Guest Author Alyssa Maxwell Muses on the Holidays
The holidays are almost over and Iโll be sad to see them go. Because I love it all: the music, the lights, the food, people being a little nicer to each other . . . But thereโs a good chance Iโll soon be getting a lot more writing done than I have in the past few weeks. Between shopping, preparing, wrapping, socializing, etc., itโs been hard to be productive. Whether youโre a writer or you devote your time to anything else on a regular basis, Iโm sure you know exactly what I mean. But sometimes I wonder if the distraction might actually be a good thing.
While weโre in the midst of the festivities and spending time with loved ones, our creativity isnโt really on hiatus. Itโs simmering in the background, regrouping and recharging. By putting writing projects aside and turning our energy to fun activities, weโre actually gaining a new perspective. By January 2nd or 3rd or whatever, we can look at our work more objectively than previously.
Am I just rationalizing to make myself feel better about the hours I could have/should have been writing? Probably. But with my daughter having been home from California, what I would be regretting much more than lost writing time is lost time with her. I wouldnโt trade the hours we spent enjoying her visit for an entire manuscriptโs worth of perfect prose. Because, in the end, as a fiction author, I write about life, people, and relationships. To be able to do that with any amount of authenticity, I have toโat least occasionallyโback away from my keyboard and do some real living.
In the coming year I have a couple of big changes to look forward to. The final book in my Lady & Ladyโs Maid Mysteries, Two Weddings and a Murder, will be out in February. With the release of that book, Iโll be bidding a fond and bittersweet farewell to some very good friends (characters) who have been part of my life for the past nine years. But after writing two books a year for all that time, Iโm also looking forward to writing only one book a year for the foreseeable future. It means Iโll have more time to savor my time off from writing without having to feel guilty!
What was the best part of your holiday season? Were you able to enjoy it without becoming too stressed out? Let me know below for a chance to win an ARC (advanced readers copy) of Two Weddings and a Murder!
Bio: Alyssa Maxwell is the author of The Gilded Newport Mysteries and A Lady and Lady’s Maid Mysteries, with twenty books published at the current time. Murder at The Breakers, the first release in her Newport series, has been adapted for television by the Hallmark Mystery Channel. Maxwell and her husband live in South Florida, where she is an active member of the writing community and a member of Florida Chapter of the Mystery Writers of America. For more about Alyssa, please visit http://alyssamaxwell.com
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All images were submitted by Alyssa Maxwell
Posted in Guest Post, Puzzles and more โข Tags: Alyssa Maxwell, Guest Author, Two Weddings and a Murder | 35 Comments
The best part of my holiday season has been multiple celebrations with family and the birth of a new granddaughter! All of these happy occasions mean I have to focus on losing weight in January. That’s the downside of too many feasts. But I have been able to write at least in the early morning hours before everyone else wakes up.
You got the best Hanukkah gift of all! Congratulations!
Spending time with family members that I haven’t seen in a while.
Absolutely, that’s the best part of any holiday.
Welcome to Booklover’s Bench, Alyssa! I’d have to say the best part of the holidays this year was decorating the tree and house with my two youngest grandsons. It was bittersweet in a way, though, because I know there won’t be many more years before they’d rather be spending time with their friends instead of their grandparents.
I suppose that might be true for a while, but the good memories you make now will bring them back to you as they get older.
The best part of the holidays to me is hearing from friends and family. Everyone seems eager to be in touch at this time of year.
I am really going to miss this series, Alyssa.
Thank you, Pat! And yes, it’s great that the holidays inspire people to connect.
We got to celebrate with family members we haven’t see since 2019!
That’s so great! I’m happy for you.
Our Christmas day was really nice and quiet for a change! It was just my husband, myself and our foster boy. We had a nice ham dinner and watched old Christmas movies.
Christmas day was just my daughter, husband and I. We went to see Wicked – the movie. It was a perfect holiday movie.
I’ve enjoyed time with family and friends this holiday season. I did my best not to stress out, but hey, stress happens! Once New Year’s is over, there’s a ton of packing up decorations to do. But I’ve streamlined that so it goes fairly fast. It’s interesting that you’re ending a series this year. I hope to issue 2 more Magic Candle mysteries this year (one in February and the other September/October timeline)and then I will dive into a new project. We’re so happy to have you here at Booklover’s Bench!
Hi Maggie, and thank you! Yup, my publisher and I decided that series had run its course, but I’ll be continuing the Newport books. Good luck with your Magic Candle books!
Hello and Welcome Alyssa, no stressing here, I just enjoyed the time I got to spend with our daughter, son in law and our 18 yr old grandaughter and our 16 yr old grandson, we got to decorate a pre made gingerbread house and we had breakfast and dinner together. Godwilling next year our son and our youngest grandson can come over for Christmas . May you and your family have a Very Happy and Blessed New Year.
Family time is the best. Thank you, Alicia, a very Happy New Year to you!
I enjoyed the Christmas Holiday I did baking with my Sister and had a lot of fun. Deborah
Someday I’d like to get more into baking! There’s nothing like homemade!
My family hosted the 1st Annual Reindeer games on Christmas Eve which will now become a tradition. We wore silly antlers, had reindeer names, and played pin the nose on Rudolph along with other silly games. It was great fun!
That’s fantastic, Nannie! I’ll bet there are some hilarious photos!
Welcome to Booklovers Bench, Alyssa! Sorry I couldn’t make it yesterday. Let’s just say that life threw me a curveball…and I missed. Anyway, like you, I love the holidays for all the reasons you mentioned. A few years ago I realized I wanted more time off from writing so I could do more ‘holiday stuff.’ This year, I got the time off, but didn’t get as much holiday time as I’d have liked. That’s life…I’ll try again next year! Enjoy your change of pace. I think you’ll find it helps you attain a better work-life balance. Happy Holidays!
Hi Terry. I hope everything is ok! So often it seems like we plan and fate laughs. But I hope you found joy in your holidays.
Best part for me is time spent with family and friends!
I completely agree!
The best part of Christmas, for me, is all about having our children visit. Just being together, cooking, eating, watching Christmas movies, reminiscing, itโs always a joy. This year was different as we were all scattered and could not be together. Peaceful and quiet Christmas for my husband and I, and we did hear from everyone. So we will have one of these once in a while, which is always nice too.
It’s nice that even though you couldn’t get together, everyone checked in. I’m glad you enjoyed your quiet Christmas.
I love all the things about the holiday, but spending time with family I only get to see once or twice a year is my favorite. ๐ Enjoyed the article!
Thanks, AJ! I’m glad you got to spend time with family.
Hubby and I used to drive 5 to 6 hours to L.A. to celebrate Christmas with my in-laws at my sister-in-law’s. That was fun but also a bit tiresome – from the long drive and staying up late. However, since my in-laws passed away a few years ago, we decided to celebrate quietly at home with our cats, and I actually enjoy it. This year, we invited our neighbor, who is in her early 90s and has lost her walking buddy in March, to join us for Christmas dinner. According to Rosemary, it was the most memorable one!
cwkuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
That was so generous of you to invite your neighbor! I’m sure it meant the world to her!
The best part of my Christmas was a trip to Michigan to spend time with my Sister and getting together with my cousins.
I’m glad you had that time together!
The best part was getting together with friends and sharing a lovely meal and lots of laughs.
Sounds perfect!
The winner of Alyssa’s prize is Helen Thurman. Thanks to all who commented. She’ll be in touch with the winner via email.