A Holiday Manifesto (for Writers)
Photo by Danielle MacInnes on Unsplash
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
The holidays often take on a whole new meaning for writers. This time of the year can be truly joyous, but for some creatives, this season is full of challenges. Last year, I was not about that Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or Kwanzaa life. I already struggle balancing wokeness with consumer-driven holidays, so a few cashless months and an inbox full of rejections sent me over the edge. To make matters worse, at all the end-of-the-year shindings, everyone wants to know what you’re working on? “Where can I find your writing? Have you published a book yet?” Geez, please leave me alone!
Writers–it’s easy to get into a funk when you’re not seeing wins–and that’s exactly where I was last holiday season.
This year, I’m in a much better place. My situation hasn’t changed all that much, but my attitude has undergone a significant transformation. A complete 180 degrees, in fact. I’ve gotten a few more wins and my income has increased ever so slightly. However, I’ve seen more rejections this year than ever before! Even with the L’s, one quality has changed how I navigate the ever-changing landscape of writing: GRATITUDE.
I am grateful for the pieces I published this year. I am thankful for attending workshops, gaining mentorship, and making connections (both online and in-person) with other writers. I’m grateful for receiving over 100 rejections this year because it means I’m pitching and submitting more. I’m especially thankful for having the flexibility to write. All of these things are cause for celebrating. As I continue to write through the holidays (and beyond), I am also pledging to make this season as simple and enjoyable as possible. Here’s how:
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I will take time away from writing to enjoy life. One more time, repeat after me: I will take time away from writing to enjoy life. Family, food, friends, travel, parties. Whatever it is that fulfills you (other than writing), do it. As for me, I definitely plan on spending quality time with my family during the holidays. I’m learning to be more present and enjoy sacred moments. It’s the experiences that shape our memories.
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I will not share intricate details about my works in progress. Auntie Jackie, cousin Ro, or the stranger from my spouse’s office holiday party do not need to know any details about my works in progress. I’ve found that exposing these details only leads to pressure for me. Since I’ve disclosed what I’m working on, there’s this feeling of inadequacy when the fruits of my labor don’t materialize. At a holiday gathering, I once told a family member that I was working on a novel (y’all know I only had an outline, right?). Well guess what? I never finished the novel and I had to hear “So, how’s the novel going?” every gathering since. Moving forward, for anyone inquiring about my “writing career,” I’ll simply reply “It’s going well and I’m really looking forward to practicing my craft next year. However, at this time, I choose not to share project specifics.”
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I will celebrate my wins. Take a screenshot of a published piece of writing. Brag about your byline in a social media post. Print a personal certificate of achievement. Whatever it takes, honor those wins–even if that means celebrating alone. Sometimes you have to clap for your damn self.
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I will reflect on the losses. How do I really feel about losses? I now understand that I’m always winning because there’s a lesson in every situation—even the losses. Let’s stare those rejections from this past calendar year dead in the eye. What does this rejection aka someone’s opinion mean? How did the “no” redirect me to something better?
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I will look to the future with hope. The holiday season is always a great time to start visualizing those goals for next year. No matter how you choose to do it (vision board, hand-written list, intentional meditation), be sure to follow through with your goal setting! Know that you are writing to the best of your ability and continue to practice, practice, practice.
Happy holidays, writers!
Tonya Abari is a freelance writer, editor, and bias/sensitivity consultant. Her words can be found in Romper, mater mea, Business Insider, ZORA, The Writer Magazine, and Womanly Magazine. You can find her online or on Instagram.