We're heading into the busiest time of the year. Preparations for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza eat into our normal everyday schedule. There's shopping, cooking and baking more than usual, gifts to buy, wrap, and deliver, extra church services, giving time to aid those who have less than we do. How could I forget the social part of holidays? That takes more time, even though we enjoy the activities.The list could go on and on, but you know all the things listed quite well.
If you're a professional writer, you keep writing. It's your main job, it's what puts food on your table. You must work in the extra holiday activities around your working day. The same goes for those who work full-time and write on the side. Those who write as a hobby, or make it a part-time job, have a little more leeway but still feel rushed.
What's a writer to do? For one thing, don't beat yourself up over losing writing time. It's only a few weeks of the year--from Thanksgiving through New Year's. It's perfectly alright to take a step (or six) back on your writing time. Don't feel gulty. You'll get back in the groove in January.
What if you come up with a great idea for a story or essay or poem? You want to write, but there is no time. Snatch a few minutes and jot down notes to help you remember later when you do have time to write. If you feel you can't wait, stay up an hour later than usual or get up an hour earlier some morning and devote yourself to writing your first draft. Early morning before anyone else is awake is a perfect time. Better, I think, than late at night when you're tired.
Maybe you plan to go to a Christmas luncheon, but nasty weather hits, and you don't want to drive on bad roads. Spend the time you would have taken to attend the luncheon and make it a special writing time. It's not a must, but the opportunity is there, so why not grab it?
Do you commute to your job on public transportation? Sitting idly on a bus or train could be writing time, maybe not a full story but notes or a rough draft. Carry a notebook/journal with you and take advantage of the time you have on your commute. I once heard of a writer who drove to work and used the time to record her thoughts for her next chapter. She said people must have thought she was talking to herself as they drove by her.
The main thing is to do what you can in the time you can eke out, but don't feel guilty. If you don't write a thing until January, it's fine. Enjoy the holiday season!
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