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C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Look Out! Cringeworthy 2020 Isn’t Done Throttling You.

Look Out! Cringeworthy 2020 Isn’t Done Throttling You.

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Just when you thought the Christmas holiday was sweet and lovely with lollipops and mulled wine, good old Krampus puts in an appearance–carrying a big stick and jingling bells as he comes! If you’ve been a bad child—in Austria at least–there’s a good chance this guy will appear to teach you a lesson. So forget worrying about the Ides of March and start fretting about December 5, the night before the Feast of St Nicholas.

It used to be that this demon roamed the streets, carrying sacks or baskets to gather up the “bad” kids and haul them away. Today, Austrians have decided to spare the rod, toss the sack, and host parades instead. After watching this video, I decided I’d rather skip this tradition and go for the tamer version of “Better watch out. Better not cry.”

Now that your holiday spirit is all warmed up, Here’s the important stuff. #IWSG Question, which is–as always optional.

#IWSG
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Are there months or times of the year that you are more productive with your writing than other months, and why?

I’ve always written when I have something I want to write, and I’ve never paid attention to the time of year that that happens. However, I’m much more likely to write for longer periods when it’s rainy or gloomy or just too freaking cold to go outside.

Spring and summer always entice me to hike or be in the garden, and while I often write in my head while I’m out and about, not much goes onto the page until I sit down and put my fingers on the keys.

I will tell you that I’ve been doing a very different kind of writing for the past few months–starting early summer and rolling right into this month. I’m collaborating on a series with another writer, and it’s not Middle Grade or Young Adult. I’m saving that “reveal” for later.

This project started with a conversation and a few sips of wine during a great June beach day. It seems there’s nothing like a long stroll in the warm sand to generate ideas. I’ve always thought having a writing partner would be interesting, and it is. Not only is it interesting, it’s fun. I love to see how we both tackle a scene to achieve what we’ve agreed on. As this project progresses, I’ll share some of what’s happening throughout the seasons. And who knows, but maybe I’ll discover I am more productive at different times with this new way of creating a story. After all, the idea came in summer when I’m usually distracted by the world outside and computers might just as well not exist. I’ll pay more attention to my productivity over this next year, and let you know.

I’m sure others here today will have some interesting things to say about their productivity and the calendar.

The awesome co-hosts for the December 2 posting of the IWSG are

Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About

Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre!

Twitter Pitch 2021

It’s #IWSGPit time again, so hope you have your pitches ready because this is going to be one great event! Click HERE to find out all you need to know about pitching your manuscript.

Quote of the Month: “Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.” 
― Yoko Ono

Comments

  2. A new series with a partner sounds intriguing. Keep us up-to-date. And I know I’m late, but I hope you had a super Thanksgiving. And I must get my Christmas decorations up before New Years. Have a good week.

  3. St. Nick’s Eve? I’ll be careful not to pick up any demons while driving home (I’m down on the coast with my father for a few days).

    Can’t wait to hear what you’re up to in your next writing project!

  4. I’ve wondered how co-writers do it. I think I’d be too much of a control freak to collaborate on a writing project, unless it was one with each author writing separate novels or stories. But maybe I underestimate myself. Maybe, if I paired up with someone who had a similar vision of the story, I could make it work.

    Good luck on your project. I await the announcement with bated breath. 😀

  5. Well of course, NOW, we can’t wait to see what your new project is going to be.

    You like to write on rainy, gloomy days? Huh? I tend to get in bed and cover up my head on days like that. Yes, I might be thinking about my writing, though. I like that you can use the gloomy days to write.

    T.

  8. Yikes! I’d hate to run into Krampus.
    Well, that is intriguing. We’ll all be interested to see what genre your WIP is in. Writing with another author is also intriguing. Keep us posted.

    • Yoko has some very interesting and insightful things to say. I wish I could come up with something as good.

      Thanks for your interest, Diane. Hope to have something to share by next year!

  10. A new type of book- how very exciting! And a first collaboration, those are so fun to read about. I hope it goes well.

    I hope that you don’t get any coal in your stocking. Or that you do get an orange and a coin in your shoe. Or whatever traditions you like for the holidays.

  11. How cool, Lee! I can’t wait to learn more about your collaborative journey! I remember wondering as a small girl how Santa knew what I was doing. I used to walk around the house in December looking up at the ceiling, especially where the walls came together in a corner, to see if I could catch him watching me. Have a Merry Christmas!

    • Kids have amazing minds. I’d like to go back if only to recapture those moments when all was possible and the future stretched so far ahead that there was no end.

      Happy Holidays, Louise.

  12. Well Lee I have something in common. I write in my head whenever I can’t write on paper or my laptop. Amazing how many stories begin there.
    Stay away from Krampus.
    Happy holidays!

  14. A collaborative project sounds great! Hope it all works out well.

    I’m like you–nice weather sends me outdoors, sometimes for days at a time, which doesn’t make for good writing 🙂

    • I wish I was able to sit longer, but I just can’t. I know from what you’ve shared on your blog, you’re not a sitter either. Bad news for the writing. Good news for the body. 🙂

  15. Now that my garden is decaying away, it’s the perfect time to write. It’s so easy to stare out into my backyard at night and imagine all sorts of spooky monsters lurking just out of view. It’s why I enjoy writing fantasy. Good luck on your collaboration.

  16. Like you, I write when I’m at that point in a project, regardless of time of year. But I do enjoy sitting out on the deck to write when the weather permits.

  17. Writing when what you want to write wants to be written is the way to be. Working together on a novel must be a different shift too.

    That just looks more halloween than Christmas.

    • It does look more like something out of the October month, doesn’t it? It’s even over the top for our Halloween celebration. Gives me the shivers.

      I’m learning a lot about cooperation and letting my ego take vacations on this collaboration, Pat. New adventure, indeed.

  22. I’m not a fan of Krampus, either. My favorite bad-guy Christmas story will always be How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss. The book, not the movie.

    Your new project sounds intriguing. Can’t wait to read more about it.

    • Love the Grinch. He’s a perfect bad-guy and he doesn’t have a big stick!

      I hope to have more to say about the collaboration in the coming months.

      See you in 2021, Lee! Have a wonderful Christmas.

  23. Parade of demons? That is an unusual thing leading to Christmas, but maybe we all need a release of the aggression that’s been building up in many of us, especially the younger population, because of all the tribulations of this year.
    The idea of writing in collaboration sounds fascinating, although I’m sure it’s not as easy as it sounds. Good luck with this project.

    • This Austrian tradition puzzled me when I stumbled on it. Even a horrible child doesn’t deserve to be scared or beaten. I’m curious as to how this Krampus has been so popular.

  25. Eeesh, the Night Before the Feast is not like the Christmas stories I grew up with!
    I began a two-author project a few years back, and really enjoyed it. The other writer, however, was not as enthused and politely backed out. Glad to hear your project is going well. I look forward to updates 😉
    Enjoy the season!

    • I’m really pleased my partner and I are on the same page with this. It is a huge leap to suddenly team up after being solo for so many years. Thanks for chiming in, Diedre.

  26. So happy I don’t have to deal with Krampus! I’m excited for you starting a new project – and one with a writing partner. I can’t even imagine how writing with someone would work, so I’m looking forward to you sharing some details later. Happy December!

  27. Your new project sounds like fun! I hope you do great with your new writing partner.

    Yeah, I think I’d skip that parade. My kids would have nightmares.

    • I’d never take my kids to a parade like that. Heck, I’d never go by myself. I don’t like the idea in the least, and I’m kind of wondering how it could be so popular or long-lived.

      Have a great holiday season with your family, Loni. See you in 2021.

  29. I’m excited for your next project. I would love having a collaborator on writing, theater, or music. Looking forward to hearing more about it!

  30. Can’t disagree with anything you’ve written, Lee. I often find my most creative times are when I’m relaxing. Then, something pops up–a way out of a problem that has stymied me.

    I like the hook–what is this new venture???

    • I still believe in the old right brain/left brain theory. Once I turn off that analytical side of my head, ideas come quite easily. Wish I could do it more often.

      I’m glad you’re interested in my next venture. I’m a bit nervous because this is really out of my comfort zone. I’ll be posting about it.

  31. A collaboration? Colour me excited to read the end project.
    Perhaps the Crampus can bundle 2020 into his sack and take it away… I don’t think it would have many defenders…

  33. Krampus is creepy.

    Collaborating on a series with another writer sounds amazing. I’ve always wanted to do a collab. I can’t wait for the details. 🙂

    • I agree. Glad he’s on the other side of the world. It sounds as if you’ve collaborated with another writer. We should “talk.”

      Have a great Christmas, Diane.

  37. Hi, Cheryl-Lee!

    That Krampus video was hard to watch at times. I suppose the mock demons instinctively knew which parade goers could take a whacking and which ones, like that young girl, might be traumatized if they got rough with her. I’m thinking some of those adult “whipping boys” might have been planted in the crowd to add to the spectacle.

    I am excited to learn more about your collab with another writer, perhaps pushing into a new genre of work. Now you’ve got me interested in determining the seasons of the year when I am more productive. I tend to be more prolific during the morning hours of the day, but come up with all my best ideas while taking a shower or trying to get to sleep at night. 🙂

    I love the Quote of the Month by Yoko.

    Have a wonderful December, dear friend Cheryl-Lee, and happy holidays to you!

    • I debated about posting the video because I feel we’ve had enough violence around the world, but it was an eye-opener for me. Who knew something so wicked would be unleashed during this supposedly “peaceful” and “loving” time of the year?

      The collaboration is quite a different way to write, so I’m learning a lot while doing it.

      I’m an A.M. person like you. And 3 A.M. is a wretched time to lie awake with all kinds of ideas popping up.

      Take care and keep being the inspiring music man you are. Happy Holidays to you and yours.

  38. Hi Lee – so sensible … and logical to write and stay inside when it’s not so good outside. So pleased you’ve a new project to work on with a friend … sounds exciting … all the best – Hilary

    • My wishes are the best for you this holiday season, Pat. I look forward to hearing more about you and your writing in 2021! As to my partner–I hope to introduce her along the way.