

Blogging, whether it be as a hobby or as a profession can be incredibly rewarding. It can be the platform from which you launch a greater career, or it can be the basis from which you make lifelong friends in fellow bloggers. Although nowadays it may feel like everyone has a blog or everyone has a YouTube channel, and yes; it might seem like if this is a craze right now that to enter at the deep end could be a little overwhelming. But we at Rookie know how you're feeling, and have some tips as to where you should begin [because you should!]

Step 1 - Your Niche. 

Beauty, books, fashion, photography, art, lifestyle, travel, food. Everyone has a niche. You may just be wanting to start a day to day blog in which you recount what is happening in your life or what you did on that particular winter day, and that's fine, but having a niche can be crucial to accelerating your blog into the attention of others. For this, we recommend that you choose your niche based on what you like, and not what you believe readers would want to see. What are your likes? Your passions? What kind of blogs do you read? Never choose to write in a niche simply because you think that will increase your readership more than if you chose your own interests, because people can tell. Reader's notice when the blogger lacks enthusiasm or drive in their writing, which acts as a deterrent from visiting your blog. Also if you're not writing about what you love, then your blogging experience is going to be miserable. Once you've chosen a niche, stick to it, otherwise that can trigger loss of following or interest of others, and you'll loose your blog's sense of identity.

Step 2 - Name 

Generally speaking, you'll rarely come across two blogs with the same name, and every name will be different to the next. The name of your blog is crucial in drawing in readers, as it is the name they will see or hear before reading any of your content. Select a name that has a ring to it, or will stick in people's minds. Eccentric. Exciting. If you're struggling, then perhaps ask a friend or family member for advice, or brainstorm your ideas with key words. For example; if I was creating a book blog, I might start with key words like 'books' 'reading' 'shelves' 'library'.  Although it sounds like a long process simply for a name, it will be worth it in the long run when people click on your blog's name because they like the sound of it compared to the next one along. 

Step 3 - Design

This is where it gets tricky. Depending on your hosting platform such as Blogger, Wordpress, or Tumblr, different design templates will be on offer for you to use as the base layout. These will all be rather bland and will need a lot of editing so they suit your theme and ideas. For this, we recommend you learn some basic HTML and CSS coding, meaning that the template can be malleable and easily edited to how you see best. You can also buy blog designs from many websites, all of which are of a high standard. However, these aren't cheap and there's the likelyhood that several other bloggers will also have that same design. Like your name, blog design may sound like something minor but is vital in attracting audiences and gaining a readership. Don't worry if this takes a long time, there's no hurry, just go live when you're ready.

Step 4 - Social Media

To help promote your blog, it might be wise to create social media accounts purely for the promotion of your blog. If it can be avoided, don't use personal accounts. Although you might question why we say this, consider how your life is split into worlds.  Friends. Family. School. Etc. When these worlds overlap with your new playground of blogging, response can be positive and negative. If you want to blog without feeling paranoid that your family are reading every review or discussion that you share, then create separate social media accounts. Social Media is a great basis for meeting fellow bloggers, and promoting other bloggers material whilst they might do the same for you. Of course, you can begin a blog without any blog social media accounts, but these accounts can be very helpful when trying to acquire a following.

That's it for Part 1 in our Blogging - Where to Begin series! What would you like to see in part two? Do you have any tips you think other readers should know? Let us know in the comments!

COLOURING - Is it REALLY Good For You?

source

So, adult colouring books....

Unless you've been living under a rock, then you may have noticed the latest global craze which exploded onto the scene in mid-2015. First it was loom bands, now, it's adult colouring books. And crayons, of course. It may be hard to believe that colouring, an activity our parents used  to distract or entertain us as young children, can have grown so popular in the older generations, but since Johanna Basford first published her book 'Secret Garden - An Inky Treasure Hunt and Coloring Book,' in 2013, sales and publications have increased at a catastrophic rate.

But why? Why is it that such a simple activity is creating such an inky storm? 

Many, many people have been asking this question, as one main idea around the craze arises. Is it just another money-making scheme? Why not just buy a children's colouring book? The truth is that what may have started as a fantastic idea has slightly spiralled into another way of publishing houses making money. But that's how marketing and industry works; companies see that an area is soaring in sales, and so they create similar editions of the same product to increase the money they make. Although this is probably true, we can't guarantee this. However, from reliable sources we can learn to understand why adult colouring books, even more so than typical ones for children, are successful.

Scientifically speaking, when it comes to the mind and mental wellbeing, colouring is incredibly beneficial. First and foremost, the action can help tune fine motor skills. According to psychologist Gloria Martinez Ayala, colouring 'incorporates areas of the cerebal cortex involved in vision and fine motor skills.' This could thus maybe help those who suffer from Dyspraxia or Developmental Coordination Disorder. As well as this, clinical counsellor Leslie Marshall claims that it 'opens up the frontal lobe of the brain - the home of organizing and problem solving - and focusses the mind.'

Thirdly is it's benefits to stress and Anxiety disorders. Scientists have expressed that colouring relaxes the Amygdala - the fear centre of the brain - and therefore relaxes you as well. As it can work as a form of meditation and mindfulness, colouring is perfect for helping the Amygdala respond less to stress. 

Now, all this may be very scientific, but when put to the test, do adult colouring books serious help the brain? So, we brought a sceptic into the mix - me. 

When I first received a colouring book, I snorted in derision at the idea that it could help with my stress and 'inner peace,' as the cover so boldly stated. I suffer from Generalised Anxiety Disorder, and have done so for six years. I also don't cope well with stress, which has been the trigger  of severe illness in previous years. Very few things have ever helped with these issues, and that's why I was so sceptical.  Opening the cover, unzipping my pencil case, I continued to have doubts. But it worked. 

Since first trying to understand what all the hype was about, I have been completely converted into the idea that these products have health benefits. In the time I took to do one page, my stress levels decreased, I felt calmer and less anxious, and I later in the day I was so much more productive than I would usually be. Taking the time to wind down, and focus on something so simple gave me a chance to set aside my worries and balance out my mental state. If colouring can work for a strong sceptic such as myself, then surely adult colouring books can be of help  to so many other people.

5 Best Releases in 2016

So 2016 has arrived with a bang, a new year has begun. And with a new year, new books are also released. Ranging from Sci-Fi, to Horror, and from Contemporary to Graphic Novels, we've complied a list of what we think are going to be the best bookish publications in 2016.

Heartless by Marissa Meyer - Fantasy/Retelling

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.
At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.
Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

It's no secret that we adored Marissa Meyer's epic fairytale retelling series The Lunar Chronicles. And now, not only is Meyer retelling another classic story, but it's being released in 2016! Based on Alice in Wonderland's Queen of Hearts, we're adamant that this is going to be amazing. Released November 2nd.

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer - Sci-Fi

The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?

With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

Another Marissa Meyer! But don't despair, this one is being released on February 1st. A compilation of Meyer's Wattpad stories, and some new additions too, this is the perfect read for any Lunar Chronicles fan. 

A World Without You by Beth Revis - Contemporary

Seventeen-year-old Bo has always had delusions that he can travel through time. When he was ten, Bo claimed to have witnessed the Titanic hit an iceberg, and at fifteen, he found himself on a Civil War battlefield, horrified by the bodies surrounding him. So when his concerned parents send him to a school for troubled youth, Bo assumes he knows the truth: that he’s actually attending The Academy, a school for kids who, like Bo, have "superpowers."

At The Academy, Bo falls in love with Sofia, a quiet girl with a tragic past and the superpower of invisibility. Sofia helps Bo open up in a way he never has before. In turn, Bo provides comfort to Sofia, who lost her mother and two sisters at a very young age. 

But even the strength of their love isn’t enough to help Sofia escape her deep depression. After she commits suicide, Bo is convinced that she's not actually dead. He believes that she's stuck somewhere in time — that he somehow left her in the past, and now it's his job to save her.  

This is Beth Revis' first reach into Contemporary fiction. Following on from her heart-stopping Across the Universe trilogy, we know Revis can write characters that are easy to fall in love with, and tragedies that destroy our souls. Released July 19th.

Lumberjanes Vol. #3 - Graphic Novel

This New York Times Bestselling series continues with Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley as they take on everything that goes bump in the night. From scary stories to magical portals that lead to a land untouched by time, it's definitely not your average summer.

Sadly, very little information on the third installment of Lumberjanes has been released. However, if the last two volumes are anything to go by, we're certain this will be yet another hilarious page turner. This is also Noelle Stevenson's last publication in the Lumberjanes series - from which it will be continued on by Shannon Watters. Released April 5th. 

The Black Key by Amy Ewing - Dystopia

Truth is that it was only yesterday that the title for the 3rd installment in Amy Ewing's The Lone City trilogy was released. Currently, there's no synopsis. But if the last two books in this trilogy - The Jewel and The White Rose - are anything to go by, then we are beyond excited to see how Violet's story ends later this year. Released September/October.

All synopsis' and covers used are from Goodreads.com. We've partnered up with Goodreads for one lucky winner to win a pre-order of any one of these five books. The competition is open internationally and will close on January 20th 2016. All you have to do is email your full name, address, and which book you would like a pre-order for to rookie@synopticityproductions.com Good Luck.

You Asked, We Answered; Living with Anxiety

source of image

What is Anxiety?

Whilst everyone has worries from time to time, there is a distinct difference between those worries and an Anxiety Disorder. Anxiety sufferers find it much more difficult to control their worries and fears and these feelings can take over people's lives. Anxiety is an umbrella term for several disorders. These include; GAD or Generalised Anxiety Order, SAD or Social Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

How Do You Develop Anxiety?

How Anxiety is developed varies from person, as it can be triggered by anything. Because there is no definitive trigger, we asked three of our co-workers at Rookie who suffer from Anxiety about their experiences with the disorder.

Rookie Worker #1 - I was bullied a lot in high school and gradually found it more and more difficult to be around people who caused me pain. Overtime I withdrew into myself and somewhere along those lines, my Anxiety began. There was never a definitive point. I never woke up one morning with the disorder. It slowly developed from normal nerves and anxieties and built into something much worse.

Rookie Worker #2 - When I was 12 I was very ill. For about a month, I was isolated in my own room, unable to go out or go to school. Before this, I'd never had any issues. Then suddenly after recovering, I could no longer deal with people and the outside world. 

Rookie Worker #3 - I've always been an nervous person. As a child I worried far too much and was branded with the SHY label by teachers. Then as I got older the worrying just seemed to spiral out of control. By the time I was 17, I overthought everything, I constantly live in the What If universe. The fact is that because I was like this as a child and didn't really snap out of it, the progression into full Anxiety was natural.

What Does a Panic Attack Feel Like?

A panic attack feels like you're drowning, and whilst you're trying your best to get air, resurfacing and thinking rationally, you can't help but be pulled under by a stormy tide - or the growing anxieties. Sometime you might be sick or get too hot, other times people just cry a lot and feel unnaturally alarmed. After a panic attack has ended, you can feel exposed - like everything that you've bottled has just exploded and you are now left with the remains of that metaphorically scattered around you. It's truly horrible. 

What Does Anxiety Feel Like?

Again, Anxiety feels different from person to person, but the overwhelming feeling is paranoia. Everything seems magnified - sounds, smells, emotions. Amplification.  Basically, everything feels a lot worse than it probably is, but when your head is clouded by Anxiety, there's no way of seeing things as they are. Most people get nervous from time to time, but with an Anxiety disorder, this is a PERMANENT feature of your life. You can be happy and having a wonderful time - but that happiness will still be diluted by the overwhelming sense of concern and worry that fills your brain.

Is There Any Treatment or Help for Anxiety Sufferers?

Sadly there is no specific cure for Anxiety. It isn't something that just goes away but instead needs to be consistently worked on. Many sufferers take medication, or have therapy sessions such Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For more information and help, check out the NHS website HERE.