To Blog? Or Not to Blog? (Also known as “To drown? Or not to drown?”) – December Blog Hiatus

HAPPY DECEMBERRRRRR!

Last year I blogged through the month of December, chanting to myself, “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor sun, nor avalanche!!!!” and….it. was. so. hard. I was traveling and editing and trying to write and planning to teach at a conference and…*deep breath*

Another thing I noticed was that all of YOU were traveling and trying to write and visiting family and scrambling for Christmas gifts. So we were ALL busy–too busy to write (or read) blog posts.

Thus, the little conscience-cricket of wisdom in my brain chirped to me, “Next year, take December off!”

To give you an idea of what an average month looks like for me, I played with some numbers and kept a list from November. Now, for your enjoyment, I bring you… a month in the life of Nadine. In November I:

  • hard-core edited through Fawkes three. full. times. (That’s the equivalent of basically reading, like, 6 books)
  • pulled an all-nighter (first one since college. Thank you, writing deadlines.)
  • Responded to 117 e-mails (which is a really light month)
  • took a 5-day trip to England and back
  • read 4 books (not counting Fawkes)
  • bought a house (no biggie)
  • moved in three days (from not a single box packed to everything in a new house.)
  • Took two 20-hour road trips. (For the math challenged, that means 40 hours of driving.)
  • took a 9-day trip to Idaho and back
  • organized and launched a cover reveal for Fawkes
  • wrote 4 blog posts (yes, I skipped a week. No, I can’t even remember why, but I can tell you it was an accident.)
  • completed 3 author interviews
  • Drank at least 35 cups of tea and 7 chai lattes. (I have a problem. ?)
  • met up and spoke with a high school class to talk A Time to Die.
  • got the stomach flu (no, I don’t consider this an accomplishment.)

As you can see….I think I need a break. Therefore, I am being an obedient little Pinocchio and, *hides*, doing what my conscience cricket says.

I will be taking December off from blogging so as to focus on plotting my next book. I know it’s a bit too soon for all of you because Fawkes doesn’t even come out for another 800 years (also known as July 10, 2018). But the life of the author is plotting and writing the next book at least a year (or two) in advance.

Not only that, but Mister Ninja and I are celebrating Christmas, our anniversary, my birthday, my niece’s birthday, New Year’s… and we’re having guests over and I’m writing a new book and I’m teaching at a conference and a Harry Potter movie marathon…*faints* So you see, my December is already spoken for. 

I’m just going to wish you a very happy Christmas right here and now. Until next year…Tally ho!


On a scale from 1 stocking to 10 stockings…how much coal do I get for abandoning my blog this month? 😉

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About Nadine Brandes

NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning ROMANOV, FAWKES, and the Out of Time Series. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she's not busy writing novels about bold living, she's adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband are building a Tiny House on wheels with their Halfling children. Current mission: paint the world in shalom.
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25 Comments

  1. No coal from me. 🙂

    Enjoy your December and we will see you on the flip side.
    (Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary in whichever order is appropriate.)

  2. May deliciously delightful books always be in your favor! 😉

  3. You totally don’t deserve coal. You deserve two months off. 🙂 I took November off from blogging due to NaNoWriMo, and your excuse is far more valid than mine was.

    I’ll be praying for a “peaceful” December for you. 😉 Merry, merry Christmas! *sends Oreos inside Christmas wrapping paper your way*

    • Awww thank you! *gobbles up all the Oreos*
      NaNoWriMo is a fantastic month in which to take a blogging break. How did your NaNo go?

      • *attempts to type in spite of curious kitten on my lap*
        NaNo went great! I made it to 50,000 words (which translates as, I survived torture), and I’m so going back for more next year. I learned a lot . . . and had a lot of fun. 🙂
        *gives the curious kitten a piece of paper to chase so he’ll leave the keyboard alone*

  4. No coal for you! Only presents!
    Don’t worry, I totally relate to having a crazy December! You enjoy yours despite the crazy and the bustle and the book planning.
    Merry Christmas! Happy Anniversary to you and Mr. Ninja! Happy Birthday to you and your niece! I hope that you have a great month!

  5. Very wise. Let your conscious cricket be your guide 🙂 I think you deserve 10 stockings full of chocolate and a giant chai latte (my fav too)!! Relax and enjoy the holiday season as Christ would want you to. XO <3

  6. Um … I mean conscience cricket LOL

  7. Holy guacamole, Batman! That’s exhausting just to read. Shut the social media door and enjoy your Christmas!

  8. I got overwhelmed just reading about your November. Wow. Though you did make me think of this from The Princess Bride:

    http://www.thedatereport.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/prince-humperdinch.gif

  9. I totally get hiatuses (THERE IS NO SHAME!). I’m planning on incorporating two (maybe three?) into my blogging schedule next year.

    I hope your December is perfectly relaxing, riveting, and wonderful! And congratulations on settling into a new house; THAT’S SO EXCITING!! <3

    ~Liv
    livkfisher.blogspot.com

  10. Enjoy your well-deserved break!

  11. you get a candy cane from me!! i had to semi-suspend mine, too! and i drank WAY more coffee than that!! after all, our focus as writers is WRITING!!!
    carry on!

  12. Ahhh your November sounds like it was so busy!! I’m so glad you’re taking a break you lovely lady. <3 <3

  13. Merry Christmas, Ninja Leader! I hope you have a wonderful December.

  14. Wow- Crazy busy:
    Did you manage to sleep…?

  15. Wow! What busy times! So glad you decided to take a break, Nadine. Merry Christmas to you as well. *stares intensely* get some sleep. I look forward to your return. <3

  16. Wow, you’re busy. xD

    Take the month off and enjoy it! 😀 Merry Birthiversarmas!

  17. Okay, I’m exhausted now.?I think wisdom is dictating here. Bask during this magical time of year. No coals for you Wonder Woman!

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