It's a crazy time of year for everyone, but for writers I think it's especially crazy because this is (or at least it is for me) when I sit down to finalize my writing schedule for the next year. As in I stop fantasizing about how much I can humanly do and get realistic about the books I'm really going to write. Usually there's a lot of last minute promotion stuff going on--holiday stories and holiday promos (raise your hand if you DIDN'T write a holiday story in 2015). And it's the time of year when I pause long enough to figure out how successful the year actually was. As in, take a deep breath and study those numbers.
What worked? What didn't.
There are always surprises in that final tally.
It's an emotional time of year. It's a time for reflection and memory--sentiment and nostalgia seem to be riding shotgun with me even as I sketch out my plans for the future. It's an exciting time of year. Presents! Okay, not presents (or not ONLY presents), but the reset button is punched and we start the race all over again. I love that. I love the possibility and the challenge. What will I do next year I haven't done before?
This is my December. What is your December like? Is it a time of family, friends and fun? Is it a time when you start pulling out the ledgers and frowning over the numbers? Is it a period of reflection and review or excitement and anticipation? For me, it's all of the above. And it's the uneasy feeling that there must be a better way...
3 comments:
Josh - I'm still getting used December. :-) For 20 years, the end of the year was my busiest time of year at my day job. Now my "new" job equals actually enjoying this time of year. However, now my husband is working the holiday. {sigh} Oh well. It leaves me more time to write, read, and reflect.
Enjoy your year end.
~ Mia
Oh! Oh! (Hand up) I didn't write a Holiday story in 2015! :) LOL. No time. Stuck in the middle of a series.
Christmas makes me miss my grandmother. She and I were attached at the hip this time of year. Listening to Chipmunks. Putting tinsel on the tree. Tinsel is the most aggravating thing ever invented, yet somehow it looked beautiful in the end. :)
I will have to take some time off for the holidays from writing because we travel, but I run a blog that I can't take time off of, so there will be lots of chaotic typing in the passenger seat of the car.
Happy Holiday wishes to you, Josh, and to everyone here!
Josh, your December sounds a lot like mine! (Minus the holiday promo - like Maureen, I'm raising my hand as I didn't write a holiday story, but I plan to in 2016! LOL) But it is a crazy time, and my people-pleasing tendencies make it harder because I feel I have to get everyone just the right gift, get my writing done, etc., etc. It makes my heart race just thinking about it.
But yes, my favorite time is the week after Christmas, when I have time to reflect and think about what I want the new year to look like.
Good luck! :D
Post a Comment