Seasonal Fun and Reads

Fall temperatures are finally arriving in our area. Orange decorations, and pumpkin everything seems to be surrounding us. We usually stay busy all month long with many seasonal activities. For instance, in addition to the many Fall festivals, we just enjoyed a trip to the Texas Renaissance Festival.

If you prefer to stay home cuddled up with a good book instead of heading out to crowds celebrating seasonal festivals, try one of my suggestions from 10 Scary Reads to Terrify Your Inner Child.

I also recommend my short story "Lights Out" which can be found in Road Kill, Texas Horror Volume 4 from Hellbound Books Publishing: here.

If you're looking for something a little lighter, try my romantic Halloween short story (about 800 words): Madame Tooshkas Spell.

Interested in FREE scary books? Try one of these!

Need a few scary good costume ideas? Try one of these 10 Minute Literary Halloween Costumes and dress like your favorite characters.

How are you celebrating this season?

IWSG: Drawing a Line

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs. You can also join us on twitter using the hashtag #IWSG, or on the Facebook page.

Now, IWSG hosts have changed up the format in an effort to make it more fun and interactive. Every month, they will announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Don’t forget to visit others that day to see their answers. Want to join, or learn more? Visit our - Sign-up List.

OCTOBER QUESTION - In your writing, where do you draw the line, with either topics or language?

MY ANSWER - I suppose I draw the line at sex scenes. I'm not opposed to the publication of them, or even of reading them - some of my favorite authors, in a variety of genres, include them. However, I've never felt the need to write one. I have written pieces full of attraction and desire, but the actual act takes place of the page. I'm not sure that this has been an entirely conscious decision on my part, it's just worked out that way. The only time I remember it being a very deliberate omission is when an editor asked me to add one to a story I had submitted. I felt strongly that it wasn't needed. She refused to publish it if I didn't add it. That story is still sitting in my drawer, and computer.

How about you? Where do you draw the line in your writing? How about your reading?

October Pledge

Confession and accountability time. Since the pandemic began nearly two years ago, my writing has declined greatly.

I'm hoping to jump start my creativity this month as I'm teeming with new ideas, and motivated to try new projects. To celebrate my newly rediscovered zest for the craft, and in an effort to keep the momentum going, I'm committing to the Author Publish pledge. "I pledge to write at least one page every day in October."

If this works out for me, I may increase this each month going forward. One thing at a time.

So, anyone want to join me and take the pledge? Have you ever found yourself in a slump, or overwhelmed with ideas? If so, you might enjoy reading about 20 Things Only Highly Creative People Would Understand.