Writing And The Holidays
So…it’s the holidays.
Which means eggnog, Christmas carols, shopping, and absolutely ZERO time to write. Honestly, I’m about ready to pull my hair out. But I’ve got two tricks to share with you.
One is for those of you who are finding it hard to write when there is so much Christmas spirit going around – and you want to be part of it, but darn it, you have to write. It’s always tempting to put off writing so you can watch the holiday specials, hang out with family and friends, and just spend time being all merry.
So what I do is simple. For just one hour a day, I lock myself away in my den, set a timer, and write like the wind to make the most out of that hour. To feel like I’m not completely missing out on my favorite holiday, I light a scented candle (Illuminations makes the most awesome eggnog-scented candle,) and I have a spiced wine or eggnog right there beside the computer.
Just that one hour a day, along with the candles and Christmas drink, both keeps me focused, and allows me to feel like I’m not totally on the outside looking in.
My second tip isn’t really about Christmas, but it’s something I’ve been doing for years. This is for the aspiring authors out there. It’s what I did as soon as I got serious about submitting my work for publication.
Every year, at the beginning of January, I would buy a “Call” bottle of champagne. It was the bottle I would have on hand to celebrate, should I get “The Call” that year.
I’d put it in the fridge (if there was room,) or the cupboard, and it would sit there until I got The Call. If I didn’t get The Call that year, it became my New Year’s eve bottle. I’d open it up, drink away the year, the rejections, and the disappointments. Then, the next chance I got, I’d pick up a new bottle, all shiny and full of hope, for the next year.
I had 4 Call bottles.
So what about you – what are you doing do keep yourself motivated this holiday season?
December 17th, 2007 at 7:54 am
I will admit it has been hard. Throw in a TDY for my husband for 10 days at the beginning of December, not to mention both kids getting sick(one is going to be home with me today) and it has been damned near impossible. But, I use rewards. I have a lot of contractual obligations, and I want to write a new series I want to pitch to NY, so I have to keep my mind on the idea that getting this done gets me that much closer to my goal for 2008. I have to clear off the desk so I have time to work on new things not under contract. For each book I finish up, I give myself something. A facial, pedicure, a book, a day out at the movies with DH. Nothing big, but something that I want and has nothing to do with writing. If I remember to reward myself, I can keep on track.
December 17th, 2007 at 8:18 am
(((hugs))) on the sick kids and deployed husband! I have the same issues (though not this year, thankfully!) and I know how hard it can be to stay motivated when everything is so crazy.
But the rewards are GREAT ideas! I just did the same thing — I swore that the moment I sent a contracted proposal off, I was going to take a few days off and play a video game. So I’m currently engaged in hours upon hours of Dungeon Seige 2! *g*
Good luck, Melissa!
December 19th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
That’s such a cool thing (the call bottles)!
I use rewards - I find things I want but I’d never actually get for myself and I put them on a “after contract” list. When I sell a book, depending on the sale, I choose one of those things to do for myself. Usually it’s just smallish stuff but I do have a coach purse on the list for someday.