Ah, summer! The season of long, sunny days, warm nights, and the perfect time to unwind after a busy year. As an author, you might wonder how to balance enjoying your summer while still making progress on your non-fiction book. It’s possible to do both with a bit of planning and creativity. Here are ideas for can balancing writing and relaxation this summer.
1. Create a Summer Bucket List
First things first, decide what you want most out of your summer by creating a bucket list. What does rest look like to you after a hard season? How do you want to enjoying time with your family? How much time do you want to spend unplugged outdoors? Or which friends do you want to reconnect with? Knowing what you want will help you strike a balance between relaxation and productivity.
Most of Dare to Decide and my Awaken Journal were written/created in summer, because that’s when my schedule and mind had more space to be creative. On my bucket lists for those summers, I had family bike rides, mother-daughter cafe dates, and exploring new campgrounds. By the end of summer, I was grateful for the intentionality in little ways that trying to accomplish (or boycott) grand things.
By the way, be sure to share your summer bucket list with your family and invite them to write theirs! You’ll be able to collaborate on which things you want to do together and when you’ll need some quiet time to work on your writing.
2. Break Down That Big Daunting Book Project
The idea of working on your book might feel overwhelming, especially during the summer. Feeling the weight of the project or wanting to avoid it is a sure way to suck the joy out of summer! Instead, break down your big, daunting book project into smaller steps. Identify which parts you want to focus on in the fall with the “fresh start” energy.
Then, consider which steps you’d love to have ready for your fall focus and would enjoy or could commit to working on in the summer. Maybe it’s drafting an outline, conducting interviews, or doing some research. Smaller steps are easier to manage and can fit around your summer activities.
3. Record and Catalog Your Ideas
Often, the best ideas come when we’re out and about, not focused on our book. Have a handy way to capture those ideas so you can reference them later. If audio notes work better for you, use a tool like Otter.ai or Evernote to transcribe your voice. For instance, while on a hike, kayaking on the lake or lounging by the pool, you might get a sudden burst of inspiration. Just jot your thoughts in a notebook or record them on your smartphone and transcribe them later.
4. Find Inspiration Outdoors for Balancing Writing and Relaxation
If being at your computer feels too much like work or that you’re missing out on summer life, try handwriting or taking your laptop outdoors. Imagine sitting in a park or at the beach with your notebook or laptop, enjoying the fresh air while working on your book. The change of scenery can be incredibly refreshing and inspire new ideas, but so can intentionally unplugging and not trying to be productive for a seaons.
This year’s camping trips with my family are great examples! I didn’t feel like writing, but it was cool to see one family member writing her next chapter at the picnic table. Personally, I indulged in a book called Hope in the Mail by Wendelin Van Draanen. It’s a mix of memoir and writing advice that contains some delightful examples of how this author of 18 books found her ideas, her writing voice and navigating publishing woes. I was enjoying it so much, I started reading it aloud to our young aspiring authors when we were gathered around the campfire. It brought laughter and some fun discussions about writing and books.
5. Update Your Goodreads Account
All authors should have a Goodreads account before they publish and promote their book. Now is a good time to create your account and update it with the books you’ve read in the past year. Then invite friends to share their summer reads. Instead of scrolling on social media, I find it quite satisfying to add books I’ve read, leave brief thoughts about the book and see what my friends are reading. It’s a low-effort task that keeps you engaged with people who love reading, and you might even spark new connections with book interests similar to yours. My Goodreads reading list may or may not be a good example—as it currently features a main course of turn-or-the-century cozy mysteries with a dollop of book-writing inspiration on the side. 😁
6. Writing or Coworking Sprints
One effective way to make the most of your summer writing is through writing sprints or coworking sessions. Use short, focused writing sessions, like 20-30 minute bursts, to make significant progress, then put it away for the day. For example, set a timer and write as much as you can within that timeframe. Or if you feel more focused with some accountability, meet a writer friend at a coffee shop. Set a timer at chit-chat for half an hour, then open your laptops, announce what you’re workingo on, and zone into your writing project for an hour — no talking aloud!
The point is to make a writing sprint fun and productive. One summer, it felt too daunting to write full chapters in my book. Instead, each morning before getting out of bed, I committed 10 minutes to brainstorming bullet points of ideas for chapter content on a note app on my phone. These notes were a treasure trove of inspiration for my writing sessions later on. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in a tiny amount of time without feeling like you’re sacrificing your summer fun.
7. Set a Summer Routine
Dedicating specific times for writing that fit around your summer activities can be very effective. Early mornings or late evenings can be great for writing, leaving the day free for fun. For instance, enjoy a sunrise writing session with a cup of coffee before the day’s activities start, or unwind with some writing in the evening after a day of adventure. A summer routine doesn’t even have to involve actually writing your book, but it can create moments that nurture gratitude and get your thoughts on paper or make incremental progress in editing your work. Exercises like these can be invaluable for having a ready mindset for tackling the next phase of your book in the fall.
7. Enjoy Getaways and Adventures
Whether camping, time at the cottage, road trips, or staycations, decide whether this will be inspirational time for your book or if you’ll give yourself full permission not to think about it. Enjoy the time away and remember to record those memories. For example, keep a travel journal or take lots of photos to capture moments that might inspire your writing later.
A couple years ago I adopted a Camping Journal ritual. On the drive home from each camping trip, I pull out our Camping Journal and add highlights to a new entry. I wanted a way to capture our memories, but a blank notebook didn’t motivate any consistency from year to year. So I created the one we use under the pen name Eden Musings. I designed prompts and small sections to provide just enough space to record our memories without it feeling like an overwhelming duty. Seeing the little woodland animals on the pages delights me as soon as I open it, and it’s part of why I enjoy this little routine.
9. Celebrate Small Wins
Set small, achievable goals and celebrate each milestone. This can keep you motivated and make the writing process more enjoyable throughout the summer. Did you finish a chapter? Did you brainstorm chapter ideas? Reward yourself with an ice cream cone or a trip to the beach. Celebrating these small victories can make the journey feel rewarding, which is important for balancing writing and relaxation!
10. Make Lists
Writing lists while you soak in the summer vibes can be an exercise in mindfulness, an enjoyable way to refresh your soul or a practical way to calm your brain by getting your to-do’s on paper. Here are some lists of ideas you can jot in your journal while you’re lounging in the breeze:
- nouns, verbs, adjectives that describe water
- nouns, verbs, adjectives that describe your outdoor surroundings
- words that describe the sounds, sights, smells and feels of your summer surroundings
- ways your character or outlook has changes since starting your book project
- the list of people you want to thank in your acknowledgements
- friends and acquaintances you think would enjoy reading your book
- podcasts with listeners who would enjoy your book (Listen Notes is a good place to search)
- reasons why someone would want to read your book
- words and phrases you want people to use to describe your book and their reading experience
Balancing writing and relaxation while enjoying your summer doesn’t have to be a struggle. By incorporating these tips, you can make steady progress on your book while soaking up all the joys that summer has to offer. Happy writing!
