My Elephant Got Eaten by a Lion

The last couple of weeks have been mind-numbing to say the least. Here I am, an aspiring writer, in a contest to write a 60k novel in 60 days (one huge elephant) and I got devoured by a lion (life, job, life).

That's right, a taunt, thick-maned, full-grown adult male! This lion includes hospital trips for my co-worker (the only other person who knows how to do my job), my car getting caught in a giant rain puddle, entire family sick and ill, Easter holiday and guests, and 60 hours work weeks.

Now I have to regroup! How do other writer's do it? I can't run away to a secret island or hidaway. The hubby and kids refuse to be left to their own devices. Locking myself in a room for an hour is practically impossible.

Do you ever feel like when you finally have a handle on your dream that fate tends to shove it's way in to de-rail you?

That's how it feels right now! Crappy Fates! Solutions and tips are welcome!

Costume Characters and 60k n 60 update!

I am posting this evening because I have a little angel turning 8 tomorrow.

Now the BIG news! *drumroll*

I get to dress up as E.B. from the movie HOP tomorrow. Yippee! I love costume characters, especially getting to BE them. Some people freak at the sight of these monstrous cartoon characters in the flesh, others run up and maul them, and then you have the sweet little girls and boys who just want to dance or talk to their cartoon hero.

Now you may say I'm insane, but I always wondered about the person in the mascot costume at my high school or college football games. I thought... it must be awesome to be locked away, completely hidden, and the entire student body, the majority of them, idolizing this fictional creation.

I figured it must be difficult to get a gig like that or you had to know the right people; which I didn't know. Then I saw a post for someone to dress up as Spammy 'The Can of Spam'.

And the rest was history. From then on if I saw a job post for a costume character, and met the height requirements (which I usually did because most costume characters need short people) I applied. Additionally you get paid extremely well to lose a few pounds to sweat and make people happy.

Since then I have had the pleasure of being many beloved cartoon characters and cartoon icons.

Including:

Mo the Moose

The Energizer Bunny

Leonardo (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)

Dora the Explorer

Spongebob Square Pants

The Red M&M

The Easter Bunny

Kung Fu Panda

The random things that you do in life make memories. I am happy to say that I love the memories I am able to make when I get in a costume, for myself and those who interact with me.

Next: 60k n 60 days update!

So far I am 5k into writing. Definitely not where I want to be coming up on the end of Week 1. Unfortunately my fingers and brain keep fighting with each other as the brain wants a perfect first draft and my fingers just want to get the story out. The plan is shut the brain down and let the fingers do all the talking during Week 2. For more updates on how the other writers are faring in this dangerous, thrilling ride check out http://www.pushingthepen.com/

Sayonara my friends, as I go to gather my energy from E.B.'s big debut on the morrow!

60k n 60 days

The contest has started. It's going to be a long battle uphill, but me and 16 others are determined to win!
We shall develop, write, edit, and publish a novel in 60 days. What can you do? Follow us on Twitter, offer your support/praise/uplifting words. Hells bells we're gonna need it. 

To find us just search #60n60 on the Twitter.

Check out http://www.pushingthepen.com/ for updates as we courageously navigate the sludge filled waters of fast-paced, self imposed deadline stress.

For those out there thinking about embarking on similar quests following us may give you some ideas of your own. Who knows if this one is successful we may go for a round 2. I think everyone will want a reprieve at the end of at least a month. Who knows for sure though?

If I'm a little late with my posts or if I miss them altogether please forgive me. I am probably buried in my notebooks of dialogue and empty Dr. Pepper cans, suffering from some sort of finger disease.