Stuff Those Envelopes!

My fellow writers, readers, and Alley Cats, will be the first to preview the Dicken Christmas card!

I was so thankful the weather was nice on Thanksgiving day, because that was when I planned to take shots of the kids in our new yard. We were blessed with a fabulous fall this year!
As I sat and organized my addresses, requested more via email, deleted some, figured out who was getting a 5x7 of the kids along with their card...etc. I couldn't help but feel frustrated and overwhelmed with my poor attempt at being organized.

I am not Type A (period)

The frustration was released magically when I started stuffing the envelopes. I just crammed the cards in them even though I had a pile of unfinished addresses since I was waiting to hear from those friends and family members. I began to add to my pile of ready-to-stamp envelopes, and the “unedited” ones were less intimidating.

Isn't this how writing is? Whether you're trying to get those words out for that first draft (I am sure many NaNoWriMo participants are wincing at that statement...it was a long month, huh?), or struggling through edits...Doesn't it sometimes feel great to just stop the struggle, and tie up loose ends elsewhere?

• If you are working on completing a draft and are stuck, just get away from that scene or chapter, and start writing a scene that is stuck in your head, desperate to get out. Who knows, you might just discover a brilliant turn of events for your character that will fix that sagging scene you were working on.

• If you are trying to get through edits, and are feeling discouraged...step away. Take a break. Enter a contest. Work on another idea for a bit. Find something to COMPLETE (maybe a good read?) and feel rejuvenated.

• And if you are trying to cram 100 Christmas cards in the mail by Christmas, and just don't have it together...cram 25...today, then a few the next. This might drive some of you crazy...I am thinking Plotsters more than Pantsters? But get SOMETHING accomplished, you'll feel so much better. ;)

I hope you have a very MERRY Christmas, and remember, all the stuff is just that, STUFF. Most importantly, there is a little baby in the manger who wants to be your best friend...nothing else compares to that!
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 Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across cultures. She is an ACFW member and CEO of a family of six.