Writing Interruptions: Handling the Holidays
One of the biggest interruptions I deal with lasts over two months, is tons of fun, often is full of sweet family memories, and always plays havoc with my entire schedule – starting with my writing plans!
If you haven’t yet guessed, I’m speaking of the holidays from October – December. For a multigenerational caregiver, it can be especially difficult during this “happiest season of all!” How about you?
I often struggle to fit in my own gift buying along with my senior mom’s shopping AND taking the grandkids out to look for little gifts for their parents. Then, of course, there’s the extra shopping needed for holiday parties, pot lucks and dinners. (That’s a LOT of shopping, isn’t it?)
One of my favorite pleasures of the holidays is listening to music programs which are truly joy-filled, but can also carve more time from my normal schedule. And for those of us who travel to visit loved ones, that can easily wipe out hours or even days!
What’s an overwhelmed writer to do? One of my annual goals is to remind myself of a lovely gift I received decades ago – a lovely jam jar full of whole walnuts in the shell and white rice. The card that came with it wisely pointed out that if you put the rice in first the walnut won’t fit. It’s only when the walnuts go in first that it all works out. As the card explained, the walnuts are the priorities in our lives – God, family, writing, and any other vital things. The rice is everything else – good things, but not totally essential.
I then, prayerfully, go forward in this festive season – focusing on the top priorities and praying for God to make sure I don’t miss anything vital. And I look for various nooks and crannies of time to jot down notes and ideas for articles. Like right now – my grandkids are having a blast playing at their favorite park with other children while I am wandering around it keeping a watchful eye on them, writing this article, and making good use of my iPhone, complete with a searchable Bible.
As this season of holiday joy progresses, join me in setting the essential priorities – starting with God – and prayerfully juggling everything to the best of our prayer-coated abilities.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for the joy we find in the holiday season – from harvest fun through Thanksgiving to Christmas and beyond. Thank you for all the interruptions those sweet times also bring. Please fill us with Your peace and give us Your wisdom to know how to wisely use the time You have so richly blessed us with. Amen.
Mystery Writing is Murder with 8 Ways to Cut the Fat from your WIP and a Giveaway!
http://tanyadennisbooks.com/2012/12/10/book-review-digging-up-death-by-gina-conroy/
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