What Do Writers Do in Summer?

Hooray for summer! Just what do writers do in summer? Or better yet, what do stuck-at-home writers do in summer? What if you can't get out to conferences, you're stuck on the other side of the world, what can you do to keep the writer muse?

Here's what I've been doing so far.

Podcasts
I'm catching up listening to some famous authors at the "Let's Get Busy" Podcast. I've already been inspired by Tammi Sauer, Ame Dyckman, Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen, and Seymour Simon. I may never hear these authors live, but I feel like I'm right there as I listen to their "writerly" wisdom! 

Online Learning
I viewed a free video from agent Jill Corcoran and author Martha Alderson on "How to Revise Your Novel/PB." It was fantastic advice from both ladies. If I ever write a novel, I'd want to pay to view the rest of the series. Do take time to watch it!

Reading Children's Books/errr...Research
I'm trying to read children's books each day from picture books to novels, print books and e-books. I like what one author said about reading children's books--it's research! There are a couple web sites that have free picture books online such as Storyline Online and We Give Books. It's been fun to catch up on titles that I've missed. 

Studying the "Bug" magazines
Cricket Magazine has free summer issues for all of their magazines. Since my husband gave me an iPad Air for my birthday, I've downloaded all the free issues for the magazines I'd like to study. That's 3 issues of each one so far. Maybe I can come up with a story for them.

Professional Reading
I just finished author Katie Davis's How to Promote Your Children's Book: Tips, Tricks, and Secrets to a Bestseller. I'll be doing a book review for it on the grog blog next month. So for now I'll just say that if you plan on writing a book, you must read this! In fact, I need to get busy preparing and following Katie's steps!

Writing
I'm revising my WIPs and will write new manuscripts since I'm in the 12x12 picture book challenge to write one manuscript each month. I'd also like to start research for a new nonfiction picture book. 

Reviews and GoodReads
I have a goal to write some book reviews for some author friends on Amazon. My social media goal is to learn Goodreads. If you use that site, you can give me tips! 

As with every summer, I'll enjoy the family outings we do and find a way to turn them into stories! What are you doing this summer?

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