by Kris Maze

Summer is the time when many writers slow down the pace of publishing and focus more on simply writing. This has been my secret sauce over the last couple months, working on a fun manuscript and making the magic happen. As I’ve been doing this, I realize many writing benefits to savoring this time. More focus, more enjoyment in writing, even more productivity as my work is better quality and needs less overall editing. 

In today’s post, I want to share some tips for making the most of summer writing. How do you best write during this season? Check out my top ten ideas for a productive and chill writing flow and add your suggestions to the comments below. 

Top Ten Ways to Enjoy a Writerly Summer

10. The 2024 Summer Olympics are Over – Get Back to Work

Whether you watched the drama unfold religiously, keeping a score of how many medals your favorite country won, or never turned on your television at all, it was impossible to ignore the fact that the Olympics were a big part of this summer. It dominated the news and social media. 

It brought joy and a thrill to watch skilled athletes at the top of their games. It inspired and encouraged us to be better humans. But the final ceremonies are finished, and the athletes are back to their respective homes, moving into new versions of their lives. We can take a cue to get back into our grooves as well. 

Some well-known athletes like Simone Biles, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, and Lebron James, for example, may have performed their last Olympics. And some, like Quincy Wilson, aged 16, is bemoaning heading back to high school. We can watch vicariously the lives of these inspirational athletes, but we also get back into what we do best – writing.

Get away from the television and back into the writing mode. Perhaps you can draw characterizations or plot ideas from something that piqued your interest. Consider how these summer stories captured the hearts of the public and see how it could weave into your writing as well.

9. Go on a News Diet

See Number ten and perhaps spend less time worrying about all the problems riddling the news feeds. The ever-changing political climate and world affairs can be stressful. And news about political shifts, wars, and natural disasters are everywhere we have electronics.

Consuming news is an important part of being an engaged citizen, but it can also be distracting from your writing goals. Be judicious about your news intake and discerning in how you let it impact your writing. Although it is important to know about the issues in society, be aware and careful of the news you mentally digest as it can influence your own works.

Write something into the world that you are proud of that sends a message you believe people should hear. Our words can be powerful influencers, write them. Use them carefully.

8. Hydrate!

Don’t forget that our physical bodies are made up of around 60% water, and it’s important to stay well hydrated. If you are finding that your writing routine isn’t going well or something hard to pinpoint seems a little off, try taking a drink of water.

One of my favorite writing tips is to have cool drinks around to beat the summer heat. I am a fan of simple ice water and use a metal straw. Many of my friends love the various options of flavored seltzer waters. On occasion, I’ll freeze some of the seasonable fruit and plop a few into my cool beverage. It adds a pop of color and a bit of tart sweetness.

There are many cups and thermos drink holders that can keep your drink frosty, but some writers claim that room temperature water is best for them. I tend to like my water chilled. Find a variant of water that works for you and keep your mind and body working well.

7. Visit Your Local Library

Libraries are sources of information, but also nice cool air. Visit your local library and browse their events. Community events around hobbies, movies, and game nights are commonly a part of their lineup. Many reading and writer groups meet regularly at most libraries. These events can help you connect with experts in an area you are researching as well.

Recently, I participated in a seed exchange at the library. It included an information session and provided an opportunity to talk to master gardeners about improving our growing. As research for a sci-fi novel, I had questions about the best ways to store seeds long term. Like far into the future long term, a hypothetical futuristic kind of way, and my conversations at the library helped me find new resources. Resources that can help my next novel have plausible aspects regarding seeds storage.

Remember our libraries this summer to fuel your writing journey. Find an open table and a quiet place to write if you need it. Also, most have free wi-fi available. Make friends with your librarian, they can help you find comparison titles and suggest places to share your books. There are many reasons to visit your public library. What will you discover there?

6. Browse Your Genre

Read what titles are new this summer in your genre. Research what is hot and what the top titles look like. Many authors have sophisticated ways to analyze which books are doing well in their niche, but usually a simple search in your web browser will be a good place to start. 

Stop by your favorite, major book distributor and look up what type of book you would like to read. A list of popular books should show up. Look over the covers and descriptions to note shifts in the market and in book design. Build up your awareness of what is current in your corner of the book publishing world as you write your next best seller.

This research can inform your writing, but hopefully not restrict your creativity. Maybe noting the hottest trend will validate what you are already working on, or maybe it will demonstrate that you are making something new and interesting. Regardless, whether you believe authors should write to the market, by crafting a book that people seem to buy, or that writers should write strictly what they are driven to put on the page, knowledge of what the public wants to read—which books are currently selling—is valuable to writers. Browse trends in your genre and see how your current work compares. 

5. Read, Read, Read

Writers tend to neglect their own need to feed their minds with good words. Reading is an excellent way to heighten your own craft. If you haven’t sat down with a good book lately, you may want to reconnect with why you are compelled to write stories. Remember how reading books makes you feel. 

Read widely or choose books that you want to emulate. It makes sense that getting quality writing in your head makes you a better writer as you surround yourself in stories that you would like to see more of in the world. Remind yourself why you want to write books. Here is a post by another WITS writer reminding us why we write HERE for more inspiration.

Read with purpose. Pay attention to clever turns of phrase and interesting wording from your favorite authors. Read for pure enjoyment and recall how the author you are reading accomplishes this. Reading stories you enjoy will translate into your own works and improve your writing as well.

4. Make Time to Visit Friends

Summer is a time to reconnect with friends, old and new. Take time to fill up your social well and enjoy the benefits of friendship. Invite a friend over for lunch or make plans to visit a local park. Keep it simple and focus on finding out what is new in someone else’s life.

Getting together with friends doesn’t have to be about writing, but it can help you be a more productive writer. Think about a part of your novel you are working on. Share your latest progress and talk about plot ideas.  Have fun and it will make your writing process easier and more enjoyable too.

3. Get Outside

It is common knowledge that spending time outdoors can shift our minds and emotions toward a positive trend. There is research supporting this idea. Being outdoors can add to your wellbeing. Studies show a strong correlation between time spent in green spaces, parks, yards, bike trails, etc. and better health. 

The physical and emotional benefits include better sleep, lower blood pressure, and less likelihood of chronic disease. This may be in part because being in green spaces also leads to more exercise and activity.  However it occurs, the connection exists. Feeling better can give you a writing productivity boost, so get outside and try it for yourself.

2. Music, Food, and Community Events

Summertime is full of summer events. Shake off the indoor cobwebs of our minds by attending something you enjoy. Live music is available at many restaurants and cafes, but also in many community parks for free. Concert tickets may seem astronautically expensive, but there are many local events sponsored by companies and organizations at festivals. Check your local activity boards on places like Facebook and see what events are happening near you.

Want more summer action energized by down-to-earth 4H level fun with a side of fried funnel cakes? Try your county or state fairs. Another source of local growing and fresh produce and goods can be found at a farmer’s market. Many creative folks set up stands and welcome a friendly chat about selling their goods. You could pair up with someone and find new ways to market your books while you find fresh salad fixings.

My recent visit to a Dahlia festival was a great combo of catching up with friends, good music, and amazing scenery walking through fields of perfectly symmetrical rows of Dahlias. It also has the lasting value of a flower arrangement I created and can enjoy for a few weeks. Find ways to turn your summer adventures into better writing, by getting out and discovering events near you.

1. Just Write

We are writers after all. And we don’t often take breaks, so using my summertime to relax and focus on my writing craft is very satisfying for me.

If you are struggling to regain that writing mojo, try scheduling writing time and setting goals such as a weekly or daily word count to keep you on task. The enjoyment factor should return as you get back into a writing habit.

Get the satisfaction of seeing your manuscript grow over time. Some writers like to plow through their whole novel before starting a second draft, others like to polish up their story as they go. Edit along the way or save it up for the end, just keep writing and enjoying the writing process.  

Final Thoughts on Summer Writing

How can you be sure to take time for your writing and keep yourself moving forward in your projects? What are your favorite parts of your writing summer? Do you find yourself productive in the summer months? Let us know below in the comments. 

About Kris

Kris Maze is an author, writing coach, and teacher. She has worked in education for many years and writes for various publications, including Practical Advice for Teachers of Heritage Learners of Spanish and the award-winning blog Writers in the Stormwhere she is also a host. You can find her horror stories and young adult writing on her website. Keep up with future projects and events by subscribing to her newsletter.

A recovering grammarian and hopeless wanderer, Kris enjoys reading, playing violin and piano, and spending time outdoors.

And occasionally, she enjoys taking pictures of Dahlias.

Photo credit: Top photo and additional photos by Kris Maze