Photo and vignette by Vicky Lorencen

In the spirit of this spooky season, I bring you ten more frightening thoughts for writers . . .

What if . . .

1. Your face turned bright green and you sprouted purple horns whenever you experienced writer’s block.
2. All editors expected you to pitch new projects using interpretive dance or mime.
3. Chocolate was only available by prescription.
4. Rejection letters were delivered by scrolling message at the bottom of the TV screen during “The Voice.”
5. You must do a school visit dressed in nothing but a beige body suit and a giant cowboy hat.
6. Your cat writes a bestseller with a main character who looks/sounds/acts exactly like you–down to the last cat-observed detail.
7. Your cat sells movie rights to this very revealing bestseller.
8. The first movie is a blockbuster and there is immediate demand for a sequel.
9. Your cat locks you out of the house. Reporters are on your front lawn.
10. You’re experiencing writer’s block that day. (See number 1.)

Halloween shadows played upon the walls of the houses. In the sky the Halloween moon raced in and out of the clouds. The Halloween wind was blowing, not a blasting of wind but a right-sized swelling, falling, and gushing of wind. It was a lovely and exciting night, exactly the kind of night Halloween should be. ~ Eleanor Estes, The Witch Family