ISWG: To Write in Summer

I don’t know about you, but I always make big writing plans for summer.

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!

Sometimes I think summer is my Octember. Throughout the school year, especially in busy spring, I tell myself that I will have all the time in Octember the summer to finish that novel, write numerous short stories, submit my work, or [fill in the blank]. When June comes, my list of dreams is sky high.

But then August appears out of nowhere it seems, and I’m disappointed. I haven’t crossed everything off my “wait till Octember Summer” list.

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.

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.