in my neverending search for inspiring images and writing prompts, i stumbled across this list of top ten worldwide ghost towns. some truly weird scenes, and some haunting (perhaps haunted) places. the town overtaken by sand? wow. buildings held captive by a motionless sea.

http://www.oddee.com/item_96462.aspx
 

i've been squeaking by with a pt minimum-wage job since july, and am also taking a couple of classes at the community college. i'm taking student loans to cover costs, but money's been really tight. also, no health benefits offered at my workplace, so thppt. so, i applied for another job at a chain bookstore (not the one i was employed with for so many years--the other one), and found out yesterday that i got the job! whee!!
here's the bad news: i'm classified as seasonal, so no benefits, unpredictable hours, and minimum-wage income. hm.
i decided to try keeping both jobs through the holidays. so, my work and school schedule guarantees i'll be clinically insane by dec 12th or thereabouts. stay tuned for the excitement! if i can muscle my way through AND prove how indispensable i am to the bookstore, i'll hopefully be taken on as a regular employee after the holidays, eligible for benefits and scheduled for more hours. then, i can cut back on the morning job and think about writing again. oh, yeah--i'm also taking on nanowrimo next month!! whoopah!!!!

i'm too old for this shit. i should be starting to plan for retirement--HA!!!!!!!!! i won't get to retire. ever. unless i win the lottery. sad that my chances of living out my golden years swinging in a hammock outside my rural bungalow are about 145,000,000 to 1. or so. i'm already tired and it hasn't even started yet.
 

hey, all--

i've gone and obligated myself to the fabulous

ID: 1546312   (Rated: ASR) NaNoWriMo Write-A-Thon  A NaNoWriMo fundraiser... compete as a NaNo writer or donate by sponsoring one! by SoCalScribe is 9 today!

Halloween costumes—well, any costumes to an extent—hold promise and escape and fantasy within them. The idea we could be someone else for a little while is enticing, particularly if that person is especially wicked in some way we don’t allow ourselves to be. I found this interesting tidbit regarding costumes:

“Although popular histories of Halloween claim that the practice goes back to ancient celebrations of Samhain, in fact there is little primary documentation of masking or costuming on Halloween before the twentieth century. Wearing masks and other disguises and blackening the face with soot were originally ways of hiding oneself from the spirits of the dead who might be roaming around. This is the origin of Halloween masquerading as devils, imps, ogres, and other demonic creatures.” (courtesy of http://halloween.monstrous.com/halloween_costumes.htm)

I love the idea of hiding within the monstrous. Loads of potential there for a story, don’t you think?

 

you gotta check out this site:
http://www.emailsfromcrazypeople.com

unfrickinbelievable.
 

hey, all--
i've been lackluster in my posting lately, relying mostly on writing prompts (which i find mostly for my prompt circle on another site ). i feel just terrible about it. honest. i thought today i might highlight a few offsite blogs i follow, to compensate for my limp contribution to the world of blog:

http://www.tugboatinstincts.blogspot.com --> a general-topic blog which explores current events/pop culture with a sailor's vocabulary and a poet's heart. *sniff* (full disclosure: written by the hubby. )

http://www.therejectionist.com --> an editorial assistant lets loose about submissions good and bad, and the process. blunt and fun and oddly encouraging. if you've ever wondered whether editors and their assistants work so hard for love or money, the rejectionist will clear that right up for ya.

http://blog.nathanbransford.com -->another industry insider blog, this one from a literary agent. entertaining, informative, fabulous.

http://www.fictionmatters.com --> like the tag says, "news, tips and tools for writers." can't beat that with a stick. practical information compiled in one spot. neat!

and a few sites otherwise helpful but not bloggy:

http://www.duotrope.com -->GREAT free database for writers looking for markets. all genres, all lengths, searchable database.

http://www.publishersweekly.com --> because, well, duh. also, lots of contest and grant award information to be found here. if yer lookin' for that sorta thing.

http://dailyroutines.typepad.com/daily_routines --> supercool site giving away writer's secrets. fascinating!

okay, maybe that's enough for now to get me back in y'all's good graces. or close enough to purgatory i'm not feeling those flames licking at my backside anymore. hope you visit and enjoy!