But writers should be. Thinking about Christmas, that is. Sure, it's still nearly six months away, but if you plan for it now, you'll be ready when holiday season arrives.

And I'm not talking about doing your holiday shopping. July is month to begin your holiday *writing*. Because those very same people who are frolicking outside today will start heading back indoors come September or October. They'll start making their own holiday plans. And, if you start now, you'll be ready for them.

You probably already know that you need to submit seasonal short stories, essays and article queries to print periodicals months in advance. But here are some other ideas you can begin to work on in July that can earn you some excellent income in December:

1. Offer a family holiday newsletter service. Holiday newsletters have become a popular way for people to catch each other up on family news that happened during past year. Sometimes they are merely letters; others are more elaborate, with photos to accompany news. You can set up a few templates, plan your advertising blitz now, and be ready to go before autumn nips air. A little preplanning can bring you a lot of business.

2. Have you sent your idea query pitch to magazines or newspapers who may be interested? or will you write "on spec"?

With many magazines and newspapers now accepting material online it is now possible in many instances to email your queries directly to publication. Have you read publishers guidelines carefully to make sure if this method is acceptable?

Before sending your query pitch: - Is it likely to be what publisher needs: have you studied publication?

- Is timing right. Have you checked magazines editorial calendar? If it is a seasonal article is now best time to send your query?

If you have answered yes to these questions then package your idea into an attractive proposal and send it off to editor of your chosen publication.

3. Have you adequately researched your topic?

Read everything you can on topic from all available sources - bookstores, newspapers, libraries, periodical indexes and internet sources. Never discard anything about your subject topic since you don't know until you write it up what you may actually want to use. Tip: Saving magazines, newspapers and clippings for subject matter can save time when researching future writing assignments on same topic or when working to deadlines. Catalogue all your collected material for easy reference. 4. Have you interviewed key person/people you need for your proposed feature?

Now it is time to organize your material into a feature article.

5. Have you discarded everything in your research except for factual information?