How to use this Page

What it is, Tappers. What. It. Is.

So, I'm trying to set myself a goal for writing the much anticipated (well, I'M anticipating it!) next book in the GOODHALO series. And here is/are the catch(es):

1. I'm trying to get it drafted by the end of September.
2. I think it's going to be 100,000 words or so.
3. I haven't really given myself much of a break.
4. I have video games on my shelf STILL in the wrappers from 2 years ago.
5. Sometimes I don't feel like writing.

I did some quick number crunching of what I've written thus far and what I still need to kick out (which is about as complex math I can handle) and I figured out how many words I'd have to kick out EVERYDAY in order to meet my goal.

1,420 WORDS!

Is that doable? You gots to remember, I wrote the ENTIRE first draft of ANNA 2.0 in 31 days last SHOCKTOBER and that sucker clocked in at 75, 203 words. That was like...2426 words a day. How the heck did I pull that off? Seriously.

So...I think I can do it. I gots to do it. I need the distraction to keep me from constantly checking me e-mail for bad news and to keep myself going. With the impending arrival of Bebe #2 a scant six months away, I need to get some words on the screen...with a quickness.

When ol' Travis was born, I ceased production for around a year. It was really hard to do.

Let's see if I can practice what I preach: Write like the wind, don't look back and whatever you do for crying out loud...don't stop!

Ugh. Me and my big mouth.

I can't remember if I posted this before. Anyway, I am having a wonderful Christmas with my wife and kids and was wanting to touch base again with my SFG friends. I wish you as blessed a time as I am having and more.

a really old illustration from a book that was never published. happy holidays, everyone!
-nadja-

The challenge word on sugarfrostedgoodness.com is "santa", of course.

First of all, as you may have figured by now, I do not celebrate Christmas. When I was a kid, we didn't decorate for Christmas either. No lights. No tree. We weren't Christian. And we didn't feel bad or slighted in the least. We happily dragged out our plastic, electric menorah and twisted a new orange bulb into each socket with each new night of Chanukah. My mom would give my brother and me a token Chaunkah gift, usually chocolate coins and underwear or a pair of socks. My parents were both in the retail business and Christmas was a convenient day-off for holiday gift-giving. And considering the haphazard arrival of Chanukah, we could always count on December 25 coming the same time every year. But, I knew that there was no Santa. My mom would take me with her when she shopped for gifts for my brother and me. She always used the same "present hiding place" every year, the back of her closet. And I looked there every year. One year, I even caught my mom and dad assembling some toys for my brother and me. Plus, we didn't have a fireplace. Our chimney lead to a closet in the den that housed our furnace. But, I also knew it wasn't Christmas and I knew weren't celebrating Christmas.

When I was an kid, I sat on Santa's lap and had my picture taken. Sure, I watched "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" and "Year Without a Santa Claus" and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" every year. All of my non-Christian friends watched these shows, too. And we enjoyed them. I always thought Winter Warlock was cool.
And, although I am not a fan of holidays, I have never been offended when someone wished me "Merry Christmas".

A santa sketch I did for my blog. I was going to ink it but I've gotta get ready for the holidays...

-hadesarrow <<>>

this is the original pen representation of my 2007 Krampus Kard. The outcome can be seen here or here.

in response to pat lewis' drawing below, something from last year: santa AS the hulk!

-me!

Merry Christmas! Originally posted on my LiveJournal, here's a drawing of Santa Claus fighting the Hulk:



--Pat Lewis

This week's theme: Santa

Though not the reason for the holiday season, he does play an integral part of the recent Christmas mythology. Not only in the West, but in practically every country and culture in the world in one form or another. Here's a great read regarding Santa and his Mythos.

I want to take a moment to wish each and every member of Sugar Frosted Goodness a safe and happy holiday season. Wherever you are, whatever your plans this holiday season, be safe and take time out to appreciate all that you already have.

I appreciate each and every one of you for your valued contributions to this site, and I'm personally thankful for having met you. Looking forward to another Sugar Frosted Year in 2008!

Thanks guys and Merry Christmas!

Jeff

The SFG Challenge runs Thursday to Thursday, and was created to offer every member an opportunity to stretch their creative muscles, venture outside of their artistic boundaries and post their interpretations each week on a specific theme. This is a completely voluntary challenge!

Be sure to label your illustrations with the appropriate labels as well. Label your entries with your name and the challenge label, in this case SFG: Santa


The next challenge begins Thursday, January 4, 2008.