Advice And Other Ramblings

Ok, so Blogger is promoting National Novel Writing Month. This happens every year. You're supposed to attempt to write a novel in a month, or, more specifically, approximately 30,000 words in 30 days. I've attempted the 7 in 7 before (7 short stories in 7 days) and actually didn't do too bad. But I've never attempted this. It seems too daunting, and my schedule has never allowed time to write every day.

So, could I write 30,000 words in a month? I highly doubt it, especially right now. But here's what I need the advice on. How about writing a novella...no time limit here...on a blog. I'd set up a different blog just for the novella. I'd write as little or as much as I could. Sometimes every day, sometimes not for a week. No set schedule, just an idea that I work on when I'm inspired to do so. But I'd be doing it "live" so to speak. You guys will watch the story develop. Once the rough draft is done, I'd revamp it in private, and then, once published (assuming that someone wants to publish it) you'll se the differences between what it started like and how it ended up.

What do you all think of that idea? Although I won't be allowing comments on the novella blog, I'd set up a yahoo email address that anyone can use to give me their thoughts on what's been written so far. Questions, comments, suggestions...everything can go there. I'll set up a newsletter through yahoo where I can address some of the emails I get and talk about how the process is going, since the novella blog will only contain the novella.

So, is this a stupid idea? Would anyone read this? Would anyone participate? Should I care? Should I just go ahead and do it to get my butt back into writing? Thoughts, ideas, whatever...comment away. Or, if you prefer to tell me in private, shoot an email over to horrorwriterchick@yahoo.com.

Ok, done with the advice part...moving on...

This coming Sunday is the holiest of holy days for me. It will be spent with husband and kiddos, trick-or-treating and visiting various family and firends. We'll carve pumpkins, tell ghost stories, and eat way too much candy.

I can hear it now, my co-worker Joe chuckling at me. He's one of those "Christmas" people. Every time I talk about Halloween being the best holiday, he has to chime in about Christmas. hehe Honestly, Christmas is nice and all, but when you've worked half your life in retail, you start to hate Christmas. Hell, even at the bank we're playing Christmas carols already! That just makes my skin crawl! I mean, it's not even Thanksgiving yet...Hell, it's not even Halloween yet! Sure, just gloss on over MY holiday and bring on Rudolf the Red Friggin Nosed Reindeer! Sigh.

Don't start calling me Scrooge just yet. There are a couple of things I like about Christmas. I love the look on my daughter's face when she sees all the presents under the tree. I love getting presents, because I'm greedy and spoiled. :) I also love giving presents, especially when I know the receiver is going to love them. And I do like spending time with my family, and most of all, not having to work. So yeah, nice holiday. However, the following is a list of what I loathe about Christmas...

Crowds - Crowds at the mall, crowds at various stores I frequent, crowds on the roads. People are EVERYWHERE during the holiday season. And no, most are not filled with peace and good will towards men. Most are harping about wanting a discount or arguing that they want to return an item without a receipt or screaming that they were next in line, or screaming because they cut in line. Most are obnoxious, and I say this from experience. I've worked the stores and I've shopped the stores during this season of so-called joy, and people behave like savages!

Christmas music - These drippy, bubbly, cheery, bouncy little tunes that everyone just HAS to love! I mean, how can you listen to "Jingle Bells" and not smile? EASILY! I've heard every friggin carol at least 100,000,000,000 times and I'm sick of ALL of them! Hello! If I can't get into that sugary pop crap on the radio, you expect me to kick up my heels and dance to "Oh Tannenbaum?"

Finances - Christmas is the time of year where I have to come up with money I never have to buy a million people gifts because they always buy for me and my family. I said it already, I do enjoy giving people I care about gifts, but spending money on them is another thing altogether. I always feel like my gifts are inadequate because I can never afford to buy things as nice as what I get. And both pre and post season months aer harder than ever to make ends meet. Bills get behind, I'm up to my ass in credit card debt, and my dad is screaming at me about needing more money. Not good times.

Shopping - This one ties in with both crowds and finances. But also, finding the right item for some people is downright impossible! I spend time I don't have looking for something for the person who has everything and spend money I don't have to purchase something half-assed because I can't stand being at the mall with the savages for one more minute!

My mood - People say that more people kill themselves during the holiday season than at any other time of year. Gee...I wonder why. Being a mental case myself, I can understand why. The stress of the season, loneliness, pain...everything is amplified. If you've lost a loved one, been dumped, can't find a job, can't find a partner, whatever. The hurt you would normally feel takes on a life of its own and spins out of control. Everything looks bleak. For me personally, my lows get lower. It's not an easy time to get through.

Ok, so I'm ending this rant on a more depressive note, and for that I am sorry. But at least you all know why when everyone else is dressed up in Santa suits singing "Frosty the Snowman" I'll be sitting in the corner with a beer and a cigarette saying, "Bah Humbug."

Till next time...