My 3 Favourite Summer Writing Tips

June 20, 2012

Here in the UK, summer is fast approaching. We’re getting some major ups and downs in terms of the weather, but we keep receiving a few days of beautiful sunshine and it’s leaving me at least hoping for a good few weeks of glorious summer temperatures.

It’s at this time of year where I start to look towards my summer writing processes and what I need to do to be fully prepared so I can both work effectively and enjoy the summer at the same time.

Picking out a small selection of different points, the following are my three favourite writing tips that I stick to throughout the summer months.

1. Write outside

Although last week I spoke about being able to write from anywhere in the world and my personal belief that I don’t think I could, that doesn’t mean I don’t like to work outside and when summer comes around, I try to take my laptop out in the garden as much as possible.

Especially when all of the local children are in school and most other people are at work, it’s nothing short of bliss. Quiet, serene and beautifully relaxing, something that although may not do wonders for activity levels (nature is a little too beautiful sometimes!), definitely increases work quality and for my own projects, makes me feel considerably more encouraged and determined when compared to being inside.

If you haven’t tried it, next time you can, go sit outside and try and work. It doesn’t have to be with a laptop — you could just take a notepad and pen. It may not work for everyone, but whenever I can, even if it’s just for a break, I try to head outside, as apart from anything else, it gives me an instant pick me up.

2. Schedule work for the week after you return from a break

I’m going away in a few weeks and so I’m scheduling all client work ahead of time where I can. Whilst this should be a given, one of my favourite ‘tips’ is to schedule work for the week I come back, too — not only does this mean I don’t have to come back to a mountain of e-mails AND client work, but it generally gives me a bit of breathing space to ease back into work.

I think that as freelance writers, we generally all love what we do, but I don’t think anyone wants to dive straight back into a 40 hour working week if they can help it and so for me, I’d rather work 5o or 60 hours before I go on holiday, so to make that first week back as simple and as straightforward as it can be.

3. Don’t be afraid to tell your customers you won’t be contactable

On more than once occasion, I’ve seen freelance writers try to maintain that level of communication — and work — that their clients expect, 365 days a year. Yes, it’s always good to be available, but you need to understand that you’re allowed time off.

And chances are, your client will understand this — they may even be wondering why you’ve never taken a holiday in the last few years!

Whenever I go away, I explain to my clients that I’m going to be unavailable for x amount of days / weeks and that although I’ll have all work finished before I leave, I won’t be available to discuss it further, to make amendments or for anything other than emergencies between x date and x date.

You do, on occasion, get a client who is annoyed that you’re going away, but these are the clients who you don’t generally want to be working with — if they can’t respect you, how can you be expected to respect them and deliver exactly what they want time and time again?

I love the summer and I love writing, which is why I take the time to ensure I can combine the two together perfectly.

Psst…this is my 100th post here :)