Making Time to Write Monday: My Favorite Gifts of 2012

It’s almost Christmas. There will soon be lots of wrapping paper all over my floor. But my favorite gifts of 2012 are not under the tree.

No, I didn’t invent a way to insert more time in my day, but I have a very supportive husband who gives me time to write. I usually write before anyone else wakes up, but there are times, when I need a longer stretch. He willingly wrangles the kids for a few hours while I sneak away to write. And a few times this year, I’ve even gotten away for a conference (or two). You can’t put a price on that kind of gift. Merry Christmas, Donnie!

The Gift of Friendship

In my day job as a teacher, I work with some great gals. They know about my writerly dreams–even encourage them.  They know I’ve been writing a long time, and they root for me. There are no weird comments about how easy it is to write a kids’ book. They get it. Who needs gift cards? Merry Christmas, ACE team!

The Gift of a Critique

Yes, I said critique, you know, the kind that involves someone telling you what’s not working in your writing. I have three critique groups–two online and one in person. You know what they all have in common? They are all people who understand why I write because they write too. They understand what it means to work at something for years and wonder if anyone (ANYONE?) will ever see it in print. They have pushed me to be a better writer. They have pulled me out of the rejection pit and dusted me off. You don’t find these kind of people in your stocking. Merry Christmas, Alayne, Nancy, Leslie, Elizabeth, Liz, Mary, Angie, Erin, Karen, Allison M, Allison W., Bekah!

The Gift of Post-Its

Lest you think I expect nothing materialistic on Christmas morning, I imagine Santa will stuff my stocking with paper and pens (maybe even Post-It notes). That kid-wrangler? He knows that I really like those Post-Its.