Christmas traditions

The first weekend in December usually heralds the start of festivities  - the Christmas tree going up, writing Christmas cards, our annual trip to the local pantomime and the Coney writers Christmas lunch. 

But not this year. Everything is different. 

I've had a Christmas tree up for a month already - it definitely helps brighten up dark days, though my main reason for putting it up so early was for the launch of ' Underneath the Tree'.

I've started to write my Christmas cards. It's taking longer than usual as I'm writing a note in each one. And I'm sending a few more than usual, to include some friends and family who may not be on my Christmas card list but their details are in my address book. I think a little note to someone out of the blue, won't do anyone any harm, especially this year.

There is no trip to the pantomime this December. I know my nieces look forward to it each year, and so do I, but like many events in the arts it's not happening this year. Thankfully we've many happy panto memories to look back on. (Oh yes we have!)

And we couldn't have our Coney Christmas lunch  - instead we opted for an evening get together via zoom. Everyone made the effort getting dressed up in a festive way - Santa, elf and Christmas tree hats competed with Christmas jumpers and a snowman jacket and matching tie. Everyone was in good spirits and could enjoy a festive tipple without worrying about how they'd get home safely later on a cold frosty night (there are some advantages in lockdown). We chatted about writing, what some of us have been doing in our spare time, giggled, shared writing news and toasted each other,  thankful of the group, the support and encouragement it provides as well as the good friends we've made and kept over the years. Here's to 2021 and getting back to Coney again.

So how did Not NaNoWriMo go?

This year being different than any before, I knew NaNoWriMo would not work well for me. I knew I wouldn't have time or energy for a 'normal' NaNoWriMo so I opted for the new normal.

Rather than trying to write the first draft of a novel, my much more realistic goal was to spend at least four hours a week writing and to work on a couple of short stories.

So how did it go?

I'm pleased to say this approach worked well. Rather than falling off the NaNoWriMo band wagon half way through November (which has happened on two previous occasions!) I clung on right to the end of the journey. 

I managed to steal at least four hours each week to write. I worked on four new short stories and submitted ten pieces of work. I attended three virtual writing meetings - one with my  Coney Island writing pals, one with SCBWI Ireland writers and one with SCBWI members across Europe (this wouldn't have happened in other years so there are some benefits to 2020!)

I received four rejections and one acceptance and attended two virtual book launches - one for Anthony Quinn's new book, Turncoat and the other for our own Christmas anthology  'Underneath the Tree'.

The approach worked - it's worth trying doing things differently 

Christmas Anthologies

In previous years, in the run up to Christmas I've treated myself to a Christmas anthology of short stories. They're great to dip into when you've a busy schedule and maybe can't get enough time to indulge in a novel. I often find I read the anthology over the Christmas holidays. What's also different from a novel is that you are more likely to return to the short stories a few years later.

'Silent Nights' and 'Murder Under the Christmas Tree' are gorgeous collections of crime stories with gripping stories from some of the best mystery writers. They make fantastic gifts and are perfect for curling up with when you've consumed too much plum pudding. 

This year I've added to my Christmas anthology collection with 'Underneath the Tree', twelve Christmas stories from writers in Northern  Ireland. And this anthology is definitely one I hope to return to for many years. The proceeds from this book will raise funds for a couple of local charities  - the Simon Community helping combat homelessness and World of Owls, supporting local wildlife. 

But what makes this anthology really special is that I've a story included in it - 'Secret Santa'. I'm looking forward to dipping into it over the next few weeks.

Counting the days

It 's hard to believe we're halfway through November already. 

And if you're counting down you'll know it's 40 days until Christmas. Henry, one of the characters in my story 'Secret Santa' would be able to tell you this too. If you want to find out more about him, you can read the story in 'Underneath the Tree', now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Underneath-Tree-Christmas-stories-Northern/dp/B08HQ4XSZD/ref=asc_df_B08HQ4XSZD/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463155006896&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14978502887678889369&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045221&hvtargid=pla-981810675098&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Around this point in November, if I'm taking part in NaNoWriMo I sometimes begin to wobble. This year I'm not taking part in it, but still trying to stick to writing goals this month. At the end of week two, I've submitted a couple of short stories, taken part in the SCBWI Ireland catch up on Zoom and begun to draft a new short story, so still sticking to the plan, despite the many competing demands on my time.

Not NaNoWriMo

In past Novembers I've taken part in NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month. But this year I knew I would have neither time nor energy to participate in this. So when I read a writing friend's blog suggesting an alternative approach, setting an achievable writing goal, I agreed to take part in this version of November.

My goal was to spend at least 4 hours a week writing and to work on a couple of short stories.

So at the end of week one I'm pleased that I've managed to stick to this goal. I have spent more than the 4 planned hours reworking a short story.

I've also taken part in the Zoom book launch for 'Underneath the Tree' which contains one of my short stories. 

If you missed Wednesday night's launch you can watch it here  https://youtu.be/t9DHSItHMnw

I also met up with my Coney Island writing buddies via Zoom when we chatted, shared our news, did some very stretching writing exercises and enjoyed coffee.

(And I enjoyed some home made white choc and banana muffins).

In between I managed to send in a submission to an agent after a recommendation from a writing friend (and received a subsequent rejection)  write a couple of blog posts and enjoyed reading a beautiful short story collection by Victoria Hislop.

Let's hope the rest of my 'not NaNoWriMo' goes as well.

Is this the new normal?

It's not normal to write a Christmas story in the spring nor to put your Christmas tree up at the start of November is it? But then what has been normal this year?

But last night, I donned my Christmas jumper, filled my reindeer mug and sat beside my Christmas tree. Lockdown had not finally got to me. There was a reason for this irrational behaviour. And it was all in a good cause, or rather two good causes.

Last night I joined 12 other writers from Norn Iron for the launch of the gorgeous anthology we all have contributed a story to, 'Underneath the Tree'. And while it was not the launch that had been planned, it was still good fun and great to be part of. What else would you do on a cold, dreary November evening in lockdown?

We met over Zoom and read excerpts from our stories to give the audience a flavour of what's in store for them when they delve into the book. Thanks to Claire Savage and Kelly Creighton for developing this project.

All proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to the Simon Community Northern Ireland and World of Owls Northern Ireland. It's available to buy now on Amazon, 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Underneath-Tree-Christmas-stories-Northern/dp/B08HQ4XSZD/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1604601381&refinements=p_27%3AClaire+Savage&s=books&sr=1-1

And it might just be the perfect Christmas gift for someone you know....

Happy Halloween

Halloween like many events this year has been a bit different from previous years. I missed hosting my annual Halloween hoot for family and friends but tried to make it as enjoyable as possible for my favourite little people by delivering their trick n treat bags to them.

And to try and put a smile on strangers faces this year the decorations extended outside.

With a bit of imagination and help from my nieces an old tree trump was soon transformed into a spooky spectacle. Witchy has weathered the storms over the last two weeks and has entertained many a passerby. 

She'll be flying off again soon. Just as Halloween hoolies come to an end, I heard today a spooky story of mine, 'Fearless Fergus, King of the Castle' has been included in Derry Halloween's anthology  'The Gathering' which you can read here.

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/read/64733982/the-gathering

And I've just found out it was read out on BBC Radio Foyle by the lovely Anne McMaster on 30th October on the Mark Patterson show.