Writing at Christmastime

What a difference a year makes!
Last year I was an author in crisis--on a huge deadline right at Christmas (book due December 26th) with no time to sit back and enjoy my favorite time of year.

I've always loved decorating my house. The holidays are a totally fun excuse for pulling out all my kitschy Santa, ornament, and ribbon stuff and blinging out the house in red and green. It's also, for hubby, a reason to make every room smell like cinnamon with a spicy red candle!

But last year I had no time for blinging out anything except the end of my book, and believe me that didn't feel much like bling. It was more like the
seventh circle of heck--it was a torture making me act a whole lot more like Ebenezer Scrooge than the forgiving Bob Cratchit. I wrote every free minute, I shopped the week before Christmas and bit my nails hoping things would arrive on time. I tossed up a few decorations that week, too, so it would look a tiny bit festive when my family arrived on Christmas morning. I gave myself Christmas Day off but then went back to work the next morning and was actually a day late turning in my manuscript.

Can I just say--Christmas was no fun last year.

So what did I do about it? I planned slightly better and gave myself all of this December off! I am so excited to find the fun in Christmas again. My house is decorated, my shopping is not done but is certainly well underway compared to last year. I've actually watched the Hallmark movie as they've come out. I've smiled and literally voiced the phrase "God bless us every one." (Okay, that's Tiny Tim Cratchit not Bob, but you get the idea.)

A writer's life is not always glamor and worldbuilding. The job of writing is like every job in the world--sometimes it's wonderful; sometimes you want to tell your boss (even if it's you) to shove it. I'm hoping that you will take a lesson from me and, whatever you have going on in your life, take time to enjoy the holidays. Whether you celebrate big or small, are by yourself or have a huge family, don't let outside pressures rob you of time to pull out your kitsch and thank the Lord for this time of year. Whatever holiday you celebrate--celebrate with joy!

And read a wonderful book! Your favorite authors have worked hard to bring it to you. But not at Christmas!! Here are some of the holiday decorations I got up this year. Remember as you view them--it's been two years (more in some cases) since they saw the light!

Happy Holidays, GLIAS friends. Tell me all about your favorite, relaxing holiday traditions.