Survived another holiday season, writing when I could get a chance, and it occurred to me how much of writing means getting in touch with my own feelings and with people. So, here’s a few lessons I learned.

1. Honesty Works. In writing – as in relationships – it can be so tempting to beat around the bush, dancing around certain ideas everyone is thinking but no one wants to say in order to “build tension” and/or avoid the uncomfortable. It’s amazing how simply saying Look I’m Upset or Here Is How I Feel opens to the door to the really good stuff.

2. Let Go and Have Fun. Sometimes, I need to put aside the need to be productive (in a controlling sense) and have some fun, see how the unexpected goes.

3. Everyone Wants to Be Loved. No matter how crotchety and/or hardened, people  want to know that they are cared for.

4. Little Touches Matter. “It is the thought that counts.” Really, when it all comes down to it, I’d rather know someone cares with a tiny, but thoughtful, gesture, than receive a grandiose gesture with no thought. In fact, those huge gestures can be off-putting, even intentionally so, more about the giver than the recipient. Perhaps that is what we mean in fiction when we say “show don’t tell” and “sometimes less is more.” Don’t bowl people over with our use of fancy words and metaphor.

That’s where I am now and how I’m thinking. Still juggling way too many projects – and having fun doing it.

How is your writing going? Anything fun in the works?