Welcome
readers, writers, authors, and bloggers!
For the last
time this year, it’s the First Wednesday of the month when we celebrate IWSG Day, in the form of a blog hop featuring
all of the members of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. Founded by Alex Cavanaugh and fostered by like-minded associates, IWSG is a place to
share the fabulous views and exciting news that occurs along our fascinating
writing journeys. Pull up a chair and join us!
Our awesome co-hosts for
this month’s posting of the IWSG are: Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre!
‘The most beautiful stories always start with wreckage.” ~ Jack
London
If the quote above holds true, we
writers have our work cut out for us after the year we’ve had. I predict a
large number of epic novels will hit the shelves next year. Yet, 2020 is the
last thing I want to write about just now. I don’t even want to think about it.
Truth is my inspiration bucket, for a
time, seemed to have sprung a leak.
Detecting my reluctance to embrace any
festivities relating to holidays this year, a dear friend of mine reminded me
of how pleasing it is to gaze at the lights on the tree. And that’s all it took
to get the spirit of Christmas once again glowing in my heart. Whew!
That was close.
Now I can think about dragging out boxes of ornaments and lights, a golden sleigh for elves and gnomes and other Christmas sprites. Summer dust will soon be gone, replaced with cotton ‘snow,’ and every single power strip will be in use, I know. Red vines hang like crimson fronds within a tiny scene where ribbon candy waterfalls spill in taffy ponds; a shadowboxed delight to share the stage beside the tree we’ll gaze upon each night.
With any luck, I’ll find that elusive
treetop star I look for every year ;-) If not, I ran across an enchanting
treetop gnome with a green scarf that perfectly matches our ceramic Christmas
pickle ornament (whosoever finds it first gets a reward!)
Otherwise, in answer to this month’s
question:
Are there months or times of the year when
you are more productive with your writing?
I tend to write a lot in January, after the
holiday rush. It’s a real good running (writing) start for the year. I like
writing during and after rainstorms when rainbows bend and stretch. And sunsets
that compel description. Sunrises tend to set the pace for the day and have
been known to completely derail any previous plans I might have had before the “big
idea” and that first cup of coffee. Good times ;-)
Happy writing and Merry Christmas,
everyone!
“Christmas is the day that holds all time together,” ~ Alexander
Smith
Christmas pickle ornament? Now that's a new one.
ReplyDeleteDon't lose that Christmas spirit.
Hi Alex!
DeleteI admit, I faltered ;-) But I've loved Christmas my entire life - too late to stop now.
Happy Holidays!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi, diedre!
DeleteHappy December IWSG Day, dear friend! I was looking for your post this morning. When it didn't appear, I got busy doing some writing of my own. I am happy to see you, but dismayed to learn that your muse abandoned you for a period during this very trying year. Now that you are getting into the holiday spirit, I am sure you will build momentum and in January propel yourself forward toward completion of myriad writing projects. As for me, all it takes is a clear and chilly night in Florida gazing at tiny dots of pure white light piercing the darkness on a neighbor's holiday adorned bush or tree and I'm there - calm, at peace, filled with the spirit and with hope.
I will need to start monitoring my writing progress through the changing seasons to determine if I become more prolific at certain times of the year. My best ideas seem to come to me when I am showering or in bed trying to fall asleep.
diedre, do take good care of yourself. Thank you very much for another year of friendship. I wish you and yours a merry Christmas and all the best in 2021.
Hi Shady!
DeleteWonderful to have you stop by! Up until yesterday afternoon, I hadn't planned on posting for December. I felt like I had nothing to say. Then, it occurred to me that perhaps I was just out of practice ;-)
I do adore the sights and sounds of the season. There's a practically ancient neighborhood here that, for years, has gone all out with outdoor light displays folks would come from all over the place to see. Like so many other things, it too has been canceled. So I'm glad to see our neighbors getting into the spirit. It's doing wonders for mine ;-)
Indeed, I'll have a mountain of things to "get back to" once I do. Funny, I would never think you'd ever be at a loss for words, or creativity. You're highly inspirational that way.
I hope your holidays are warm and wonderful, dear Shady. Here's to another year of blogging fun and friendship!
Hope you find that star for your tree. I'm hoping to write more in January when it's cold and snowy out and I just want to stay in. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteHi Natalie!
DeleteI know what you mean, though it rarely snows around here.
I was insisting on a blue star. Had to be blue. If the gnome is any indication, I'm straying off course a bit ;-)
Happy Holidays to you as well!
I'm so glad you are able to get into the holiday spirit. I hope you are able to enjoy the holidays, and some writing time. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHi Sylvia!
DeleteSometimes the spirit is just too irresistible ;-)
Have a joyous season!
How interesting that you have the writing surge in January. I'm usually so exhausted that I do very little that first month. Here's to decorating and making the holiday as bright and cheery as possible. May you have a wonderful Christmas, Deidre.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lee ;-)
DeleteHave a delightful December!
We weren't going to put up a Christmas tree this year, but then yesterday my wife decided she wanted to and had me drag all the stuff out of the garage. Now we have our decorated tree that probably no one will see except for my wife and me and so it will be.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
Hi Lee!
DeleteYou won't regret putting up the tree - I promise! even if it is only the two of you basking in the glow of happiness (wherever we can find it) know you're not alone. We're all wishing on the same star, with the same thought in mind, I imagine.
Wishing you two a healthy and very happy holiday!
Hi Diedre - it's not an easy time of year right now - but I'm glad you saw the lights and decided to join in (as much as you feel, I suspect). Writing in January - well it certainly sets you up for the year ... all the best ... stay safe and take care - Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary!
DeleteIndeed, the alternative seemed worse than the year we've already trudged through. So yes, bring out the lights, the tree, the cheer!
I'm delighted that you stopped by, Hilary. Wishing you a very merry Christmas!
How nice that your most productive writing comes after the Holiday Rush. That's wonderful. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth!
DeleteYes, its as if creativity piles up by the door that opens on a tranquil sigh. Good thing I take notes or what a jumble I'd have ;-)
dIEDRE ~
ReplyDeleteAs always, I am fashionably late.(Yuk!-Yuk! Anyone who really knows me knows that I am such a maverick, in almost everything, that fashionable is the last thing I have ever, or could ever, be. Helck, I can't even define the dang word!)
Considering the fact that tomorrow a cousin of mine is undergoing a serious medical procedure, and also tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of a good friend's death, a person might expect I wouldn't be in the Christmas spirit. And yet, I am.
Tonight, I finished decorating the Christmas tree, and tomorrow night after work, I intend to get the family Nativity set put up. (Jesus is the Reason for the Season!) And I am looking forward to getting my Xmas cards sent out.
I dunno what's going on. I myself would expect me to be down, Down, DOWN right now. And yet, I'm not. Maybe just the crappiness of 2020 has me in the mindset that *ANYTHING* even somewhat cheerful seems magnified a thousand times or more.
Whatever this strange CovidCheerfulness illness is that I am currently suffering from, I'm sure I'll be over it and be back to my usual "Glass Is Half-Empty" self by January 2nd.
Seriously, I hope you and your family have a terrific Holiday season. (Just don't forget to stay at least 6 feet away from everyone in your family, and be sure to wear a face diaper whenever possible. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the death of everyone in the world between now and... the second coming of Rod Serling and 'The Twilight Zone'.)
~ D-FensDogG'Loyal
American Underground'
Howdy Stephen T.,
DeleteHa! Just glad you stopped by, my friend. Whatever the 'Reason for the Season,' I'm (also) glad you found it ;-)
My thoughts are with the one you worry for. Hope it all works out.
According to legend, we can thank a poor man without the means to fund the dowries of his three daughters for the hanging of stockings by the chimney with care tradition. It seems upon hearing of the poor man’s plight, generous old St. Nick dropped a bag of gold down the chimney where the daughters had hung their stockings to dry ;-)
Have a magical Christmas!