Some writers have trouble disciplining themselves anytime—all the time. They’re easily lured away from their computers by dirty dishes in the sink, a phone call, daytime television, hunger or any number of other distractions. But even highly disciplined writers sometimes find it difficult to work through the summer. <\/p>\n
Just look at all of the distractions in summer. For starters, it’s hard to stay inside and work on a bright sunshiny day. Just look at all of the things that can divert our attention from writing work: Birds splashing in a puddle, the temptation to go out and visit with neighbors emerging after several months of winter, an inviting romp with the kids or a frisky pet on the grass, your garden, a trip to the ice cream parlor with the children in your life, a day at the zoo or water park, an invitation to any outdoor event, entertaining out of town guests, your own vacation, the urge to do spring cleaning or go fishing\u2026 <\/p>\n
What interrupts your day of writing? Do you succumb to the temptations or can you keep writing amidst the distractions? Have you established a writing routine that defies all diversions? Do you really have that much self control? Or do you allow yourself the luxury of spontaneity during the summer months? Will you stop writing long enough to pick, slice and freeze the peaches from your tree when they ripen? Do you arrange your day to include some of the joys of a warm summer day? Have you learned to sacrifice something else in order to put in your writing time while still producing a vegetable garden, for example? Will you complete that novel this year? Are you on target with the series of articles you\u2019re writing for a national magazine? Will your how-to book make it to the printer on schedule? Can you accomplish your goals while also celebrating summer and experiencing all that goes with it?<\/p>\n
Here are a few tips to help you experience the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tGet up at 4 a.m. and write until the dew has evaporated from the roses.
\n\u2022\tEnjoy your day in the sun and write for a few hours after dinner.
\n\u2022\tStop early a few days a week and join the kids at the neighborhood pool.
\n\u2022\tCome up with easy, quick and cool meals to save time in the kitchen.
\n\u2022\tSolicit the kids’ help in straightening the house each morning and gathering up the yard toys every evening.
\n\u2022\tGet the kids involved in a reading program through your local library and set aside time each day for their reading and your writing.
\n\u2022\tOrganize play days with other mom writers in your group—you take your kids and hers to the park one day a week so she can write and she entertains them all on another day.
\n\u2022\tFlesh out characters, come up with ideas, write sections of your story on a tablet while watching the kids play in the sprinklers or while at their swimming or tennis lessons.<\/p>\n
There’s no reason why you should deprive yourself of the wonderful gifts in summer. But neither must you give up on your writing project. Reevaluate your schedule and rearrange your routine in order to accommodate your writing work. But, at the same time, be flexible and spontaneous. Stop working long enough to enjoy the vision of bluebirds teaching their young ones to fly. Go out and soak up that glorious vitamin D. Take time to relish the gifts in a summer day and still stay on track with your writing work. Discover your keys to experiencing both worlds this summer.<\/p>\n
We\u2019d love to hear your stories of writing this summer. You can now leave comments here. Let us hear from you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Some writers have trouble disciplining themselves anytime—all the time. They’re easily lured away from their computers by dirty dishes in the sink, a phone call, daytime television, hunger or any number of other distractions. But even highly disciplined writers sometimes find it difficult to work through the summer. Just look at all of the distractions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t