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This week: Making Writing about Christmas Real Edited by: Vivian  
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Christmas is nearly here, and Hanukkah has just passed. Therefore my thoughts turned to writing about holidays, using holidays in our stories, sometimes even making a holiday a "character." Often people think using holidays, such as Christmas, is easy to do, but that's not always the truth. As with any kind of writing, we must make it "real" to the reader.
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Making Writing about Christmas Real
Since I know more about Christmas than most holidays, I'll use it as my example.
First, gather the facts about the season to use in the writing, whether fiction or nonfiction. Yes, even in fiction facts are used to flesh out the character, setting, or location. With Christmas, we might list things such as the weather for our story, the celebrations, the colors, the fragrances, the hustle-bustle, and other characteristics. Sometimes we may want to show the different emotions evoked by the holiday, which can range from almost manic delight to a deep sorrow.
Then, we want to use those characteristics that match our plot and our characters. In one short story I wrote, "What's a Santa Claus?" , a child finds a neighbor's lights and the idea of Santa Claus both fascinating and confusing. Her grandmother tries to help the little girl understand what Christmas is without building unreachable expectations.
If we find ourselves writing fantasy, such as a story about Santa as a real person, then we need to use our imaginations to create a "believable" person. We need to develop him as a character with characteristics that readers could accept.
Some writers develop stories about the nativity where animals tell the story, or where people not found in the Biblical story take part in the event. Again, the story needs to be written well enough that readers can enjoy the different "take" on the story and can suspend belief long enough to "believe" the story.
When writing something that revolves around or includes a holiday such as Christmas, always remember that good writing is good writing, no matter the plot, theme, or characters. |
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Comments from Our Readers
Last month I wrote about using commas. Several people appreciated the "lesson," as I used information I used in lesson plans when I taught. I'm always glad when I can help fellow writers.
Twisty 
Thanks for giving advice for commas I'll apply that in my stories
tinman
Thank you for the clear primer on the use of commas. Those pesky little devils have made my writing life miserable. Most of my editing time is taken up by deciding when to use the damn things.
atwhatcost
Yippee!!! You did it! "Essential" - the word never used in the other lessons. I'm copying and pasting this into my own doc, until I finally don't have to search out this information every time I'm trying to be accurate. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
BeElleGee
Very informative! I learned quite a bit.
A thinker never sleeps
Thank you for your in-depth newsletter about commas. It clears up a few misconceptions I had about their usage.
mileyrocks
Thank you for the wonderful information about commas
Gena
Great review of comma usage--much appreciated.
Zeke 
I have always wondered about the difference between commas and semi-colons. Is there a rule that applies?
Zeke
I sent Zeke an email with the following explanation:
Use a semicolon in place of a period to separate two sentences where the conjunction has
been left out.
Examples: Call me tomorrow; I will give you my answer then.
I have paid my dues; therefore, I expect all the privileges listed in the contract.
Use the semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain
commas.
Example: This conference has people who have come from Boise, Idaho; Los Angeles,
California; and Nashville, Tennessee.
Use the semicolon between two sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction when one or
more commas appear in the first sentence.
Examples: When I finish here, I will be glad to help you; and that is a promise I will keep.
If she can, she will attempt that feat; and if her husband is able, he will be there to see her.
Winnie Kay  "So,,,Put A Comma Here,,,Or Not???"
Hi Viv-- I teach the Comma-Kazi class for New Horizons here at WDC, and I have to say you did an excellent job summarizing comma-usage rules. My students are always amazed to learn that there are actual, logical rules for comma placement. Thanks for sharing this information.
winnie
saheli
I had lot of confusion about where to use commas. I think you have solved my problem to some extent. Thanks for sharing a great news letter.
eyestar~*
Awesome. Thanks for comma us in a nutshell! The examples really help clarify, especially for some who may not have the grammar jargon down pat! A couple of the non-uses I didn't know. Interesting. This is a fav now, for sure.
fyn 
EXCELLENT Newsletter, Viv. Thank you.
MumstheWord
This was really useful - thank you. I have an allergic reaction to all things 'proper' when it comes to writing, so I'm tackling my flaws one at a time. This is a great place for me to start.
Merry Christmas
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For Authors: December 21, 2010 Issue [#4126]
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