School is out. No more carpool. Schedules are more fluid, and routine is out the window. Until September. . . . But I’ll think about that another day. For now, I intend to enjoy the summer season in all of its fullness. Summer is a time of growth, not only in nature but also for those of us living the writerly life.
Ideas emerge from that “magical” place inside you—placed there by God who hardwired you to be a writer. You have to fill the tank till it overflows. It’s the overflow that becomes your inspiration, a wellspring.Allow yourself to be refreshed and renewed by the unique joys that summer brings.
No matter where you are on the writing journey, I encourage you to take time to dream, to explore and truly experience the season—as a writer, but also as a human being. To be fully present. To allow your story idea time to fully percolate. Give the story the time it—not you—needs to simmer on the pot of your imagination.
Embrace summer with all five of your senses. See the splendors of summer. Hear the splendors of summer. Touch the splendors of summer. Smell the splendors of summer. Taste the splendors of summer.
It won’t be time wasted. Take the long view. Becoming richer in sensory detail, your story will ultimately thank you. Summer provides fuel and fodder for the writerly life.
This summer I’m looking forward to:
• the glow of fireflies on a summer evening
• the intoxicating fragrance of gardenias in my garden
• time to sit, breathe and daydream
• digging my toes into the sand and allowing the Atlantic to swirl around my ankles
• sharing life with family and friends
• time to read the books I had to set aside during the busy autumn, winter and spring seasons
So many books, so little time. Sigh . . .
• creating and pondering a new storyworld within my imagination
I love this part of pre-writing the best. Why? Because for the duration of summer, the story and characters only belong to me, no one else. It’s like having a secret that for right now, you alone enjoy. A secret you anticipate sharing one day soon, but only when the story and characters achieve full fruition in your imagination.
I don’t know where my story dreams will take me this summer, but I can’t wait to find out.
Suumertime—when the writing comes easy (-ier). How? By living much. Laughing often. And loving deeply.
Let the fun begin.
What about you? What are you looking forward to this summer? What adventures do you anticipate?
Multi-published author Lisa Carter likes to describe her romantic suspense novels as “Sweet Tea with a Slice of Murder.” A Vast and Gracious Tide released in June 2018. The Stronghold won a 2017 Daphne du Maurier. Under a Turquoise Sky won the 2015 Carol Award. Beyond the Cherokee Trail was a 4½ star Romantic Times Top Pick. She also has two contemporary romance series with Love Inspired. Lisa enjoys traveling and researching her next fictional adventure. When not writing, she loves spending time with family and teaching writing workshops. A native North Carolinian, she has strong opinions on barbecue and ACC basketball.
Join the adventure at http://www.lisacarterauthor.com.
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