When To Write Holiday Stories

A Beloved Christmas Story

Today's photo is a cover of one of the most beloved Christmas stories of all times. The story, written by Charles Dickens, has been read by millions over the years, made into stage plays, films, and a large number of print editions. Just recently, a new film has come out based on the old story but with a new, modern twist. We would probably be surprised if we knew the number of book covers that have been designed over the years for Dickens' famous tale.

There are other Christmas stories that have lasted through the years. One that comes to mind is "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. "The Elves and the Shoemaker" has entertained myriad numbers of children. The narrative poem, "The Night Before Christmas," is also one of the most loved. Who can forget "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?" There are many others, as well. 

The poem, "The Bells," was written by Henry Wadworth Longfellow on Christmas Day in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War. His poignant poem was then set to music and is the beloved hymn, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day."

Longfellow wrote his poem on Christmas Day, when his heart was heavy, but Christmas was the day to be celebrated. He didn't wait and write his poem the following July. If he had, his emotions might not have been quite at the same pitch. I'm guessing that the poem might not have been quite as good.

I think that most Christmas stories work best when you write them during the Christmas season. It's when you are feeling the celebration the most. Write a Christmas story in April, and I'm not sure it would be as good. Maybe it would if you played Christmas music to set the mood. 

It's the same with other holidays. An Easter story is best written during the Easter season when spring is bursting forth in all its glory. Can you write an Easter story in November? Of course you can, but I am definitely of the opinion that it works better when you're in the Easter celebration.

That works for Halloween stories, too. Or Hanukkah. Any holiday that you think about writing a story that revolves around the traditions and decorations, the foods, the preparation. the meaning and more. 

I once had an idea for a Christmas story for children at this same busy time of year. I thought about it many days, but my busy schedule kept me from writing even a first draft. Or, I let it keep me from writing. The writing was up to me, but I chose to put it off. Months later, I thought about the story again, and I sat down to work on the first draft. It didn't work. The feelings I had when Christmas was all around me had slipped away as the months went by. Oh sure, the bones of the story were still in my head, but the heart of it had disappeared. 

The point I'm making today is that, if you want to write a holiday story, do it when you're in the midst of that holiday. I think you will write better and stronger and with more emotion than if you worked on the story in an off season. 

 

Write Christmas Stories NOW

 

This is a repeat post from way back in 2010. Still pertinent ten years later. 

Christmas stories! They're loved by so many and therefore published by myriad numbers of magazines, websites, newspapers, and book publishers. They need to be marketed months and months ahead of the Christmas season. Think of how many editors are reading Christmas stories as air-conditioners keep their offices cool on a hot summer day.

Should you write a Christmas story in April or June so you can send it out in July? Some writers can do it, but for me, my best Christmas stories have been written during the Christmas season. The simple reason is that during December when we're surrounded by Christmas and all that it involves--from the religious to the commercial side--we have more emotion to spread through our story. We feel the story inside so strongly that we can write it easily. It's a time when so many memories are triggered. It's now that we need to write our Christmas stories.

I hear your question loud and clear Doesn't that mean my story won't have a chance of being seen until next Christmas?. You're right. Unless you send to a website that publishes instantly, it probably will not find a home for about a year. But that's okay. Your aim is to publish your work, no matter how long it takes. Remember that one of the keywords for all writers is patience.

Write your Christmas story now. Write it while the scents of this beloved holiday are wafting through your home and other places you go. Write it while the sights and happenings of Christmas touch your heart. Write it while you hear the sounds of Christmas--the bells, the carolers, the commercial songs. Write it while you care about it. Don't wait until March and hope you can dredge up those Christmas emotions while drinking green beer on St. Pat's Day.

Write it now, then put it in a file marked "Christmas Stories" and keep that file somewhere that you'll see it occasionally. Come spring, go through the stories in that file and study market guides to see where you might submit your work.

You're busy with Christmas preparations. We who celebrate this holiday are all in the same boat, different paddle. Make writing your Christmas story a part of your Christmas tasks. Write it NOW!

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Write December Holiday Stories Now!

No, I haven't lost it. I know that it is the day after Easter, not Christmas. I also am aware I have written other posts with this same suggestion but now is the time to write Christmas stories. Consider me your adopted muse reminding you that time is moving along and you need to get started writing December stories.

Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for stories for a book titled The Joy of Christmas. Title is a bit misleading as they want stories for other December holidays, as well. That includes Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Boxing Day and New Year's. The book will be published in time for the 2016 December holidays season.

Deadline for stories for this anthology is April 30th. That gives you slightly more than a month to submit. Read a bit more about what the editors are looking for on this page of possible book topics. The Christmas book is quite far down the list so don't give up as you scroll down. (Might check out the other books while there, as well.)

It's not easy to write a holiday story months ahead of the actual celebration. You might need to drum up some inspiration to be able to write for this book. I'm going to give Christmas examples as that is the December holiday with which I am most familiar. Do you keep old Christmas cards? Get them out and go through them one by one. Sure to bring back some memories. Play a Christmas CD. Go through your picture file and check out those family pictures you took last December. Spend some time scanning a Christmas cookbook. An idea for a story is sure to pop up along the way.

Another idea is to go through your files of already written, but never published, stories and see if any will fit the theme. Don't just upload them on the submittable form and feel satisfied that you sent a story. Step back and read your story as objectively as you can. Will it fit the guidelines? Can you find the emotion in the story? Chicken Soup books are big on emotion. Not phony kind, the real thing, so don't just insert a crying jag scene for that reason alone. Revise and edit carefully before sending.

While your friends are tip-toeing through the tulips in April, you should be hammering the keyboard of your laptop writing a Christmas story. Take a break now and then and enjoy the pleasantries of April now and then.

Magazine editors and book publishers are working on holiday books now. Wait until November and it's too late. Plan ahead for all holiday stories.