By Rachel Scott McDaniel, @rachelsmcdaniel
They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year, but a recent online survey reported that 60 percent of adults were stressed during the holidays. How do we as writers refrain from being included in that statistic? Is there a way to rest during all the writing deadlines, hectic holiday schedules, increasing credit card bills flooding our mailboxes? You can bet your jingle bells! (If you haven’t noticed I’m trying to see how many Christmas tunes I can sneak into this post.)
Firstly, let’s take a second and establish the importance of rest. Rest is valuable. It’s a time to reset. When life and writing deadlines get demanding, rest is usually the first factor in our lives that gets neglected. But to shut the door on rest means opening the door to possible burn out. And when burn out happens the creativity juices spoil like bad eggnog, leaving us with nothing but exhaustion and a blinking cursor.
So here are some practical ways to sprinkle rest into this season.
- Give yourself grace. Christmas is a time to reflect on Jesus’s birth with our loved ones. A time to make memories and eat copious amounts of grandma’s homemade toffee. Unless you are on a predetermined deadline, it’s okay to take a break and not write. Say this again with me—it’s okay not to write. Sometimes giving ourselves a mental respite will actually benefit us, giving ideas and plot points time to marinate in our minds as we step back from the laptop.
- Cut out the things that aren’t necessary during this time. YES, we need to visit Aunt Myrtle’s house for the annual Ugly Christmas Sweater party, but NO we don’t have to overcommit to other things that can wait until our schedules open up. This right here, is actually difficult for me. But I’m learning to set boundaries. To be protective over my writing time and my rest time. Recently I’ve had to say ‘No’ to a few things, and while I also have the niggle of guilt, I knew it was the right decision.
- Schedule a time for rest. This may seem silly, but actually pencil in a stretch of time devoted to relaxing. And stick to it. That way you can’t revert to the excuse, “Well, I just don’t have time to rest.” Because by marking it in your planner, you set aside the amount of time you need. You can also determine to be more disciplined about getting to sleep earlier. There’s a lot to be said for a silent night. (Did you catch that one?)
- Reward yourself with rest. Sometimes we have to do All. The. Things. Buy the gifts, write that chapter, wrap the gifts, edit that chapter. When on deadline, there’s no way around it. But after you complete a hard task, reward yourself with rest. This will also get you into the mindset that rest is a prized thing.
- Know your limits. Oh man. This one gets me at times, too. Because I want to squeeze in that extra hour of writing (or reading) time when I know I should be sleeping. Or when I take on too many things such as endorsements, and then I feel the crunch to get everything finished. This goes along with setting boundaries and should be applied to all areas in life, not only writing.
So before you go dashing through the snow, remember that rest is only going to be a priority if you make it one. Avoid the burnout. Be present during the holidays. Write, but be smart about it. Rest so you can enjoy walking in a winter wonderland. (Had to get that last song title in 😉 )
Merry Christmas!
Two women, a century apart, are bound by a haunting secret aboard a legendary steamboat.
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.
As wedding coordinator for the 100-year-old steamboat The Belle of Louisville, Devyn Asbury takes pride in seeing others’ dreams come true, even though her engagement had sunk like a diamond ring to the bottom of the Ohio River. When the Belle becomes a finalist in the Timeless Wedding Venue contest, Devyn endeavors to secure the prestigious title with hopes to reclaim some of her professional dreams. What she hadn’t planned on was Chase Jones showing up with a mysterious photo from the 1920s.
A century earlier, Hattie Louis is as untamable as the rivers that raised her. As the adopted daughter of a steamboat captain, her duties range from the entertainment to cook. When strange incidents occur aboard the boat, Hattie’s determined to discover the truth. Even if that means getting under First Mate Jack Marshall’s handsome skin.
Rachel Scott McDaniel is an award-winning author of historical romance. Winner of the ACFW Genesis Award and the RWA Touched By Love award, Rachel infuses faith and heart into each story. Rachel can be found online at www.RachelScottMcDaniel.com and on all social media platforms. Her work is represented by Julie Gwinn of the Seymour Agency. Rachel resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. She enjoys life in Ohio with her husband and two kids.