Thanks, Jillian, for the chance to come to your site and talk about The Santa Drag, my short story that’s appearing in Christmas Treats: Santa’s Nice List from Still Moments Publishing.
Things aren’t always what they seem, and this shopping mall Santa has a secret that only the love of her life can reveal.
When I first saw the call for submissions to the Christmas Treats anthology, I thought about my family’s Christmas traditions and how they could be worked into a story. Christmas Eve, for this bunch of choir geeks, means hours in church and a whole lot of singing. Our personal best was Christmas ’08, where my son was singing in his school choir at St Catherine’s, my daughter was singing in the Children’s Choir at St James Cathedral, and I had two Masses at our parish church. Oh, and ’08 in Seattle? It’s generally referred to as the year Snowpocalypse shut down the city. The husband and I did it all with chains on our tires and no power at home.
Somehow, none of that lent itself to romance.
So after coming up dry at the family well, I decided to branch out. I was sitting poolside at my son’s swim practice when it occurred to me that I should ask my sister to help me brainstorm. Now, my sister is brilliantly creative. She lives in LA and does costumes for movies and TV. Anything I know about the entertainment industry or acting or persistence and discipline, I learned from her. I sent her a text that said, “I want to write a short story for a holiday-themed anthology. Any ideas?” It took a couple more messages to sort out that I meant Christmas and not Halloween or Flag Day, but in the end, she sent me one amazing line.
What if your main character was a woman who got a job playing Santa in a mall?
And thus, The Santa Drag was born. It tells the story of Mack, a Seattle-area actress who takes a job playing Santa because it’s the only thing she can find that’ll pay the rent. She is mightily dismayed one Saturday afternoon when a certain semi-famous actor shows up with kids in tow, to have pictures taken with Santa. Is she a good enough actress to fool Joe McBride, the only guy she ever really loved? You’ll have to check out Christmas Treats: Santa’s Nice List to find out.
Peace,
Liv
JILLIAN: Thanks for coming by, Liv. It was a joy to have you. Good luck with the Nice List!
Jillian Chantal 
I love the premise Luv. I can’t wait until I’m able to download this anthology.
My sister is very helpful in giving ideas or talking plot points.
*waves* hi Jillian
By: W. lynn chantale on December 5, 2011
at 7:56 am
Waving back at ya, Lynn!
By: Jillian Chantal on December 5, 2011
at 8:18 am
Hey Lynn! Thanks for checking in. Can’t wait to see your short story in Santa’s Naughty List…
By: Liv Rancourt on December 5, 2011
at 8:40 pm
LOL gotta love sisters. Mine was handy when I needed to brainstorm a Christmas series I was thinking of. The story sounds great!
By: danicaavet on December 5, 2011
at 8:25 am
I’m glad your sisters help you brainstorm. Mine doesn’t. She doesn’t even read my romance stories. She’ll read the mystery/general fiction short stories but no romance for her.
By: Jillian Chantal on December 5, 2011
at 8:28 am
My sister is great because she has no problem telling me what DOESN’T work – very diplomatically, of course.
😉
Thanks for checking in, Danica!
By: Liv Rancourt on December 5, 2011
at 8:41 pm
Hi, Liv! I just had to stop in real quick and tell you how much I LOVE this story. I’m so glad it’s part of our Christmas anthology at Still Moments. Great job and here’s to a wonderful Christmas, with lots of books stacked under the tree! Congrats!!
I love your blog, Jillian. Very pretty — and the snow is soooo cool!
By: ajnuest on December 5, 2011
at 8:28 am
Thanks AJ. I appreciate the compliment. I love the snow, too.
By: Jillian Chantal on December 5, 2011
at 8:29 am
Thanks AJ!
By: Liv Rancourt on December 5, 2011
at 8:42 pm
Hi, Liv. It’s nice to meet you. This sounds like a great read. I Luv Christmas stories. 🙂
By: Ciara Knight on December 5, 2011
at 8:59 am
Thanks for checking in, Ciara. It’s nice to meet you, too.
Peace,
Liv
By: Liv Rancourt on December 5, 2011
at 8:42 pm
I Liv, we are almost neighbors. I live in Olympia. Well really Lacey. Love the plot line. Wishing you mega sales.
By: Lavada Dee on December 5, 2011
at 10:45 am
Thanks neighbor!
Peace,
Liv
By: Liv Rancourt on December 5, 2011
at 8:43 pm
Hi Liv, I’m pso happy to share this anthology with you!
Hi Jillian…nice snow falling on your site!
By: Darlene on December 5, 2011
at 11:44 am
You’re my next guest, Darlene!!
By: Jillian Chantal on December 5, 2011
at 2:23 pm
Thanks Darlene! Looking forward to seeing your post on Jillian’s site, as well as your short in Christmas Treats.
Peace,
Liv
By: Liv Rancourt on December 5, 2011
at 8:44 pm
What a hoot of an idea for a story! I love it! And, as a fellow Western Washingtonian, I embrace lowland snow when we get it, since it’s kind of rare. But we have had some…interesting snow years, haven’t we?
By: Laurie Ryan on December 5, 2011
at 12:12 pm
Laurie- I wondered if you knew my guest.
By: Jillian Chantal on December 5, 2011
at 2:21 pm
OMG do you remember Snowpocalypse! That was such a crazy year. Here’s hoping that we get through the holidays without that level of challenge this year. Thanks, Laurie, for checking in,
Peace,
Liv
By: Liv Rancourt on December 5, 2011
at 8:46 pm
Liv is quite the story teller. I was captivated the entire time. She sent me into a fit of giggles and her character Mack is quite the treat. Who doesn’t love the idea of a female playing Santa in the mall. Talk about a rare treat!
Thanks for hosting Jillian! You two are ROCKSTARS!
PS – I LOVE THE SNOW (yes, this is referring to the kind falling on your blog)!
By: Jen Daiker on December 6, 2011
at 7:00 am
Thanks Jen. You’re cruel to tease us when we haven’t had a chance to order the book! But I love ya anyway!!
By: Jillian Chantal on December 6, 2011
at 7:41 am
Wow, gosh Jen, thanks! Mack’s one of my faves, too, and I still totally have a crush on Joe McBride. He’s all that and a bag o’ chips. Christmas Treats should be available Wednesday. The suspense is killing me! Thanks again,
Liv
By: Liv Rancourt on December 6, 2011
at 7:59 am
Dear Liv,
I can’t wait to read Santa Drag.
However, I am writing to say thank you for the important work you do at your day job. My eleven year old grandson was born at 24 weeks and spent a lot of time in a neonatal unit. The nurses there showed what true love and dedication is.
Liberty
By: Liberty Blake on December 6, 2011
at 9:08 am
I’ll tell you what, Liberty, as much sympathy as I have for the parents of a preterm infant, it’s the grandmothers that really get to me. My sister had two premies, and watching what my Mom went through gave me a whole new perspective on my work. Kudos to your family for getting through it all. I know that 11 year old has a special place in your heart.
Peace,
Liv
By: Liv Rancourt on December 6, 2011
at 11:49 am