First Post in Eight Months? Unthinkable!

Wow! Okay, so I know I've been slacking with the blog lately, but to go eight months without blogging, that's bad. Please allow me to take a moment and explain some of the things that have kept me away.

First and foremost, I have NOT stopped writing! I am still working on my current WIP and second novel. I also have a few short stories I've been working toward finishing up, and hope to have those published at some point, hopefully sooner rather than later. It seems to be harder for me to think in short terms, so short stories are some of the hardest things for me to write. With that being said, I have two stories I'm working on now, both different genres, and three stories that are finished. I also have an idea brewing in my head for something entirely different from anything else I've worked on before. Right now, it's looking like it might be a historical/time travel stand-alone novel. As for the novel I've been working on, I'm a bit stuck for the moment. This is the longest period of time I've been stuck, and it's absolutely terrifying! I do, however, have faith that my muse will return.

Aside from being a wife and a mom of two small children, my personal life has been buzzing with activity. I am the leader of two different community organizations, so I sometimes have mountains of things to do with each of those positions. With everything going on around me, I do plan to return to this blog and keep it running. Please look for my posts in the near and distant futures.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Pretty much everyone knows something of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," even if they haven't read Washington Irving's short story.  But just in case you are unfamiliar, let me give you a very brief run-down. 

The story is set in Tarry Town, a fictitious place in the state of New York.  A local ghost story is told here of a Headless Horseman, who was killed in an unnamed battle during the American Revolutionary War. 

Ichabod Crane, a lanky schoolmaster from out of town, is the story's main protagonist.  He goes to a party one night and falls in love with Katrina Van Tassel, the daughter of a wealthy townsman.  However, Ichabod soon realizes that he must compete for Katrina's hand with none other than the town's local hero, Brom Bones.

After leaving the party, Ichabod experiences an encounter with a giant cloaked horseback rider.  Ichabod desperately tries to out-ride and out-smart this figure, who could only be the Headless Horseman.

The next morning, Ichabod is nowhere to be found and the story ends as many short stories do - with more questions than when it opened up.  Was Ichabod just another victim of the Headless Horseman?  Was the whole chase really between Ichabod and Brom Bones (in disguise)?  Was Ichabod merely spooked, causing him to have a terrible accident?  Is something supernatural to blame?  What really happened?

If you haven't read the original story, I'm sure you've seen one of the many other adaptations.  From small screen, to the silver screen, to the stage, and beyond, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is one of the most popular ghost stories around today.