How can I focus on work when there's so much writing to be done?

Yeah, if only this would be my focus!

Good morning all! It's been a while, but that's because, as I'm finding out, retail, even online retail this time of year is one big huge ball of HOLY CRAP!

I've said it before. As writers, we sometimes put everything before actual writing. I'm living proof. I haven't written a new word on my work in progress in over a month. My excuse is that I have to call my DJ friend for some back ground and he's really busy with make wish and what not over the holidays. But we all know the real reason I haven't written. It's because I've put absolutely everything before my writing.

I can't write, I have to decorate, do cards, shop, bake, clean, watch the Packers, go carolling, shop, do laundry, shop, wrap presents, shop, drive someplace, shop.

You get the picture.

But it's okay. Here's the great thing about being a virtually unknown writer. No one really cares if you're writing! LOL! Of course, this is the mind set that also keeps you a virtually unknown writer! Which is why, in the midst of the holiday panic, I'm still submitting to agents and editors.

And guess what else I've discovered: After years of sending out hundreds of Christmas cards and letters, I missed last year. The world didn't end. The planet didn't stop turning. My relatives still pretty much talk to me.

I liked it so much...I may not send any out this year! Of course, two years in a row will mean fewer cards next year, and I do like getting Christmas cards. It makes me feel loved! LOL!

Hey, take a deep breath this holiday season. Write when you can, but mostly don't beat yourself up if you can't get to it. It's a hard catch 22, being an unknown, unpublished writer, and not being able to work on getting known, getting published. But that's a catch 22 that's simply not going to solve itself before Christmas, so just keep putting one foot in front of the other and have a very, very Merry Christmas (or whatever it is you celebrate this time of the year.)

Personally, I'm going to make a cup of tea and watch "White Christmas" ten or fifteen times.