Each year for the last twelve or so years, my summer has been defined by the RWA Conference. It’s always in July, usually the last week of the month, and I know that once the 4th of July holiday passes, it’s time to hunker down and get meetings and meals and workshops scheduled.  By the time I get home from the conference, August is underway and I can see the end of summer and beginning of the school year approaching. It’s almost comforting in a way to know the flow of my summers.

 

But this year, it’s all confused! The conference was held a month earlier (hotel renovations) and also a day earlier in the week, too. So events always on Thursday were on Wednesday this year…leading me to miss several things I like to attend. And I know I was not the only one…. I did all that conference planning in May and June and now the 4th of July has passed and . . . .

I am lost!

How do I make it through the rest of the summer?

Well, honestly, I do have some things to do. . . and lots of things I don’t have to worry over now, too. I could write. . . well, I WILL write since I have two projects I need to work on and get into my editors or my agent.

 

Stories are beginning to swirl in my mind and I need to put words to them and get them down so they begin to make sense. Characters are beginning to speak to me — one actually opened my front door and walked in today, though he or she is not speaking directly to me yet. Scenery, medieval Scotland for the most part, is beginning to scroll across my vision at the oddest times. Celtic symbols are appearing in my dreams.

I guess it’s time to write!

But, I think I’ll also read all the books I put aside when last on my deadline binge of writing, and I think I’ll clean my office, and I think I’ll catch up on all the recorded TV shows I have saved, and I think I’ll. . . .

Ok, nevermind on the cleaning the office thing, but the rest sounds good! And if I really put my mind to it, maybe I’ll make my way down to the shore, the REAL Jersey shore, and spend a day on the beach, wearing my darkest sunglasses and doing what all writers do. . . people-watch! Oh yeah!

So, in this lull between now and the end of summer, what will you be doing? Traveling? Catching up on chores or reading? Prep for school or family things? Is summer all R&R for you or is it just as busy as every other season of the year?  Since I collected more than a few books at the RWA conference, I’ll send out a couple to each of two people who post a comment and I’ll include a book of mine, too!

  Terri is celebrating the release of the final book in her STORM series – MISTRESS OF THE STORM – and the rerelease in digital formats of the connected novella – A STORM OF LOVE. Stop by her website for more info about her upcoming books and events @ www.terribrisbin.com