Big Blog Post, With Real Updates

October 20, 2011: The day I workshopped my novel coincided with National Writers Day (or some holiday to that effect). Bloggers were encouraged to post on why they write. I had blogged before finding out about NWD, only to delete my post after considering it too melodramatic and pessimistic, even for me. At the time I deleted the post, I thought it depressing. Afterwards, I found my response framed in the context of answering the question of why i write to be rather humorous. Read below:

Doomsday
Doomsday. I'm sick at heart. I just emptied my wallet on ingredients for PB&J's and rice crispy treats (it's a cruel mandate that says the person being workshopped should bring snacks for the class). Who knew that cereal these days was so expensive?

I handed out my novel last week. As soon as I did I realized everything I wrote was melodramatic and overwritten (nonsense, says the reader. You're overreacting. See? I reply. That's exactly my point!) 

The week before handing it in I spent leisurely with family and friends. I didn't worry about my novel; didn't pull all nighters whipping it into some sort of shape. Up until now I felt frivolous for idling my time away, for thinking myself wise to not go into panic mode. Now I realize I was completely off my rocker. I should have panicked. I should have fought the good fight for the good fight's sake.

I need to make these rice crispy treats before too long. I'm going to Chicago tomorrow and so writing will be limited. But I think this blog will experience a revival, after the slaughter of my ego and the necessary rebirth, so stay posted!

Hmmm. My dark mood was unnecessary. The workshop went very well. It was greatly invigorating, and I left class with plenty of advice and ideas on how to progress.

A weekend in Chicago also helped to rejuvenate the juices. I've spent most of today getting small but important things done, like spending 20 minutes on hold to ask one small but very important question, standing in line for 45 min to get the last piece to my Halloween costume, etc.

I'm having a bit of trouble writing this blog post, as a matter of fact, so I think that I will just start to work on my novel. Maybe I can post again afterwards after I've attempted to get work done--