Hey there. I know, I know, it’s Xmas today. This will be quick, I swear.

Earlier this week, I was struggling with an essay. It’s a piece I’ve attempted to write from a few different angles dating all the way back to August 2020. My original thought was to have it ready to go for today. Clearly, that’s not happening.

But then I realized, my usual newsletter send time is Saturday at 8:08 am PT and this week Saturday is Xmas, as I’ve already mentioned, and by the way, this is my newsletter and I can do whatever the hell I want, which is part of what I love about having my own newsletter and no editor or boss to answer to, so I’m going to just…not do it this week, or next week.

There’s no way an editor would approve a huge run-on sentence like that. But, you know what? I like a good run-on sentence from time to time.

Anyway, the point is, I’m done publishing for the year and I’m skipping next week, which is New Year’s Day, because I don’t want to be obsessing about getting an essay ready to go on New Year’s Eve. Could I write it earlier and schedule it ahead of time? Yes, but I know myself well enough to know that’s not how it would go down.

If you’re being critical of yourself for not getting enough done during the holidays, give yourself a break. This time of year is for family and friends. Work, both career and creative, will be here when we get back next year.

There are quite a few new people who have joined recently. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m so glad you’re here. I don’t want to leave you with this weird first impression, so instead I’ll leave you with a link to my favorite piece I wrote in 2021. Don’t let the title deceive you; it’s not really writing advice, although it also kind of is. Just read it, if you haven’t already. It’s my most popular piece for a reason.

Just Enough to Get Me in Trouble

HOW TO WRITE BETTER STORIES IN 4 EASY STEPS

I’ve spent the better part of the past year writing and publishing this newsletter. Over that time, a lot of people have asked me how I do it. They ask questions such as, “How do you consistently write about such vulnerable, personal topics?” or, “What do your writing habits look like?” I thought I’d spend time answering everyone…

Read more

a year ago · 61 likes · 31 comments · Lyle McKeany

Before I go, I want to thank all my writer friends who have been incredibly supportive and encouraging since I started in on this weekly writing endeavor back in September 2020. I’d list you all by name, but I know I’d forget someone and feel terrible about it. Most of all, thank you to my wife Allison for listening to my half-baked writing ideas and helping me figure out which direction to take them in.

See you in 2022!

One of my favorite parts about publishing each week is seeing your love come in through your heart button clicks and comments. If you’ve enjoyed my writing this year, or even if you enjoyed this one, please let me know by clicking the heart button below.