Halloween, NaNo, and sundry stuff.
Oct 26, 2010 
I keep getting people asking if I’m planning to do NaNo. I’ve never done it in the past, just because something weird in my brain rebels against the idea of the impetus to write coming from outside myself. I totally love NaNo time, and get behind all my friends who do it, cheer them on, am happy when they get really into it–but I’ve never felt the desire to join in the fun for some reason. Anyway, this year I’ve come REALLY close to doing it, just because my housemate Amie is doing it, as well as the few writerfriends I’ve met in the Melbourne area, and a bunch of my friends back in the U.S. too. It even comes at a convenient time–I’ll be querying by then, and working on my next novel. But it JUST hit me why I can’t do it: I’m traveling and having family coming to visit starting November 1st and not leaving until November 20-something. Duh. (Yes, I only just made this connection now, okay, I’m dumb). So, to answer everyone: Alas, no, I’m not doing NaNo this year.
Updates! I’m still tweaking THE IRON WOOD, mostly because I appear to be incapable of letting it go. I’m waiting to hear back on a critique, while going over some line edits and suggestions from some friends who’ve been awesome enough to read it for me. I’m hoping to be ready to send it out in a couple of weeks though.
I’m also really close to having a brand spanking new website, which is SUPER exciting. It’s totally gorgeous, which I can say, because I didn’t design it at all. My friend did. If I’d done it the site would be basically my name in Comic Sans in rainbow colors against a bright green background. (Okay, yeah, I’m exaggerating, but in no way can I compare to the awesomeness that my friend came up with. You’ll see. YOU’LL ALL SEE.)
I talk a lot about the awesome things about living here in Australia for a year, especially the stuff that just doesn’t happen where I live in the U.S. Like caramel slice and Tim Tams, and being able to walk to the beach every day. But I don’t talk much about the bad things. Mostly because there aren’t many! But autumn has rolled in up northern hemisphere way, which always makes me a little sad when I’m in Australia–because fall’s my favorite season. And you just don’t get it here. Not REAL fall. For one thing, the trees are eucalyptus trees and, but for the few deciduous trees in landscaping, you don’t get changing foliage. You don’t get that crisp smell, the stinging promise of snow in the air, the scent of woodsmoke from the chimneys. You don’t see pumpkins on every doorstep, or those tacky inflatable ghost decorations, or giant retarded-looking turkeys painted on storefront windows.
Halloween is also my all-time favorite holiday and has been since I was a kid, and they just don’t get into it here! As far as I can tell most kids don’t do much trick or treating, adults don’t decorate their houses or have big Halloween bashes. I think it happens sometimes (and Aussies, correct me if I’m wrong) but it’s just not the big deal it is in the States. As a complete Halloween fanatic, this (to put it lightly) makes me sad!
My big Halloween plan is to watch a movie and eat candy until I feel sick. Possibly while wearing a witch hat that my mom mailed to me all the way from the U.S. (that is love, folks). So since my plans are not exactly thrilling (except for the part about the hat, it is pretty much awesome) I want to hear about what you guys are doing for Halloween. Anything awesome? Let me live vicariously!
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I am working. Because I’m an awesome employee and don’t request most holidays off (and also because everyone beat me to it, lol!). But there is a lame paper skeleton hanging on my door, a little haunted house, a plastic skull, a giant spider etc. hanging out to spook people. But I live in an apartment, and only like 2 kids came to my door last year… Houses are just better for trick-or-treating i guess. I was left with SO much candy last year. X.x
Aww, I know how you feel about the working holidays thing. I was that person too. And this year I’m actually working specifically over the holidays to make some pocket money. Goodbye, Christmas! 😛
Hey, there are worse things than having candy leftover… I may just have to prepare for all the trick-or-treaters who aren’t coming to my house by buying a bunch of Halloween candy too!
I’ve never done NaNo — my brain rebels at the idea too, although I can’t quite figure out why. Maybe the idea of “have this much done by this time” feels too much like school? 🙂
Either way, I’ll be spending November tackling REVISIONS for my novel! Hurrah!
Oh man, I’m so glad I’m not the only one! Whenever I try to explain why I’ve never done NaNo it always comes out really weird. I totally understand the school thing. I was terrible at doing homework–did NOT like being told what to do. Even though often I enjoyed whatever the assignment was.
Yay revisions! I sooooo feel your pain. I’m STILL in revisions for mine… mostly waiting for a critique though, so not my fault. Um. Really.
Congrats again on finishing that first draft! 😀
Oh yeah, waiting for critiques is really tough. Waiting for ANYTHING is really tough. I hate waiting. 🙂 But good on you for being so diligent about revisions. Seriously, I can’t even tell you how many authors get through the first draft and are like “DONE! Time for submission!” Ugh.
And thanks! I’m super duper proud of finishing this quickly — now I just have to, you know, make it GOOD. 🙂
Oooo, I would miss autumn. But Tim Tams! My mouth is watering.
I’ll be back in time to take the wee ones trick-or-treating, but no big Halloween plans because I’m going to World Fantasy Con that weekend. My first con! Eeee!
Aww, I wish I could borrow someone’s kids to take them trick-or-treating. That would be the best.
(OMG love your icon <3 <3 <3)
Your first con?! OMG, I’m so excited for you! I hope you’ll talk about it when you get back. I wish I could goooo! Have fun! 😀
World Fantasy Con, want!
I will help you wait for kids, and ultimately, if not enough show, I will take a hit with you and eat the candy. We could probably attract a few extra with some house decorations, if you feel motivated!
Woo! We’ll have to find a good movie to watch. You know, something Halloween-y, but not actually scary, on account of us being wimps.
Hi! I am a not-so-new follower who is finally commenting 🙂
I lived in Melbourne this time last year (I was there for work for 4 months) so I totally get how you are feeling! I prepped myself for what a hot Christmas and New Years Eve would be like, but I forgot to prep myself for what a lack of Halloween and Thanksgiving would feel like. I spent Halloween at St. Kilda beach, with my coffee (amazing coffee in Melbourne, eh?!) and a good book, and I remember updating my facebook status to reflect that. All my friends at home were soooo jealous, but then I read all their statuses the next morning as they started dressing up or returning from parties (depending on the time difference), and I was like, awww!
Anyways, I hope you ended up having a great time, and have fun with the traveling/ family visits too!
~Laura
Oooh yay, so happy to hear from you then!
Oof, YES. Finally, someone who understands! I can’t imagine not having grown up with Halloween every year, but aaaalmost everyone I’ve met here seems relatively well-adjusted despite that failing in their upbringings. 😉
So awesome that you were in the Melbourne area just last year! Whereabouts did you live? Note: I will have no idea what you’re talking about unless the answer is one of the few places I’m familiar with. 😉
Yes, I miss Melbourne! I lived in St. Kilda, on Grey St. (Of course, I thought to check Wikipedia AFTER I signed my lease, and imagine my face when I realized that Grey St. is the prostitution center of Melbourne haha. I loved being so close to the beach though, and my favourite bookstore, Readings!). I worked in Carlton, on Drummond Street!
Aw, you worked right by where I went to Uni back in the day.
My doctor used to be on Grey Street. So I’d be really sick and dressed in whatever I found on the floor when I crawled out of bed, and I’d park the car and go stand on the corner waiting to cross the street to get to the doctor. AND CARS WOULD SLOW DOWN. For me in my pyjama pants and a hoodie. Oy. You actually had to shake your head before they drove away. Really cool area though, in many ways!
That is kinda hilarious! I know the St. Kilda area vaguely, it’s not far from where I live now. (With Amie, no less.)
Such a small world! One year’s difference and we would’ve been here at the same time. 😛
Oh, Halloween is totally my favorite holiday too! I just love the atmosphere of it. Spooky and fun! Can’t beat that.
You know, I signed up for NaNo but I’m already having my doubts if I can do it–and it has only been a day! Haha.
Yay fellow Halloween fan! I agree, the Halloween atmosphere gets me every time.
I’m thinking about doing NaNoReaMo–though I guess I’d have to get my act in gear and figure out what it entails, given that November’s started now… sigh.
Still, vacation=break from killing myself about TIW, which is very much needed right now!
I loved your comment on Amie’s blog, so I thought I’d stop by. What a fun experience to be in Australia. I never thought about them not having a fall like we have. I’d miss that greatly. It’s my favorite season, too.
I’m not doing NaNo either. For me it’s more a function of I don’t like writing that way. I’m doing a nanoclemo. Cleaning for a month instead with some other rebellious writer friends.
Awesome, so glad you stopped by!
Yeah, it is a really great experience. At the same time though, you end up realizing all this stuff you miss about home that you never would’ve thought of before. Which is kinda good, you know? Otherwise you might never learn the things you secretly appreciate.
Wow, I kinda love that. NaNoCleMo. I know my house could really use that right now… I’m thinking about making it NaNoReaMo and reading a ton of books. I haven’t been reading as much lately as I’d like, what with all the writing.