How to Get Writing This Summer!

A change of seasons, like spring to summer, can provide a good time to start new projects and new routines. As summer begins, why not pay some new attention to the writing work you have been meaning to do, whether it's outlining something you want to write, marketing yourself as a freelance writer, or just plain getting down to writing the actual draft you've been putting off? Summer can be a good time to kickstart stalled writing ambitions.

The first thing I would suggest to anyone who is looking to get writing done this summer is: set up some goals. Make sure your goals are reasonable. You will probably not be able to write your own personal War And Peace in three months; but maybe you can get that step-outline done to a new screenplay, or write a series of articles on a topic you've been researching. Prioritize your projects, break each project into doable chunks, set mini-deadlines for each chunk and keep track of your progress.

If you're worried about deadlines, consider why it's so great to use a season as your impetus to get back on the writing wagon: seasons come with built-in start and end points. Whether your summer begins on Memorial Day or June 21st, and whether it ends on Labor Day or some other time in September, you know where the starting line is, and you have an automatic 'due date' at the end of the season.

If you're worried about deadlines, consider why it's so great to use a season as your impetus to get back on the writing wagon: seasons come with built-in start and end points. Whether your summer begins on Memorial Day or June 21st, and whether it ends on Labor Day or some other time in September, you know where the starting line is, and you have an automatic 'due date' at the end of the season.

Also, see if you can have varied goals: some may relate to a project you're working on, some might relate to sending out query letters or trying to get some business contacts to hire you. Don't forget to give yourself a reading list, too - you can always learn something new about writing by reading.

Another way to use summer to be inspired by this time of year. Summer, for many people, involves travel, going to new places or , on the other hand, places that hold a lot of memories. There are events like Memorial Day and the 4th of July that are steeped in personal and cultural traditions. There's the blossoming and growing of nature, whether outside in your garden or out in the woods. There's heat, and people's various reactions to it. There's so much to absorb with your senses in summer, you could never mention everything. The point is, summer packs plenty of inspiration. Use that inspiration as a spring board for writing projects.

Summer is also a big time for 'getting away.' If you have time off from work, or from the kids if they're outside or at friends' houses or camp, take some vacation time from real life and write. Set aside time where your escape will be mental rather than physical (though if you can arrange a private island, don't let me stop you.) Also, take a break from your usual routine. Write your pages for the day in some place where you don't usually write, like outside or on the banks of a local lake. And let writing be fun. If the work you're doing is driving you crazy, step away from it and try some free writing or re-visit a favorite piece. Just because you're serious about getting writing done this summer doesn't mean it can't be fun, too.

Also take up summer opportunities to expand your writing horizons. A lot of local colleges and art institutions offer writing classes in the summer. Maybe one is right for you. Or, maybe you can just be inspired by reading something totally new, or seeing a play and trying your hand at writing one. Maybe the latest summer blockbuster movie has you interested in how screenwriting works- so, look into it. Summer means 'school's out' for most people; but it can also be a cool time to do some extra learning.

If you love writing, there's never a bad season for putting your ideas down. But sometimes, a change of season can inspire you to push forward when you're stalled out. I hope this summer brings you lots of finished pages and, more than that, a lot of great writing writing experiences.