By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

November writers can find themselves overwhelmed in this incredibly busy and fun-filled month. Bustling cooks are scurrying about in the kitchen in preparation for Thanksgiving. Recipes are positioned for easy viewing, and some are made ahead of schedule to freeze until needed. The table is often set a week or so ahead of time to give the host extra time. The scent of cinnamon and spice are wafting through the house better than any candle or potpourri. Mouths are watering in anticipation, and smiles follow.

Close your eyes and imagine a whole month of tantalizing sights and smells. Holiday movies put us in a delightful mood. And—

Hold on! Deadlines don’t take a holiday. Neither can a writer eliminate them from the calendar. A keystroke could delete the entry, but that does nothing for our professional image.

Oops! My critique group meeting?

What about blog posts?

Marketing?

Promotion?

Social Media?

My first recommendation for the successful November writer is to shut the door on stress before it arrives. That’s one guest no one needs.

Think about deadlines with planning, purpose, and organization. Writers must be prepared because stress can be an enemy. It’s not the writing deadlines or the topic that stresses us but how we think about the deadline. View the work as simply an item to check off our list weeks in advance. Due dates keep us disciplined and on task.

My second recommendation for the successful November writer is to create a writerly thankful list.

Christian writers thank God for blessings, challenges, and opportunities that put us in the right frame of mind.

Below are items we might include on a thankful list. I encourage you to add those things that are meaningful to you. We can be thankful for:

1. The gift of writing and the Creator who designed communication through the written word.
2. The work involved in developing our craft. While the process is a labor-intensive journey, we treasure the dance of words.
3. The sage advice from critique groups and partners to help us make our work stronger.
4. The rejections from agents and editors. This is how we grow professionally and mentally—often called developing a thick skin.
5. The rewrites. Each time we edit and tweak our work, we move closer to reaching our publishing goals.
6. The readers. We write for a specific audience, and their enjoyment helps pave the way for success.
7. The social media platforms that show us how to reach our readers/audience. How else could we form around-the-world relationships and help enhance lives with what we know?
8. The family and friends who love and support us no matter where we are in our careers.
9. The blogs that focus on teaching us about the publishing industry, marketing, promotion, and branding.
10. The professionals we surround ourselves with and make us look good in every area of our writing.

My third recommendation for the successful November writer is to support others.

 The word support contains various meanings to writers. November is a time to enjoy blessings and each other, but it can be a tough month for writers, and Christmas will soon be here too. Not only now but throughout the year show support: help, pray, teach, comfort, show strength, advocate, encourage, and validate other writers.

My fourth recommendation for the successful November writer is to take time for you.

I’ve been guilty of NOT doing this, and I imagine you have fallen for the “I can’t say no” to those who often unintentionally weigh us down with extra tasks. Dear writers, we need downtime to relax and rejuvenate. We can’t be all things to all people. It’s been said there are many wonderful projects in this world and many people to help, but that doesn’t mean we have to say yes to all of them.

 My fifth recommendation for the successful November writer is to incorporate laughter into every day.

 How can we avoid the label of a turkey-writer and not fall prey to an editor’s ax?

1. Fossils indicate turkeys have been around for around 10 million years. A turkey-writer refuses to change with the times and new techniques necessary to be successful.
2. Not choosing to be a wild turkey-writer. These beautifully colored birds eat constantly. Most of their day is spent scratching around looking for seeds and bugs. Don’t be a procrastinator. Get the writing done.
3. A turkey’s eyes are located on opposite sides of its head. While this allows the bird to see two objects at once and have wide vision, for the writer that could mean plot lines that go nowhere.
4. A turkey doesn’t have ears. Instead, it has holes behind their eyes. While they have impeccable hearing, a turkey-writer hears everything and can’t focus.
5. A turkey doesn’t have a keen sense of smell or taste. They can only discern whether something is sweet, sour, bitter, salty, or acidic. Turkey writers are a bit lazy. They fail to use all the senses so the reader can experience the story.
6. Turkey are an excellent source of protein and taste good, but what about all the other dishes that make for a full and tasty meal? A turkey-writer repeats the same characterization and storylines from one book to the next instead of incorporating additional and new elements that make a story the best.
7. Turkeys are highly sensitive to touch in areas of their beak and feet. Do I need to say more? A turkey-writer can’t take criticism and interprets suggestions as being stepped on.
8. Turkeys eat during most of the daylight hours. Turkey-writers refuse to keep their bodies and minds at peak performance.
9. Although only the male turkeys gobble, it is a common problem with turkey-writers. These people complain about the industry and make excuses for their non-published work or poor sales.
10. The “turkey trot” was created by observing the short jerky steps of a turkey. Don’t be a turkey-writer and not have a plan and a purpose for your craft.

My guess is you are a model November writer. We love each other and the God who gave us this amazing gift of creativity. What else comes to mind so you can excel as a Successful November Writer?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com