The Writer's Holiday Survival Guide: How to Keep Your Stories Alive (Without Losing Your Mind)

The holidays are busy. Family, errands, kids’ concerts, parties, and to-do lists can take over. Unfortunately, our writing habit is the first thing to get cut when life interferes. But your stories still matter, even now.

I’ve been there. December rolls around, and I tell myself, I’ll write after the holidays. But here’s the truth: there’s never a “perfect” time. If you don’t make space for writing, even in small ways, you’ll come out on the other side feeling like you’ve lost momentum. And we all know how hard it is to get that momentum back.

Here are some tips to help you keep your stories alive during the season.

1. Write in Small Chunks

You don’t need hours to make progress. Even 10–15 minutes can make a difference.

Before Covid, I worked full-time at an ice-skating rink. The holidays were our busiest season. People love strapping on skates when it’s cold. It was chaos, and I barely had time to think, let alone write. But that’s when I learned the power of “stealing minutes.”

I didn’t aim for thousands of words. I celebrated every single word I could squeeze in between tasks. Before jumping on the Zamboni? A few lines. During intermission at a hockey game? Perfect time to write. Later, I started doing the same at home—fifteen minutes while dinner simmered, a quick paragraph while waiting for the dryer. These small pockets of time kept me connected to my stories.

Try setting a small goal:

• Write a single paragraph.
• Brainstorm a scene idea.
• Revise one sentence.

Little wins add up. Even on the busiest days, you can keep moving forward.

2. Stop Chasing Perfect

The holidays are already stressful. Don’t add the pressure of making your writing perfect.

Let yourself write messy drafts. Just get words on the page. You can fix them later. Progress matters more than perfection.

For some reason, I’m harder on myself about writing freebies for my readers than I am about entire books. Maybe it’s because I want the freebies to feel like the best gift ever. But two years in a row, I let that perfectionism stop me from sending the freebies at all. Time ran out, and I convinced myself no one would care about Christmas scenes in January.

I know it’s silly. I let the desire for perfection block me from connecting with my readers. Don’t make the same mistake. Write the story, even if it’s not perfect. Keep your momentum going.

3. Make Writing Part of the Season

If you don’t have a deadline, you don’t have to focus on a specific project. It’s more about keeping the habit alive. Writing can be part of your holiday routine in small, fun ways.

Here are some ideas:

• Take your notebook to a coffee shop. Watch the people around you and write their stories. You might stumble onto the next Hallmark hit.
• Write about your holiday memories. Share them with your readers to give them a peek behind the curtain.
• Use quiet evenings to brainstorm or journal. Where would you like to be next year? Write about that vision.

Let writing be part of the season. It doesn’t always have to mean working on your manuscript—sometimes, it’s just jotting down a thought or two.

4. Find Support

Share your goals with someone. Whether it’s a friend or a group, having someone cheer you on makes a big difference. It’s easier to stay motivated when you know someone is rooting for you.

Co-working has been a huge motivator for me. Sometimes, it’s with friends; other times, it’s with strangers from around the world. We set intentions out loud, and suddenly, an hour feels so productive. Accountability works wonders.

If you need support, join my Write Your Own Path group. We’d love to hear about your writing and cheer you on through the season.

5. It’s Okay to Take a Break

Life can get overwhelming, and sometimes writing just isn’t in the cards. That’s okay—you can always come back to your story when things settle.

But if you pause, set a restart date. Don’t let the break stretch too long. Make a plan to come back to it.

Your Stories Matter

The holidays are full, but your writing is important too. Even a little progress is progress.

What’s one small thing you can do for your writing this week? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to cheer you on.