I’m sure you would never think of walking across the desert in June without taking water, right? Of course not. You know that water is critical to your survival. And, you have to put it back into your body at the same rate that you lose it or you’ll quickly find yourself in trouble.

It’s the same with your story. You must infuse it with whatever keeps it alive and healthy. Just like running a marathon, there is a key to proper hydration of your story. Here are some things you need to remember:

Write your story on a regular schedule. When I run, I drink every ten minutes. That way I don’t get dehydrated. Just as it is impossible to recover from dehydration while on the run, your story can’t spring back if you neglect it.

Be strategic in your planning. I normally run routes that I know and have already marked out stores or fast food joints that have air conditioning, ice and water. I run basically from place to place. You need to plan your running around that way as well. With a little foresight, you can have writing sprints interspersed with your other activities.

Be aware of your energy level. A runner never wants that run to be their last, particularly because they didn’t heed their body’s warning signs. Neither do you want to lose your ability to write because you’re working too hard. Listen to your body and mind. If it’s too much, slow down or stop. You’ll be able to write another day.

Actively recover. Distance runners rarely take a day off. They may run a shorter distance. I prefer to which to riding my bike to recover from runs. When you’ve been pushing your prose, you need to recover. Just actively do it. Read through your manuscript. Work in your Book Buddy. Write some notes about the next few scenes. Not only will you recover, but you’ll be energized and ready to go when it’s time to write again.

You don’t have to be a literary martyr during the summer. With just a little planning and discipline, you’ll be in fine shape come fall and still enjoy all the great things you have planned.

Go ahead. What are you waiting for? Lace on your writing shoes and give it a go.