Writing About: Christmas

Christmas is a fun, festive holiday. I read Christmas stories during any time of the year to enjoy this holiday again and again. Everything about it is warm and uplifting. And there are so many ways that you can include Christmas in a novel or spin a full-out Christmas story.

Here are a few things you can add to your story:

1. Decorations

People go all-out, even getting into competitions with neighbors. Outdoor lights on the roof, nativity sets on the lawn, and blow-up lawn decorations are all the rave. And that’s just outside. Inside there can be nutcrackers, garland along banisters, miniature villages complete with people, cars, and even fake snow. Then there’s the Christmas tree. Trimming it if it’s real or taking it out of the box if it’s fake. Putting lights, bows, ornaments, tinsel on every branch, and a star or angel at the very top.

Take a moment to describe the pretty decorations of your character’s house, mention a friendly competition among neighbors, and the craziness of decorating a tree. A tree that cats can climb into, dogs can knock over, and children can decorate with homemade ornaments made of Popsicle sticks.

2. Goodies

Christmas is one of our most fattening holidays. There’s pies, cakes, cookies (dozens and dozens of different kinds), chocolates, candy canes, fruit cake, fudge, and hot chocolate. Mention a few of these goodies during your fictional festivities. And if your character is a woman who worries about her weight, have her fret about the calories…as she stuffs fudge into her mouth.

3. Santa

There can’t be a Christmas story without Santa! Especially if there are children. Have your character bring his/her kids to see Santa at the mall and write Santa letters. The children can ask questions about Santa and his reindeer, as we all know kids are naturally curious. You can even let the parents use little threats like “If you’re not good, I’ll tell Santa.”

4. Christmas Shopping

Everyone does Christmas shopping (if they celebrate Christmas). Show how packed the stores are whenever your character goes shopping, and how short-tempered everyone is as they elbow in to get the last toy. Have your character fret over what to get for their partner or new boy/girlfriend. In Seismic Crimes, I share a brief Christmas shopping moment.

5. Fun

There is so much fun that people can do during Christmas: picking out a Christmas tree, baking, ice skating, sledding, building a snowman, snow ball fights, Christmas parties, parades, pageants, ballets, tree lighting ceremonies, candlelight church services, and so much more. Add one or two of these to your story.

6. Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, have the kids in your story put out a plate of cookies for Santa with a glass of milk. I used to put out a carrot for Rudolph. Growing up, my family also opened presents on Christmas Eve. If there aren’t kids in your story, you can have your main character go to a Christmas party and meet someone, or do a gift exchange with his/her new boy/girlfriend. This can be a cozy scene any way that you write it.

7. Christmas Day

If there are kids, have them wake up extra early excited to see what Santa brought. If your character doesn’t have kids, this could be a nice morning for them to cuddle before they head off to see family. Or if your character is single, he/she can throw him/herself a pity party before visiting mom and dad. (Note: This last one is not me stereotyping...it's just an example. You can do whatever you want.)

The possibilities are endless. It can be light and fun, sad (if this is the first Christmas after someone’s death), filled with family drama, or dark if you’re writing a murder mystery. Think dead bodies under Christmas trees with bows stuck to their foreheads.

QUESTIONS: What do you like/dislike about Christmas? Does your family open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? Share a Christmas memory with me.

SHARE: I don’t know much about Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, share some highlights of these holidays in your comment. I welcome it all. :)

Writing About: A Party

When we go to a party we look at the decorations, the food being served, the people who are attending and what they are wearing. And since characters are meant to be portrayed as real, I believe they should do the same thing if they go to a party whether it’s a birthday Party, Christmas party, New Years Eve party, or charity event.

However, you don’t have to say that your character stepped up to the food table to examine every appetizer or walked to every corner of the house to see every decoration. You’re the writer. When your character steps into the party, use that moment to tell the reader all the details that they need to know to perfectly envision the atmosphere.

What does the room/house look like? Are there hollies draped over the banister, streamers fluttering from the ceiling, a dance floor? Is there a performer or band?

Is there food? Indulge in your cravings by letting your characters nibble on decadent desserts and expensive treats. Is there popcorn, caviar, shrimp cocktails, or chicken wings? Are there waiters with flutes of champagne or a cooler stocked with beer?

Who is at the party? It wouldn’t be a party unless your protagonist knew people there. Let your characters mingle then tell your readers about the outcome. Does your protagonist spot their love interest or the person they believe is the suspect in a crime?

Once you reveal who is at the party, tell your reader what they are wearing. I love to do this because the dresses that my female characters wear are dresses that I have designed. Now, if you don’t have a knack for fashion, don’t worry! Describe simple attire instead. Example: “She wore a black dress that pooled at her feet in a puddle of silk.” If you are fashion savvy but don’t design, use fashion magazines to find attires that your characters would wear and try to use your crafty way with words to put those outfits into your story.

Now there has to be a purpose for the party other than the fact that it is Christmas or New Years, etc. Something needs to come out of the party for your protagonist.

For a romance, does he/she dance with the person who has caught their eye? In each other’s arms, with music swimming around them, do they sink deeper in love? Do they end up leaving together or do they have a lovers spat?

For a thriller, does your protagonist confront the person they suspect did a crime? Do they get into a heated argument? What words are exchanged? Does it get physical? Whatever happens, make it good! Make your readers want to jump into your book to defend your protagonist.

Lastly, how does the party end? Does your protagonist leave with their lover to have a passionate night, with a black eye from the confrontation with someone they dislike, or with hors d'oeuvres in their purse to feed to their cat?

SHARE: How you write about a party in your stories.