Summertime
And making grand plans is easy
Writing this on June 30th, a cusp-y feeling date. I sent another writer a spell for the full moon and then forgot to do it myself (typical), though I feel spells are getting ahead of myself for where I’m at now as compared to where she’s at. There are seasons in writing, and I am in a work season, not an unbridled success season. I am not reaping yet. I am sowing, sowing, sowing, tending a field that I am fully unsure will manifest a fruit. This past spring a frost doomed orchards in New Jersey, full crops of stone fruit that will never see the light of day because of a vagary of the weather. There are all sorts of things that can interrupt a creative process, life being what it is.
I have two or so months with no day job work ahead of me, though I am the full time primary caregiver in the summer. I still sneak writing around the margins as I spend full days with the kids, time I wouldn’t give up for anything. I actually, in this phase of life, don’t want to be away from the kids, locked away, writing. Different strokes for different folks, but the kids are at such good ages that I’ll keep finding the time to write when I can. Last year I brought a notebook to the pool during swim lessons and wrote longhand. I was doing that when I saw Shep go under and had to pull him out fully clothed. Maybe I’ll try again this year, but maybe not. On vacation I left behind my laptop at home and brought a notebook, as well. The adaptability is important, as is my committment to cuddle when I’m commanded which sometimes precludes having a laptop present.
I want to make progress, and I will, but I also understand that things come up. A friend sent me a book that sounds like my WIP (one of the agonies of the writing life that I think only creatives really understand). I will press on, though, hope that they’re not actually all that similar. Publishing is annoying. We cannot have too many tradwife books all at once, but we can have 2345908435904 former CIA operative protects the White House or fake dating hijinks books (my book is not a tradwife book but has some influencer things and I am constantly aware of NOT being like Yesteryear).
So what is my plan for the summer? I would love to finish this draft. I would also love to get back into running shape as I hit 40 and the tenth anniversary of running my marathon and 15th of my first half marathon. Enter the challenge I did many many years ago called Write and Run 31. Loosely, my goal in July is to exercise in some way for 30 minutes every day, and write at least 500 words a day. I realize August also has 31 days, but back to school tends to interrupt that month in the way that July is rather untouched.
I’ll be posting about my progress on Instagram (@erinnsalge) if you’d like to follow along there, or join the challenge. I do well with challenges, with high bars and rules. I am less good with go with the flow kind of plans, even if that’s what I have planned for the kids. I find myself still wanting a rhythm to our days, our weeks, or else the time summer passes by in a haze.
And god, I love these summers with the boys. They are incredible companions, cheerful hikers and swimmers but also boys who like to lounge. We can find a balance. I feel very lucky to get this time with them, so concentrated, to watch them grow and learn and be themselves. I will fit writing in to it. I always have.
What are your own summer productivity plans?
Currently Reading:
Read two solid mystery/thrillers on vacation, and have a big “order” to pick up at the library later. We are also going to a bookstore today. I am thinking I will pick up Little One by Olivia Muenter as I’ve been thinking about reading it for several months. But I always let the bookstore gods guide me when I’m there.
Recipe of the week:
The vegetarian in me loves a huge, green salad, and this was an ideal one to eat after a week of vacation eating which is…less vegetable forward. I forgot the pistachios but will add them the next time I have it, which is tonight, for leftovers. But I foresee this being my salad of the summer. Added some baked tofu because I am not immune to the Big Protein lobby
Progress on novel front: wrote a bit on vacation but need to transcribe it to the computer. Perhaps that will be tomorrow’s first Write and Run 31 task!
(Side note: the last time I did this, I was, I think, 27. I could run every day. I don’t think my 39 year old body can handle that so I will be mixing in weights and yoga as well to stave off shin splints and other overuse injuries. There’s probably a lesson about writing in there somewhere, but when I’m in a project I really don’t like to do short stories or anything else).
Onward!