So it begins...

The summer holidays have officially begun, here in the UK. And they started with a bang in the Buss household because a certain small person had his 5th birthday so we've had having your birthday at school, very exciting - end of year school party - playdate round a friends house - birthday party at soft play AND a day at the fun fair. I don't know about you but I'm already knackered and there are another six weeks to go!

So how can a writer survive the school holidays? By being realistic and by being prepared. Allow me to explain.

Be Realistic

If you've been able to spend a couple of hours a day working on your latest WIP while your children have been at school, do not make the tragic mistake of thinking that if you put a DVD on or plonk them in front of an iPad they will let you work in peace. They won't. It'll be the noise of the DVD/YouTube, the constant chattering, the constant request for juice, snack, I'm bored, I need the toilet, what can I do now, I'm hungry, can we go outside etc etc etc.

If you have older children you might be able to get away with a bit more but with a 7-month-old and a 5-year-old, I can get away with nothing. I can't even get away with eating that sneaky chocolate bar in the toilet anymore *sigh*

So instead of several hours of work, be grateful if you manage five minutes here and there. Heaven forbid you're working to any kind of deadline (me), trying to finish writing a sequel (me), trying to get your WIP to beta readers (me) and trying to keep the social media machine running (also me). 

Be Prepared

If your children are early birds and want to get up at 5am, roll with it. Get out that red pen and do a bit of editing while they watch Peppa Pig for the umpteenth time. As long as you can put a few Weetabix in a bowl and supply milk, you're good for at least three hours. But always be ready to drop everything to play when asked. These years are precious and you'll never have the same day again.

Have your current WIP within reach at all times, you never know when inspiration will strike but you also never know when you might get a small window to do some work. Yes, writers have to be selfish when they're honing their craft but at the same time as a parent, you don't want to miss out of anything. Plus you want your children to have a great holiday.

Quash those dreams of balmy summer evenings with a glass of something cold. It's more than likely going to be a case of extremely tired parentalisis with yourself curled up in the fetal position, desperate for a good nights sleep. You will instead be working from the moment the children go to bed to the moment you can no longer keep your eyes open.

Basically, the summer holidays is no break for you. You are the entertainment, the holiday rep, the chef, the waiter, the cleaner, the bank, the taxi and the handyman. Same as usual really but with extra heat and less downtime thanks to no school, Monday-Friday, 8.40am-3.20pm.

One good thing is all the other mums are facing the exact same fate and are looking for get-togethers where we can share the load. I wonder whether they'd mind if I brought my laptop with me to carry on editing? 

Claire Buss is a multi-genre writer and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find all her books on Amazon. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop.