A decade of writing with you. Happy 10th Birthaversary MLW!

January 8, 2023January 8, 2023michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

Hi there! HAPPY NEW YEAR! I can’t believe it’s already 2023!!! I know it’s been a minute since I’ve posted! But I’m back to celebrate with you! I hope you are well, staying safe, and creating memorable moments with loved ones!

Take it back to 2013… 10 Years Ago!

It’s MLW’s (michelle leigh writes) 10th Birthday/Anniversary!!! Which I’ve decided to name Birthaversary. It’s crazy to think that 10 years ago, I decided to finally start sharing my writing. I have always been scared to admit that I was a writer. Now, I proudly include it as part of who I am. Even though I’m not posting all the time. Writing will never really leave me. And whether I ever make it my career, or make money from it, no matter what, I know I will always be a writer at heart. And a storyteller. And a believer of magic. I always come back to it in some way. It is my way of sorting things out. Overcoming things. Making sense of things. And healing. Well that and some damn good Therapy! It’s 2023 people. I’m telling you get on that therapy train. It’s worth it!

Happy 10th Birthaversary Michelle Leigh Writes!!!!

I will still be keeping this blog alive in order to share my writing when I feel to- mostly for the longer pieces. I already have so many Short Story Series on here for you to browse. Otherwise, I will be sharing most of my writing on my writer’s instagram more consistently. So please do follow! @michelleleighwritesvibes

As 2022 comes to a close I wanted to just review some of the creative projects I shared. I love to do this little reflection of my work from the past year. This way I can set intentions for the next year. MichelleLeighWrites is my blog baby. A safe place for the written word. Here are some of my writer vibes this past year. I hope you enjoy and continue to come along for the ride. I have some big ideas for this year. Stay Tuned, friends!

2022 Writing Highlights

1. MLW turned 9 Years Old!

2. Love Letter Thoughts Series on Instagram

3. Writing on the Walls Series on Instagram (based on words found on walls around me at work.)

4. Participated in #ESCAPRIL on Instagram (Shout out to @savbrown for her month of poem prompts every April)

5 & 6. Hope Writer Life Challenges

7. Stop & See… It’s the little things Series on Instagram– An expression of gratitude for the every day joys of life.

No matter how small.

8. Did some work on my most current Short Story Series here on MLW- Black Nightingale- New Chapters SOON!

9. Also…I kept up my journaling habit too. I am currently up to Journal #10! 10 is my lucky number it seems. 😉

10. June Prompts from Hope Writers.

I had joined this writing group and participated in a number their prompt lists. I even took a virtual workshop. However, I found my schedule wasn’t allowing me to utilize the subscription to best of my ability so I ended up cancelling it. However, I really enjoyed what I was able to take part in. They even sent me this cute subscription box. You know your girl loves a mug! Hopefully I can look more into what they offer, this coming year.

I also got more into sharing stories and reels on instagram. I have a seasonal shorts story for all my holiday/theme story fans.

I also had fun playing around with canva designs and creating instagram aesthetics.

Follow my insta for my real time writing updates!

I hope to bring you much more content this year full of magic, and love and all things in between. 😉

And always thank you for reading!

Another thing I tried to start up in 2022 was a virtual book club for feedback on my short story series- MOVE. I definitely want to try and continue with that this year. So if anyone is interested, DM me your email on instagram and I will add you to the email list!

Love & Light and everything Bright. Cheers to new writing adventures in 2023!

*All images are my own*

-<3-

2018 Highlights- Year in Review

January 2, 2019michelleleighwrites Leave a comment

This past year, I actually didn’t end up using a memory jar. It kind of became more of a flower vase and I forgot about it. But as usual, instagram and this blog were definitely helpful in my yearly reflection.

Here are my 2018 Highlights

(in no particular order)

Justin Timberlake released his new Album Man of the Woods and I bought tickets to see him in October. (However as you may know from my fangirl report the show was postponed due to bruised vocal chords. It was rescheduled for January 31st (his birthday) so let’s hope it sticks and I get to start my 2019 off with my fav babe!) He also released a summer single too- Soulmate. It’s fire!

MLW turned 5 years old! This blog has been with me through so many ups and downs. I have taken month(s) long hiatus’ and have gone MIA many times, and I’m sure it will happen this year too. But I always come back! And it means a lot to me to have this outlet. To have “a safe place for the written word.” We also got our own domain this year-michelleleighwrites.com

I took up Jewelry Making in order to teach a class at work and I realized I do really enjoy it. For some one who loves accessories and loves jewelry, it’s cool to have pieces that I created myself. When people say that’s so pretty, I can say “Thanks, I made it!” I’m hoping this year to get my own Jewelry supplies and make a hobby out of it!

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We started many new family traditions, now that we have a 6th person at our usual table of five. My baby niece turned one and she’s learning so many new things, it’s so amazing and so exciting to watch her grow. Holidays are sweeter now that she’s here and we were able to celebrate many of her first holidays this year too. And as usual so many other special family moments with our extended family of aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. I also got to take my mom to see Summer (the donna summer’s musical) and help out with a mother’s day photoshoot for my sister in law, my brother is a photographer and he wanted me to shoot some behind the scenes footage for him, so that he could make a montage video.)

Jack & Elizabeth’s Wedding on When Calls The Heart. This show is so magical. (Except SPOILER ALERT the actor playing Jack decided to leave and so they had to kill off his character just shortly after the characters got married. So Elizabeth was left a pregnant window. It still breaks my heart so much. But I’ve been watching reruns on Netflix of earlier seasons of their courtship and I can’t help but love this show. It is so full of strength and hope and grace. And these women are fierce as they come.) Despite the heartache, the wedding was absolutely beautiful and when it comes to TV viewing parties and themes, I can be pretty “extra.” I learned to sew in order to make my own custom WCTH tee and had a cup of tea and some pie in honor of the special occasion. I still don’t have the Hallmark channel so I totally bugged my brother and watched at his house. The show did the wedding right, they even had a invitation that you can rsvp to, pick your meal choice and request a song. Hallmark still has a full wedding album up too. Such beautiful pictures, Elizabeth looked gorgeous and their vows were breathtaking.

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^In other tv related news (because you know me, I’m a TV fan girl) I fell in love with the show The Resident on FOX and the Netflix film- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (it’s getting a sequel!)

I had a lot good times with friends (fell in love with a new tea spot, tried hot pot for the first time, had a few brunch meals, tried frose, and braved karaoke, etc)-work friends, high school friends, old friends, new friends! Caught up with some middle school friends I haven’t seen in a while. We actually were able to get in two visits this year, so we are doing really well, considering we are all always so busy- one is a mom and one is always traveling, so I’m so happy we made it work! My best friend got married and I was one of her maid of honors, so we got to do all the things-the shower, the bachelorette party (which was epic thanks to me and my co maid of honor), the rehearsal, and the wedding. It was all magical! And they are a beautiful couple.

*NSYNC got their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, on “It’s Gonna Be May” Day (April 30th) and it was broadcasted live for all to watch. I totally did, and I may or may not have bought a few *NSYNC merch tees, they are being sold in stores like target, and spencer’s/hot topic, but also on *NSYNC’s official site! The guys were also on Ellen!

So I was kind of in fangirl heaven!

I hosted a 90’s theme Girls Night In for my best friend, as our own little bestie send off before her wedding. It was A BLAST. I love nostalgia and I LOVE the 90’s. Butterfly clips, chokers, and blue eyeshadow, OH MY! 😉

My family participated in our first Alzheimer’s walk in honor of my Grandma who passed away in February of 2017. We all had t-shirts and it was a beautiful day, honoring someone we all really miss and love. We raised well over what our goal was! Thanks to my Aunt and Uncle who organized it all, and to all who donated. Our hearts are full!

I did BLOGTOBER– blogged the entire month of October! My fall was so full of all the Halloween, Pumpkin things!

I participated in my first ever #NaNoWriMo– National Novel Writing Month (November) October and November were very busy for me, it made me really proud to be able to write so consistently and meet my goals.

I continued writing my short story series- Move that I started at the end of 2017, but still have to continue and finish it this year. I also started another short story series that has yet to be finished and posted- tentatively called Crazy Stalker Love. (STAY TUNED! for all of the stories to come!)

Crazy Stalker Love Sneak Peek-

I had a list of over 60 great memories for this past year, so I guess it was a really good one. So I can’t complain. But in the interest of time, I chose a few. Thanks for the memories 2018, I am very blessed. I look forward to all the magic ahead in 2019.

Happy New Year friends!

May all your hopes and dreams come true!

Stay Tuned for much more content this year.

So many stories to tell!

-<3-

Cheers to 5 Years! Happy Birth-a-versary!

January 8, 2018January 7, 2018michelleleighwrites 1 Comment

I baked some red velvet cupcakes just to celebrate a bit!

Let’s take a look back…

5 YEARS AGO I posted my first blog post here on michelle leigh writes…

Hey there…and welcome ❤
January 8, 2013

I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Michelle and I’m going to be writing for you. Writing is something that I’ve always enjoyed. It’s difficult to put one’s writing out into the world and have others read and speculate and generally speaking, critique your inner most thoughts. I’m very modest about my writing and often get nervous to share it with others, but this year I’ve promised myself that I would start changing that. I know, I know, once the new year strikes often many of us make promises we know we can’t keep…or won’t keep. But starting a blog has always been on my radar and I’ve always made excuses not to do it, but not this year. This year it’s happening. So if this blog speaks to you please read along, if not no hard feelings. But all I ask is to let this be a safe place for the written word. I’m not claiming to be an award winning writer, I’m just a girl with a lot of heart, who has A LOT of thoughts like I’m sure many of you do. Thoughts that may serve better being read then being cooped up in a journal. Who knows maybe you’ll find that someone else understands you. Here’s to writing! and Happy Reading Folks! -xoxo Michelle Leigh

To say that as I’m reading these words today, and I still feel a strong connection to their meaning is amazing. For the most part, I’ve overcome the fear of posting my work for strangers. Not that the fear is no longer there, I still find it difficult at times, but I continue to do it anyway. Sometimes I still worry what others who know me may think if they read my blog. If a family member or friend reads it, what will they think of me? Like- oh SHE wrote THIS? I know people may think of me a certain way and then they may read a “scandalous” scene in one of my short stories and think wait what? Ew. Lol. But I can only be true to my writer’s heart and to the characters I create in my stories. At the root my stories are all about love, friendship, family. Things that make life worth living.

Below are all the celebratory birthday/anniversary posts over the past 4 years…

“Secret” Society, “Resolutions”, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! + (My 1st VLOG)

Happy Birthday or Happy Anniversary?

Dear 2016, + Happy 3rd Anniversary!

Happy 4th!!!!!!!

In 5 years, I’ve managed to form a post schedule, share poetry, short stories, fangirl experiences, music and movie reviews, fashion, lifestyle, female empowerment, party planning tips and Writing experience/tips, with you. I’ve given you my heart for 5 years and it has been such an important part of my life. And I’m really glad that my motto, “A safe place for the written word,” still holds true for me. Because this blog has really been my writer’s outlet.

We’ve gotten to explore different writing styles, I’ve posted vlogs/videos, and I even have social media accounts for this blog now too. Come and follow along, talk to me! 😀

Social Media Links:

Twitter

Facebook Page

Instagram

It’s crazy to me that it’s been 5 years!

I’m excited for the future. For the new characters you’ll meet and the new poems that will come together and if you are reading this or have read any of my blog posts, I thank you for your support. I know that I may not have thousands of readers, or comments, but that doesn’t matter to me. What matters to me is that for those who do read along, or manage to stumble upon my blog, that they take something from it. That they find something in it that they can relate to. I hope you continue reading! And I hope to continue to grow this blog with all my heart.

Happy Birthday/Happy Anniversary or (Happy Birthaversary) if you will,

michelle leigh writes!

(I still don’t know what to call it!) 😉

Again THANK YOU, thank you!

See you Thursday- with an *ALL NEW* Chapter of Move!

MOVE poster

-<3-