Writing During the Holidays

How to Keep Writing During the Holidays by Involving Your Family

Mia Barnes helps us keep writing during the holidays!

Writing during the holidays is often more challenging than writing at other times. You’re likely spending your free time traveling to see family or hosting them at home.

Although visiting loved ones can be enjoyable, you may worry about falling behind in your latest creative works.

Check out how you can continue writing throughout the season and even include your family members in your favorite hobby.

1. Schedule Morning or Evening Writing Time

Consider the option of setting aside some time in your morning or evening routine.

Set your alarm clock back by 15 minutes to create space for your writing. You can also stay up 15 minutes later than usual by writing before bed.

Even if that’s less time than you’d typically spend writing, it’s still helps you progress more than if you spend weeks without thinking about your current works in progress.

Consider if you’re a morning or evening person to decide which time of day works best with your natural energy levels. You’ll have more enjoyable writing sessions if you don’t force your brain to develop new ideas when its tired or sluggish.

2. Ask Everyone to Try Writing Prompts

Why spend all your time writing by yourself?

Encourage your family members to answer quick writing prompts with you. Everyone can write for 10 minutes and share what they’ve written when a timer goes off.

You’ll get to practice your short story and flash fiction skills while prompting fun conversations with your family.

3. Play a Writing Game

You could also get creative with your clan by planning a few writing games during the winter holidays.

Word games expand everyone’s vocabulary, so try crossword puzzles or spelling challenges. Each family member could add a word to a sentence and craft a nonsensical story that makes everyone laugh.

Setting aside time for creative expressions of joy will decrease any stress that may crop up while your work in progress waits for your attention. You’ll also create great memories with your favorite people before everyone returns to their everyday lives.

4. Read a Book Together

Reading improves your writing skills because it introduces different sentence structures, a more comprehensive vocabulary and new ways to craft stories.

Pick a book or two and ask your family to read it with you over the holidays. Reading strengthens your writing abilities and becomes a bonding activity, whether a novel or a short story collection.

It may even lead to a year-round family book club if you pick stories that interest everyone.

5. Write Short Stories as Gifts

Instead of buying traditional gifts, you could write short stories where each of your loved ones is the protagonist.

You’ll have more reason to write and a deadline, which adds the slight pressure you might need to dedicate time to your creative hobby.

Stories make thoughtful gifts, save money, and create opportunities to practice writing during the holiday season.

Enjoy Writing This Holiday Season

Remember these tips as you make writing a family affair this holiday season. No matter what your family celebrates or how much time you have together, these ideas will prioritize your creative skills even when you’re on vacation.

Look forward to all the writing you’re about to accomplish — you’ll end the season with fantastic memories and a few honed skills up your sleeve.

* * *

Mia Barnes is a 26-year old health and wellness writer with 3+ years of experience writing about personal wellness strategies.

She is also the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Body+Mind magazine.