Today’s newsletter is written by our very own Emily Hogenson!
If you are lucky enough to live somewhere where it has already snowed, like I do, you may have already gotten in some snow writing. Snow writing is that wonderful writing that gets done when you are trapped inside, under a blanket; there is a mug of something warm by your side; you have nowhere to go and no responsibilities. Snow writing is guilt free and there is no pressure. You don’t have to worry about going out to the grocery store, the bank, the post office, lunch with a friend—you are stuck. And since you were not expecting to be stuck inside all day, all of the writing you do is extra! You get to take your time and not feel any guilt about taking time away from everything else!
Snow days are some of my favorite days. Most of the time, I have to squeeze writing around all of my work, gym time, chores, and Netflix-bingeing with my husband (we just finished West World this week). God forbid it is a day when I am supposed to meet up with friends! Writing almost always takes a back seat.
I am here to let you in on a little secret though. You can get in the snow writing mindset without any snow! I know, I know, you must be thinking I am a lunatic at this point.
“But, Emily,” you are assuredly crying at your screen, “you just spent two paragraphs telling us about how snow writing is only possible because of the snow!”
And to that, I would say you are right; I did do that! But snow writing is much more a condition of the mind than of the weather.
Once we realize that writing is just as important as the things we are brushing it aside for, we can achieve all that the snow offers. The importance of the writing itself gives us the reason to stay in for a while longer, to write without the guilt that there are other, more important things to do. Yes, other things are important. But so is our writing! Our writing should not be like sneaking a cookie when we are on a diet. Our writing is sustenance, and it fuels our minds. It is not something to sneak around and do when there is nothing else going on. It is something worth making time for, just like other important day-to-day tasks.
So whether there is snow outside or not, make some time, get comfy, pour yourself something tasty, and write without pressure or guilt. Make time for your writing—your readers will thank you.
Interested in working with Emily? Head on over here if you want her to polish your snow writing.