Because you wanted to know what I'm doing... Right?

The next two days are going to be HUGE in my little life... Number one: Tomorrow...

HALLOWEEN!!!!   

As most of you know, I love it. I live and breathe the spooktacular essence that surrounds the holiday. One's imagination can set sail, kids have the excuse to run around in the crisp weather gorging themselves on the things we do not allow them to have the rest of the year, not dusting your porch's cobwebs is perfectly acceptable (why buy them, when your friendly 8-legged friends give them to you for free??), and gloomy yet oddly romantic tales fill the airwaves. I. LOVE. IT!

However, this year, November 1st is actually the day where three large events could impact my life in a significant way; Interesting things will (hopefully) begin to happen for my writing career. What are they? I'm glad you asked!

#1- Tara Lazar's challenge of creating 30 Picture Book ideas in 30 days begins (aka PiBoIdMo!). I have accepted the challenge, and will prove to myself that I can be creative within a time crunch! If you see me on December 1st and my hair is a wiry mess, I have black mascara smudged half way down my cheek, and you can quite literally SEE my breath, just plug your nose and give me a pat on the back... Muttering something like, "Job well done." wouldn't hurt either!

#2- I have entered one of my picture book manuscripts into an online contest for MeeGenius' Author Challenge 2011, and the deadline to enter is November 1st. After that, all (ALL?) my friends and family will get the chance to vote on it... Yadda yadda yadda, I could be a published author of an E-Reader picture book!

     

#3- I will be submitting one of my beloved stories to an agent; and not just any agent, you see. She's THE agent I'm dying to have represent me. I'm nervous, too, because this time I think she's sort of heard about me. HOWEVER, that's all that will be said on the subject!

So, all in all, please pray for me or send me your good thoughts and wishes. It's amazing where your dreams can lead you... Especially if you have a Father who you trust to guide you.

I'll be around! I'll keep everyone posted if I have a brain cell to spare. Between these events, my crazy kiddos, my hard-working hubby, and remembering to brush my teeth, odds are I'll be one blubbering fool during the Thanksgiving festivities.

For now, Happy Halloween!!!!!

The Defeat Monster

He's slimy, he's frustrating, and he's heavy. He lurks around every ambition, every test, every goal...

Waiting.

He watches your eyes for that small flinch of doubt, that sigh, that head-in-hands moment, and he attacks. Without mercy or consideration for how hard he is going to break your heart, he rips your self-esteem piece by piece, and stomps on it with his large, muddy, lead boot. His laughter echos down deep into your bones. Getting up, moving on, pushing through... No way. You're not only paralyzed with fear, but you're defeated. You watch your beautiful dream sail away into the sunset of your would-be future.

He doesn't care. His quota was met for the day, and he goes home happy with the pain he's caused. He hangs up his hat, and warms his hands on the warm fire inside his murky, foreboding fortress. He enjoys a good meal and a hearty pint of his favorite brew. He laughs, he cheers, and he boasts about his day to his colleagues. They snicker and applaud him in his victories. He goes to bed content. He even falls asleep with a contemptuous smile. His day was... Triumphant.

You, on the other hand, did not sleep. You tossed, you turned, you cried, you got angry. You blamed, you shook your fist, you reassured yourself it wasn't meant to be.

But, there's a problem.

You're lying.

That ambition, that dream, that perseverance, that drive you possess? That was a gift. You are already equipped with the armor and sword to fight against that monster. You've simply forgotten where you put it. Your goal WILL be met. You breathe deeply when you see the sun make it's way through the darkness of night. Your confidence, your vitality, your belief? It's returned. And now, you know how to fight.

Shocked to see you standing again, he watches you. He studies your face, and is thrown when you smile. He shrieks when you find your passion, and piece back together your self-esteem. He scowls at your happiness. He scampers away in disgust when he realizes he's not got a chance.

He won't win today. Today you will win. And, you will thrive. You will succeed, you will accomplish, and you will triumph. Enjoy today...

He'll be back tomorrow... Waiting for your eyes to flinch.