A few tips I learned the hard way about beating summer procrastination:

1. Set goals. What do you hope to accomplish by the end of the summer? Write a short story?  Publish a book of poetry? Finish your novel? Write your goals down, and hang them up somewhere you see them multiple times each day. This will serve as inspiration and as a reminder throughout the summer -- and imagine how rewarding it will be to look back at the end of summer and reflect on everything you have accomplished! :)

2. Set a specific time to write. Every day, even if only for ten or fifteen minutes, aim to sit your butt in front of that keyboard and write. And you might be surprised how sometimes ten or fifteen minutes can turn into an hour or two hours, as you get carried away inside the world of your imagination as you write! Plus, you will be amazed to see how quickly the pages pile up if you are dedicated and write each day. As they say, "Slow but steady wins the race!"

3. Soak up new experiences. There's no better time than summer to try something new -- maybe you're off to summer camp for the first time, or are enrolled in a summer school class, or are training for a half-marathon. In striving for goals in other areas of your life, you are simultaneously cultivating a rich writing garden you can sow for ideas and inspiration for months to come!  Embrace new experiences and push your boundaries in all aspects of your life -- and then, write about it!

It all comes down to one of my favorite writing sayings by one of my favorite authors, Barbara Kingsolver: "There's no perfect time to write.  There's only now."  Make this summer the perfect time to write and accomplish your goals!