Summer is my favorite season, but as much as I love it, my writing does go down because I’m constantly running kids to the beach or camps or trying to adjust to NOT having a schedule. But this summer I’m on a mission to finish my manuscript and have it subbed by the end of July (Or early August)
*cough cough*
Anyhew, this self-imposed deadline has forced me to do a few things differently in order to meet my goal.
Here’s what has helped me:
1) I get up earlier. Having a new puppy has certainly helped with that respect, but I found it’s a GREAT time to get some needed editing or writing done while the kiddo is sleeping in.
2) I exercise more. What? Yes, this actually has given me more energy and my mind seems to be in better focus in the early morning.
3) I cut my blogging schedule. As much as I enjoy reading and writing blogs, that is A LOT of time to use that I don’t have until the fall. And guess what? I still have my bloggy friends and my sales have not been affected.
4) I cut my Facebook time. Yes, I like Facebook and I like all my Facebook friends. But I check in ONCE a day for 5 minutes and then I’m out of there. And guess what? My FB friends still like me and my sales have not been affected.
5) When I have two or three hours of time to work on my writing—I ONLY work on my writing. Yes, I’m tempted to throw in a load of laundry or just quickly empty the dishwasher, but those little things add up to BIG time eaters. I do them AFTER I’ve worked on my writing.
6) I’m reading less. Is that a good thing? Well, for me, summer is usually my reading time, but since I’m writing, something has to be sacrificed. Not that I’m not reading at all, just not reading as much or as fast.
That’s my summer schedule and I’m sticking to it. So far, it’s been working out great. 🙂
How about you? Does you writing schedule change in the summer? How do you keep on track?
Don’t forget, every comment this month is entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card AND a FREE digital copy of Nina Croft‘s July release from Entangled, Losing Control.)
Busy summer! Good luck on meeting your writing goal.
I love the lack of schedule!!!
But your plan does sound very practical, and good!
Maybe next year. AT this point, my summer is just about over.
I have a visit from my parents. A visit from my MIL and while she’s here, the kids go back to school. Dang!!
How did that happen?! 😀 😀
Great suggestions, Jennifer! I’m not much for early mornings so I tend to work a little extra late at night while everyone else is in bed. I expect that will change when the baby comes. 😉
Hi Jennifer,
I tend to write all year unless I’m away on holiday. Most of our holidays are winter ones since that suits hubby’s job better.
The exercise thing totally works for me too. I do a lot of walking, a little running and some cycling. If I get stuck on my plot exercise of some description is my first line of defense!
I get up early, too. It’s the sun’s fault for rising so early! I have a non-ficiton book due in Sept. so I’m on a pretty strict schedule.
I haven’t done a very good job of keeping on track this summer. My goal has been to write every day. Some days that turns out to be 15 minutes, but at least I’m not losing momentum over the summer. My son will be starting pre-school in the fall. It will be interesting to see how that affects my writing schedule.
I would love to try this. My daughter will be 3 in November.
Maybe a little extra curricular activity during the week might be good!! 😛
I get up much earlier in the summer – and walk the dogs or ride the horse and anything else energetic before it gets too hot.
Otherwise my schedule doesn’t change much – except for the swim breaks of course!
I’m exercising more. It’s really helped my writing. Can’t say I get up earlier, I’m working on it though. lol. You’re right, having the dog helps a ton. She makes me get out and do stuff.
Sounds like you’ve got a plan that works for you, Jennifer. Very nice!
This summer has been a bust for me. I’ve gone back to work full-time and literally exhausted by the time I can sit down and write. Then I get sucked into social media because I miss everyone so much. But I’ve signed up for a summer pitch contest so it’ll be interesting to see if I can kick-start my mo-jo again.
Oh, Chelle! Are you doing the HQ Pitch thingy?
Yes, ma’m!! Camp Gonnabe?! Did you sign up?
I’m an early riser all year – It’s when I get the most writing done, so I make it habit. Honestly you had me cringing at MORE EXERCISE…Ugh…hope that works for you! *wink*