Monday, July 18, 2016

Christmas Countdown! by Jannine Gallant


Since I'm tired of promoting my books and have no sales going on until next month, I thought I'd share our Roses of Prose holiday short story plans for this year. Every December, the majority of our authors post Christmas short stories for the entire month. And to make it a little more fun, we all begin our stories with the same first line. Of course choosing a line is all part of the excitement. Everyone threw out ideas and voted, narrowing the field to the top three choices then voted again to get a winner. This year the top three contenders were:

"You asked for a Christmas Miracle?"

This was the absolute last time she kissed anyone under the mistletoe.

She'd rather deck him than deck his halls.

I thought they were all great lines. But, the winning line was...drum roll...

This was the absolute last time she kissed anyone under the mistletoe.


I hope everyone will visit us in December to read our short stories. Is your interest sparked by our mistletoe kisses line?

We also need a title for our collection, which will be incorporated into the cover we use to promote our stories. We want our title to tie to our first line. For example, last year our first line was about a ringing phone, and our collection title was Ringing in the Holidays. So, think kisses or mistletoe... All suggestions are welcome. Load up the comment box for us!

To find out more about my books, check out my website.

18 comments:

Margo Hoornstra said...

Mistletoe Magic. Off the top of my head with minimal caffeine in my system. Nothing like a little Christmas in July. These stories always make for a fun month of December in and around all the other craziness.

Angela Adams said...

I've been watching the Christmas movies on Hallmark Channel this week, and I'm in the mood for the Holiday season!

Barbara Edwards said...

I'm still plotting my story. I can't think of a good title yet.
Hmm. Mistletoe grows in the woods. Hmm. Plot, plot plot.

Jannine Gallant said...

Margo, I love Mistletoe Magic! Good job.

Angela, I've been trying to get in the mood to write my story...

Barbara, haven't got mine plotted, either.

Margo Hoornstra said...

Hee-hee. Had to jump in to share. Mine's plotted. ;-)

Diane Burton said...

You guys are so far ahead of me. These holiday stories have been so much fun to write. I DVR'd the Hallmark Christmas movies and am slowly watching them. Love Christmas in July when the weather is stinky hot.

Rolynn Anderson said...

I've got an idea for the story and I want to write it but I must not, yet, because of other priorities. "Mistletoe Ho Ho" comes from my tired min this morning. Better? "Mistletoe Miracle" "Mistletoe Moments" "Mistrusting Mistletoe" "Mistletoe Mystery" Now for more coffee

Brenda Whiteside said...

It's been unbelievably hot here at the RV park so I'm not in such a ho-ho mood. My mood shoots out titles we can't use. "Kiss-off" "I'll Mistle toe you, buddy" "Hot Mistletoe, Cold Kisses" So, I'll start thinking cool and jolly and get my ho-ho mojo going eventually. Promise!

Jannine Gallant said...

Diane, hey, whatever works to get you in the mood, right?

Rolynn, I was coming up empty for the collection title, but Mistletoe Moments has potential.

LOL, Brenda. How about Christmas Kiss-Off?

Alison Henderson said...

I've been pushing to finish the first draft of my WIP (today or tomorrow, for sure!) so I haven't thought about my Christmas story yet. I did, however, have Under the Mistletoe as a possible title for the collection. I like the mistletoe theme--it lends itself well to an easy cover design. Yay!

Brenda Whiteside said...

That's a good one, Jannine.

Jannine Gallant said...

Alison, I like Under the Mistletoe, too! That and Mistletoe Magic are my two faves so far.

Margo Hoornstra said...

So Christmas Kissoff is out of the running? Darn!

Alicia Dean said...

I haven't even thought of a story idea yet. These are always so much fun though.

Liz Flaherty said...

Can't wait to see them!

Jannine Gallant said...

At least we're all slacking together, Ally. Except Margo, who apparently has her act together. LOL

Thanks for stopping by, Liz. Hopefully we'll produce some real winners!

Leah St. James said...

Yeah, I'm in the "haven't given it a thought yet" group. And as much as Brenda's "Kiss Off" makes me chuckle, probably "Mistletoe Magic" or "Under the Mistletoe" are probably more appropriate. You ladies are so good with titles, first lines, etc. I'll be amazed if I come up with a plot before Halloween!

Jannine Gallant said...

Leah, I'm going to shoot for Labor Day and hope it isn't Thanksgiving!