Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Dana, Tara, Beth, Anna, Kathleen & Deb for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.
My last day of work for the 2014-2015 school year was June 17th. I presented at a conference on June 19th. I left for a week long writing retreat, or unworkshop, on June 22nd. I had company upon my return. My summer begins today.
I am a creature of habit and I do well with routine. The week long writing retreat instilled in me some good routines that I plan on implementing this summer...beginning today.
Wake up. No alarm. I'm naturally an early riser, so this shouldn't be a problem. Shower. Breakfast. Walk the dog.
Gather my things and off to write. I am going to write every morning for a couple of hours. I'm serious about writing a book and I'm hopeful that by setting a deliberate writing routine, this will help me. Butt. In. Chair.
Where? I love writing in Wegmans. It's a local grocery store with seating upstairs. Starbucks and Panera are within walking distance for me. The library. I find myself looking at spots as potential writing locations now.
I will write until lunch. Noon-ish. Lunch dates with friends are popular during the summer. I have one today! The afternoon is mine. I can write more. I may read. Go swimming. Clean. Anything!
Setting up a routine is something that I've struggled with during the summer. I'm pleased with this routine...and I'm late for today! Off to walk the dog and eat breakfast so I can start my daily writing!
How do you arrange your days in the summer? What is the best part of your summer routine?
Your day sounds lovely! I still have to wake to an alarm in the summer if I want quiet time alone in the morning. It's also the season of catching up with appointments (car maintenance, dental, medical, etc), so it seems those have to go on the calendar first, and interrupt any chance at a consistent routine. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWhen Wegman's came to Binghamton I went crazy. People who hadn't been there were like, um it's a grocery store. I was like oh no it's so much more. Now I live in Maine and we don't have one. I love routine too. I get everyone breakfast in the morning and then I sit out on my screened in porch to write. Best part of my life that writing. I process everything and move forward with my day.
ReplyDeleteYour routine sounds great and I admire your goal for writing. My summer is too segmented to have routines this year, but I still hope it will give me the break I need.
ReplyDeleteSounds terrific, Michelle. I like that you've chosen a firm path, and am excited for you about your writing. You know part of what I'm doing this summer from my post (in the afternoons), but my mornings are filled with writing, too, although I walk early first. Now that I'm back home like you, I hope to get some things completed like taking the car in for service. I put off a lot of things during those teaching months. Best wishes at Wegman's!
ReplyDeleteI'm another fan of early mornings! I feel like my summer has just begun and yet tomorrow is July 1st! I love writing down summer goals/plans and haven't even done so yet. Maybe later today? Thanks for sharing your routine. It sounds purposeful and powerful--good luck with your writing!
ReplyDeleteWe have a wonderful coffee shop in town that I sometimes write at. Mostly, though I am on my couch typing or speaking into my microphone to write. I write constantly and am always thinking of my next piece. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI am starting my summer today too. Even though I finished with students early in June. I haven't been home to establish a routine.
ReplyDeleteI'm inspired by your routine. Finding a replicable routine, along with a bit of home organizing, is my goal this week.
Part of my routine on Tuesdays is to read your SOL post. Thanks for being here!
Julieanne
Well, you are much more disciplined than I am - my summer routine is to fly by the seat of my pants. As long as I can carve out writing time, I don't want any routine.
ReplyDeleteTWO HOURS of daily writing?! That's so wonderful! My summer so far has been cleaning/packing/and organizing for our move, but I see the light at the end of the tunnel and was able to Slice today and sit down for awhile. Whew. Your writing retreat looked amazing!
ReplyDeleteI tried to set up a summer schedule also, Michelle; but I have not kept up with it like I intended. Your slice inspired me to keep trying! I'm so impressed with your commitment to write two hours daily.
ReplyDeleteI've never written at Wegmans before. It would be an ideal place since it's far enough away from my house to feel disconnected. Maybe I'll use their W Kids club for an hour one day to test it out. (Since Isabelle LOVES shopping there.)
ReplyDeleteI saw your email earlier. I will write you back now about the writing stuff you asked.
:)
I am so excited for you- and all of us- that you are writing a book! I think your routine sounds fabulous and you seem very determined. It sounds like you've had a productive and professionally rewarding start to summer! Thank you so much for already adding Deb and my name to the top of your Slice. You are thoughtful and generous and I am so glad to be here in this community with a teacher like you.
ReplyDeleteI've never considered writing away from home. Makes me wonder what would happen if I did. Good luck with your writing project! Several others have written about beginning to write a book. I can't even fathom taking on that task.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear that you have found a routine that works for you -- and includes lots of writing! Looking forward to hearing how that book is coming.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes write at Starbucks, but we don't have a Wegman's in Maine. Don't know what I'm missing then! Mostly write at home in the morning. I wish you well with your book. I've been trying to get mine started for a while...
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about the importance of routines! I settle into my summer routine pretty quickly, but it rarely includes writing in public. I'm too distractible! Good luck with your book! Looking forward to hearing more about it!
ReplyDeleteYour days sound wonderful! God is good.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good routine. i tend to get up, have coffee and write first thing after some reading time. I wanted to add a walk the dog piece morning and night, but the dog hurt her paw the day I came home, so that bit will have to wait. You are so good at getting out to write. We have a great local library branch that is one of my favorite spots. Happy summer, Michelle!
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