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Inspiration is all around us during the holiday season. As writers, we encounter a plethora of subjects to write about, from something as trivial as grocery shopping to something more complex as family reunions. However, that has not been my case. I have not produced anything new in months. Just editing! (sigh). I need to find my holiday muse, pronto! I wonder if writing a letter to Santa Claus would count. “Dear Santa, I’ve been a bad writer…I don’t need anything this Christmas. Just bring my muse back, or some egg nog.”
How’s your writing coming along? Do you get the blues during this festive time?
YES! I totally understand. I've got the editing/ holiday blues, as well. For me, the holidays can be really distracting. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE spending time with my family, but things like holiday shopping really can really cut into precious writing time. I have to remember to keep my schedule balanced this season! Good luck, and by the way, I doubt you've been a bad writer-- dry spells are just part of the cycle.
ReplyDeleteThe letter to Santa Claus with "I've been a bad writer", that's funny, Claudia :)
ReplyDeleteI think we all go through periods when our Muse seems to be missing in action.
Usually, at Christmas time, I spend the holidays taking in the beautiful and warm atmosphere of my mother's house, taking pictures of the table when it's been set for some cozy dinner. Then I take walks, I look at the Christmas trees, I just take it all in. It's a very introspective time of the year for me, and a very beautiful one!
And when Christmas's over, I have plenty of new ideas!!
That's to me the inspirational magic of Christmas.
Hi Claudia! Thank you for your timely post. I have not produced anything new in months either. And I see this as the natural ebb and flow of writing. Perhaps it is instead time to revisit old pieces of my writing with fresh eyes, in this way, my holiday muse is back with a new mission: to get my writing off the back burner and out there. So, I am asking Santa for: time to do this over the holidays, perseverance, patience, humility, and resourcefulness so that I can continue to send my completed writing out into the universe and come what may. I know that new opportunities for writing will open up in time and in space--nothing forced, just letting it flow. May your holiday muse find you jolly and happy! Cheers, Kelly
ReplyDeleteAwww Claudia!! I hope Santa gives you and your muse some much needed egg nog! Yay!!
ReplyDeleteChristmas time is so intense I don't really think too much about the writing! It'll hit me in January tho!
Take care
x
Hi Raquel,
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned two very important factors, "keep my schedule balanced" and "dry spells are just part of the cycle". Oh, so very true! Whether you're a new writer or a seasoned one, finding the perfect balance between life and writing is key. Additionally, you have to accept that we cannot write every single day and that's okay, too. You can write whenever you have time and/or feel inspired to do so.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Jay,
Aha! So you are the type of writer who breathes in all the inspiration over the holidays and gets to work in the new year. Fantastic! Please send your muse over to me ;) LOL!
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for this beautiful comment. It's so positive and full of hope! I loved what you said, "I know that new opportunities for writing will open up in time and in space--nothing forced, just letting it flow." Loved it! Thank you for your wishes and I hope new doors open up for you, too.
Hi Jennifer,
You'll wait til January, huh? That's okay. As long as you keep writing. I'll toast to that!
Cheers!
Hope Santa brings you your muse back! And some eggnog too, of course. :)
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, editing is important too, so sometimes it's a good thing when the muse gives us a bit of time off. I usually need more time for editing than I do for the original writing down of the story.
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wishes. ;)
Yes, editing is very important but sometimes I get tired of it and I just want to create something new (which is the easiest part for me!). Perhaps I just need a break from work so I can fully concentrate on my writing ;)
That's a miserable situation, Claudia, and I empathise. During holidays with all the pleasure of family, commitments and indulgence, the sustained peace and solitude needed for the muse to stretch herself isn't there. Editing takes over. It's a seasonal thing and the only fear you have is whether the muse has packed her bags in a sulk and taken off.
ReplyDeleteHi Claudia,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post it seemed appropriate for me to tell you that I have enjoyed reading your blog throughout the year. Your style, which is both crisp and intimate, pleases the writer in me and encourages me to march on! So I thank you for your hard work and hope that you reconnect with your muse soon! All the very best for the holidays and beyond.
Hi Mike,
ReplyDeleteLOL! I hope my muse didn't run off to someone else's creative nook ;)
I know she'll be back once the holidays are over. Right now, I guess editing will do :(
Hi Ingrid,
Awwww! Thank you for your kind words, Ingrid. I am so happy to hear my blog inspires you to march on. Comments like yours keep me going as well. I love writing and I love helping other writers like you :)
My writing is slow - but thankfully I'm loaded with ideas, so it's only a matter of time.
ReplyDeletePS I love egg nog. Too bad it's so high in calories. *sigh*
I have been unable to put pen to paper for a couple months. Weird, hope I'm not losing my sense of humor. Maybe I'm out of fodder and need to have some adventures. I might be too happy. In my case I have to be annoyed to write.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle,
ReplyDeleteLucky you! Right now my brain is in editing mode :( I know once I sit in front of my computer, my ideas will flow (just the way it used to be).
Hi Dan,
LOL! I've never heard that one before! I wish I could say the same; in my case, for some strange reason, I get inspired whenever the weather is gloomy.
I used to write considerably, got several short stories published and an agent contacting me about a novel. Unfortunately, I got burned out, so am jut blogging for now. Maybe some day I'll go back to writing. As it is, you're ahead of me!
ReplyDeleteHi 47,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear you got burned out :( If you did it as a copywriter or a journalist, I can see how. However, blogging is writing. So I hope you're enjoying this type of writing ;)
By the way, I absolutely love your blog. Do you have a sidebar for your followers? Hope to see you around.
I hope you get your muse back, but not until you are done with your edits. It's hard to start a project if your mind keeps creeping back to one in the revise status.
ReplyDeleteI don't handle the holidays very well. My feelings get all mixed up. I love my husband and daughter, but miss my family in England a lot. I always feel like I'm not doing enough for my siblings and other relatives....
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteI hope so too! I wish you a lovely time in London. Family is important so it's a wonderful gift that you're giving yourself by being there, with them.
Happy Holidays!