Summer Bucket List for Writers

Summer is upon us! It’s time for vacations, beach trips, lazy afternoons, and bucket lists. Summer bucket lists are easy to find, and they’re filled with fun ideas. Go ziplining, Spot a herd of manatees. Swim in a lake.

But what about writers? Wouldn’t it be fun to turn your writing goals and to-do list into a summer bucket list? What would that list include? How could it be both goal-oriented and fun? Well, I have a few ideas.

Write 25 reviews

We all know that book reviews provide exposure, and exposure leads to new and bigger audiences. Your reviews can give your fellow authors greater visibility, and on some websites, books that have more book reviews are shown more frequently to prospective readers and buyers.

So help some fellow authors by writing book reviews. As an added bonus, some of those authors might even return the favor and write a review for you.

Take a literary pilgrimage

There’s nothing quite like standing on sacred ground and drinking in the energy of a bygone era. For writers, the sacred ground of a beloved author’s home can be a great source of inspiration.

Plan a trip (or two or three) to visit the home of an author you admire. If you want to make big plans, you can fly across the ocean to see Jane Austen’s House Museum or take a trip up the east coast on a Poe pilgrimage.

However, there are noteworthy in-state pilgrimages available to Floridians. For example, check out the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek or The Hemingway House & Museum in Key West.

Read 10 books

When writers search for advice on how to improve their craft, one of the first items to pop up is always something like, “If you want to be a better writer, then read, read, read.” And it’s true.

If your aim is really to build your craft, it might be a great idea to refine your reading list toward books in the genre you write. Or maybe you’d like to flex your creative muscles and try something new. Set a goal to read 10 books in a genre that’s different from what you normally read or write.

Of course, there are lots of resources on writing craft, plot development, and the publishing process. Maybe your reading list can be tailored to some professional materials that will ramp up your writing success.

Register for a writing conference

Search for conferences that will both inspire and inform. If you’re a mystery writer, searching the term “mystery writing conferences” will yield a lot of results! If you write for young readers, check out SCBWI or Highlights. Is romance your genre? Does fantasy float your boat? Do you tend toward Christian fiction? There are plenty of options!

Of course, read reviews from past conferences, check out the presenters, and make sure the costs are in line with your budget and the quality you will encounter. You can travel to in-person conferences or find virtual conference options to enjoy from the comfort of home.

And don’t forget that registration is open for our very own Florida WritersCon 2023! The conference is scheduled for October 20-22, and the theme this year is “Empower Your Writing.”

Submit a proposal to a writing conference

Attending conferences is great, but have you ever tried your hand at being a presenter? As you search conferences that interest you, think about your own strengths and the things you have learned. Maybe there’s something you can offer others!

Of course, the line-up of presenters is generally set way in advance of a conference, so if the conferences that interest you are closed to submissions, start thinking about next year. Periodically check the organization websites and follow them on social media so you’ll be sure to know when they post a Call for Proposals.

Finish a manuscript

Is there a nagging project hovering in your to-do list? Well, now is the time to get it done! Complete that rough draft or make those final edits. Whatever stage of the process your manuscript is at, it can benefit from some good old-fashioned goal-setting.

Break your goals down into manageable chunks and set a schedule. Celebrate as you achieve each milestone and remember that great journeys are made by taking one step at a time.

Outline a new project

Is your interest waning on that current project? Do you need to jump-start the creative juices? Make a list of potential ideas for new projects. Find one that speaks to you and start creating an outline.

This is something you can do in tandem with finishing that manuscript. Devote a little time each day or maybe one day each week to your next great idea. Do some research, collect some information, do some character-building, or plot your narrative arc. No matter what you’re working on in the present, it’s important to keep casting into the future.

Take an online writing course

As with conferences, a quick search will yield a lot of options for online writing courses. Some require a significant financial investment and a lot of time, and others are offered at minimal cost for a one-or-two-day presentation.

Of course, you’ll need to read reviews and check out the presenters. But if you find a course that aligns with your needs, it can become the catalyst for your writing transformation! You can find everything from mini-courses on nailing that first line to master classes on every genre and writing topic you can imagine.

Search for contests and submit your work

Contests are a great way to force you to get your work in the best shape possible. Find a contest, and let your competitive spirit and the motivation of a solid deadline take over. Polish that poem. Sharpen that short story. Prepare your work and make it shine.

As always, read reviews, check out the contest history, and assess the nature of the entry fee. Entering a contest will most likely require a little money and a lot of courage. But go ahead and take the plunge! Even if you don’t win the contest, you’ll have taken a giant step in your writing journey.

Okay, writers! Summer is upon us. It’s time for some bucket list bingo!