Memorial Day Weekend is just around the corner (can you believe it?). For many parents, finding writing time in summer is challenging. For me, summer is a bit easier: I’m no longer teaching classes, but my youngest children are still in daycare. Summer is a chance to work on research, revise my syllabi, and generally recover from the academic year.
Since I’ve gotten more serious about my creative writing, summer has also become a special time to focus on creative writing. Last year I participated in the Camp NaNoWriMo challenge in July. I recommend this to anyone looking for accountability: it’s more flexible than the classic November NaNoWriMo. You don’t have to work on a novel: you can also work on short fiction or multiple projects.
This year, I’m hoping to get some more time working on my picture book manuscripts. I’ve managed to keep up with the 12 x 12 Community’s “one picture book a month” challenge so far . . . but only just barely! I’m hoping to do better over the summer.
I also have a novel project that I’m hoping to finish. I’m not going to say much about that because my track record for finishing novels has been poor, at least since college. If I manage to finish it, you’ll hear more about it!
What are you hoping to do with your writing this summer, fellow writers? Whether summer is a tough time for you or a great time for writing, I’d love to hear your plans!
Teresa Traver 