Summer is on the way! The writer’s dilemma.
How do you as a writer approach the summer? Do you keep going with your current WIP, add another project, or just plan to relax and have fun?
- Terry Ambrose:
The seasons don’t really affect my writing. And here in SoCal, the early summer months usually include foggy mornings that are gray and make it easier to stay inside and ignore the weather. By afternoon, things usually get nice, so hopefully, I’ve got my work done by then and can enjoy the warmer time of the day.
- Nancy J. Cohen:
Summer is no different than any other time of year in regard to my writing. It’s hotter outside and we have thunderstorms each afternoon, but that makes it easier to stay indoors with the air-conditioning and to keep plodding along on my WIP. This month, I’ll also be uploading my September release for preorder so I can schedule promo ops in advance.
- Debra H. Goldstein:
Although I love the idea of being free to do whatever I want in the summer, my author approach is tied to whether I have any deadlines. The Sarah Blair books are due by the end of June. Once I turn them in, if there are no other deadlines, I spend the next month or two relaxing by reading like a reader instead of an author. If I have a short story or article deadline, I keep on grinding words out (with reading on the side).
- Cheryl Hollon:
For us on Florida’s west coast, summer is definitely a “stay-inside” season—hello, air conditioning! That actually works in my favor writing-wise, since I tend to get an early start (the sun’s up, so why not me too?). With fewer distractions, I try to stick to my writing goals and maybe even get ahead on my current project.
That said, my husband and I do make time for a little adventure—each summer, we pick a new city to explore. This year, we’re heading to Charleston, SC, and I can’t wait for the history, the food, and maybe a ghost tour or two!
- Maggie Toussaint:
(who also writes as Valona Jones) feels like “summer” isn’t the same as when she was in school or her kids were in school. But at the same time, the pull of the bright sunshine makes her want to be outside and enjoy nature, which she does. She has a writing schedule and deadlines for stuff to be finished, so the summer weekdays are often the same as any other day of the year. Rest assured, she finds plenty of time to relax and have fun.
- Lois Winston
If I’m in the zone with my WIP, I prefer to stay in the air-conditioned indoors and keep writing. However, whenever we have a weather unicorn, where it’s not too hot or too humid, I’ll venture out into nature.
It sounds like summer brings a mix of writing routines, deadlines, and moments of relaxation for our authors—whether it’s sticking to a WIP, exploring new places, or enjoying a good book. How about you? Do you find summer changes your creative habits, or do you stick to your usual routine? Let us know in the comments!
I plan to do more this summer to enjoy myself. I went to the Denver Museum of Natural History and now I am planning to go to the Denver Botanical Gardens. In June a trip for a family reunion. In between that I will have a garage sale to downsize some items. Lots to do. Deborah
I think I’ll have a slow-paced summer as we just went to Southeast Asia during my spring break. I am sad that my neighbor – who also has two cats – is moving to his Dad’s house in a few months. That also means that we are losing our cat-sitter… he will cat-sit our cats when we are out of town and vice versa. – Emily
Just staying home this summer and doing the “local’ things. Strawberry festival, honey bee festival, rodeo ect., that we have in our area.