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...
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.
And offering even more Skull Artistry is Michell Kott, my creative cousin from Philly whose media is photography
9 comments:
I bet the festivities are so beautiful! We did make skull cookies this past weekend and decorated them, which was a lot of fun.
I've also had supernatural experiences. I would not invite it either. This is something I would stay far away from. Jesus is the only supernatural invitation I would make now.
That must be fun to be there and see the festivities in person.
At least you gave it a go! I'd forgotten about Day of the Dead. It must be wonderful to attend and see all the colours and imagery.
Thank you so much for the shout out, Karen!!!! xoxoxoxox
I accidentally posted as Unknown. lololol.
Don't we all apply enough pressure on ourselves to write without adding yet another layer? I have access to all kinds of people that will give me a deadline for something, even my wife has honey-do lists with deadlines.
Can absolutely appreciate the effect of another pressure stalling out the writing energy.
Thanks for sharing.
I had hoped to be in Mexico this Dia de Los Muertos, but it didn't work out. It's a celebration I can get behind. I appreciate the remembrance of those dead in such a positive way. I didn't know those were called Catrinas or that they were relatively new. Thanks for the info!
Like you, I'm a panster, and the only time I ever tried to participate in NaNoWriMo, I reaped the same results. I didn't even get as far as 30,000 words. I froze when I sat down to write. The worst writers block I've ever had in my life. As soon as I quit, I was able to get on with a novel I was already writing.
I used to teach an after school art program for 8-12 year olds at a community center, and I had special lessons for El Dia de los Muertos. They included Posada.
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