Editing during the holidays: Should you start or wait? (Binging Part 2)

The holidays are here, and you might be feeling the pull to take a break. Family gatherings, the chaos of last-minute shopping, the pressure of hosting Thanksgiving dinner—it’s a lot. For many writers, this is the time when we start thinking, "Maybe I’ll just wait until the new year to get back to writing." But I want to ask you something: are you binging information when you should be writing?

It's easy to get caught up in the information cycle—watching videos, reading blogs, joining webinars, collecting tips, and following advice. But here’s the thing: if you’ve been doing this all year, and you’ve been telling yourself that you’ll write "later," when exactly is that “later” going to come? Information isn’t the problem; action is.

Is It Time to Take a Break?

I get it. It's Thanksgiving, you're planning family events, and things are busy. You might think, “Should I write through the holidays? Or is it time to take a break?” I’ve heard this a lot from writers lately. Some say, “It’s too chaotic, I’ll wait until January.” Others feel that they should take time off, assuming the holiday season is a total write-off for writing.

But what if it doesn’t have to be all or nothing? What if you could still write during the holidays, even amidst the busyness? In fact, you can write around the holidays. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be hours on end. But showing up and making writing a priority is key. So let’s talk about how to make this happen.

The Truth About the Holiday Hustle

Some of you might say, “I can’t write right now. The holidays are just too much.” And that’s fair. The holiday season is a busy one. There’s shopping, cooking, traveling, and socializing. But here’s the kicker: You’ve probably been saying the same thing all year.

When January came around, it was "New Year, new goals!" You thought, "This year will be different." But spring break hit, and you thought, “I’ll start once the kids go back to school.” Then summer rolled around, and you told yourself, “It’s too hot, and the kids are home, so I’ll start later.” As the months passed, you kept saying, "Next month will be better. I’ll focus then."

The cycle continues, doesn’t it? And now we’re at the end of the year. We’re nearing December, and you might be thinking, "I’ll just start fresh in the new year." But why wait? Why put off your writing goals again?

The reality is, waiting for the “perfect time” doesn’t work. The truth is, you’ve likely been waiting for months, if not longer, and the perfect time is still elusive. And that’s why so many authors find themselves stuck in the same place year after year.

You Have Everything You Need—But Are You Using It?

I know many of you already have the tools. You have the knowledge. You’ve probably heard all the advice you need, but here's the thing: Knowledge is only helpful if you’re actually applying it.

If you’ve been writing for a while, you don’t need more information. You need a plan that fits your life. This is why I’m so passionate about teaching my No Time Writer clients how to prioritize their writing while balancing life’s demands. There’s no need to keep binging on information when you can be writing and revising.

Too many authors I speak with have all these great ideas and intentions, but they’re missing one crucial element: Action. And when you delay that action because you’re still "learning" or "perfecting" your process, nothing ever gets done.

You already know how to write. You know what it takes to get words on the page. So why not apply that knowledge now, even in the midst of the holiday season?

Writing During the Holidays: Is It Possible?

Yes, it’s possible to write during the holidays. In fact, the holidays are the perfect time to revisit your writing habits and get back on track. Many of us already slow down a little during the holidays. This is a natural time of reflection. You’re thinking about the year—what you’ve accomplished, what you’ve missed, and what goals you want to set for next year.

So instead of waiting for January to roll around, use the holiday season to make real progress. And if you need a little more structure or support, I’ve got something special for you.

On December 10th, I’ll be hosting an exclusive bonus training for my No Time Writer program, where I’ll walk you through how you can stay productive during the holidays—without sacrificing family time or fun.

I’m going to show you how to make writing a non-negotiable part of your schedule, even when life feels busy. Want access? Book a clarity call today!

How to Make Writing Non-Negotiable

Here’s the truth: until you decide that your writing is important and worthy of your time, it won’t happen. I’m going to say that again: until you decide that your writing is non-negotiable, you’ll keep finding excuses to push it aside.

Some of you are waiting for motivation. Some of you think you need inspiration. But motivation and inspiration come and go. What matters more than anything is consistency. You don’t need to feel inspired every day. You don’t need to write a thousand words every time you sit down.

Even on days when your energy is low, when you don’t feel like it, the key is showing up. Show up to write, even if it’s only for 10 minutes. Some days you’ll write 50 words, others you’ll write 1,000. But showing up makes a difference.

And if you’re thinking that you don’t have enough time, I’m here to tell you that you can make time. You don’t need hours to write. Even in the chaos of the holidays, there are small pockets of time you can grab to move your writing forward. 15 minutes here, 20 minutes there—it adds up.

You’ve been telling yourself for too long that your writing isn’t important. But I’m telling you, it is. Your writing deserves your time. It deserves a spot in your top priorities. Once you make that decision, the rest follows.

How Do You Make Time for Writing?

Some of you might feel like your schedule is too packed to make writing a consistent habit. I hear you. Between family, work, and everything else, it can feel impossible to find time for your writing. But here's the thing: You don’t have to write every day, and you don’t have to write at the same time every day.

Writing doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing activity. You don’t have to hit a specific word count every day, and you certainly don’t have to be writing at 5 a.m. just because that’s what “everyone else” says. Your writing schedule should fit your life, not the other way around.

So ask yourself: How can I make writing fit into my life right now?

Maybe it’s writing in the evenings after dinner. Maybe it’s setting aside 15 minutes each morning before the rest of your day starts. It doesn’t matter how you do it, just that you show up and make it a consistent part of your routine.

The Power of Showing Up

When you show up for your writing, even when it’s hard, even when you’re not feeling inspired, something magical happens: You start making progress. The words start flowing. The plot thickens. The story starts to take shape.

This is where the power lies: in showing up, even when it’s difficult, even when you’re unsure of the next step. Just write. And when you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up. Pivot. Write a little more the next day. Keep going.

A Call to Action

The last month of the year is here, and it’s not too late to finish your book. Stop waiting for the “perfect time.” Stop putting off your writing goals until the new year. Start now. Show up. Even if it’s just 10 minutes a day, you can make progress.

And if you’re ready to take it to the next level, I want to help you. Book a clarity call with me today, and let’s talk about how you can make 2024 your best writing year yet.

Keywords: time management for writers, writing consistency tips, how to stay productive as a writer, writing around the holidays, goals for the new year, how to finish your book in 2024, creating a writing habit, how to write consistently with a busy schedule, productivity tips for writers