Summer Is Now

It's been a year since my last newsletter? Apparently, summer is my time to connect.

Author

Kamilla Milligan
June 07, 2025

Embracing Summer

I don’t do well with the cold. Maybe that’s why summer cues me re-embrace life. Of course, the natural way to embrace life is to make a list of how specifically you will do so. This list is under construction in the book I put aside for such lists.

In the meantime, I’ve been finding lots to love about this time of year. In spite of our limited gardening efforts, things are blossoming and thriving.

Sage in bloom.

Glorious peonies, expanding every year.

This rose bush nearly died last year. Now, it won’t stop.

An abundance of potential fruit! Though these apples and the pears will need thinning.

Rhubarb—the fattest stalks I’ve ever seen.

WRITING UPDATES

Writing-wise, I’ve been calmer and more focused this year since I started using the 12-Week Year to organize my projects and plan out what I’m writing and when. Though I want to do it all, I can’t. Focussing on one project at a time encourages me to be thorough, and discourages me from abandoning a project when it gets hard.

I finished the umpteenth revision of my middle grade novel and started querying it in May. Since then, I’ve done some fun revisions on two picture books and am now picking my next projects. More picture books are calling for revision, and I have a new idea for a middle grade that’s pulling on me. There is still more to do than I have time for, so I’m going back to the principles I’m learning are essential for a writing life: patience, curiosity, balance, forgiveness.

And embracing summer when it comes.

What summer joys can you recommend?

Nameless flower by the estuary.

Gnarly Garry Oak tree.