October News and Announcements
October 1, 2008 · Written by Melissa Donovan
I can’t believe that October is already here (do I say that every month, or what?). I don’t know what it is about October that enchants me so. Perhaps it’s the witches and goblins and fairies that are sure to appear at the end of the month. Maybe it’s the magic of watching the earth undergo her annual transformation into the colder season. Whatever it is, October is the month I love most.
Summer still lingers faintly in the air, and the promise of a cozy holiday season lies just ahead. Autumn, like spring, is a season of change and there is much of that ahead.
NaNoWriMo lurks on the horizon. Even as I write this, my email and comments are chiming with incoming announcements “Melissa, it’s time! it’s time” and “NaNo time coming soon.” (A special thanks Deb for the timely reminders!)
For those who will choose to participate in NaNo this year, it’s time to start planning and plotting. Sketch those characters, outline that plot, and make sure you’ve cleared your calendar of extracurricular activities for the month of November, because churning out 1667 words a day is no easy task.
As I mentioned just days ago, America faces what is likely the most historical election in U.S. history. Many undecided and independent voters will make up their minds this month and steer the course of this nation in one direction or the other. It is my greatest hope that we will make the best choice possible, for our sake, and for the sake of every other country on the planet.
Plus, I’m about to become an aunt — literally — any second. My sister is now three days past due and we’re all sitting by the phone waiting for The Call. I’ve got a little bag packed with snacks, a book, my iPod, and my journal. I’m ready for the waiting room.
So yeah, that’s a lot of change to look forward to, and that means a lot of good fodder for writing and for discussion.
One thing in particular that I’ve become fascinated with lately is rhetoric, particularly as used by politicians, who have recently, as they do every four years in my homeland, taken center stage. But rhetoric does not belong solely to politicians. We see it in the news media, in entertainment, and especially on blogs.
What, exactly, is rhetoric? I’m glad you asked. I thought I knew, but a quick trip over to dictionary.com set me straight.
1. (in writing or speech) the undue use of exaggeration or display; bombast.
2. the art or science of all specialized literary uses of language in prose or verse, including the figures of speech.
3. the study of the effective use of language.
4. the ability to use language effectively.
5. the art of prose in general as opposed to verse.
6. the art of making persuasive speeches; oratory.
7. (in classical oratory) the art of influencing the thought and conduct of an audience.
8. (in older use) a work on rhetoric.
So, yeah, we’ll be talking about all of that rhetoric and its many definition throughout this month. Pay close enough attention and you might even be able to figure out who in this election is going to get my vote.
And if you’re tired of all the politics, just sit tight, because next month is going to be a doozie. In honor of NaNoWriMo, the spotlight will be on fiction throughout November. That is, if I can pull myself away from my NaNo project long enough to write a post.
What are your thoughts on all this? Do you have any specific ideas about how rhetoric is applied to writing? Does every writer need to understand and use rhetoric or is it just the stuff of speech makers and sales people?
And the most important question of all… are you going to participate in NaNoWriMo? If so, won’t you be my writing buddy? My NaNo handle is melissadonovan. See you there!
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When we had our first kid my sister-in-law was impossible to get rid of. She even tried to get into the delivery room as the kid was being born. The difference is that she’s probably one of the most irritating people in the world and neither of us even wanted to hear her name for several weeks after (on second thought, I still don’t want to hear it!) while you’re probably a pretty cool sister.
Enjoy aunthood.
(I’m now wondering why I brought that story up at all, but in any case, nice to see you in my feed reader again.)
Good luck on becoming an aunt! I am godmother to two of my nieces. It’s very exciting!
I want to do NaNo…
I haven’t signed up.I wish they didn’t do it in November right as the holidays launch, except that if you can write then, you can write ANY time!
I am looking forward to October though. I’m not really sure why…for some reason I just feel ready for it this year.
My sisters are far too young to have children (even though one is in university). I hope they wait until they get their life sorted.
(I’m totally not ready to be an uncle.)
Melissa,
October is my favorite month too! Autumn in New England is a special time, and I do my best to get outside and enjoy it before all the trees are bare. Plus, I find that I get a lot of work done during those gloomy, rainy days October brings.
Best of luck to your sister and your family! Aunthood is very special
I think I may be making an attempt at NaNoWriMo this year. My first big project! Yikes!
I’m doing NanoWrimo this year. I’m super excited.
October is the best, isn’t it?!
Congratulations auntie! The gramps must be so thrilled.
Good luck preparing for Nano.
Dandy’s degree is in Rhetoric from UC Berkeley.
Geez that’s a lot of words those nano people want you to pump out. I can see the point though. That will get you past writer’s block! You can’t build a block with that goal.
Alright, you know how techy I am about this election. I’m really worried. I’m not fascinated with rhetoric because I think it’s a bunch of BS. I won’t swear on your nice blog. Words can be used for a lot of things and it’s amazing to me how people are swayed by a few well placed words revolving around well known symbols.
I should be done with my novel this month. That’s what I told Jaden by god! Anyway, if you ever need anyone to give feedback shoot me an email. Consider me a friendly ear. E
Congratulations on your almost-auntly status! I remember that well–my sister’s due date was the day I graduated college … she made it to the ceremony but was granted one of the emergency/handicapped parking spots because my niece’s arrival was so imminent. (I can’t believe that was 19 years ago!) I’m so excited for you!
And, NaNoWriMo? I’ve considered trying it in other years, but November is one of the worst months for me, time-wise–too many holiday/family kinds of things. This year, of course, I have more urgent, money things on my mind anyway. (Scary, urgent, money things!)
This whole election cycle that’s been going on for something like a year and a half now, is fascinating, I think. I’m looking forward to the VP debates tomorrow night for the sheer entertainment factor, and how often do you get to say THAT?
I can’t believe Dictionary.com would put the most negative and least accurate definition of Rhetoric first. We are writers. people; communicators. Presumably one of the reasons we write is to bridge the meanings of things and to influence our readers. If we do not understand and use rhetoric correctly and effectively we will be at a definite disadvantage in challenging an unscrupulous persuader with a questionable but slick argument of his or her own.
Congrats on becoming and Aunt soon!
@Joel, Oh believe me, I’ll be in the waiting room, not the delivery room. I saw a friend give birth and once was more than enough! Yowsers!
@Wendi, I always perk up in October. This is definitely a magical time of year. Let me know if you decide to sign up for NaNo so we can be writing buddies at the NaNo site
@Matthew, I had friend who were aunts way back in high school because their siblings were a lot older. I can’t wait to say “my niece…” hee hee!
@Rebecca, October doesn’t get all that gloomy in California, but I definitely feel like this is always a productive time of year for me. I hope my creativity gets set on fire as it has in past years
@Erik, It is kind of scary, isn’t it?
@Writer Dad, I can’t believe how many people participate every year. Who would have thought a movement like NaNo would be so huge?
@Jaden, Yep, I always think of Dandy when I hear the word rhetoric because I had never heard that word before she told me she was majoring it it. I was like, “what’s rhetoric?” Yay for October, right? We are October sisters (magic egg-repelling capes)!
@Ellen, You can swear on my blog! Geez, I’m not that uptight. Hehehee! Some days I really freak out about the election. I’m scared shitless the wrong candidate will win and I have a bad feeling that if we elect the wrong guy, we’re going to pay dearly for it. Just a feeling, but still… let’s HOPE we put the best candidate in office
Congrats on your novel! Wow, that is such a huge, super achievement. We have to celebrate! Party!
@Deb (Punctuality), I didn’t know I would be this excited about becoming an aunt. Anything to do with money is getting scary right now. I wonder if the web is a safe haven? I hope everything turns out okay. I’ll send out some positive thoughts to the universe for you
As for the VP debate, I don’t know what to expect but I think it will be definitely be some gooooood TV.
@Deb (gscottage), I couldn’t believe how may definitions there are! I’ve actually always associated rhetoric with speaking rather than writing… Anyway, I’ve come to realize that rhetoric is pretty critical to effective writing, so discussing it should be beneficial
@JC, Thank you!
You pen has been busy. Your TV off.
Smiling
I just learned about NaNo this year, and I was immediately intrigued. It must be exhilarating to completely plunge yourself into a creative project! I’m playing with the idea of signing on, but I fear it won’t be possible this year because there’s a good chance I’ll be traveling for half of November. I’m definitely keeping it in mind though…
@Melissa - this probably sounds terrible but I’m back in the delivery room for “Round Two” next month and I agree — the first time is gruesome enough.
I think people who say childbirth is beautiful are getting mixed up about something!
@Harmony, Ah, you got me on that one
@Zoe, Yep, it would probably be impossible to do NaNo while traveling! Hey, there’s always next year!
@Joel, The worst part about it, I thought, was watching a friend in so much pain. There were those gruesome moments too, but seeing someone suffer is no picnic. I appreciated the chance to see what childbirth is like though. It was an experience I will never forget.
Yay on becoming an Aunt (soon)! I shall dance when you announce the birth. I plan on doing NaNo for the first time ever. I guess I should pop over and make myself official. I’m pretty excited to finally get these words out of my head and onto paper. I am sure by the end of the month I will either be wildly happy or completely insane. I was unfamiliar with some of the definitions of rhetoric and now that I read them all, yes rhetoric is something that every writer can use - the ability to use language effectively - yep, and being able to persuade - absolutely. So, cheers for rhetoric! Looking forward to October and all the yummy smells!
@Karen, I tell you, this baby is taking forever to arrive! It’s pretty nerve-wracking, every day thinking “This could be the day!” I can only imagine how my sister feels. Yes, pop over and sign up on NaNo, and add me as a writing buddy. Let’s build a little support group. Ah, the yummy smells of October, yes. I love the harvest season.
Congrats on becoming an aunt Melissa, it will change your life.
Have you checked to see if your registration got deep-sixed in the server crash? I can’t find you on NaNo.
@Coby, Thank you, yes, I think it will be profound
@Deb, I think my registration will be restored because it’s over a year old and the site says only those from after 9/30 have been lost. So, I think I’ll be okay after they restore everything. Thanks for checking
Congrats on auntihood! I’m sure birth has taken place by now. I became an uncle for the 6th time this past July (my 3 older sisters now has 2 kids each, everyone is looking at me to start my pack, but I must remind them it takes 2 and I am only 1…. and this 1 likes being a 1.) Anyway it’s all good. Enjoy the birthday and Christmas shopping.
I will be honest… rhetoric is one of those words I’ve heard all the time but could never define. So I’ll be very interested in what I can learn about it.
Enjoy the NaNo. I had to look it up because the only Nano I’m aware of the one iPod makes. But I have enough projects I’m working on but I may take a stab at it some other time.
@t. sterling, Still waiting for the baby! She’s well over a week late now. I am definitely looking forward to birthday and Christmas shopping. That’ll be a lot of fun! I hope you’ll give NaNoWriMo a try one of these years
There is no finer month than October. Here in Portland, the leaves are turning, the air is brittle and crisp, and the squirrels are going bananas gathering nuts. For some reason, the coming of fall always puts me in a writing mood. I’ve decided to do NaNo again this year, so I’ll put in my buddy request for you as soon as I get done typing here. I’ve got plenty of writing projects right now too, but I need some loosening up, and NaNoWriMo is just the place for it.
@Bill, Autumn puts me in a good mood too. Definitely add me at NaNoWriMo!
Well I hope you are an aunt by now! It is really exciting! I love spoiling my nephew!
Someday I hope to try the whole NaNo thing, I think I heard about it a bit last year but never really got the whole story, it sounds interesting though, maybe next year!!
@Jenny, I am an aunt now! Finally! I’ve been waiting two years to do NaNo so I’m really excited (and nervous). You can expect a full report on the experience!