Guest Post Melody Carlson

[Giovanni Gelati]

Someone recently dubbed me “Queen of the Christmas Storytellers” which is a stretch at best, but an honor just the same. And it’s true, I have “penned” a few Christmas tales—I think I’m up to about eight or
nine novellas now. Ironically I write these stories in the middle of summer.
Usually in July. I’ll be up in my garret writing studio (which used to get
stinking hot until I put in AC) and I’ll be writing about snow falling and hot
cocoa and pine boughs and eggnog, feeling cool as a cucumber, and then I emerge
from my writing studio to be smacked with triple digits outside. It can mess
with my mind as well as my internal thermostat.

Even so, and for a bunch of different reasons, I love writing about Christmas. I’m frequently asked why this is and I go back to my childhood. With divorced
parents, living in a somewhat stark home (think the 1960’s and vinyl furniture)
I felt somewhat deprived of warm family holiday traditions—that is until we
went to my grandparents’ quirky Victorian house where tall Christmas trees were
waiting, giant turkeys roasting, fragrant pies baking, and extended family
laughing, singing, playing games—and sometimes even fighting. Why wouldn’t I
love it?

So now, when I write a Christmas novella, I’m cognizant of a number of things. First of all, a Christmas story must feel Christmassy. It must at some point make the
reader crave cocoa or sugar cookies or pumpkin pie. And a Christmas tale must
end happily—even if it’s a bit schmaltzy or cheesy or even slightly
predictable. Should I ever end a Christmas story on an unpleasant note,
bah-humbug—let it be my last!

However, at the same time I’m crafting these “feel good” stories, I’m well aware that most people don’t experience a picture-perfect Norman Rockwell sort of Christmas. For that
reason, I always like to throw some mild dysfunctions and minor disappointments
into my stories. In other words, I offer up a nice slice of real life.

In Christmas at Harrington’s I write about a woman recently released from prison. Now some people might think that’s an odd sort of Christmas theme, but the truth is most of us have something
difficult to deal with during the holidays. It might be stressed relationships,
bad health, financial worries, struggling family members or even grief. As a
writer, and in my own life, I am not one to shirk from issues. I’ve written
about schizophrenia, suicide, addiction and lots of tough challenges. My theory
is why not just throw our cards on the table—let’s all admit that life’s not
perfect and get on with it.

In Lena Markham’s story, she feels useless and hopeless. Her time in prison (for something she didn’t do) has taken its toll in every way imaginable. But she quickly discovers that becoming
an “ex con” might be harder than doing time—especially when she’s put out on
the street with only a bit of money and the secondhand clothes on her back.
This is actually how it is for many newly released inmates, particularly women.
Without the touch of human warmth and kindness, Lena
might have shriveled up and given up. But starting with an elderly woman who
befriends her on the bus, Lena begins to see
that there is still goodness in people. As much as this is a story about a
woman looking for a second chance, it’s also about the people around her and
how they reach out and make a difference. Her desperate need is their
opportunity to show kindness, mercy, and love. And, really, isn’t that what
Christmas is all about?

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