I love this time of year—Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve; all the lights and cozy gatherings.

But, being honest: for many of us, the holidays can also feel rushed and heavy with shoulds—including the one that whispers, “You should be writing.”

In this week’s episode of The Confident Fiction Author podcast, I make a simple case: give yourself permission to pause. Rest isn’t quitting; rest fuels your creativity for the new year.

Inside the episode, we’ll talk about:

• Intentional rest vs. unintentional guilt
• Why rest is a real part of the writing process.
• Practical ways to pause your fiction writing without losing momentum

If December is your “rest and refill” month, this episode will help you do it on purpose—without the guilt following you around from Christmas party to kitchen baking to gift wrapping.

In the next episode, I’ll share low-stress tips for those who do want to keep writing through the holidays. But for today? If you need it, use this week’s episode as your permission slip to take a holiday.

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Free resources for you:
The Confident Fiction Author Toolkit: fictioncourses.com/toolkit
Dictation + Scrivener Power Combo Mini Course: fictioncourses.com/dictation
Dictation for Authors: Tools and Tips of the Trade: fictioncourses.com/dictationguide
5 Stereotypes to Avoid When Writing about Native Americans: fictioncourses.com/stereotypes