Journey, who is a hoot and a half (and becoming quite possessive of one of my Marines XD) tagged me for this, yippee! (I warned you that there would be more tags coming. I am still not sorry and I never will be. 😁) This one was created by Kay Adelin.

(I'm beginning this post at an unmentionable wee hour in the morning because my trauma was acting up and I couldn't sleep. 😆)

The Rules

• Thank the person who tagged you and leave a link to their blog.
• Use the graphic.
• List the rules.
• Answer the questions.
• Write the questions down for reference for the next person.
• Tag as many or few people as you like.

The Questions

1. Have you ever written (or are you writing) a Christmas story? If so, what was (or is) it about?

Yes! A few years ago, I wrote "Least of These", which is a Yuletide (Christmas) story set in the world of Veridon. It takes place a few years before To Stand, as it's about how Killian and Raven first met and became friends. Matter of fact, I just put it on Amazon this month!

(Edit: I also wrote a Christmasy short story about my Marines this year! It's decidedly not canon (and could never happen) but it was a lot of fun!)

2. Is Christmas celebrated in any of your stories?

Hmm, well we just mentioned Yuletide, though neither of the Veridon books takes place at Christmas. In The Treasure Beyond, Bonnie visits her aunt for Christmas, and the squad celebrates Christmas (as much as they can) in We Gave Our Tomorrows. Logan opens the packages from his family and Jesse gives an impromptu Christmas message. At least they're not under siege like the 101st Airborne was up in Bastogne. 😛

3. Are any of your characters born on Christmas?

No, but Logan's birthday is the day after!

4. Do you have any characters who DON’T celebrate Christmas? Why?

Hmm . . . well, Tinaalah probably wouldn't, because Christmas is a Christian holiday and Christianity hasn't spread to Leiale. It will, once the missionaries start coming, but it hasn't yet.

5. In your story world, what importance is placed on Christmas socially?

It depends on which story we're talking about! I guess we'll go with YWLA, since it's my WIP . . . it might be a little hard since I haven't yet gotten to that in my research, but we'll see what we can do.

I'm sure most of the Marines at An Hoa would be missing their families and loved ones at Christmas. Maybe they get packages and letters from home, but that's not the same as actually being with everyone. (Elvis' "If I Get Home on Christmas Day", anyone? I know it's from 1971 and YWLA is in 1967, but I still maintain that the song is about a soldier.) The chaplains would probably hold a Christmas service. Maybe Doc would try to get his hands on some gifts for the men in "his" platoon (because Doc is sneaky and devoted and I love him 😆).

If the guys are out in the field, that's a different matter. No doubt they're thinking about Christmas, but there's no time to celebrate since they always need to keep an eye out for Communist ambushes.

6. Have you ever written on Christmas?

Not that I can remember . . . ? I'm usually too busy having fun with the family. Besides, I can write any time I want to and Christmas only comes once a year.

7. What is your favorite writer-related Christmas gift you’ve ever received? (It can be a book (and if so, name the book and how it related to your writing), notebooks, pens, paper, etc.)

*sits deep in thought* You know, I can't really think of any writer-related presents I've gotten. The closest would be a WWII Army New Testament that I got last year, which was definitely related to my writing (WGOT was just starting initial edits at that point).

(It smells absolutely delightful - a mix of old book and old militaria. 😊 It belonged to a real soldier too - Pvt Burton H. Snieder of King Company, 28th Regiment, stationed at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Sadly I have been unable to find any records about him 😭)

8. What is your favorite writing memory which is associated with the Christmas holiday?

Selling books at craft fairs. At the big craft fair this year I met people who recognized me from other events (including one lovely girl who told me I'm her friend's favorite author, and I'm famous with the homeschoolers 🥹) and several of my books were bought for Christmas presents, which is absolutely the best feeling in the world. 💕

9. Have you ever gifted someone one of your stories for Christmas?

I have given my books to people for Christmas. Once when I was much younger (about 7 I think?) I started writing my dad a book for Christmas - but I got writer's block and never finished it. 😆

10. Have any Christmas novels you’ve read ever affected your writing?

. . . I don't think so? I mean, I have Border Collies in one or two of my (unfinished) stories because of Sheepdog in the Snow. R.L. Peterson's short story "Stille Nacht" was in the back of my mind while I was writing the Christmas scenes in WGOT, but I don't know that it consciously influenced anything.

I'm gonna leave this tag open for anyone who wants to snurch. Here are the questions for said snurchers:

1. Have you ever written (or are you writing) a Christmas story? If so, what was (or is) it about?
2. Is Christmas celebrated in any of your stories?
3. Are any of your characters born on Christmas?
4. Do you have any characters who DON’T celebrate Christmas? Why?
5. In your story world, what importance is placed on Christmas socially?
6. Have you ever written on Christmas?
7. What is your favorite writer-related Christmas gift you’ve ever received? (It can be a book (and if so, name the book and how it related to your writing), notebooks, pens, paper, etc.)
8. What is your favorite writing memory which is associated with the Christmas holiday?
9. Have you ever gifted someone one of your stories for Christmas?
10. Have any Christmas novels you’ve read ever affected your writing?

Have a safe, merry, and blessed Christmas, peeps! 🎄🫶