Welcome Anna J. Stewart
Welcome everyone. The Holiday's are coming up! My favorite time of the year. For me the holiday's start with Halloween. I love the holiday's but my TWO favorite holiday's are Halloween and St. Paddy's Day. Okay, anyway we have a guest today please welcome award winning author Anna J. Stewart.
But first a garden tip. My resident gardener is watching NFL, this is the peril of doing my blog on Sunday. My tip is this...
If you have a garden; grow cabbage. Cabbage has amazing health benefits. Check out 9 impressive Health Benefits here...
5 Tips For Surviving the Holiday Season on Deadline
by Anna J Stewart
As a holiday season fanatic, I swore after spending the last three years on deadline during the holidays that it wouldn't happen again. Well, guess what? Not only am I on deadline, I have a book due every two months for the next six months. Woohoo!! *Sarcasm* That wasn't the plan. Honestly it wasn't. But as new opportunities popped up through the year, projects got rearranged and, thanks to a very understanding editor, at least one deadline got shifted. A little. Which puts me right at January 2nd for turning in my fifth Butterfly Harbor book for Harlequin Heartwarming.
I did the math--I know what word count I have to hit every day in order to meet the deadline and honestly, I'll meet it. It is, after all, my job and I've yet to miss a deadline. But I'm also not going to sacrifice the fun, magic, and warmth of the holiday season by chaining myself to my laptop.
I'm betting a bunch of you are heading into the same issue, right? Well, in case you need, here's a list of five guidelines I've made for myself to ensure both a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, and a completed manuscript.
1. Set Goals.
Yeah, this might seem overly simplistic, but let me qualify by adding realistic to the wording. Best laid plans and all, there will be a lot of "unexpectedness" in the next few months. Parties, lunches, get togethers, they're going to come at you fast and without warning, so set a plan in place where you can meet a writing goal every day. If that means 1,000 words, awesome. If that means banking words on days where you have more time, great. Getting up an hour early to hit your word count before your day really starts? Fab. Which brings me to guideline number 2:
2. Roll With The Punches
No, that isn't a warning about the holiday drinking. It's a reminder not to let all the "stuff" get to you. You know what stalls creativity more than anything? Stress. Nothing can block my word flow faster than worrying about all the "stuff" that has to be done. You know what? You get to determine the "must dos". Whether with your writing or family obligations or holiday plans, everything is in your control. Once you accept that, life becomes much easier.
3. The Power of No
I was just having this conversation with a writer friend of mine recently. It's amazing how much opens up when you start putting limits on your time. Guess what? You're important. You're writing is important. Celebrating what you want, when you want is important. Pick and choose what means the most to you and embrace it fully. Are you expected to cook the full holiday meal? Bring in family help. Make it a pot luck. At the very least, ask for help! No matter how we might want to futz with the eternal clock, there are only 24 hours in the day. Make the most of what you can and say no to the stuff that doesn't make you happy or fulfills you. I'm not talking about being selfish, but about putting you and your holiday and writing needs first. You don't have to volunteer for everything. If something is meant to get done, it will. If it isn't, you've proven how invaluable you can be. Give people the opportunity to discover that and put your energy where you need it most.
4. Don't Beat Yourself Up
Those goals I mentioned in number 1? Guess what? The world will not end if you don't meet them. See number 2. Be fluid. Be flexible. And stop thinking you're a failure if you don't get done what you planned to get done. Readjust for the following day, the following week. Re-examine your schedule if you need to and update your goals accordingly. Planning ahead will help you avoid the pitfalls in the first place, so if you see a major detour in your plans of action in the next week? Just be aware and work with the changes. Don't fight them. That's the best way to derail yourself completely.
5. Remember to ENJOY!!
The holiday season, first and foremost, should be about people. Family, friends, loved ones. It's a season of celebratory joy (hopefully) and one that I often use as a recharging device. Nothing makes me happier than putting up the tree and decorations (okay, I'm happy after the fact...I do not enjoy untangling strings of lights). Turning my house into a showplace that would make a Hallmark store jealous is what I live for. I start looking forward to it before Halloween. I can't explain it, but I embrace it. So I set my goals, I make sure I have contingency plans in place, I pick and choose what's important to me and then I embrace the moments. Because when all is said and done, those are the memories that will stick with me...not how many hours I spent pounding the keyboard.
Wishing all of you a wonderful--and stress-free--holiday!
USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J. Stewart writes sweet to sexy romance for www.authorannastewart.com.
Harlequin's Heartwarming and Romantic Suspense lines. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek, and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating fun, funny, and family-centric romances with happily ever afters for her independent heroines. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious Supernatural & Sherlock addiction, surrounds herself with friends and family and tolerates an overly affectionate cat named Snickers (or perhaps it's Snickers who tolerates her). When she's not writing, you can find her at fan conventions or at her local movie theater, or building her client list for her content editing services. You can read more about Anna and her books at
GONE IN THE NIGHT
Falling for ex-firefigher Max Kellan while searching for his kidnapped niece—her patient—couldn’t be more inappropriate for Dr. Allie Hollister. Not only because it’s unprofessional, but because Allie’s past is back with a vengeance…and this time, its eyes are set on her.
Amazon: http://ow.ly/VRbW30csIXB
BN: http://ow.ly/39f330csJ5C
Kobo: http://ow.ly/SqSL30csJ9c
Harlequin: http://ow.ly/b26F30csJd5
iBooks: http://ow.ly/Hhh330csJi9
GooglePlay: http://ow.ly/tHe830csJpd
BooksAMillion: http://ow.ly/eLO930csJyQ
HEARTWARMING HOLIDAY WISHES
This holiday season, warm your heart with 10 connected sweet, clean & wholesome holiday romances set in Christmas Town from 10 Harlequin Heartwarming authors who are USA Today bestselling authors. This year, a stocking brings a magical holiday wish to each story.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2uGXB4A
BN: http://bit.ly/2uPW8K1
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2tO2AMp
iTunes: http://ow.ly/qLto30fL5OB
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2vIvxef
Thank you, Anna, for sharing and visiting. I hope you visit again soon. PS Great tips.
But first a garden tip. My resident gardener is watching NFL, this is the peril of doing my blog on Sunday. My tip is this...
If you have a garden; grow cabbage. Cabbage has amazing health benefits. Check out 9 impressive Health Benefits here...
 |
| https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-cabbage? |
5 Tips For Surviving the Holiday Season on Deadline
by Anna J Stewart
As a holiday season fanatic, I swore after spending the last three years on deadline during the holidays that it wouldn't happen again. Well, guess what? Not only am I on deadline, I have a book due every two months for the next six months. Woohoo!! *Sarcasm* That wasn't the plan. Honestly it wasn't. But as new opportunities popped up through the year, projects got rearranged and, thanks to a very understanding editor, at least one deadline got shifted. A little. Which puts me right at January 2nd for turning in my fifth Butterfly Harbor book for Harlequin Heartwarming.
I did the math--I know what word count I have to hit every day in order to meet the deadline and honestly, I'll meet it. It is, after all, my job and I've yet to miss a deadline. But I'm also not going to sacrifice the fun, magic, and warmth of the holiday season by chaining myself to my laptop.
I'm betting a bunch of you are heading into the same issue, right? Well, in case you need, here's a list of five guidelines I've made for myself to ensure both a wonderful Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, and a completed manuscript.
1. Set Goals.
Yeah, this might seem overly simplistic, but let me qualify by adding realistic to the wording. Best laid plans and all, there will be a lot of "unexpectedness" in the next few months. Parties, lunches, get togethers, they're going to come at you fast and without warning, so set a plan in place where you can meet a writing goal every day. If that means 1,000 words, awesome. If that means banking words on days where you have more time, great. Getting up an hour early to hit your word count before your day really starts? Fab. Which brings me to guideline number 2:
2. Roll With The Punches
No, that isn't a warning about the holiday drinking. It's a reminder not to let all the "stuff" get to you. You know what stalls creativity more than anything? Stress. Nothing can block my word flow faster than worrying about all the "stuff" that has to be done. You know what? You get to determine the "must dos". Whether with your writing or family obligations or holiday plans, everything is in your control. Once you accept that, life becomes much easier.
3. The Power of No
I was just having this conversation with a writer friend of mine recently. It's amazing how much opens up when you start putting limits on your time. Guess what? You're important. You're writing is important. Celebrating what you want, when you want is important. Pick and choose what means the most to you and embrace it fully. Are you expected to cook the full holiday meal? Bring in family help. Make it a pot luck. At the very least, ask for help! No matter how we might want to futz with the eternal clock, there are only 24 hours in the day. Make the most of what you can and say no to the stuff that doesn't make you happy or fulfills you. I'm not talking about being selfish, but about putting you and your holiday and writing needs first. You don't have to volunteer for everything. If something is meant to get done, it will. If it isn't, you've proven how invaluable you can be. Give people the opportunity to discover that and put your energy where you need it most.
4. Don't Beat Yourself Up
Those goals I mentioned in number 1? Guess what? The world will not end if you don't meet them. See number 2. Be fluid. Be flexible. And stop thinking you're a failure if you don't get done what you planned to get done. Readjust for the following day, the following week. Re-examine your schedule if you need to and update your goals accordingly. Planning ahead will help you avoid the pitfalls in the first place, so if you see a major detour in your plans of action in the next week? Just be aware and work with the changes. Don't fight them. That's the best way to derail yourself completely.
5. Remember to ENJOY!!
The holiday season, first and foremost, should be about people. Family, friends, loved ones. It's a season of celebratory joy (hopefully) and one that I often use as a recharging device. Nothing makes me happier than putting up the tree and decorations (okay, I'm happy after the fact...I do not enjoy untangling strings of lights). Turning my house into a showplace that would make a Hallmark store jealous is what I live for. I start looking forward to it before Halloween. I can't explain it, but I embrace it. So I set my goals, I make sure I have contingency plans in place, I pick and choose what's important to me and then I embrace the moments. Because when all is said and done, those are the memories that will stick with me...not how many hours I spent pounding the keyboard.
Wishing all of you a wonderful--and stress-free--holiday!
USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J. Stewart writes sweet to sexy romance for www.authorannastewart.com.
Falling for ex-firefigher Max Kellan while searching for his kidnapped niece—her patient—couldn’t be more inappropriate for Dr. Allie Hollister. Not only because it’s unprofessional, but because Allie’s past is back with a vengeance…and this time, its eyes are set on her.
Amazon: http://ow.ly/VRbW30csIXB
BN: http://ow.ly/39f330csJ5C
Kobo: http://ow.ly/SqSL30csJ9c
Harlequin: http://ow.ly/b26F30csJd5
iBooks: http://ow.ly/Hhh330csJi9
GooglePlay: http://ow.ly/tHe830csJpd
BooksAMillion: http://ow.ly/eLO930csJyQ
HEARTWARMING HOLIDAY WISHES
This holiday season, warm your heart with 10 connected sweet, clean & wholesome holiday romances set in Christmas Town from 10 Harlequin Heartwarming authors who are USA Today bestselling authors. This year, a stocking brings a magical holiday wish to each story.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2uGXB4A
BN: http://bit.ly/2uPW8K1
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2tO2AMp
iTunes: http://ow.ly/qLto30fL5OB
GooglePlay: http://bit.ly/2vIvxef
Thank you, Anna, for sharing and visiting. I hope you visit again soon. PS Great tips.
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