My Christmas Wishlist

First of all, welcome to all my new followers!  Yesterday was SO much fun!  I'm still replying to comments, so if you haven't heard from me yet, either you have the no-reply option for your email address or you will hear from me later today.  In the meantime, enjoy some treats!

Now, I'll be honest here and say that my Christmas wishlist isn't as long as it COULD have been.  Ever since Fluffy (for all my new readers, this would be my Kindle) entered into my life, I've simply purchased a book the moment I wanted it.  However, I've been trying to be good and not get anything for myself for the past few weeks.

Book #1 on my list.  This is the third installment of Carrie Jones' NEED series.  Blood-thirsty pixies and noble Weres face off in an epic battle of epicness!  So. Want. This.

Book #2!  I haven't read much MG, but this cover is so intriguing, I can't resist.

And finally:

Book #3.  Aka my book on a bookshelf.  That would be wonderful!  

How about you, dear readers?  Have anything you have on your Christmas wishlist?

'Tis the Season

Christmas song of the day: Chipmunks Roasting on an Open Fire

I don't think it's much of a secret that a lot of agents take December off from the deluge of queries they usually receive.  A lot of them say it's to get caught up with what they've already received and to spend more time with their clients' projects, but I suspect it's probably so they actually get to spend time with family.  And honestly, who can blame them?  

I know, I know.  It's frustrating to be in the middle of sending out queries and to hit December where it's almost total blackout.  But it can also be a little refreshing.  Wouldn't you like one month where you aren't a slave to your inbox?  Or a month to take a break from your novel and come back with totally fresh eyes?

So take some totally guilt-free time off!  

Make cookies!

Go caroling!

And come back to your novel in January with refreshed and ready eyes.  :)

I'm taking December off.  How about you?

Goober Writers Anonymous--Melanie Schulz

Christmas song of the day: Oh Holy Night

Goober Writers Anonymous is a group for writers to vent about past or present writerly mistakes for therapeutic reasons, to educate others, or just for a laugh.  If you would like to join the group and sign up to submit a guest post, please leave me your email address in the comments below.

Perks of joining:  You get to put the nifty little badge on your blog (yes, this does indeed make you cool), sharing with others and being a part of a group is always fun, and I will put a link to your blog on my blog below under Members of GWA.

I've gotten another post from one of my gracious members and I'm  desperate, DESPERATE for more!  Free cookies to anyone who joins today!

Today's blogger is Melanie Schulz!  Melanie is new to the blogosphere and has recently completed her first draft of her first novel.  Stop by her blog and say hi!

     When I began contemplating what I would write for this Goober Writer’s post, I soon felt overwhelmed.  After all, the number of mistakes I had made, and continue to make, are daunting. I have read Emily’s previous posts and could relate to them all, could even add some that I am too embarrassed to name here.

      Instead, I wanted to write something encouraging to all of us aspiring writers. I have yet to send out my initial queries, but from the sounds of it, encouragement is sorely needed.

     We all have lists of things to do, especially this time of year. But unlike others around us, we have done something; we have written a novel.  A task so immensely challenging and emotionally draining that it’s completion is miraculous in itself. So even if the only people who get to meet our wonderful characters are our grandchildren, at least we had the balls to get out of the box of the mundane and attempt to follow our dreams.

     So on that note, Merry Christmas, enjoy the holidays with your families, knowing that you have done something others only dream of doing.

Thanks for that, Melanie!  We all know admitting our mistakes can get a tad embarrassing (query of horror, anyone?), but we certainly appreciate this little note!

Oh Goodness Me!

All of yesterday went by before I even realized that it was Monday. *smacks forehead*

So clearly, this is a busy time of year for all of us. We're trying to continue with our writing, fulfill any resolutions we made last year, spend time with family, shop for presents, and a host of other demands that are being made on us every single waking moment of the day. But to be perfectly honest, I love it all. I love Christmas. It is my second favorite holiday of the year (preceded only by Easter). For some reason, I always feel invincible around this time of year. No matter what happens (death of family member, loss of job, illness, etc.), a smile always finds it's way onto my face and I remember what this holiday is really about.

Now why did I italicize illness? Well, apparently, I have shingles. Yay for me. It's really not that bad and I'm not suffering from all the symptoms that they name on the website. My muscles are a tad sore and there is one spot on my back where a rash has appeared. My husband, however, is freaking out like I have the plague. Unfortunately, he's never had chickenpox, so he's worried that I'm going to spread this illness to him before Christmas. And what does a loving wife do in such a situation? Why, she hikes up her shirt and waves her rash at him and chases him around the house! Good times. *wipes away tear* In my defense, I had this for a few days before I even figured out what it was. He even touched my adorable little rash. If he was going to get sick, it would have happened already.

But as I played this game with my husband, I realized that I have been sick for practically ever Christmas. This being the case, I came to wonder why on earth I feel invincible? Well, it's because this holiday helps to remind me that there are more important things going on than a cold, flu, or even shingles. All of the drama, illness, whatever, that I go through throughout the year seems pretty trivial in light of this wonderful holiday.

So on that note, I wish you all a very wonderful and blessed Christmas.

~Emily White