I used to read Dr Seuss' Please Try to Remember The First of Octember with my kids when they were little. In this hilarious book, the narrator keeps suggesting different outlandish wishes (like a skateboard TV?), and promising to deliver on the “First of Octember.” My boys loved it!
But then August appears out of nowhere it seems, and I’m disappointed. I haven’t crossed everything off my “wait till
I'm starting to realize my dreams are doomed to fail whether I call someday summer or Octember or retirement. If I put things off to some far off date, I'm not taking small steps now.
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| Who would not want to drink doodle delight? |
So, my goal this summer is to set manageable goals. I will continue to revise my MG fantasy chapter by chapter revise. I'll do my short bursts of writing, like this blog and responding to writing prompts (my new favorite thing). And if I make some progress by August, I’ll call it good.
But even better, I won’t have worn myself so ragged that I will be able to continue those baby steps into September.
How do you pace your writing in the summer months?
This month’s question: What changes in the industry would you like to see?
I come at this from a reader's perspective: More middle grade stories that are geared to boy readers, more stories that appeal to kids (and not just teachers and librarians), and less darkness/political correctness.
For more information or to sign up for ISWG, go HERE.
I don't usually get much writing done in the summer, because we travel a lot – but this isn't a usual year! I'm currently editing a novel and once that's done, I'll start plotting a new one.
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd get writing done since the pandemic locked us in, alas, that hasn't happened. Hoping to get back in the saddle again.
ReplyDeleteGreat response to the question!! Thank you for co-hosting!
Small goals sound like the way to go. At least you'll feel like you are making progress.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
Thanks for co-hosting. I loved that take on Dr Seuss' book. Well, the lockdown is surprisingly leaving no time for writing. What an irony!
ReplyDeleteI think small, steady steps are the key. I'm trying to work on that too. Thanks for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteLOL! My Octember is retirement. All those hours and weekdays to write. Yeah, right. Somehow there seem to be less keyboard hours in each day. Dr. Seuss always has the right answers to questions you never thought to ask. Thanks for hosting this month, Jenni!!
ReplyDeleteMy plan is to get a little bit done each day, and keep moving forward. I'm never happy with what I didn't get done, but momentum lets me celebrate what I **did** do.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think about pacing or taking small steps, I think of the fable The Tortoise & the Hare. Slow and steady wins the race. (Don't know where that came from. lol) Have a great summer/month/week/day. Thanks for cohosting this month.
ReplyDeleteI'm applauding your post about more books for boys. That's why a lot of my books are middle grade adventures written for them. I had two boys, and when they were growing up, I fell in love with any story that appealed to them and kept them reading.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today and answering the question so well.
Good post. I missed that Dr. Seuss story, and what a good one it sounds to be! I used to teach in a physical school so summer was when I swore to get everything done. Now, summer is just warmer weather.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI don't have any special pacing plans for my writing during the summer months. Hope you find a pace that suits you.
Thank you for co-hosting.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
My summer is saved for one month of no new projects and a second month for charting my next MG, which I will not begin drafting until well into fall. I have this habit from when my kids were at school, but now it my deeply plowed "groove."
ReplyDeleteBest to you with all your summer projects, Jennie
Yes, more books for MG and YA boys are needed. I have a student who is writing his own story - it is non-stop action and adventure, but there's this awesome core of brotherhood in there, too. I think we need more stories on the shelves like that.
ReplyDeleteThat’s a sound policy to adopt. Approach your writing tasks bit-by-bit and they will feel easier to accomplish! I must get this book for my son. He loves Dr. Seuss but we don’t have this one.
ReplyDeletewww.nooranandchawla.com
I always make big plans for summer writing. Sometimes, they actually pan out ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting!
Hi, Jemmi! Good luck with your writing plans. I absolutely agree with what you said about more stories geared toward boys. That's always a challenge. Are you familiar with Will Hobbs, a Colorado author? He has written wonderful books for upper elementary, middle school, and young adult readers, and many of the protagonists are boys. I always read his "Kokopelli's Flute" to my kiddos and other books of his as well. Thanks for co-hosting! Have fun today!
ReplyDeleteI agree.More books for middle grade boyes are needed. I enjoy writing them. Guess because I had three boys. Thank you for co-hosting today.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to stop making plans. This year has been a bust. How do I pace myself in the summer? Let's see--I get up in the morning, go to bed at night, and do some stuff in between. Sometimes some of that stuff includes writing, but not much.
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas about changes. Kids are being force fed adult things and losing the fun of just being silly kids. I'm glad I had the childhood that I had and not have to be a kid today.
Arlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I used to get so much writing done when I had summers off and now that I'm not in the classroom I struggle to complete projects. I miss having summers off, but not enough to go back into the classroom. I think wanting more middle-grade for boys is a great thing. Hope it happens.
ReplyDeleteOh, and thanks for co-hosting this month.
DeleteI never leave things till summer. I have goals to finish things by summer! Then I can enjoy the long summer days! Not quite worked this year, but then, it’s been a funny year. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month!
This resonates with me. It does always seem to be "soon" that I'll have more time, sit down and get more done... Small, actionable goals is a great way to deal with this problem. Thanks for co-hosting today!
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting! I agree there should be more MG (and YA) books geared towards the actual target age instead of adult readers. While there are some books which can be enjoyed by all ages, for different reasons, writers shouldn't lose sight of who they're most meant for.
ReplyDeleteI love your answer to this month's question. "Less darkness/political correctness" - yes, totally!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Olga! I love your answer too! Let’s turn writing into what the reader, the student or child and what they want to see and relate to. That’s how positive reading experiences develop. I am like you as far as being kinder with writing goals. My children want my attention now when they are awake so I wrote when I can maybe several days a week when they are sleeping or engaged elsewhere, and give the rest of my time when they are with me to them.
ReplyDeletePutting things off may mean we may not ever do those things. Instead of saying, I'll do this when I'm (fill-in-the-blank), we need to say, no, now, and with small, actionable steps. :)
ReplyDeleteI just try to write wherever and whenever I can (i wrote most of my latest book on my phone), but the summer is hard. Its just so dang hot it's hard to move and think.
ReplyDeleteWe definitely need more middle grade for boys! Summer has always been tough for me too. I tend to do a lot more daydreaming and procrastinating. I found if I schedule writing 3 days during the week (early morning) I feel like I have plenty of time for summer fun and daydreaming. Thank you so much for hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteI set myself up for that kind of disappointment all the time. I dream of getting so many things done only to see my free time dribble away to things I didn't really want to do but couldn't say no to--like feeding the children. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteFall has always been my 'new season' time. Maybe because I always loved the start of a new college year - so much potential. And I always feel better when the temperatures drop.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on less darkness/political correctness. Reading shouldn't be fiction disguised as shameless political indoctrination.
I do the same thing with summer--promising myself the moon and being disappointed if I only make it to 20,000 feet. I'm getting better at finding a rhythm that lets me teach and write, though. Best of luck in making enough progress to make you feel good this Octember, I mean summer :-) @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
If there's one thing I've learned over the past few months, is that I have to set goals and timetables, else nothing gets done.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting IWSG this month!
I really relate to your sentiment - suddenly, out of nowhere September appears. The school year is so packed that I tend to rely heavily on Octember (or the summer holidays) to get my writing done but really I want to set small reachable everyday goals. Enjoyed your funny yet encouraging post.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to industry changes? From an educational perspective, I’d like to see more of a three-way collaboration with authors, libraries and schools. It would go a long way in helping to combat the literacy problems in our country.
ReplyDeleteThank you for co-hosting the IWSG this month!
Stay safe.
Hello fellow co-host!
ReplyDeleteSmall steps make up the path to success! I'm like you and always plan A LOT. Too much.
I used to make a daily list of (writing) tasks to pursue and wouldn't even mark a third off by the end of the day. Now, I still make this "daily list", but I give myself a week to accomplish it all. It might do the trick or not. The goal is to not get too upset about "failure" and to not feel too guilty about moving parts of the list into the following week. :-)
Enjoy your summer and whatever productiveness it brings!
Thank you Jenni for this entertaining summer post. Didn’t know that Dr Seuss ... I need it, even if my children are grown, it will do for my grandchildren ... and me.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you on the less dark and politically correct ... beginning to be a pain. In the 70’s we could say whatever we liked. Have a great summer and good luck with your MS.
I think whatever the season, we need to look at steps we can do right now instead of later, but of course keeping a long-term goal in mind. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteManageable goals. I had them once. Nice post. More than palatable. Relatable, yet tasty. Thank you for co-hosting this month!
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