By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

It’s a little hard to concentrate on writing when Christmas songs are rolling through our heads. We’re humming and singing along to our favorites and finding it impossible to write . . . or can we change the words in those songs to fit our writerly needs??

“Jingle Bells”

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

Oh what fun it is to write . . .

“Rudolph, the Red-nosed Reindeer”

Rudolph, the one who’s published,

Had a very shiny hook.

And if you ever read it.

You would even buy the book.

“All I Want for Christmas is You”

All I want for Christmas is a good review.

“White Christmas”

I’m dreaming of a new contract.

With every word I write . . .

“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”

Rockin’ around the computer desk with a social media twist . . .

“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”

You’re a mean one, Mr. Editor

You keep sending back my prose.

You’re picky and your stubborn

You’re details makes me cry,

You’re a Mean one, Mr. Editor . . .

“Up On the Housetop”

Up on the laptop words do fly

Out jumps more than meets the eye.

Off to the agent with lots of prayer . . .

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town”

Santa Claus is coming to town.

He’s making a list, checking those hints

Gonna find out if your story is fit.

“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”

It’s beginning to look a lot like rewrites.

Everywhere I look . . .

“Frosty the Snowman”

Frosty the snowman was a writer of suspense . . .

“Last Christmas”

Last Christmas, I gave you my book.

The very next day you tore it apart . . .

I didn’t use the traditional Christmas carols. The words and the meaning are much too meaningful. So let me suggest when the season angles toward stressful and hectic, may the sweet sounds of “Silent Night,” “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman,” and “Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem,” fill you with the reason for the season.

What are your favorite Christmas songs while writing?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at http://www.diannmills.com