Why My Writing Heats Up in July
- Jennifer Sadera
- Jul 22
- 3 min read
July is a month most of us kick back with a good book by the pool or at the beach. Authors enjoy this, too, but many of us take this time to work on the Great American Novel rather than read it.
Why is this?
The holiday season hits in late November and lasts through the new year, and the writers’ conferences we attend to promote our books and network with other authors occur in the spring and late summer into early fall—drastically shrinking the amount of time to devote to writing projects. For me, the months of January, February, and July are vital for outlining and creating first drafts. I can then work on fleshing out characters and finessing plotlines between my non-writing projects yearlong.
I’m not complaining. Those of us fortunate enough to publish traditionally understand deadlines and are grateful for every opportunity to supply our editors with fresh stories. And honestly, we’d rather be writing than doing just about anything else.
Within this tight framework you may wonder how we come up with novel ideas, seemingly on demand.
How to come up with novel ideas...
I can’t speak for others, but my brain is buzzing with possibilities throughout the year. July provides time to organize my many ideas into possible stories and create detailed dossiers of each character I intend to feature in my books. This will encompass everything from name, age, gender, and physical features (eye and hair color, height, weight, etc.) to distinguishing characteristics. These can be as wide-ranging as various speech patterns, a tendency toward laughter, or anger—or any of a hundred different emotions. Maybe my protagonist blinks unendingly. Perhaps there are OCD components at play. A character’s idiosyncrasies can be extensive and take weeks to develop. This process is often exhausting but it’s always fun. I am creating someone who will (hopefully) stay with readers for months, years, or even a lifetime.
For this reason, I take my time on the task. I ask myself what fills up my characters’ fridges or makes their wastebaskets overflow. I delve into imaginary childhoods and examine the things that make these made-up folks tick.
I’m just as meticulous with setting.
How does it interplay with the people I’ve created?
Does it promote or hinder the plot?
Would changing the setting alter the trajectory of the story?
If I’ve done my job correctly, the characters will feel real, the setting will be compelling, and the storyline will propel readers forward effortlessly. This doesn’t always happen. Many times, I’ve done extensive background work only to discover the story lacks vital components and no matter how hard I try, it’s not going to work out.
Kind of like a relationship gone sour. But, like a jilted lover who limps out of a bad situation, I’ll begin anew with a heart full of hope—and if I’m lucky, my next novel just may end up on your bookshelf of favorites.
Winning book awards in 2025
Speaking of favorites, my debut suspense, I Know She Was There, has just snagged a 2025 Judges’ Top Pick in Killer Nashville’s annual Silver Falchion competition, joining the novel’s 2025 gold medal IPPY Award, an international competition consisting of thousands of entries from 30 countries. Grab your own copy of I Know She Was There and discover why the twisty tale resonates with so many suspense lovers!
Whatever you are reading, enjoy these hazy, lazy summer days secure in the knowledge that authors are working through the heat to provide you with enticing reads for upcoming seasons.
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