My Summer Writing Schedule
Summer vacation is supposed to be a time of relaxation, but that never seems to happen for me. Instead, my time away from teaching school is my window of opportunity for writing. This summer’s schedule is no different from any others, except that this year I’m going to graduate school at the same time.
Here’s a rundown of what I’ll try to complete in the 80 days between the time school gets out and when the teachers go back to work:
1. Finish the new romance novel I’ve been working on.
2. Finish the Middle Grade novel I started this year.
3. Finish the book guides for Books, Books, and More Books: Volume 2.
4. Write a screenplay adaptation of a novel I’ve wanted to see made into a movie.
5. Write several magazine articles and submit.
6. Continue my columns, blogs, and zines.
Then there is the marketing. These are my summer goals for the things that are already written, edited, and looking for a publisher:
1. Follow-up with editors and the agent for the three books already submitted.
2. Query publishers for three more books.
3. Search for a film agent for the three scripts I’ve written.
4. Check with the producer who optioned one of my scripts to see what’s happening with funding.
5. Query magazines and submit articles.
6. Do interviews and assemble podcasts to post to my blog.
Oh, and I can’t forget the editing.
1. Finish the 90,000 word manuscript that was dropped off to me this week.
2. Go through my own stack of edits from my critique group and revise my manuscripts accordingly.
3. Edit manuscripts for Precision Editing Group.
4. Get to critique group every week.
5. Meet with a fledgling critique group to help them know how to get started.
And at last, I’ll have time to read the hundred or so novels that publishers have sent me to review for my newspaper columns, educator magazines, or workshops I present.
Oh, no! That means I’m back at list one with more things to write! And they call this a VACATION.
