Writers Beach Survival Tote Bag

It’s that time of the year again. Summer is officially here and no one wants to sit in the house behind the computer writing. You know just as well as me that we will find one excuse after the other not to sit down and write…especially do revisions.

Keeping this in mind, I came up with a writer’s summer survival tote. Pack your tote and keep it besides your pocketbook. Your tote should consist of the following:

Notebook
2 Pens (This way there is no excuse that the pen ran out of ink.)
A box of ideas
Post it Notes
2 water bottles – frozen
Chip bags
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Beach Umbrella
beach chair and blanket

I have left out the radio and ipod. Those are two things that are total distractions from the writing. I decided to check this out and see if it worked before I shared this with you. As I sit here, I can attest that the only sound I hear is the echo of the waves breaking at the ocean’s edge and the occasional helicopter going over head.

Now I would be lying if I didn’t tell you about the sexy guy who put his beach blanket down about twenty feet from me and undressed down to his bathing trunks. And yes, I watched the whole time. Just couldn’t resist.

Seriously, I was able to do revisions on four chapters of Mystical Wonders, about 100 pages without the phone ringing, the kids yelling Ma. (Of course when I writing, they both forget how to cut Italian Bread and make a sandwich.)

I had a wonderful day at the beach…alone. (My first time ever to sit on the beach at the South Beach Boardwalk.) Now when I’m ready to pack up my gear, I can only say that I am thrilled to say I got everything on my agenda done.

In conclusion, I can say that it is possible to get work done during the hot summer months. All you need is a plan, your imagination and your Writer’s Survival Beach Tote Bag.

Now that you have sent your query, synopsis and first chapters to an agent or editor, what do you do next?

The beginning of February, after carefully following individual submission guidelines, I sent out my packages via the internet. I closed the top of my laptop and went about my business doing my chores. An hour or two later I came home, checked my emails and there sat two emails. Both responses were thank you, but no thanks. Okay….that was a blow. A discouraging blow. Now the challenge. Do I drown in my rejections? Do I throw in the towel? These are two of many questions that I’m sure we have all asked ourselves at one time or the other.
I’ll share with you my own remedy of getting over the feel sorry for me, pity bath.

Take a walk. I find that the best way to go for myself is to take a walk. By now everyone must be tired of me talking about doing these long walks. I know it sounds crazy, but that walk, no matter if it’s short or long, is all I need to rejuvenate. So picture me tying my Timberland boots and strolling through the mounds of snow, opening up my mind along with numbing my fingers and toes. But it works. Believe me, it works. After that walk I was not only cold, but recharged ready to continue working on my next project while I wait.

Get dressed. Are you sitting in sweat pants and tee shirt with slippers on? It’s no wonder you can’t get anything down on paper. Fluff your hair, get dressed as if you’re going out. That’s right! Add the accessories, the belt, earrings and necklaces. Take a glance in the mirror, then sit behind your computer and start writing. You’ll be surprised how playing dress up can inspire your muse.

Keep a journal. I bought myself a monthly planner and journal. Every night I write what I did during the day. How many words I wrote or how many pages I revised. And if I did nothing, I write the word nothing in the planner. Then the last thing I do is write a short journal entry. It can be two lines or two pages about nothing or a plot idea. Whatever it is, sometimes it is the only time I write in a day.

Keep Writing. Did you ever fantasize what it would be like to be someone else or wish your life was different? Be that fantasy. Sit behind your computer, do your research and write that story. The best writing exercise is to write.

Following my own advice, I continue to follow my dreams while I do revisions on Mystical Wonders as I await responses on Roses. ♥