Superstitious.

I am very superstitious.

I don't mean to be, and I really try not to be. But I totally am. Especially when it comes to my writing. And I am ready to share all of my craziness with you. I'm not sure why. I guess it's because I was thinking about all of my odd little OCD traditions/rituals I do when I am writing, or getting ready to write, or sending queries, etc etc etc...

The bottom line is: I think I might need psychiatric help.

So here are a few of the oddest superstitions I have...

1.) When I am writing, I almost always wear my 'writing sweater'. It is green and it is fugly, and it has a hole in it. But I wear it whenever I write, unless it is so scuzzy that I need to wash it, and then I made do without. I truly believe that this stupid ugly sweater (given to me by my mom, thanks, mom!) helps me to write some of the best crap I've managed to put on paper.

2.) I wear tons of owl jewelry, I have owl tee shirts, and I have owl figurines all around my house. It started out as an "aww, that's so cute" thing, and now I am completely convinced that when I wear Owls I say and do things more eloquently and I behave more maturely and speak more clearly and intelligently. I know, it sounds nuts. But I feel like those damned owls bring me "wisdom". I know...cuckoo's nest! Crazy!

3.) When I write, I try really hard to have my "Lucky" tee shirt clean. It is green, and has a picture of a shamrock and a leprechaun on it. For some reason, I feel like this tee shirt brings me luck, though it might just be that I like it a whole lot.

4.) I never ever listen to a certain song that was played at my aunt's funeral while I am writing. I have this odd feeling that it is going to shift my mood, and I am going to find myself writing differently. When my iTunes are on shuffle, and this song comes up, I quickly skip over it. I can't write a funny, happy scene when that song comes on. It's impossible.

5.) I have every single person's name who has ever rejected my manuscript hanging on my wall. I want to be able to see the names of all of the people who missed out when my turn comes. I feel like if I take those names down, it is letting them win. Which, I agree, is stupid, but it makes me feel better.

6.) I always remove my contact lenses and write in my glasses. Not sure why. I just do.

7.) Bad associates are like rashes. They spread and itch and take over everything. If I am partnering up with someone who practices shady, dishonest behavior (no matter how insignificant it is perceived to be), I hightail it out of there. I never want to be associated with shady types.

And, of course...

8.) I blog once a day. Even if it is just to say that I have nothing to say, I blog. Not because I have droves of fans out there, because I am pretty sure I am sending my words out there to nobody...but just in case...I will always try to blog once a day.

You think my little superstitions are weird? I know a girl who is afraid of buttons.

Brooke Moss.