5 lessons writers can learn from letters to Santa

Such sincerity. Such expectation. Each year in December, children around the world post letters to Santa, anticipating an amazing Christmas morning.

Can writers glean tips from these wide-eyed letter writers? I believe we can. Following are five lessons children can teach writers:

1. Take writing seriously. Children use their favorite crayons, knit their little brows, and devote hefty blocks of time crafting legible letters to Santa Claus. Like them, pour your time and energy into forming the perfect words. Edit until it’s flawless. Then, have someone else edit it.
2. Keep at it until it’s done. Children long for those gifts from Santa. Nothing gets in their way of letting him know exactly what they desire under the tree. Fill your heart with that same longing. Don’t shelve your work halfway through for any reason. It will never be published if it’s not finished.
3. Get to the point. Children may compliment Santa and thank him for last year’s gifts, but most of their letters simply request toys. That’s all the information Santa needs. Don’t pad your work with a lot of fluff. If you can cut three words by using one, do it.
4. Reach for the stars. Children don’t hesitate to ask for the toys of their dreams. If Santa rejects their wish list, children are no worse off than before they mailed their letters. Same with you. Take whatever farfetched snippet of a idea that nudges your imagination and expand it into a story. You may end up with a realm as popular as Narnia.
5. Don’t leave your manuscript on your computer. Children tuck their letters into envelopes and immediately post them to the North Pole. When your manuscript is complete, this is not the time to be shy. Be strong and courageous. Pitch it to those who can make your dreams come true, even if it means cold querying agents and publishers. You never know, you may receive the best Christmas present ever!

What would you ask of Santa if you wrote to him today?

photo credits: featured image (BestLifeOnline.com) and Santa’s letter (GoSocial.co)