Keepin the Season Simple

I love the Christmas season - the decorations, the anticipation, the magic, the remembrance of the birth of Christ. But I do tend to get overwhelmed with all the preparations. Here's a few tricks I've picked up over the years that help simplify the season for me:

1. I put up my Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving. Since the kids are out of school and the hubby's off work, it's a great time to deck the halls and put up the tree (yes, it's artificial - and I'm okay with that). That way this part of the season is completed early and we can enjoy it longer.

2. I try to purchase gifts (with some exceptions) in the order they're needed. If my husband's family's party isn't until after Christmas, then I don't need to stress about those gifts right now.

3. We have several holiday activities that have become tradition for our family. But some of these, like going to see Christmas lights, can actually be done early on in the month to free up time later for other fun things.

4. I don't mail out Christmas cards - I know, shame on me. Instead I digitally scrapbook a card with our pictures and e-mail it to those on our list.

5. Since it's sometimes hard to feel the holiday spirit during all the prep, I try to make time for things that sweeten the season for me, like watching holiday movies, playing Christmas music on the piano, and finding ways to reach outside myself.

What things do you do to simplify the busyness of the season? What holiday traditions do you and your family have? What is one of your favorite things about this time of year?

Grateful for the Ride

Two weeks ago I blogged about some of the things I'm grateful for here - like family and electricity. But I thought of one I didn't mention. Today I'm grateful for my writing journey.

Over the weekend I decided to document my experiences since I started seriously writing seven years ago. As I wrote down the things I've done in that time, I realized how much I've grown as a writer and as a person. I'm thankful for this journey thus far, even though I still have dreams/goals I haven't yet accomplished.

Some people say this business is like riding a roller coaster, but I think being on a Ferris wheel is more apt of a comparison. In the past seven years, there have been times of soaring height, times of plummeting lows, and times of waiting - either at the top or the bottom of the ride.

One of my favorite songs - The Middle by Jimmy Eat World - says it best. Here are some of the lyrics:

Hey, don't write yourself off yet
It's only in your head you feel left out
Or looked down on
Just do your best, do everything you can.
And don't you worry what the bitter hearts, are gonna say

It just takes some time, little girl in the middle of the ride
Everything, everything will be just fine
Everything, everything it'll be alright

This year, in addition to all the other things I'm grateful for, I'm also thankful for this ride - and that I chose to hop on. Happy Thanksgiving!

What are you most grateful for as a writer - whatever stage you're in? What would you tell yourself if you could go back to when you started seriously writing? What have you learned along the way?

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered the BECOME giveaway yesterday. The winner is . . . Vivien! Congrats.

If you didn't win, you can still purchase BECOME - either the paperback or Kindle version - at Amazon here.  The weekend's just around the corner - have a great one!

Ali Cross and a BECOME giveaway!

Last week my husband was out of town for four days, which meant holding down the fort here solo. For me that's tough, but to complicate things further, my youngest son got the flu - around midnight the first night my DH was gone. While the next day was tough, dealing with a sick child and very little sleep on top of everything else, I was reminded once again that I can do hard stuff. I made it through the week and came out stronger for it.

A lovely woman who's gone through tough stuff and come out on the other side stronger than ever is my good friend and critique partner Ali Cross. I met Ali three and a half years ago when our critique group formed and I've had the chance to watch her journey to publication. It hasn't been an easy road - she's had to keep going when open doors have suddenly closed. But I've seen firsthand how Ali chose to use these experiences to better herself and her writing.

Not only is Ali a phenomenal writer - often lyrical in style - she is also multi-talented. She's been an opera singer and runs the writing dojo at her blog with lots of information and help for writers. She's also a loyal friend and has a snappy wit.

Last but not least, her YA novel BECOME released last week! It is well-written and is a fabulous story about choice and not letting one's past dictate the future. To celebrate, I'm giving away the e-version of her book today. To win, leave a comment on this post. The giveaway will close at 10:00 p.m. MST tonight and I'll announce the winner tomorrow.

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared. When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

How have your friends inspired you? What tough things in your life have shown you that you are stronger than you think?

Feelin' Thankful

Last week Abby Fowers over at Something to Write About awarded me the Versatile Blogger award. Thanks, Abby! I need to share seven things, and being November and a few weeks before Thanksgiving, I thought I'd share seven things I'm grateful for today.

1. I'm grateful for my DH. Though he's not a writer or even a real reader (I joke that of the two books he reads annually, one is usually a manuscript of mine), he's got a sharp eye for what works and his help has been invaluable.

2. I'm grateful for the three little people who call me "Mom."

3. I'm grateful for heat and electricity. My thoughts and prayers go out to those who've been without both recently.

4. I'm grateful my favorite TV show Chuck is on again and that my famine from reading will soon be quenched by the pile of books on my bedside table.

5. I'm grateful my sister-in-law sees to it that we have some sort of chocolate dessert at the family Thanksgiving.

6. I'm grateful some radio stations have chosen NOT to start playing Christmas music yet.

7. Lastly, I'm grateful for friends who get where I'm coming from.

Speaking of friends, a good friend of mine Ali Cross is launching the release of her YA novel BECOME this Friday! Check out her blog for all sorts of cool things associated with the launch.

What are you feeling grateful for today? What good things are happening in your life? Are you a fan of Christmas music before December 1st?

I'm passing the Versatile blog award on to:
Kim at Confessions of a Bibliophile
The gals (Angela, Sara, and Amy) over at Live to Write . . . Edit When Necessary
Loree Huebner

Never Too Old to Try

My third year of college I signed up for a beginning ballet class. I took ballet when I was ten or so and enjoyed it. Then my family moved and I never did start up again. During the ensuing years, I wondered if it was a talent I should have pursued. Hence the college class ten years later.

Dreams of being a prima ballerina were quickly dashed. It's one thing to parade around in a leotard at ten and something ENTIRELY different to do so at age 20 in a room full of my peers. Needless to say, after the class was over, I shelved that dream. But it was okay. If I hadn't tried it again, I might have always wondered.

After the birth of my first child, I decided to try my hand at another dream - writing a novel. I learned as I wrote, so that first book took me a year and a half to write. That's a lot of time to devote to a dream, but unlike my college ballet experience, I realized I could be a writer and I loved it!

My DH and I have been watching The X Factor USA. One of the 12 finalists is a 60-year-old man named Leroy Bell. He has an amazing voice, but he's always been the opening act for other popular singers. Now he's trying to make a name for himself. Watching him find success on this show has been a great reminder to me that you're never too old to pursue your dreams and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Some dreams may not end up being the right fit for you, like ballet for me, but at least you tried and won't always wonder. Other dreams, though, might just surprise you, if given a chance.

What dreams have you pursued in adulthood? What things did you do as a kid that you wouldn't dare do as an adult? Have you watched The X Factor? If so, who are you rooting for?