Writing Through the Holidays

Whether you’re a  Scrooge  or a Tiny Tim, the season now officially known as “The Holidays” is upon us. If you put down your pen to cook your Thanksgiving turkey and don’t lift it again until after the New Year’s Eve champagne,  you’ll find it a lot heavier than it was when last you picked it up.

 I know, I know, you’ve got presents to buy, parties to attend, a sadistic boss who assigns more work than ever, and friends and family demanding attention. But just as you have to keep your physical muscles in shape, you have to keep your writing muscles in shape too. Take time to look over your holiday schedule and squeeze in a regular writing workout.  

And remember, there are a lot of emotions swirling around this time of year, and getting some of them down on paper not only helps strengthen your writing skills, but can provide an emotional refuge and help you process all those feelings that are part of the holiday package.    

Try some of these to help keep those writing muscles in shape over the holidays:

1.  Use this time to think about the main character of a story –in- progress, or to create a new character. Who is on your character’s gift list, and what will he or she be buying?  Will she buy everything on Black Friday, or wait until day before he gives it?  How would your character decorate his or her home for the holidays?  What are his or her favorite holiday foods, music, traditions?

2.  Pay attention to your own thoughts and feelings and tune into the sights and sounds of the holidays. Is there a song that brings back memories? How about the smell of evergreen or cinnamon? Can you use some of these sensory triggers to inspire a new story?

3. Think back on all your previous holidays. What is the best one you remember? What is the worst? Why?  

4.  What do the holidays look like from your dog or cat’s perspective? Write a story from your pet’s POV.

5. Did you ever give a gift you were really excited about giving that fell flat? Write a scene about that.

6.  Have you ever dreaded a holiday but found that it was actually better than expected? Could that work as personal interest essay?

The holidays are a great time to be a writer.  Keep in mind that exploded turkeys, food fights, flooding basements, falling Christmas trees and other disasters make for much better stories than peaceful uneventful holidays, so either way you win.