That Christmas Thing!

There's definitely something about Christmas that encourages me to write stories a little more often than I would normally.  I suppose it helps that the subject matter more or less suggests itself!  That, and the fact that, by and large, people are generally in a good mood and looking to be entertained.  With this in mind, I usually aim to publish at least a couple of Christmas-themed stories in the run-up to the main event.  This year, I challenged myself to produce three stories in the week preceding Christmas Day, which was a bit rash really as I had no idea what they might be about.  Well, not at that point, anyway.

This all started last Saturday (17th December) and I was delighted that, by the end of a day spent staring, hopefully, at our Christmas Tree, an idea or two had occurred and the result was Oh, Christmas Tree! which I was quite pleased with but didn't exactly make the earth move in terms of readership.  Nevetheless, with one down, I pressed on.  I had already decided that the second story should feature the precocious pairing of Peregrine and Prudence, as they started their adventures by capturing Santa Claus and its been a while since I wrote anything for them.  This resulted in It's A Cracker, Isn't It?, which sees them pulling yet another con trick on one of their unsuspecting neighbours.  Again, it wasn't deluged with readers but I was delighted that it collected a Cherry Award today!

All of my hopes for the season now rest on story no. 3, which will definitely be an Undertakers' story featuring Josiah and Archibald, for which I have some initial ideas.  The plan is that this will come blinking into the light of day on Christmas Eve, if I manage to finish it by then.  Watch this space (well, not exactly this space but...)

In the meantime, may I express my thanks to everyone who has been kind enough to read my stories over the last 12 months, and particular thanks to those who have been generous enough to take the time to comment.  Merry Christmas to you all and a productive and pleasant New Year!

P.S. The promised third story is now up and available, Drumming Up Christmas Trade! in which Josiah wrestles with a quandary and Archibald drums up trade! 

P.P.S. (26.12.22) A number of people have been kind enough to express an interest in knowing the outcome of Josiah's quandary in Drumming Up Christmas Trade! fyi, I'm planning the next episode for New Year's Eve in which all (or, at least something) will be revealed