Happy Sunday, chickens! How are you? Have you finished your holiday prep yet? I've got a few more words to write and a few more presents to wrap before I head out to see family. Nothing like the end of December to keep you hustling, huh? It's a big week this week. Fourth Sunday of advent, and Christmas, natch. Did you know we're having the first full moon on Christmas since 1977? And the first Star Wars came out in 1977? Interesting, right? Also Tuesday is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere: longest night, shortest day. Flip the earth, and it's the summer solstice: longest day, shortest night. Fun things to think about. Regardless of what you celebrate, sometime during this universally holy week, light a fire or a candle, think about the coming year, and raise a glass to those you love.

Here's what I found around the Internets this week:

Years ago, Chris Guillebeau put together a template for conducting an annual review, and I've been using it for quite some time now--I love it. And every year, Chris shares his own annual review. Here's his 2015 in a nutshell. (if you're wanting to get into goal-setting and tracking you progress, I can't recommend Chris' annual review template enough!)

‘Tis the season for gift guides, which are not only entertaining, but can also be super helpful in gaining ideas. Brad Thor’s gift list seems like it could double as Xander Whitfield’s Christmas list . . . I especially like that monocular...

Scarily accurate: This is hell for your Meyers-Briggs type. Over queso, my writer friends and I went through this, laughing our heads off at how spot on it is.

Speaking of the holidays, here is some classy, low-key holiday décor. Yum. I'll take the house, too. I'm a minimalist when it comes to decorating -- this is right up my alley.

This is why Scrivener is the ultimate blogging tool. What a great way to organize your posts in 2016.

It's always fun to get good advice from a master, like this: "A good writer is a good listener." That and other fab writing tips from author James Lee Burke. 

Meanwhile, back on the homestead:

In case you hadn't heard, I wrote a Christmas novella! THE OMEN DAYS is dark, twisted, happy, and sweet, and I hope you love it. You can check it out from these ebook folks (or put it in your Goodreads!). 

On The Wine Vixen, we got double reds! Amy reviewed a Cab that was hailed "the best wine ever", and I talked Chianti. And if you're still looking for gifts, we've got some suggestions for any budget. 

A Word on Words premiered the extended interview with Emily Waltenbaugh of the Nashville Public Library, who gives some interesting State of the Library 2015 insights (library are more than just books, people). Also, here's what folks around town are saying about the show!

On the Tao, to cap off the year and act as a Allons-y! to get us all geared up for 2016, I discussed the two words every writer or creative needs to cope with fear, negativity, and creative career challenge. 

And here's a shameless cat photo. You’re welcome.

That's it from me, folks. For you fellow STAR WARS nerds, I'll leave you with this:

Have a safe, happy, and cozy holiday. Soak up the time with your friends and loved ones. I'll see you soon!

Xoxo,
JT