How a Writer Faces the Holidays

How a Writer Faces the Holidays
By DiAnn Mills

For some people, The holidays are about the food and gifts. For others, the holidays are about spending time with family and friends. Some can’t wait to experience the latest football game. Then there are writers. Oh, we love the food, family, parties, gifts, and friends, but what about the inevitable questions that shake the foundation of our self-confidence? I’m talking about the statements that cause us to wonder who the real turkey is.

We all have family who resembles these birds.

Comments like:
1. Let me introduce you to our family writer. He/she hasn’t sold anything, but writing is a nice hobby.
2. How many hours do you spend on your computer?
3. Aren’t you neglecting your family with that crazy dream?
4. Aren’t there meds for OCD people like you?
5. Making any money yet?
6. I heard a writer has to be on drugs or drunk to sell stuff that sells. Which are you?

I could go on about our loving family and friends who really do mean well, but they often take a vicious stab at our hearts at a time when we should be concentrating on the most wonderful time of the year. Instead of sinking our hurt feelings into another generous slice of pumpkin pie, why not memorize a list of all the writer blessings received during the year? 

Creativity! We have the artist touch of communicating through the written word. We see the world in unexpected beauty and share our adventures.
Opportunity! We have so many ways to share our gift. All a writer has to do is find a need and write it.

 Joy! Writers love what they do. We can’t wait to hit the computer keys. How sad to spend hours on a craft we don’t enjoy.

Imagination! The unique personalities sitting around the table allow our characters to have those special quirks. Don’t be a turkey and explain to critical people where we find our impressive characters.

Fruitfulness! When everyone is watching football, napping, or eating again, we plot our next story.

Preparation! This is my favorite. A writer who prepares the holiday feasts can imagine all of her characters are coming to dinner—what they’d like to eat and of course the conversation.

Shopping! While everyone else hits the 5:00 a.m. shopping malls and fights crowds, writers waken early to sip coffee and in the quiet hours, their stories come alive.

Love makes the difference.

As the year comes to a close, we writers can learn from our past victories and challenges, update our bios, dust off our proposals, commit to learning more about our craft, explore new publishing trends, and seek a serious writer to mentor. Writers enhance the world so we can be a blessing to others—even those special family members and friends.
 
How are you blessed as a writer?

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.

She has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe.

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. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers; a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association; International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. 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.