By Mandy Boerma, @mandyboerma
I’ve met my deadlines (yay!) and summer vacation has started (double yay!!). And as exciting as those two things are, I have had the thought–now what?
Sometimes when my children are home, I plan to take time away from writing–to regroup and refocus. Last summer, I took the entire vacation to rest. There are times you may feel the need to take a break. That creative pause can give us time to refuel and feed our imaginative side.
However, I don’t feel the need or the leading to take a rest this summer.
But since I’ve met my deadlines, and celebrated, it’s time to work on something else while I wait for edits. I have three ways to keep myself motivated while I wait.
First, I read through story ideas I file away. Every time an interesting tidbit or snippet of a story pops into my head, I add it to a file on my phone. Sometimes it’s nothing more than a sentence or a news story link. Sometimes the ideas are more fleshed out and I will develop a full premises. I have random character sketches, and short scenes written out. When I need inspiration, I check this file. If nothing jumps out at me, I start digging around for other ideas, and then I write—sometimes just a few hundred words, but anything to get the brain working.
Second, I read through old stories I haven’t bothered to edit or clean up. We all have a few buried manuscripts. During down times, I pull those out and work on brushing them up. If I’m feeling discouraged with my writing, I always pull up my favorite story—the one I probably will never publish, but I love just as much, if not more than anything I’ve ever written. Re-reading or editing that story reminds me why I love writing. Please tell me I’m not the only one with fictional friends you love to revisit.
Finally, I plot out new stories. During the break from my current manuscript, I can plot out a new one. Start working on my next story.
Timing can be difficult with my girls home but making sure I create space in my day to focus on my writing helps me to use my time wisely. When all I can carve out are a few precious minutes to let the words flow, I know I must use what little time I have.
My days are no longer filled with sandcastles, pool dates, and summer programs for toddlers. My children have grown out of that phase and into a new one. A phase that pushes me to be focused, to show them that dreams do come true, when you work at them. So, while my summer will still include plenty of beach trips, afternoons in the pool, and summer activities to keep me busy, I am excited to continue working toward the next goal. The next idea. The next story.
What are some ways you stay motivated during the busy summer months?
He just wants to leave the past behind him…
International hotel manager Ben Carter is not sticking around Hearts Bend. He’s just home to sell the inn he inherited from his grandparents. The place holds all his best memories—especially the ones that include regular summer guest Cami Jackson. But she’s been out of his life for years, and she’s not coming back.
She is headed for a glorious future…
Real estate developer Cami Jackson is ready to take over as VP of her father’s company, Akron Development. When the Hearts Bend Inn comes on the market, she wants to swoop it up, if only because of the sweet memories of her favorite summers. The last thing she expects to find is her first love back to sign on the dotted line.
But a first love won’t let them go…
The more time Cami and Ben spend together, the more they realize they have unfinished business. Suddenly, an impulsive decision could turn into a lost-but-found dream. But for Cami’s father, the inn holds memories of a terrible tragedy, and he wants to kill the deal.
Will their lost dreams survive another betrayal?
A heart-healing story of second chances set in the charming town of Hearts Bend!
When Mandy Boerma isn’t hanging out at her favorite coffee shop writing her next novel, she’s a busy mom. After meeting Prince Charming, they started their own version of Happily Ever in the Florida Panhandle. Nothing compares to life at the beach. While those early days included romantic sunset walks with sand between their toes, days are now filled with sand in the mom mobile, affectionally named Scottie, as she chauffeurs her daughters anywhere and everywhere their busy schedules take them. You can connect with Mandy at www.mandyboerma.com.