Indulge in a Summer of Writing With Some of Our Favorite Warm-Weather Activities
Which of our six activities are you most excited about participating in this summer?
The warm, sunny days of summer are around the corner (but if you’re in Florida, like me, the warm weather is no stranger). Summer isn’t just for the kids. It’s also the perfect opportunity to embrace activities that ignite our creativity and spark a little bit of childhood nostalgia we all have within us. From basking in the sun's glow while dreaming about your book’s plot to exploring new outdoor pursuits that will fuel new ideas for your story, the possibilities to fill your creative tank are endless this summer.
Today, we’re sharing our favorite warm-weather activities every writer will love and how you can make this your most creative—and productive—time of year.
6 Summer Activities For Writers
Summer daydreams and outdoor time isn’t just for kids. Here are six ways to reclaim your summer of writing.
1. Take Your Writing Sessions Outdoors
Move your writing time outside and let the nature around you become your new muse. Whether you seek the serenity of your private garden, the lush landscapes of your local park, or the soothing presence of a mountaintop, outdoor environments often help separate us from our daily responsibilities so we can tap into a wellspring of inspiration.
2. Create a Summer Reading List
This year, Pizza Hut released a summer camp version of their wildly popular BookIt campaign, and the program’s capacity is already full. If you haven’t heard of BookIt, it’s a reading program created by Pizza Hut in 1984. The program is free and available for readers PreK–6. It tracks children’s reading goals and rewards them with a free personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut upon reaching specific reading milestones. BookIt was a huge part of my elementary and middle school days, and I loved turning in my completed reading list for a personal pan pizza.
Why am I telling you about a pizza-rewarding reading program?
You don’t have to be a kid to invest your time in creating a fun, summer “To Be Read” pile that you’re excited to read throughout the warmer months. Set a few summer reading goals you want to reach and attach a reward to each milestone. You may not treat yourself to a personal pan pizza, but maybe you reward yourself with your favorite coffee drink or summer dessert.
3. Start a Morning Pages Habit
Days are the longest during the summer months, so why not set a new challenge to wake up with the sun and embrace the “morning pages” practice? This creative process is advocated in The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. She recommends you start your day by writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness thoughts. This process is said to remove mental blocks and set a productive tone for the day.
Dedicate a new notebook to your summer morning pages or use the Morning Pages app. See if you can keep the daily habit of morning pages for the full summer.
4. Write Water Side
If a water view brings you peace, seek inspiration at a quiet spot near the water. Don’t overthink your body of water either; it can be the enormous ocean, a lazy river, the shimmering surface of a pool, or even your favorite sparkling courtyard fountain.
If you’re like me and love a rainstorm; next time the skies open find yourself a spot on a porch and write as the rain falls.
The calming effect of water may help establish a rhythm for your writing. And if you’re pool, beach, or river side, take refreshing dips during your writing breaks to clear your mind.
5. Attend a Writers' Retreat
Consider participating in a formal writers' retreat or creating your own. Whether you set aside a few hours a week at a coffee shop or decide to spend a few nights in a tranquil location that inspires you to write all hours of the day, this dedicated writing time is valuable for every writer on every budget.
Writing retreats offer serene environments that ignite focus and inspiration. Take a day here and there throughout the summer as single-day writing retreats or take a few days for a writing vacation.
6. Join or Start a Writing Group
Consider becoming part of a writing group this summer or establishing one of your own. The socialization of a group could be a wellspring of motivation for you. Engage in group writing exercises, arrange word sprints, and enjoy camaraderie with other writers.
Final Thoughts
Let the longer days and warm embrace of June to September ignite your writing this summer. Take time to be inspired by the outdoors, boost your creativity with new experiences, and let the pure essence of summer seep into your work.