Hope you all have a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, etc., and a very Happy, Healthy New Year!
First, last clichés:
Have one’s hands full—To be very busy, be completely occupied or to have more than enough to do. This dates from the 15th century, maybe earlier. See Thomas Malory’s Morge d’Arthur.
Day in, Day out—Regularly constantly, all day and every day. This expression was so defined in a dialect book by W. Carr in 1828. It was widely used by the end of the century. A cliché by the time C. Day Lewis used it in describing his school days in his autobiography, The Buried Day (1960).
To be one’s Own Worst Enemy—To be the major source of one’s own difficulties. The Greek philosopher Anacharsis (c. 550B.C.) stated this idea: “What is man’s chief enemy? Each is his own.” Cicero said it of Julius Caesar (Ad Atticum, 49 B.C.). More recent times, cartoonist Walt Kelly used it through his main character, Pogo.
So, how many did you find?
How do you write during the holidays? What to do with your writing during that time? Most of the agents during this time do not take submissions. But that doesn’t mean you can take to your heels and not write. You may not be able to submit during this time of the year, but you still need to write, even if it’s your holiday newsletter.
At this time of year, you need to stay on the beam and keep writing, editing, and doing what you love. Carry a small notebook and write in it whenever you can. That’s how I started my first novel, Night Terror. You can change your tune, and not write on a computer, but write by hand. That way you don’t have to carry a laptop, i-pad, etc. with you, but use a little notebook that fits in your pocket or your purse.
So during the holiday season, you have no excuse not to write. Enjoy the music, food, family and friends, but….
Keep Writing,
Julie
