That’s not the latest contest I’ve entered – it’s the straight truth. Writing in the summer is definitely a challenge! Since school ended, I haven’t done any writing other than my blog posts and even getting those done is a major feat. Our son is almost twelve and not as keen on going to camps as he used to be. Short of allowing him to sloth on the couch in front of the TV for hours at a time, this mom has to find creative ways to get some writing done. I still plan on writing a book this year, but being six months into the year means I’d better get the lead out if I want to get published in 2024.
Here are some ideas of how I plan to steal some screen time this summer:
Invite A Friend Over
I know it seems counterintuitive, but if our son is occupied, then I can grab some uninterrupted writing time. That’s how I was able to write last week’s blog post. Just an interruption or two to make pizza rolls scoop or ice cream and I can buy myself a few hours of noisy creative time.
TV Time
As I previously mentioned, letting our kid spend a few hours watching movies, tv or playing his Switch is another legitimate, if parentally dubious way to throw a few words down on the page. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so a few more games of Mario Kart just might be the ticket to finishing my TV treatment.
Cell Phone Writing/Research
While this isn’t the most convenient option, it allows me to take advantage of waiting in line at the post office or grocery store. The upside is that the short spurts of free time allows me to focus on only one small aspect of a story, such as a stretch of dialogue I’m finding particularly troublesome to create, research on a specific topic such as specifics in criminal law on money laundering or trying to rework a particular sentence or paragraph that’s bothering me. They key with this writing time is to remember to transfer my work back to my manuscript.
Working Vacation
I plan on lugging my computer and books on vacation so I can carve out a couple of hours each morning to work. The time change will work in my favor because I’ll be up early being on California time and can wring at least two hours of work before we motivate to leave the house. Traveling with a large group makes it easy to splinter off for a while and get some work done. Then I’ll really be able to enjoy a well-deserved afternoon cocktail on the beach.
Early Morning Or Late Night Writing Sessions
This is a DefCon 1 situation for me and I don’t plan on setting this in action unless it’s late July and I still haven’t finished my treatment or started my new manuscript. Writing before everyone wakes up or after everyone is asleep is an option, but I’m usually not my most creative when I’m half asleep. I know many writers who make it work and I will do the same if the four pervious options fail.
I don’t think any of these strategies is wildly original, but they are a departure from my usual writing practice. I need to adapt quickly in order to get the most writing done over these next two months. It’s a big mental hurdle I need to surmount because I am very comfortable with my writing routine. But I need to remember that my routine is not what makes me a writer. I can write anywhere I set the intention to write.
It’s a challenge to remember that often times obstacles are more mental than actual. I wrote my second book while homeschooling during a pandemic. Of course I can write this summer. I just need to think outside the summertime box.
Happy Tuesday🏖