Twas the Night Before Writing

It’s officially that weird week where, if you are like me, you’re trying to hold down regular routines while your to-do list of non-work tasks continues to grow and the clock is ticking and it makes you feel like nothing is actually getting accomplished.

So first, I want to offer you all permission to handle your work however you see fit. I squeezed in my creative work this morning and will prioritize that work in the next few days. My clients are all taking holiday breaks (whew! You all deserve it!). My husband (who works remotely) and I will be going out for our annual Cox Work From Home Holiday Office Party lunch tomorrow–one of my favorite traditions. And I’m taking a little break from the business to rest and regroup for 2024.

To that end, I will be hitting post on this blog then taking myself and a peppermint mocha to my local independent bookstore to grab some titles for my kids (and try to resist buying books for myself).

As we head into this holiday week, I wanted to leave you all with a little something fun.

I loved Amy Bernstein’s recent post on Substack about the 12 Days of Doubt (if you aren’t already following her on Doubt Monster, do yourself a favor and start right now!) and have been inspired to rewrite my own holiday classic for you writer friends out there.

Enjoy!

Twas the Night Before Writing

Twas the night before writing, despite all their vows,

Not a writer was writing, instead they cleaned house.

Scrivener was opened on the laptop with care,

In the hope that the muse would soon put some words there.

With my spouse watching Netflix, and I with my tea,

Had just settled down to edit rough draft three.

Then out on my phone there arose such a clatter,

I sprang to Instagram to see what was the matter.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear,

Distraction, procrastination, and even fear.

With a little old driver so loud and so stout,

I knew in a moment, it was my self-doubt.

More rapid than query rejections my fears came,

And I whistled and shouted and called them by name:

“Now grammar! Now structure! Now imposter syndrome!

Now stakes! Now plot holes! I have scenes told and not shown!

Oh the fears and the doubts and the way that I stall;

Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!”

And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof,

The reminder and memory of each little goof.

My writing felt tarnished and I felt unworthy.

Until I remembered I’m the god of my story.

So I drank my tea and stretched my arms to the sky,

It was time to take my words and teach them to fly.

From chapter one to the end; the words flowed freely,

Then I revised until it was time to query.

Brave writers must be and always ready to learn;

To reach publication, for the goal we all yearn.

Now let’s give ourself grace and erase all our doubts;

And keep writing and writing to get the words out!

There will be time to tackle our writing goals in 2024. Right now, I want to wish you a very happy holiday filled with rest and good books!

Featured photo by Dan LeFebvre on Unsplash