7 Tips for Getting Back to Writing After Summer

Welcome to “Ask the Coach.” As a writing coach, I answer questions from writers about making the work of writing happen, tackling craft, business, and personal questions along the way. (Have a question you’d like answered? Check the details at the end of the article about how to submit one.)

Today I’m addressing a question regarding getting back to writing after summertime.

Hey, good question! Many screenwriter-parent types are asking ourselves similar questions right now. Whether you’ve been writing intermittently, or not at all, the good news is that as your kids head to their classrooms, you can tap into the “back-to-school” energy they’ll be experiencing too.

And this is true whether or not you’re a parent. There’s a natural activation energy that arises in the fall and spring in particular, so this is a smart time to revisit your writing practice and give it a refresh if needed.

Even pro writers disrupted by the strike and accustomed to regular writing deadlines might be floundering a bit right now too, even though it’s an excellent time to dust off and work on passion and side spec projects.

Here are some tips to help get you back in the saddle again.

Whether you’re writing professionally or writing on spec, bring your A-game to your writing. Treat it like a job in that you’re showing up to write, just like you’d show up to work each day. Even if it’s your first time getting your butt in the chair for a while, it’s never too late to “go pro.” *

This means, get yourself to your writing desk and tag in to write, just like you would a regular job. Tell yourself, “This is what I’m here to do. This is what I get paid to do.” (Here’s a fun article on Jane Friedman’s website about paying yourself to write.) And, remember, even with a regular job, some days are good days and others not so much, but we still show up to do the work.

Treating writing like a pro doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. After all, writing is about sharing emotion and energy, and it doesn’t have to feel like a grind. So while you’re coaxing yourself to your desk, give yourself treats along the way, write in a beautiful environment, or snuggle up in a cozy spot. Whatever works for you. Find the spark in yourself for writing again, as you reconnect to it now that you have more space and time with the kids back in school.

With the start of school and fall on the horizon, there's this energy many of us naturally connect to that feels motivating and inspiring to start new things, take action, get organized, and make things happen. Lean into this energy and let it buoy you toward the momentum and progress you're wanting. 

And, as much as the turn of the seasons can stir up this powerful activation energy, it can also feel somewhat overwhelming. It’s OK to ease into it, especially if this is the first time you’ve had a quiet moment in a while!

As you gear up to write, reflect: What’s the writing rhythm or schedule that will work well for you now? Has it changed since you were last writing consistently? With my writing practice, what works well can change — though my past practice can also be a useful frame of reference. 

If you’ve lost track of your former routine, this is an opportunity to think about what you’ve liked and not liked in the past, and what you’re feeling pulled to now.

For instance, I used to find that writing in the morning was the easiest for me — I was fresher, and it felt easier to bypass resistance and get to the page first thing each day. But as my kids have gotten older (and I have too, let’s face it), our morning schedule and sleep routines have changed, making our old patterns not work as well. These days I find myself much happier to write in the late morning or early afternoon. It’s OK to adjust as you, your needs, and your life change (especially as a parent!).

One of the biggest mistakes I see writers make when returning to writing is to expect themselves to go full throttle on Day 1 (especially when that so powerful back-to-school energy kicks in full force!). It’s often preferable to write for a shorter amount of time on your first day back to get yourself accustomed to the process again and feel successful, than it is to write for hours and hours and feel burned out the next day.

There’s a kind of funny aversion to writing more that can build up when writing in a binge-burnout cycle like this. Sometimes writers think if they can’t put in the same 4, 6, or 8 hours they did the day prior, there’s no point in writing the next. Nope! Turns out it’s great to write for as much time as you have, even for just a few minutes, because it keeps you connected to your story.

This kind of back-brain work on your story is a huge part of writing, even if you’re not sitting with fingers to keys. So writing consistently — even if for less time than you think is ideal — helps you stay connected to your story, keep "working" on it while you're away, and progress more rapidly when you're back at your desk.

Once you’re writing more regularly again, remember that a body in motion will stay in motion. And “motion” in writing, means putting words on the page, researching, daydreaming about your story (that's the back brain work!), editing, revising, and more.

Momentum is the feeling when you’re on track and moving forward in a compelling, exciting, and sustainable way.

Writer-parents have some special challenges to face. As our kids change, their needs change. As they go back to school and we finally have a set schedule again, whoops! Here comes the first seasonal flu or cold.

This means we have to be both ready to adapt, and be ready to make the most of the time we have to write, when we have it. A combination of flexibility, creativity, and resilience will serve you well in this department.

The end of summer and beginning of the school year brings both new, activation energy and a whole new set of needs, opportunities, and challenges for writers who are also parents — and even for those who are not!

Use your creativity, determination, reflectivity, and insight to create a new path forward into this new territory, and enjoy it.

If you’re interested in finding out more about a coaching session to refresh your writing practice this fall, please send an email to support@calledtowrite.com.

* One of my all time favorite books on this subject is called Turning Pro by the amazing Steven Pressfield. Referral links: Amazon | Bookshop

Screenwriters, what challenges do you run into that you'd love to see me address? Take our short survey here, submit your question to be answered anonymously via my online form here, or email me directly at askthecoach@calledtowrite.com. Look for answers to selected questions in my monthly “Ask the Coach” column on the third Thursday of the month.

Find me on Twitter @JennaAvery and Bluesky @jennaavery.bsky.social. 

And happy writing!