First Edge—Permission to Write Imperfectly During the Holidays

FIRST EDGE - WEDNESDAYS
Welcome to First Edge, my Wednesday focus on beginning novelists. Here you'll find practical guidance, encouragement, and permission to start your writing journey. Whether you're thinking about writing or ready to begin, First Edge offers the support you need to take your first steps.

Dear Beginning Novelist,

The tree needs trimming, cookies need baking, and your novel… well, it’s sitting there, waiting. That blank page seems to mock you with visions of perfect prose while holiday chaos swirls around you. Today, I’m giving you a gift: permission to write imperfectly during the holidays.

The Reality of Holiday Writing

Let’s be honest about what writing looks like right now:

• Ten minutes between wrapping presents
• Notes on your phone while waiting in shopping lines
• Early morning words before the family wakes
• Late night paragraphs after the celebrations quiet down

This isn’t your normal writing routine. And that’s okay.

What “Imperfect Writing” Looks Like

• Unfinished scenes
• Plot holes you’ll fix later
• Character names in [brackets]
• Notes to yourself in the margins
• Dialogue without tags
• Description you’ll flesh out later

All of these are perfectly imperfect ways to keep your story moving forward.

Why Imperfect Writing Matters

Your story doesn’t need perfection—it needs existence. Every word you write, no matter how rough, is:

• One more brick in your novel’s foundation
• Proof that you’re committed to your dream
• Progress toward your goal
• Practice in your craft

Simple Strategies for Holiday Writing

1. Lower Your Word Count Goals

• Normal day: 1,000 words
• Holiday version: 250 words
• Even 50 words keep your story alive

1. Embrace the Fragments

• Write scenes out of order
• Capture dialogue snippets
• Jot down setting details
• Note character insights

1. Use Holiday Moments

• Channel family dynamics into character relationships
• Turn holiday stress into story conflict
• Transform festive settings into scene backgrounds
• Convert real conversations into dialogue

Your Permission Slip

Dear Writer,
You have permission to:

• Write badly
• Write briefly
• Write randomly
• Write imperfectly
• Write differently than usual
• Keep your story alive however you can

Signed,
Your Writing Coach

Moving Forward

Your novel doesn’t need your perfection—it needs your presence. Even small, imperfect efforts keep your story breathing during this busy season. Come January, you’ll be grateful for every word you wrote, no matter how messy.

Remember: Imperfect writing can be revised. Unwritten stories remain untold.

Keep writing, dear novelist. Your story matters, even during the holidays.

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