IMG_1333I used to tell our creative children to “discipline their art,” which meant they should write, paint, dance, sing, or sew even when they didn’t feel inspired. Now that they have grown into authors, poets, singers, and policemen, I’m telling their children that same thing. Three grandchildren are currently sending me drafts of their works in progress.

So, if you are looking for ways to discipline your own art (whatever that may be), here are five tips for the summer months.

1. Take a class – You can find them online, at your local library, in community colleges, or through various organizations. Even Home Depot offers classes in things like Tile & Grout in case your art tends toward the home improvement variety.

2. Find a mentor – my sister-in-law once saw a lady making jewelry at a flea market. She offered to pay for a few lessons and soon developed a thriving business of her own. Consider high school teachers who might be off for the summer and could tutor you in writing essays or playing piano.

3. Join a group – If you can’t find an artists’ colony or a writers’ critique group in your neighborhood, start your own. Check out Dan White’s annual 5in5 songwriting challenge for a great idea how to begin. (Dan takes disciplining your art to a ninja level during this week.)

4. Enter a contest – Grow a pumpkin for the county fair. Google “writing contests” or check the back of Writer’s Digest magazine. Plan to invest a nominal fee and have a good time.

5. Tell someone – The best way to procrastinate on a project is to keep it a secret. If you tell your office buddies you are crocheting a baby afghan this summer, they are going to ask to see the yarn at break time. In fact, you can start right now.

Use the Comments Section to tell us about your summer project. Then, discipline your art!