PREPPING FOR THE APOCALYPSE

This week I'm battening down the hatches, stockpiling the ammo, and breaking out the big umbrella. 
The demon onslaught is on it's way, and I won't be caught unaware or unprepared.

Why am I arming myself for the demon apocalypse?
 
Because the binge-writing paid off last week and I reached my goal: 
I finally completed the re-write of the ending of my Work-In-Progress!

Doesn't that call for a celebration?

Shouldn't I be cavorting with ice cream and noise-makers? 

Or maybe setting off a few imaginary (completely non-flammable) fireworks?

That's what my demons would have me do.  They'd like nothing more than for me to take a day off, pat myself on the back, and let my guard down.  But they're not taking any time off.  If I know my demons --and I do-- they're arming themselves with insults, accusations, temptations and justifications, readying themselves for the week ahead when I tackle my next round of revisions.

I can hear them now:

"This story isn't worth the pixels it's made of."
"How many years did you spend writing this drivel?"
"You should definitely do some more research."
"If it's not perfect, people will scoff and point fingers and laugh at you."
"How can you expect to sell this thing without an author website and Facebook page, 8 tweets a day, 4,200 Linked-In connections, and a bazillion dedicated blog-followers?  You should work on building your platform, not revisions."
"You must catch up right now on all the email, phone calls, laundry, exercise, shopping, hygiene, reading, painting, and filing you've neglected while binge-writing."
"Go ahead, watch every single past season of Survivor.  You can revise next month."
"Why bother prepping to submit this story to agents -- they're just going to say it sucks."
"No matter how much you revise, it will still suck."
"If this story ever sees the light of day, you'll have enough bad reviews to wallpaper the Smithsonian."
"It's hopeless.  Don't even try."
"You'll never amount to anything."
"You're a hack, a fraud, a self-deluded charlatan.  You're not a real writer."

You hear them too, don't you? 

Because I do, loud and clear. 

My demons are coming, alright.  Their singular mission will be to keep me
from sending my manuscript to the agents who have requested it, and
they'll use all means at their disposal to distract, dissuade, demoralize,
tempt, terrify, belittle, bully, sabotage and discourage.

Because that's what demons do.

But I'm determined not to let them win. 

That's why I'm arming myself:

..... KAKORRHAPHIOPHOBIA ..... the demon of fear

earplugs, coffee, bug spray, goals, rewards, reminders, cheerleaders, enforcers, mentors, inspirations, nerf guns, chocolate, child locks, hot packs, cold packs, pain killers, denial, a mute button, a fly swatter, Die Hard With a Vengeance, and a poppy seed muffin.

Remember my demon, Bruce?

Because every demon-fighter needs a little
Bruce Willis and a poppy seed muffin.

Fight demons with demons, and with coffee and muffins and earplugs, that's what I say!

Goal this week:  prepare for the onslaught

Goal next week:  revise the heck out of my WIP

---

Goal after that?  Conquer the world.

Bruce and I will keep you posted on how it's going.