Schools Out for Summer!: Tips for Writing Through the Summer

It's that time of year again. For all of you with children in school, it is
the time when they are home and boy are they bored! They have nothing to do,
they say. And, of course, that means they want your attention. So how will
you get anything done this summer?

It's time to get a pool! Maybe you have a great one already and if so, skip
this one. But for my family, we don't have the luxury of having one of those
great big pools so each summer we purchase an inexpensive wading pool from
our local department store. Days are long and hot but with one of these set
up, the kids will have fun for hours and you can get some healthy color back
in your cheeks (rather than that pasty color from sitting behind your PC all
the time) and write at the same time. We have already begun this and I sit
pool side with my notebook and write. In fact, I'm writing this by the pool
now! You can watch the kids, they aren't bored and you are working.
(Disclaimer: I am not responsible for splashed and wet papers or destroyed
electronics.)

Go on field trips. What better way to have some fun and get a story than to
actually go somewhere. We recently went to a local historical site and the
kids really enjoyed themselves. I, aside from the sore body parts, got
enough material to target quite a few markets besides the one I was writing
for to begin with. Mixing pleasure with work can be done without cutting the
family out. (Disclaimer: I am not responsible for your sore body if you go
somewhere and over-exercise it without preparing yourself first.)

Get the kids involved. No matter what age, children are happy to be part of
the process of your job. When you take trips that you plan to write about,
have them take notes, too. Also, ask them questions. Get a child's point of
view and incorporate that into your work. Other jobs they can do is help
organize pictures for articles, set up envelopes with stamps, stack books on
shelves, etc ... Whatever you need, they will be willing to help.
(Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any children who may invoice their
parents.)

Hit the libraries. Most libraries hold summer reading programs. Enroll your
younger children into these and allow your older children that time to pick
out their favorite books. While this plan is in action, find yourself a
cozy, quiet corner and work on your most "must have written NOW" article or
story. Most children will tolerate (or LOVE) at least two trips a week if
you can get away. (Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any children who run
screaming through the library thus getting a parent kicked out.)

Teach your teenager to drive and let them get a job! This will only work in
some households but if your teenager can have the freedom to drive and get a
job, they will not be eating out of the fridge 24/7 and asking you what you
can do for them. More teenagers than not are responsible enough to learn to
drive themselves to a job. And since they are at work, your stress level
over worrying where they could be is down, thus allowing you to write.
(Disclaimer: I am not responsible for speeding tickets or mis-spent
paychecks.)

There are many, many ideas parents have that work best for them. Share them
with your fellow writing parent today! (Disclaimer: I am not responsible if
none of these ideas apply to you.)

About the author

Resource Box:

Angela is the publisher of several zines including The Writing Parent
( http://www.klockepresents.com/twparent.html ) where this article first
appeared. She has also published several e-books, including the newest for
parents, "The Way I See It: Articles On Parenting Issues". It's FREE so
send your blank e-mail to -- TheWayISeeIt@sendfree.com for download
URL! This article is reprinted with permission from the author.

This article provided by the InfoZone Archives at: http://www.MakingProfit.com


agklocke@klockepresents.com
http://www.klockepresents.com/