Summer Writing Tips and Permission to Ogle

Song of the Day: Sunset in July by 311

Summer is here. For writers of school-age kids, that can all but bring writing to a screeching halt. Never fear, Jenn’s here! With a few tips to keep the muse occupied.

Let’s start with the obvious. Set a schedule. You should already have one. But, the summer break can throw a monkey wrench into even the most well-oiled machine. For the working mom, your schedule may just need tweaking to keep up with the ever-changing itinerary and continual I’m bored interruptions. For the Stay-at-home mom, it’s trickier. Dedicate an hour for yourself and tell the kiddos to color, play, do a craft, or *gasp* watch TV. If the offspring are young, utilize nap time to your advantage. Just remember to stay off the soul-sucking lure of social media. Right after you finish reading this post, of course.

Going on vacation? Don’t forget to pack a notebook. Inspiration often strikes with the force of lightning when away from home. For me, I have bursts of creativity, and I’m certain it is because my daily routine has been shaken up. Or it could be that people watching produces some incredible characters—the good, the bad, and the downright laughable. Careful, you’re genius is showing. Poolside, sight-seeing, hotel balcony, hiking, at the lake, at the beach, having lunch at an outdoor cafe, you don’t want to be caught without something to scribble your brilliance upon.

Speaking of people watching, there are a plethora of ripe candidates at the airports. Just sayin’. And whether traveling by trains, planes or automobiles, you’ll have loads of downtime. What better way to stave off the blahs than by whipping out that trusty notebook and jotting ideas, plot twists, character sketches, or a scene while losing feeling in your butt waiting.

Be inspired. Summertime offers so much incredible inspiration, especially for description. Listen to the cacophony of noises on a warm night. Feel the softness of fine beach sand. Smell the barbecue on the grill. Taste the fruity, cold beverages. Smell the burning flesh, feel the scorching pain, hear the ringing in your ears after a firecracker you didn’t throw quick enough goes off in your hand. Commit those experiences to memory or write them down in the notebook you now keep with you at all times.

Go see a blockbuster movie. Not only will you enjoy a good story, you will likely analyze it scene for scene, mentally tallying the acts, inciting moments, character motivations, and zero in on the anomalies and suspension of disbelief. All great practice. And if you are anything like me, you’ll delight in ogling the eye candy. Hey, it’s called research of the male body.

Can’t write? Muse taken a vacation, too? Utilize your time by updating (or building) your website, blog, and/or author pages on social media.

Edit works in progress. If anything, when your Muse returns with a golden tan, you’ll have a jumpstart on getting back to work.

Before you know it, summer will be over (Nooooooo!) and you will have made forward strides in your writing.

How do you stay motivated during the summer months? What tips would you like to share?