Countdown to Christmas - by DiAnn Mills

It’s fifteen days until Christmas. If you’re like me, you can’t sit still. The excitement has me wiggling to the tune of Jingle Bells. At times I think I’ll explode with the pure joy of the season. It’s in the air I breathe, the thrills of Christmas.

Are you a writer on deadline?

Yet the writing life goes on, and I can’t think of anything worse than an approaching deadline at Christmas. If you’re like me, it’s difficult to concentrate on finishing up a novel, respond and create social media, and explore content for blogs when I’d rather turn up the Christmas music and bake cookies.

Dear writer, this may be the year to slow down, especially if you’re on a time crunch.

How do writers balance family, work, and holiday responsibilities when we want

to create the perfect Christmas? To counter my perfectionism to complete all projects and meet all demands, I made a list of fifteen things every writer can do to make the season more fun and less stressful.

Too many things to do!

1. Calendar the church’s Christmas program and plan to attend.

2. Cut the amount of Christmas decorations in half.

3. Order the holiday baking goodies instead of melting butter and measuring sugar at 1:00 a.m.

4. Stuck with hosting the holiday dinner? Consider a maid and catering service.

5. Shop online and avoid the traffic crunch.

6. Do a Christmas craft with kids. It’s amazing how much fun, and it’s also a creative outlet.

7. Send e-cards instead of mailing traditional ones. It’s cheaper and the selection is amazing.

8. Exercise—you’ll feel better.

9. Eat healthy—your body will thank you.

10. Sleep late and nap so you’re rested for the big party.

11. Read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

12. Have a Christmas movie marathon.

13. Sing all your favorite Christmas songs at the top of your lungs!

14. Take time to thank God for all His blessings.

15. Create a silly poem. Here’s mine:

Up on the Bookshelf

Up on the bookshelf

Editors call.

Out jump agents, writers on call.

Down through the aisles

With lots of books,

All with metaphors and lively hooks.

Ho Ho Ho

A writer would know.

Ho Ho Ho

A writer would know.

Oh, up on a bookshelf

Click Click Click

Down through the aisles

Comes a best seller’s pick.

I can enjoy this countdown!

How are you going to celebrate Christmas this year? This might be the year to relax and allow the quiet beauty of the first Christmas be your inspiration.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; the 2015 president of the Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope, & Love chapter; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.