The Writing Student in Summer

First: Get a Post-It note (or something similar), put the word “Writer” on it and an arrow. Then stick it to your bathroom mirror so the arrow points to your face. Yes, you really are a writer, though you are probably spending your summer flipping burgers or mowing lawns. You need to buy into that identity.

Second: You need to acquire three things if you don’t have them yet. The first is a public library card. Libraries are quiet and air-conditioned, and the staff love the idea of you just sitting there and reading or writing. The second and third things you need are a spiral notebook (go for a cheap one with a silly cover—left-handers should get the kind with the spring at the top of the page) and a good pen (one of my favorites is the Pilot rollerball, which will set you back two or three bucks).

Now what? Talk to the librarian. Ask for recommendations. Plan some reading time (instead of doom-scrolling social media). As for the writing, I will have more to say later, but a good place to begin is a very private “How did my day/week go?” You are not writing for a grade, so the grammar and spelling can be rocky and you can cross things out. Just write!