Helping Writers Become Authors
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December 25, 2015 by 55 Comments News
Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying the holiday and counting it, as I do, an apt reminder of all God’s blessings throughout the year. Even if you’re not writing today (yeah, I admit it, I’m not that dedicated), I hope you’re full of ideas for the brand new year ahead of us. Looking forward to sharing it with you!
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About K.M. Weiland | @KMWeilandK.M. Weiland is the award-winning and internationally-published author of the acclaimed writing guides Outlining Your Novel, Structuring Your Novel, and Creating Character Arcs. A native of western Nebraska, she writes historical and fantasy novels and mentors authors on her award-winning website Helping Writers Become Authors.
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Merry Christmas, KM! I don’t have any writing to do this Christmas, but I think that if I did, I’d probably take a day off. Too much to do today! ;D
Yep, I’m just sneaking a few minutes to check email while my Christmas chicken digests. Don’t ask me how much I ate…
Merry Christmas K.M.! I will write after 8, when the family Christmas celebration has ended.
I think I’ll have to collapse from too much steam pudding by that point. 😉
I edited. Now going to enjoy the beautiful unseasonal sunshine
No sunshine here! I’ll send you a little snow.
Merry Christmas, Katie, and all the blog readers! Not much celebration here, since my mom works today and did yesterday too. So, it’s writing all the way!
Well, I hope you’ve at least got some good eggnog on hand for inspiration!
A little off topic, but have you seen the new Star Wars? I would love to hear your general thoughts and especially plot analysis, since I watched it two times now and only identified the 3d plot point and the 2d pinch point (I think), but am drawing a blank with midpoint and others.
I’ve got tickets to see it on Monday and will definitely be writing up a Story Structure Database analysis for it. Check back late on Tuesday (the database link is up in the top toolbar).
Here it is! (Major spoilers, of course, for anyone who hasn’t seen it.) https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/movie-storystructure/star-wars-the-force-awakens/
Thanks, you’re a star!
Merry Christmas to you too. Have a fantastic time with family and friends ^_^
The last few days have been super full, but I have a contest deadline and a chunk of edits to finish so I may very well do some writing at some point this afternoon/evening. Looking forward to it… 😉
Merry merry Christmas!!!! 😀
Btw, that Santa gif is kind of getting me… Is that you photo shopped in? Or am I just seeing things??? 🙂
Yeah, courtesy of Photofunia. 😉
I must admit, I put in a couple of hours this morning. But then, I had time to kill while I waited for my daughter to finish a singing engagement at a cathedral (I was taxi service driving her 200 miles from the church to home. My other excuse is that I’m on my last three chapters and it’s kinda exciting – hard to keep away from it.
Ah, you put us all to shame. 😉
Merry Christmas to you. Thanks for all the informative posts.
Yes, I did. Spent about two and a half hours working on a broken chapter near the end of my first novel. It needed, still needs, help, but it’s getting there.
Good for you! Glad you’re enjoying the posts.
I was actually feeling guilty about it. The only creative thing I have done is compose a few FB posts! A Merry and Blessed Christmas to you, K.M.!!
No guilt allowed on Christmas. 😉
I went to see the new Star Wars movie with my family. Loved it and had a great time.
That’s good to hear! I get to go on Monday.
Neither do I. In my own holidays, I never even venture near my work in that day. I believe we should keep our religious events sacred.
And have an amazing holiday, merry Christmas to you. 🙂
Late to the party here. Merry Christmas to all.
KM you look hilarious in that santa gif! It’s a Santa angel.
Well, I did write today. Just couldn’t help myself. I was gleaning one of your posts on the 6 aspects of story premise, character arcs, etc a D wanted to put it to practice. Had a ball. Wrote a premise for a story project and working on another. Fun stuff! Love having that birds eye view of the entire
story. Makes me feel like an eagle.
Thanks
Hah. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. 😉
Merry Christmas
I did a bit of editing in the morning and improved a chapter in a book. This is a fairly light editing run so it only took about 20 minutes. I spent more time doing my boxing day shopping online for a new laptop than I did writing, and even that was finished before I needed to start making tea biscuits for my family Christmas party. It helps when our party was hosted close enough for me to bicycle there (warm enough too – and I’m in Canada).
That sounds fun!
Hope you had a lovely Christmas. I had turkey and all the trimmings. Tomorrow I shall edit.
All the very best to you in 2016
I always enjoy visiting your blog.
You’re a little quicker getting back in the swing of things than I am. December’s been so crazy, I probably won’t fully hit my stride in my regular routine until Tuesday.
Merry Christmas Kate
And to you!
Actually, Katie, I was working at me regular job and my client kept me busy most of the day. By the time he went to bed, I was too worn out to even fire up the lap top.
Sounds like you had a productive day anyway!
Merry Christmas post! (… not sure what the opposite of ‘eve’ is…) Anyway!! No writing on Christmas, got together with family and celebrated.
My mom had some medical issues kept her from eating … it really helped focus on what’s important… what gift giving is really about (love and appreciation) and to thank God for all His previsions, even the challenging ones.
On the ‘helping writers become authors’ front. Have appreciated your posts, answers to tweets and books on writing/crafting words into stories. You’ve been a tremendous help… which I hope will show through the finished product, in the same way a student baker might show evidence of the master bakers’ instruction by the fabulous loaves that they, in turn, create.
“provision’ I could blame it on auto-correct. but really the fault is mine for not proof reading more thoroughly before posting.
Hear, hear in regard to focusing on the heart behind the gift giving and the gratitude for blessings God has already given us. To me, that’s one of the most wonderful things about Christmas.
Look at that Snow!!! Wahhhhh it’s 70 degrees here in NYC! And what on God’s green earth is steam pudding? Share share share!
Here you go: http://www.williams-sonoma.com/recipe/steamed-cranberry-pudding.html
I spent the day with family, extended and otherwise. But I’ll admit to at least thinking about writing. Do I get points for that?
Definitely. 😉
Did NOT write on Christmas day. Too busy, was on my feet most of the day, went home TIIIIIRED, and as soon as I hit the bed, I was OUT! But it was a really good day, anyway. 😀
That’s what counts! 🙂
Going a day without writing make me sad, so I did a little bit on Christmas day. Mostly just a (very, very) short “Merry Christmas” post on my blog, but it was enough to make me feel like the day wasn’t a complete skip day.
Hope you had a great holiday!
Well, we definitely wouldn’t want you to be sad on Christmas. 😉
I don’t think not writing on Christmas means you aren’t dedicated. Every one deserves a day off now and then- even writers! I hope spending time with friends and/or family helped you recharge your batteries rather than draining them.
Actually, I totally agree. I was just kidding. 😉
Nope; I took a few days off for fellowship with family and friends. I hope you enjoyed an awesome Christmas, Kathryn. Happy New Year!
Good for you! And back atcha.
I actually feel guilty for not even opening the file yesterday. But that feeling started yesterday.
Guilt’s not allowed on Christmas. 😉
I got Storming as a Christmas present and I’ve loved every page so far! I’m 3/4 of the way through and dreading the end because then the story will be over…
Well, yay for Santa! 😉 I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. Totally makes you my Favorite Person of the Week. 😉
Aw, thanks! I finished it and the character interviews. (It’s only 1 AM.) It was amazing!