Holiday time, Holiday Stories?

I know. I is the mistletoe, the trees, the lights, the hot buttered rum and now you are ready to crank out that "holiday story." You see them out there all of the time and think it is your turn to right one.

I want to give you a word of caution with this. The spaces are limited and the writers that get those slots are the established authors.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not saying to not write the story. I am just cautioning you that this might be a story that sits on your shelf for a long time. I guess I am also someone that believes your time might be better spent on something that is more marketable throughout the year instead of at this limited time.

Most publishers like to use the holiday stories as a way to boost the sales to the established authors. People want something light to read as they sit in the airports so why not read something for the season from one of your favorites. The unknow writers just will not be picked up because of the cover or the title. Remember how people shop at this time of the year. They have other things they are looking for and when they pass the books, they aren't there to really look. They grab their favorites by the author's name.

I guess there is another factor here and it goes back to something unique. I think the holiday season is a great time to write about, but you have to really dig to find something truly different, but at the same time, not like all of those shows we see on the Oxygen Network or on Lifetime. Too often, the stories we see have already been done.

Finally, as you think about this story, consider if the time will be worth it. Play around with the story. Get it on paper. Dabble with it, but think about using this time for the stories that are fresh in your head right now. It may simply be the hot buttered rum that is making the story sound really good. Don't be an impulsive writer but think out that story ahead of time.

Happy holidays everyone!

Scott