Wednesday, December 7, 2022

IWSG December 2022: Holiday Writing and Book Shenanigans

 


IWSG

December 7 question - It's holiday time! Are the holidays a time to catch up or fall behind on writer goals?

The awesome co-hosts for the December 7 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Chemist Ken, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Cathrina Constantine!


HOLIDAYS and WRITING


Holidays are the best time for me to read and to write stories that bring me joy. It would be nice if every aspect of writing filled me with joy, but some parts are simply hard work. 

Sometimes, a book or story will seem to dead end into a cheerless, dark corner by the trash leftover from Halloween, but it's often that I need to shed more light on the story, or I need to lighten up my mood with something fun or silly or just odd. I've written a number of short stories that fit into those categories, and some of them have been stories I've written around the holiday season. 

Then, there are the "serious" stories that seem to beg to be written in December, when the sky grows dim. Even as I long for light, some years I turn to history and faith, and find myself poking at an old historical fiction story or reworking a poem long forgotten. 

For me, it all depends on the year and what else it has brought into my life.

This year, I plan on vacationing from writing other than in my journal from December 22-27th, and I think having a planned timed off is good for renewing the energy I need to write. 

December 26th-January 1st are my prime reading days for the entire year, based on a childhood tradition. I asked for books on my tenth Christmas, received fifteen of them, and read half before I started school again in January. While I don't often read quite that many books every year in that week, I spend at least two days reading to my heart's content.

How do you write and read over the holiday season?


BOOK SHENANIGANS/NEWS

Dark Blade: Forged is completed as a Kindle Vella serialization. The first three episodes are free (this is a Kindle Vella rule), and the whole novel is finished. I will be turning it into a regular Ebook, paperback, and Audiobook in 2023.

Dark Blade: Tempered (Dark Blade, Vol. 2) is my newest Kindle Vella project, with the first free episode out today! I have a more-detailed-than-usual plot outline for the series to keep the serialization driving forward. 

On an "off writing" day, I spent some time playing with my book covers again (they are mostly the same, but Dark Blade: Tempered is new) at Canva and attempting to create a new banner for The World of Aramatir. This is what I have so far, but I hope to create some "marketing" materials for the series as I get into the new year. 



Pre-orders are definitely happening at Amazon for 25 Impossible Tales of Survivors, Flawed Heroes, and Annoyed Villains It was fun to put together, and using some great feedback from some beta readers, I've taken out one of the darker stories and added in a happier one. 

Due to some family wedding plans in the spring (one of my daughters), I have moved the release date up to January! If you are interested in becoming an ARC reader for a free copy, check out my Booksprout Campaign. 




If this is your last post of the year, I wish you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!



19 comments:

cleemckenzie said...

Taking a break often brings us back to writing with more excitement and fresh ideas. Enjoy your break, Tyrean!

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I love your reading time tradition! I usually buy some books as gifts to myself. :)

Merry Christmas, Tyrean! Wishing you all the best in 2023!

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's great that you're taking a break. We need them sometimes. And it's cool that you have a reading tradition during the holiday season.

Tyrean Martinson said...

C.Lee - Thank you!

Madeline - I love having extra time to read after Christmas.
Merry Christmas to you, too and Happy New Year!

Natalie - reading goes with Christmas for me - it's my way of lighting up the dense nights of the season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Patricia JL said...

Writing tends to end up on the back burner for me during the holidays. between crafts shows and family stuff I don't have the mental energy for it. It's annoying, but it also doesn't last so I do my best not to fret over it.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Patricia - yes, sometimes it seems best to go with the break as it is and enjoy it. Happy Christmas!

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

What you've done with your bookcovers is working. They're intriguing. Merry Christmas, Tyrean. Happy Writing!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

A new release - that's awesome!
How many books do you think you'll read after Christmas?
Have a Merry and Blessed Christmas!

Jemi Fraser said...

My favourite Christmas book gift was my beautiful boxed edition of The Hobbit!
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season with your family - enjoy!!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I always asked for a books for Christmas.

The new covers are beautiful and that's wonderful you're starting in the second book of your Dark Blade series.

Loni Townsend said...

Hope you have a wonderful holiday season. Good job with your cover rework!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Congrats on getting so much accomplished. Wishing a wonderful holiday right back at you.

Liza said...

I love your idea of spending post Christmas days reading your heart out!

M.J. Fifield said...

I hope you enjoy your vacation/reading time!

And best of luck with your new release in January! Love the title!!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Breaks are often what we need to kick start our creativity.

Steph W. said...

I like the idea of having a "reading time." I need to do a better job of writing what brings me joy instead of feeling forced to work on a specific WIP. Happy Reading!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Enjoy your break. Happy holidays and a Merry Christmas.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Shorts are so hard to write. You do them so well. That's definitely a gift. I'll have to check out the new anthology.

Toi Thomas said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love that you are doing so well with Vella and I am glad to see you'll be releasing regular books of the content. I wish you all the best in your holiday reading.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!