December and Tradition

Okay, the internet wouldn't let me upload photos earlier today, so my blog is late! I'm so sorry, but here it is anyway. Merry Everything Everyone! Please go to the link below if you'd like to read more blogs, or post yourself!
December’s theme for the http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.com  blog hop is “Tradition” so I pondered what I could write about. First I came up with a story, but it was kind of weird, in a depressing kind of way so I ditched it for this post. Then I thought of family traditions and found that really, we have a few things we do most of the time in December for Christmas, but nothing that I truly think could be regarded as something that could really be described as a tradition.

Then I thought of Christmas trees and cards. We do usually have a tree, or something to put presents under. A few times we’ve done a “Christmas Ball.” My mother did one when my sister and I were little and we’d really enjoyed it, so I’ve done the same with my kids, and they seemed to like it also.

This year, because we’re traveling over the holidays, I decided to not put up a tree. Then, an author I follow on Facebook posted a photo of a Christmas tree made from books. So I looked into that and found many different types of Christmas trees made from books. Ah ha! I liked this idea. I’d still get to dress the place up a bit, but in an easy fashion that would not be a pain to take down as well. And the usual Christmas newsletter I send out each year got "downgraded" (LOL) to a Christmas photo card, which I have never done! It worked out all right and the feeling of accomplishment, knowing they are all out and flying around the country, is wonderful. All I have left to do now is the New Year cards for our friends and family in France! That will happen after Christmas and so I am free to have my traditions continue, albeit in different forms. Which in itself I guess you could say is a tradition in its own way, doing something Traditional, but in slightly different ways than the norm. I wish you all the best and most joyful feelings and fun for the holidays and the coming new year. I'll be back after the first and hope to see you then.

IWSG Post For December 2013, yes, we are already here...

Check out the others posting on the IWSG at this link...
http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

As a writer I spend a vast amount of my time alone, sharing my thoughts only with my computer. I have a life and some friends that I can talk to occasionally about those things only my computer knows. But I talk about writing, the actual mechanics and work of it, with them less and less. Only a few (and my hubby) have let me know they don’t mind the boring details. I find I tend to discuss that part of the writing life with other writers who don’t look at me like I have two heads when I get off on a tangent. So, thinking of my IWSG post this month, I realize I’ve cut back on sharing what I do with those who ask (perhaps only to be polite, which I do appreciate), and that I’ve started sharing more with my blogger buds. Being on two different blog hops a month provides me with an outlet, or should I say, inlet to others who understand what I do and how it feels.

A friend of mine read the original of this post (which evidently wasn’t so great) and shared with me a point I hadn't thought of, that she, and others of my friends, might take offense at how I wrote about not talking writing with people who are not "writers." I am blessed to have such a friend. That she would share with me her hurt (even angry!) feelings, because I wasn't clear on what I meant, and so my words wounded.

Which got me thinking of two things: how to write better (duh) and why I wrote what I did.

I realized that I have started to resent acquaintances asking, "How's the writing going?" because it feels like they think it’s just a hobby of mine, something I do to pass the time. I don't know how to answer that question (Maybe they don't know how to ask it?). Most folks don't really want any answer but, "fine," and I've started feeling protective of myself, so I guess my resentment came through in that first draft of this post. I have changed it because I don't feel that way about my FRIENDS. I don't want them to stop asking. 

Because to me this isn't a hobby. It's how I hope someday to make my living. I don't ask a grocer, or a printer or a dentist "how's business?" usually, especially in a social setting. I don't know. It just irks when I can't really tell them "how the writing is going." Which part? What do you mean? Do you really want to know or will a “fine” do for you? Perhaps it’s because I have yet to make my living doing this. Perhaps I’m insecure and that makes me resent being reminded that I haven’t sold a million books. I don’t really know yet. All I do know, is I am thankful to have friends who call me out when I make a mistake. I don’t want to do that one ever again.

Am I off the wall about this? Does anyone else feel protective of their writing space when folks ask a question like that? Anyone have any great replies that would make answering more fun? 

Image from:
jobspapa.com