Halloween & IWSG

Happy Halloween!

I only say that because it’s currently Halloween and I’m still in the ghoulish spirit. I know you’re reading this tomorrow, November 1st, but you should hop in your DeLorean and come back a day because I have to mention Halloween for a second:

Clearly, I’m shit faced—but Yes! We were Sharon & Randy Marsh! You know, from South Park 😊. We didn’t go the extra mile and make the cartoon faces but I blame that on the fact that I was putting together an ENTIRE PIRATE HALLOWEEN PARTY and had to throw creative amazingness all over, so it’s okay that I skimmed on our costumes a little. But look at those awesome testicles! Still super proud of my handy-work, and I should be, because every lady went in for a feel at least once 😉 (if you’ve never seen the episode, Randy gives himself testicular cancer to get medicinal marijuana. The joke is that they were so large he was able to bounce them down the road.)

I was really planning on taking a ton of pictures during the ho-down but the extrovert in me was busy chatting it up so I didn’t. I snapped a few the next morning before I cleaned up:

I hope you had a good Halloween and that you got the good candy you like. I hope the kids don’t take all our candy and that Appa doesn’t lose his shit every time the doorbell rings (but that’s wishful thinking.)

Okay! Onto writing stuff 😊

October was another great month of writing the second part of my trilogy and I’m still jamming to the New-Found-Glory soundtrack that’s been inspiring me during this entire creative endeavor. At some point I know I have to Cowboy the Fuck up and get a few BETAs to read BTT. I’m REALLY excited about writing the rest of the story… but I guess I am very nervous about the first being read too, which is why I keep putting it off. Like, I know I’m going to go through it at least once more and make some changes (thanks to discovering things from book 2!) so it’s a good thing that I haven’t let anyone read it yet. But even when I feel *really* good about it, I still think I’ll be nervous. I know that’s normal… but I don’t want to let my fear keep the story—or me—from growing.

Enough of that and onto the optional November Question:

Win or not, do you usually finish your NANO project? Have any of them gone on to be published?

I… have never done NANO. Like, ever. It doesn’t appeal to me one bit, and I think it’s because I associate it with stress and don’t need stress ANYWHERE near my writing. I get why people do it. The challenge and holding yourself accountable and all that but I do that anyway. Like, every day. I don’t know… it feels like I would be doing the same thing but being harder on myself about it.

After a few years of consistent writing, I have my own schedule that allows me to get immense amounts of work done while not feeling guilty if I’ve missed a day or two. I think everyone has a system that works for them and if some people thrive on the time-challenge—that’s great. I’m just not one of those people.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group (IWSG) is a monthly blog hop for writers at all levels to share their fears and insecurities in a safe and encouraging place. Please drop by and say hi to Alex Cavanaugh who started this nifty concept in bringing us all together.

 

15 thoughts on “Halloween & IWSG

  1. Loni Townsend says:

    Your pirate party looks incredible! Great job!

    And best of luck with the writing! Typically I use NaNo as an excuse to hermit away without hurting feelings. My husband understands why I’m declining to do stuff and instead will go write, because I have a specific goal. I can’t handle the guilt to do that during the rest of the year, and will always fold to the demands of my family wanting attention rather than allowing myself joy and freedom of writing. At least in November, they have been forewarned.

    • cgcoppola says:

      Ahhhh. Never thought of it that way. I’m lucky because Batman is a Gamer and knows how much I love writing so it kind of works out that we both leave each other to our activities for long stretches of time. But I see how not having that luxury would make NANO so desirable.

  2. Diane Burton says:

    Sounds like you had a great time last night. NaNo isn’t for everyone. Like you, I don’t need more stress in my writing. Best wishes.

  3. Kathy says:

    OMG, those day after pic’s suggest an amazing party!! Good for you for knowing yourself enough to recognize that NaNo would do you more harm than good. Happy writing! May the muse scream at and pester you relentlessly. 🙂

  4. Joleene Naylor says:

    Looks like an awesome party!!

    I actually enjoy the stress a bit – I find it stimulating – but I’m not doing it this year. I’ve done it two years in a row and need a month of November to get real stuff done for a change, LOL!

  5. Far Away Eyes says:

    I guess saying your Halloween was ‘good’ would be quite the understatement. Looks like it was awesome. I’m with you on NANO. Too much stress, especially at as time of year when the stress is beginning to mount a major attack anyway.

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