A New Writing Year

Just as long ago the summer was set apart from the other three seasons based on an agrarian culture and the growing season, a system upon which the modern school year is based, so my writing year ends in mid-June and begins in September.

The opposite of farmers who do the bulk of their work during this season, my weekly writing schedule shrinks by three-quarters to allow for vacations, home projects and fun with my kids, who will be gone sooner than later. Rather than torture myself about how much I'm not getting done, I set modest goals I can reach, like writing a short story I've been contemplating, submitting pieces I've completed and doing research.

By the time August rolls around, however, I'm tired of only tasting what I long to dig into, the meatier projects and ambitious goals I've been contemplating. Instead of letting my growing urge develop into irritation, however, I use my renewed energy — the coffers now full after a lot of brain rest — to plan what I'm going to do come that first day of school.

Do you have a writing year? When does it start and begin? Do you write year-round and find you should schedule that mandatory vacation — that mental summer — to recharge your creativity?

Either way, I hope you're aware of the natural ebb and flow of your writing year and make the most of the low periods to plan for those times you can jump into the action. Along those lines, if you have any tips to offer others, send them along.

Happy writing!