NOVEMBER TIDINGS

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop for the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. It happens the first Wednesday of every month where a question is offered that you can answer on your blog. The question is optional, but you’re invited to visit other’s blogs and leave a comment. 

Purpose: The Insecure Writer Support Group is for writers of all genres no matter what part of the writing journey you’re on. It’s a safe place where you can share your insecurities, struggles, your triumphs, or offer a word of encouragement for other writers.  This group is all about connecting with other writers. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!   

The awesome co-hosts for the November 2 posting of the IWSG are Diedre Knight, Douglas Thomas Greening, Nick Wilford, and Diane Burton!

November 2's optional question- November is National Novel Writing Month. Have you ever participated? If not, why not?

Several years ago, I participated in NaNoWriMo...

And wrote 30,000 words... 

And for the record...

I’m a pantser, meaning I let my creativity flow on the go...

So, NaNo shouldn’t have been so daunting...

But the pressure each day to perform... 

Felt as uncomfortable as not wearing any pants at all. 

So no, no NaNo for me this year.

Next up— Día de Los Muertos... 

(Not the same as Halloween)

Day of the Dead is  traditionally celebrated...

November 1st and 2nd...

But the fiestas can start a day before... 

And often they’re in the streets with parades.

When I first moved to Mexico I was told the tradition...

Of Día de Los Muertos was families sitting in a cemetery... 

With food, drinks, & gifts for a loved loved one if they were to show up. 

It seemed creepy... 

But only because I've had several supernatural occurrences...

And I will never tempt any more “visitations.”

(I do believe in ghosts, I do, I do, I do)

I’ve since learned that not all Mexicans... 

Celebrate by sitting in cemeteries...

Rather, they'll make a small altar in their home...

              

Honoring the deceased with photos,candles, 

marigolds, food & drink...

And sometimes Sugar Skulls..

Large ones are for decoration...

And the smaller candy ones are to be eaten.

And of course Pan de Muertos is found everywhere.

And if you can’t tell, the top is the image of a spider.  

 And take a look around...there are Catrinas everywhere.

The first ever Catrina made her appearance as a newspaper illustration in 1913 by Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe Posada. It was a critique of Mexican women back then who used make-up and fashion to assimilate to European standards of beauty.

But dressing in costume like a Catrina is a recent occurrence, say in the last twelve or so years..

When COCO—the musical film about Dia de Los Muertos—came out...

I loved it, and it gave me a better understanding... 

Of Mexico's Dia de Los Muertos...

And I’m more respectful of this tradition now.

But getting back to Catrinas...

Kelly Bandalos, a great artist friend of mine from L.I , NY has collection of pastel Catrinas...plus a whole lot more.

Do check her out at:  https://www.kellybandalos.com

And offering even more Skull Artistry is Michell Kott,  my creative cousin from Philly whose media is photography

    

And here's her website: https://www.michellekott.net  Check it out for all her fabulous photos.

So? 

Doing NaNoWriMo?

Or ever been to a Dia de Los Muertos fiesta?

Or seen a ghost? 

Always,

Em-Musing

GOOD, GOOD VIBRATIONS

                                                                            

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh

If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers please join us the first Wednesday of every month where a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members answer in their blog post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. Answering the question is optional, but why not  visit some blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated. Let’s rock the neurotic writing world! 

The awesome co-hosts for the October 5 posting of the IWSG are Tonja Drecker, Victoria Marie Lees, Mary Aalgaard, and Sandra Cox!

This month's question: What do you consider the best characteristics of your favorite genre? Remember, the question is optional!

The best characteristic of my favorite genre?

Laughter!

After all I'm writing Humorous Women's Fiction...

So, I better make some readers smile.

Back in  ‘66...

When Flower Power and hippies came onto the scene...

The Beach Boys put out the single “Good Vibrations”

Though not my favorite band or song...

(I preferred the Beatles and Bob Dylan) 

The concept of Good Vibrations stuck with me.

Fast forward to about ten years ago

When I became fascinated with the healing power of vibrations. 

According to Albert Einstein– “Everything in Life is Vibration.” 

  

And laughter is one of the highest vibrations

I’ve learned there are many levels of vibrations...

And all affect our body and mind. 

According to several scientific studies —Laughter produces a series of electrical impulses that eliminate negative energy from our brain. 

Call me kookie...

I make a concerted effort to laugh every day. 

 

And why not?

Besides laughter being healing... 

It feels good...

There are no bad side effects... 

Unless you laugh so hard you get stitches...

And it’s free!

Therefore...

I conclude Humorous Women’s Fiction is a healthy genre.

So?

Do you love to laugh?

What makes you laugh the most?

And what’s your favorite genre’s best characteristic?

 

Always,

Em-Musing

 

MURDER GO NOT SO LIGHTLY

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers please join us. The first Wednesday of every month, a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members can answer in their blog post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. Answering the question is optional. Please consider visiting some blogs and leaving a comment. Your words are appreciated. Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  

 The awesome co-hosts for the September 7 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Olga Godim, Michelle Wallace, and Louise - Fundy Blue!

This month's question:  What genre would be the worst one for you to tackle and why? 

For shootin’ sure

The worst genre for me to tackle would be True Crime 

I can write and read about blood, gore, and torture in a novel

Because it’s fiction. 

But I couldn’t write a book based on real horrific circumstances

I wouldn’t want that horror in my psyche.

Back when I read Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood  

I was creepily fascinated until I learned it was based on the real murders of the Clutter family in 1959.

It was called a “nonfiction novel”

And some still pose the question:

Is In Cold Blood a creative work? A novel? Or journalism? 

I also learned that Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird helped Truman wih the research of In Cold Blood. Both grew up in Monroeville, Alabama and were best friends and remained close until              Truman's jealousy over Lee's  success caused them to go their separate ways. Didn't know that.

 

But what surprised me the most was learning that Truman Capote also wrote 

Breakfast at Tiffany's .

Oh, the dichotomy Truman!

Romantic comedy & Neo-noir.

But I guess that’s the fun of being a writer, isn’t it?

We’re not just storytellers

We create characters and build worlds

With the freedom to write

Whatever our fertile brains desire.

So?

Which genre wouldn’t you tackle?

 

Always,

Em-Musing

 

A PROMISE IS A PROMISE, IS A PROMISE

Hey! It’s the monthly blog hop/ known as the Insecure Writers Support Group founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. If you're a writer, insecure, or just supportive of writers please join us. The first Wednesday of every month, a question is offered on the IWSG blog that members can answer in their blog post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, or a personal experience. Answering the question if optional, but it would be kind of you to visit some blogs and leave a comment. Your words are appreciated.

          Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.  

          The awesome co-hosts for the August 3 posting of the IWSG are Tara Tyler, Lisa Buie Collard, Loni Townsend, and Lee Lowery!

August 3 question - When you set out to write a story, do you try to be more original or do you try to give readers what they want?

Remember, the question is optional!

My stories are always original... 

Yet I keep in mind what the reader wants.

I read onetime that a story is a promise...

And when a reader picks up a book, no matter the genre...

There’s an expectation that you, the author...

Will give the reader what's expected within that genre...

Because that's why they bought your book in the first place...

And the reason for them to keep reading it...

And not throw it out, or across the room.

Imagine going to a Minion movie... 

And expecting to see the villain,  Gru, the sympathetic villain

But instead, Chucky is there...

Slashing up Kevin, Stuart, and Bob!

Yeah, that would make me want to slash up the movie. 

There're many ways authors can be creative...

But disappointing a reader's expectation shouldn't be one them.

I say...

Give 'em what they want.

Thoughts?

Always,

Em-Musing 

OK…

I know I’m not stupid.

Scatter brained?

Unfocused?

Often…

But not stupid.

Then why can’t I figure out how to sign into Google…

To leave comments on other member’s blog who have this feature?

 

 

 

Believe me I've clicked, and clicked, and clicked...

I’ve also watched videos...

Read many articles…

And have been trying to leave comments...

For the past few months.

I feel bad…

I do read many member’s blogs…

And would love to comment…

But can’t.

Sorry. 

Em-Musing