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Christmas
In August Seasonal
writing can be a difficult proposition. Christmas, Easter, Martin Luther King
Day, and the hundreds of other holidays throughout the year are all potential
writing jackpots if you know how to exploit their potential. New writers can
find themselves at a disadvantage with seasonal articles until they learn about
the editorial calendar, and how publications plan for the coming year. Experienced
writers know that editorial calendars help editors to start planning months in
advance, and the writer who submits a holiday article then can make a good sale.
The only problem, as most writers already know, is getting in the mood to write
for a holiday that is so far away. The
Christmas article is probably the best example to use.
Many markets ask for their Christmas and Hanukkah-related pieces in the
summer. Once a writer understands they should submit early, half the battle is
over, but what about the other half-- capturing the holiday spirit? It's not
easy getting in the mood to write about the holiday gift-giving extravaganza or
family Christmas traditions when it is 80 degrees outside. When you are thinking
about going to the pool or spending time in the garden, your brain has a hard
time switching over to snow, tinsel, and candy canes. The
good news is that nearly every other writer is also having a hard time in this
department. If you can make the switch easier on yourself, you can soar ahead of
the competition. Getting into the holiday spirit in your beach shorts and flip
flops can be tough, but Christmas sells, so why not try some of these tricks to
get you in the mood?: +
Search for a year-round Christmas decoration store in the area. Spend part of
the day browsing, maybe even taking advantage of the lower prices and stocking
up early! Absorb.
Get the descriptive part of your brain tuned-in and carefully remember
(or jot down) details you want to pepper your writing with.
Find a coffee shop nearby and start writing. Use that writer's
imagination to pretend it is the holiday season. +
Dig out the Christmas CDs or tapes and play them while your write, or beforehand
to set the mood. Crank up the air conditioning, make hot chocolate with little
marshmallows, and start a Christmas list for your family.
Then brainstorm article ideas. The
nice part is that when the season comes, you will already be ahead of the game
with a list of gifts. +
Rent "It's A Wonderful Life" or some other favorite Christmas movie.
Keep a small notepad nearby to jot down any ideas for stories or emotions that
the movie provokes. +
Make a list of all the best presents you ever received from people. +
Ask friends, family and anyone you can think of for their all-time favorite
presents. Write a holiday gift-giving guide based on people's answers.
You can even use quotations. +
Choose any charity that you feel passionately about, research the organization,
and write a compelling article asking people to remember that particular place
during the holiday season. It will help to get the ball rolling. +
String up some Christmas lights and pull out some decorations... you don't have
to do the whole house up in garland, but putting some holiday decor in your
writing area can help summon the muse. +
Bake some holiday cookies, complete with sugar sprinkles in red and green. The
smell alone could be enough to put you in the proper mood! If not, at least you
will have something tasty to nibble on. +
Take out last year's holiday cards and read them again.
Try to give yourself a little trip down memory lane and evoke those warm
feelings. If,
after all your work the spirit of the season is not yet upon you, don't despair.
Take the day off and go to the beach.
Write an article for a publication that needs less lead time, such as a
September back to school article, or one for Halloween.
Getting your brain to think ahead is a skill that is improved with time
and patience. The
tips above can help you jump-start the creative process, but everyone is
different. Take what works for you, leave the rest, and add your own.
Pretty soon when summer rolls around, you'll be ready to put up a
Christmas tree! Catherine L. Tully is a freelance writer who has written articles for Boys' Life, Dance Teacher, IDEA Health and Fitness Source and Dance Spirit, among others. J. Wallace works in television, radio and print and has interviewed hundreds of people over the span of his career, including Ty Pennington and Bob Hope. |
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