7/30/2018 0 Comments Niche's: wHAT DO THEY REALLY MEAN?A niche- Interests that appeal to a small, specialized section of the population. Adj.
At least this is what the dictionary says it means. When I first started my blog, this word was getting thrown around too often. It was mainly to describe how you can ‘figure out your own niche’ and ‘how to find bloggers in your same niche’ until I eventually had to stop ask myself what it is that I wanted my blog to be about? I think as people who are so used to putting themselves out there on different mediums, it can be hard to stay relevant because we’re always competing, especially when you’re just starting out. Whether it’s with other bloggers or YouTubers (just as an example) who are on an entirely different scale, you’re trying to gain attention and show your readers that you have something to say. So, you try to fit yourself into this little box of ‘most popular genres’ and hope your blog lands on the next Top Ten Must Read list on Buzzfeed. But what happens when you realize you fit into more than one niche? We are complex beings. We have our likes and dislikes, things we’ll tolerate, things we’re passionate about, our jobs, our hobbies and all of these idiosyncrasies make us into the people we are, but I don’t think a title has to define us entirely as people and especially not as creators. I think it’s important to label yourself with the more dominant parts of your personality so that you and your readers can say who it is you represent on your blog, but you don’t have to limit yourself once you’ve created that platform and name. It’s okay to branch out and talk about things that challenge you as a writer just to show your readers that there is more to you than what meets the eye. As long as you stay true to yourself, you will find your audience and you can develop a genre that’s entirely your own all the while staying within your niche-whatever that means. They never said the definition couldn’t be swayed a little, so why not change it so that it means something to you? Besides, I’m always one for a good plot twist. Until Next Time! With love, Arianna
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Okay, so for those of you who follow me on Instagram, you know I just finished a new book. For those of you who don’t follow me on Instagram…follow me on Instagram, (link is down below) and I post pretty often. But I just finished a new book so, of course I had to write about it.
Let me just say this, Sarah Dessen had me reading books the way I used to: in one day and into the wee hours of the next morning. I’m writing this at 3:27 in the morning, and I couldn’t be happier. Sorry Rossena! (I promised her I’d get more sleep. Oh well.) For those of you who don’t know, Sarah Dessen is bestselling author of thirteen novels for teens who has sold more than seven million copies and has received rave reviews as well as numerous awards, and that’s just me reading the Author Bio. When in reality, Sarah Dessen writes compelling young adult fiction on love, life and loss. Each of her characters face a seemingly adult situation and deals with it in their own way through the mind of a growing teen. It’s so much deeper than your standard “commitment issues”, or “first love breakup woos”, as I like to call them, and I think the conflict she chose for this book hits right on the nose in relevance to today’s society. I can’t even explain the emotional connection I felt to the main character and her past lover. I also looved Ambrose, if nothing but just for his amazingly unique name. He was light hearted, he was quirky, and he was bold and honest in a way most people could really love (or hate) him for. I think he was refreshing for someone like Louna who was so used to routine but their relationship developed in a way I don’t think either of them really saw coming. There was an obvious connection between him and Louna but I liked that the book focused mainly on the personal growth for Louna rather than anything else. The climax was admittedly very lackluster, but I felt that it was fitting considering the way the rest of the story and Louna’s past unfolded. All of it was just…ugh. Gut wrenching. I don’t want give too much away (I hate and love spoilers, don’t you?) but, there’s so much more to this story than what meets the eye. I actually had to bring out the sticky tabs to mark down my favorite moments, which was everything! But I restrained myself, sort of. After being in a book slump for so long (high school is tough), it felt great to read like that again and it was the perfect book to get me back into the swing of things. So naturally, I bought another book. It’s Along For the Ride, also by Sarah Dessen and I bought it mainly for the quick reference that was made in Once And For All. For those die-hard Sarah Dessen fans out there, if you catch the refence, let me know! I was so excited to buy it, so I hope this one is just as good. So if you haven’t read Once And For All, do so. I don’t care what you do: buy it, borrow it, but it, then read it and return it (we’ve all done it.) But if and when you do, let me know! I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Tell me what you think of Ambrose, Louna, our huge plot unveiling… Reach put to me on my social medias or comment down below. I love to chat. Until Next Time! With love, Arianna 7/15/2018 0 Comments The butterfly effectThe Butterfly Effect is this theory that if a butterfly flaps its wings somewhere on the other side of the world, it could cause a tornado on its opposite side. Basically saying, small changes in one place can lead to a large difference and is tied to chaos. I think this is pretty relevant today.
As an active YouTube subscriber, I follow many people. I could spend hours watching YouTube videos, discovering new ways to do things or gaining my daily inspiration; but as much as it’s entertaining and sometimes helpful to watch these young women-albeit, older than me-I wonder how they can talk about their latest clothing haul and their dating life or travel around their city, vlogging with no reference or mention of the terrible things going on in our country today. Because, let’s be honest, terrible things are happening and I’m not sure enough people are talking about them. My friend just sent me a video on Instagram about a boy who looked no older than five, representing himself in an immigration court. He had no idea what the hell was going on, he didn’t even know what a lawyer was. Meanwhile, a grown man sat across from him accusing him of what, being a legal citizen? Or maybe trying to force him to deal with the repercussions they threw his parents in? The point is, he was a child, and no one took up for him. How can we really allow this to happen? How did it get so bad? It took me a long time to finally get the courage to post this. I want to speak out, but I also know that it can be scary to speak up in this world, for fear of getting thrown in jail or killed. America used to be the land of the free. It used to represent peace and prosperity; we have the freaking United Nations five blocks away from my school but how dare we harbor safe ground when we’re forcing parents away from their kids? Ripping families apart and then throwing them in a room like it was the families that did something wrong. Like they’re animals. Now, I don’t want to preach to you, but this is affecting me and the way that I think. I want to travel the world. I want to explore everything around me, but I’m scared of driving six hours too far South for fear of being pulled over by a cop and being the next African American shot on a viral video. I’m scared of going to school and having campus security arrest me for trespassing even after I showed him my student ID and the key to my room. I’m scared of having to stop at a gas station in another state just because if I get out, someone could say or do something against me and I’d have no voice. I’d automatically be in the wrong, or I’d be dead, and I’m scared. It’s sad, but it’s also my reality. I think what’s going on in the White House is what’s encouraging everything else going on in the country. It’s the Butterfly effect in full force. You go against one race and the country is retaliating against another in a way they haven’t been for so long. It’s not right, it’s not fair but…it’s what life is like and that’s what makes it even worse. How long will I have to live my life in fear? How long will I have to watch as my community gets torn down, stripped of their dignity, their lives? How long will I have to watch innocent people be controlled by the people who think they run this country ‘for the people’? America has allowed a parasite into its home and it’s slowly tearing us down. And when the butterfly flaps its wings, we all come crumbling down. Maybe that’s what my YouTube friends are there for. To create that positive light and hope when real life gets too dark. Maybe they’re our way out because they live in a bubble where they’re protected and they’re safe. But for me, I always have to be on guard. Until Next Time. Always with love, Arianna I know it's been awhile since you last saw the titles for these movies but consider this a review of those movies including a list of some upcoming blockbusters. I promise no spoilers so I hope you al enjoy. Let’s start with…
INCREDIBLES 2: Well my description is in the name, it was freaking incredible! I loved it! I laughed so hard and I really loved the family aspect, not to mention the switch in gender roles. Oh! And the villain was totally unexpected for me, although some of you may have guessed it. If you haven’t seen it already, you must, and those of you who haven’t even seen the first one, you’re seriously missing out. Incredibles 2 was well worth the wait, although, that short film in the beginning left me a little bit confused until the end. Lol. Comment down below if you know what I mean, BUT NO SPOILERS! SOLO: A Star Wars Movie If you haven’t already heard, Star Wars is putting a hold on the independent stories just because Solo did so bad. I was confused when I saw the advertisements for it since the last movie that had come out for Star Wars was so close in time. Admittedly I knew that it wasn’t going to do as good because 1. No one was really talking about it as it led up to the release date and 2. My dad wasn’t excited; and for those of you who know me, my dad is a huge Star Wars fan and even he left the movie saying “eh.” I didn’t fall asleep or anything and I personally liked the characters just because I favored the actors, but the movie was just eh. Sorry Star Wars, better luck next time. Red Sparrow: I went to see it with a good friend of mine and she honestly loved it. It was rated R so those of you who haven’t seen it yet and buy the DVD, don’t watch it with your parents. I personally love Jennifer Lawrence, but the entire concept of this movie was so bad. It was a book turned movie, one I’ve never heard of, but the overall concept was of a girl who has her ballet career ruined after a leg injury. Then her boyfriend cheats on her and she basically beats him to death and then enters a spy school that trains her to use sex as a weapon. It was very graphic in that sense and confusing and gross and I didn’t even like the end, but I watched it for Jennifer Lawrence so hopefully the next thing she makes is a little bit better. I don’t know how well it did in theaters but…eh. Not my kind of movie. Love, Simon: Another book turned movie and I must say, this was so much better. I have not read the book although based off the movie I know I must because I really liked it. It was a cute romance movie totally worth seeing, even if it’s on DVD. Some people cried, I did not, and we all knew who it was, so I was very satisfied with the ending. A Quiet Place: I was so disappointed! This was my first horror movie that I’ve ever wanted to see, and I went to see it in theaters and I was not happy. I was so excited when the trailers were out, I practically begged my dad to go take me and it was hardly scary. It was more so a thriller, and while I enjoy a good thriller I wasn’t too scared, and I’m scared of everything! I love the actors so that immediately drew me in, but everything was so predictable and then the dad at the end…I promised no spoilers but for those of you who saw, were you as frustrated as I was? Couldn’t there have been ANY OTHER WAY to end this movie? I think there was, but I ‘m not the writer of the script, unfortunately. I expected a lot more from the movie and as much as I enjoyed watching from the deaf perspective-I’m not sure how the deaf community reacted to this movie, but I heard it was good-there was nothing remotely horrific about it. So, if you want a mediocre thriller, this movie is for you. But hey, at least Stephan King liked it. Black Panther: Ugh! That movie was amazing! I know a lot of people thought it was going to be about the Black Panther Movement which it wasn’t so I’m sorry for the confusion, but they got everything right. The strong female characters, the prominent African culture, the predictable ending-albeit amazing turnout- it was just phenomenal and then for it to lead into their involvement in Infinity War…I was freaking out in my chair all the way to the end. Infinity War: I just had to save best for last. I. AM. STILL. FREAKING. OUT. Everything was just…and then Thor, and Spiderman, LOKI! FREAKING THANOS! I nearly passed out in my seat. I’m trying not to give away spoilers but I’m kind of worried about their next movie. They’re going to bring in a new character and I’m not sure how much *they’ll* be much help. Hopefully some of you have read the comics to understand what I mean but I’m still excited to see what happens next. They literally had Black Panther playing next to the theater Infinity Wars was playing. That entire week was crazy! Coming Soon! Ant-Man Jurassic World Ocean’s 8 Skyscraper Mission Impossible I was going to talk about these movies as well, but I plan to see them all, so I’ll just make another post about them. I’m so excited! The summer of 2018 has started out strong in the movie department; leading out with that epic Infinity War, holding up with The Incredibles and did you see the freaking cast for Mission Impossible? And an all female cast for Ocean’s 8? AHHH! I’m clearly a happy camper and probably won’t get much sun with the way these movies are constantly streaming but can you blame me? Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe. Until Next Time! With love, Arianna 7/1/2018 0 Comments My MILLENIAL Life CrisisI always thought I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I know what I’m good at, I know what I like; but recently I’ve been doubting myself and I’m wondering what it really is that I’m meant to do. Who am I really supposed to be? A question that’s been plaguing todays teen society, I’m sure, but I’ve always been the one to tell everyone else that we’re so young and we have time, so it feels almost wrong to suddenly be on the other side. Maybe that’s why I’m so reluctant to adhere to my own advice, but the truth is, I don’t know what I'm doing with my life just as much as anyone else does. I don’t know how much time we really have before we need to sit down and start making adult decisions. And not knowing is what worries me. I want to feel passion in the work that I do, everyday for the rest of my life and I want to love everything that comes as a product of that. But if I don't know what that passion is and where the work comes from, how can I achieve my ultimate goals of success?
This past week I was at a publishing and editing program at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania. It was one of the best weeks of my life. I’ve made amazing friends, created an amazing book and presented that book to a room full of people who probably had no idea what was going on, but it was a phenomenal experience. I listened to a woman talk about working for Marvel comics and how she felt moving onto a smaller, independent company was the better choice for her. I want to be able to know that the work that I’m doing now, is better for me in this moment, only so that it can prepare me for bigger things in the future. After thinking for so long that publishing and editing would be the job for me, I’m worried I will never be able to find what I’m looking for. I like to write, that’s why I went to the program, but I don’t read the same books as I used to. I don’t read as much as I did, and I don’t like the same genre as everyone else. So, as much as I would love to write a book or be featured in a magazine, I’ve told myself that I don’t like journalism. I don’t want to be famous or be on TV but, just as so many people don’t know what publishing really entails, maybe I’m judging too quickly before I even know what it is. I don’t want to be a news reporter or have to write for a magazine that doesn't allow me to express my independent voice, but I like having a blog, so what's the difference? I created Intuitive Minds after two years of creating fake blog articles and enjoying how things looked. Now I can’t even keep up with it because I feel like I’m no longer writing stuff that I like. My articles no longer have the sustenance that I need to keep me moving forward. So, if I can’t even keep myself interested, how will I ever be able to capture the attention of my readers? I’ve read other articles and blogs about how to get started, how to keep articles on stand-by as I move forward, but I’ve had photos promoting my newest clothing haul for months now, and I guess the truth is, I don’t really care to write about fashion as much as I enjoy wearing it. Maybe I'm better off writing this-an article I’m writing on Microsoft Word with no spell check and no preconceived thought on what I want to say. I’m just writing and that’s something I think I lost as soon as I started making my thoughts public. I know over the summer I’ll have a lot more time to write, so maybe I need to go back to what made me want to start this blog in the first place. Maybe recreate those fake articles and post them so that others can read them and enjoy them as much as I do. Maybe I should learn about what journalism really is and not be so close minded. Maybe…I should just take my own advice and enjoy the ride. Thank you guys, so much for reading and following me on this journey. Its going to be a bumpy ride but this summer is going to be fun. Don’t forget to like, subscribe and share. I’m going to be posting more frequently, so stay tuned for more. Until Next Time! With Love, Arianna |
AuthorI'm an 21 year old girl who lives in NY. I love to read and write and fashion is my life. Follow me to find out more! Archives
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