During the school year, it's easy to fret and blame a lack of free time for my lack of hobby writing, but once summer rolls around, I stay just as distracted and uninspired. Here are four things I'll be doing this summer to keep writing without the immediate threat of grades or deadlines hanging over my head.

1. Carry a notebook.

This sounds pretty simple but is hard to make a habit. Carry a notebook and pen, or get a good equivalent app for your phone to jot down any interesting snippets of conversation you hear to reference when writing dialogue or a short poem. Try people watching and practice describing them: what they look like, what gestures they make and what postures they have. Take a moment outside and describe what you see like you would when writing a story. Use your notebook to track life and tidbits. Don't be afraid to be messy.

2. One Word and Other Writing Prompts

Again, this one is pretty simple. If summer leaves you feeling lightheaded, bored or otherwise uninspired, writing prompts are one way to combat that writing desert. I strongly recommend the website, One Word. As its name implies, it gives you "one word" as a prompt and a timed minuet to write. The pressure to get some text out during that short minute can really spark some inspiration, and sometimes, you'll want to keep writing. One Word gives you the option to share what you've written on its website (and yours, if you have one) and can read what the word provoked in other people's writing. There's a new word everyday, so don't be disappointed if you get a flop and can't think of anything once or twice. Give it a shot!

If that doesn't work for you or more detailed writing prompts are your thing, it isn't the end of the world. I'd personally recommend "642 Things to Write About," its sequel, and this writing prompt provider on Tumblr. I've also heard good things about, though haven't used myself extensively, this Reddit page and the prompt section of Writer's Digest.

3. Camp NaNoWriMo

My school does this in June and has a related blog where we share our victories, defeats and encouragement. This kind of writing is certainly more likely to happen and more fun with friends. NaNoWrMo, if you haven't heard, is a writing challenge in November to write a 50,000 word novel in a month. Camp NaNoWriMo is a similar, less structured, challenge to write a book (or meet a word count goal) during the summer months. This is a big plus for us college students for whom the November challenge would be akin to suicide. Trying to write the standard non-school related 1,667 words per day is much less painful when you don't have three, 10-page papers and an exam to worry about.

4. Hit up the local library.

What else makes a good writer besides practice? Reading: There's no reason not to with e-books, audio books, Playaways (they're like a one book iPod), e-readers, Kindles and reliable spine and paper books, easily within your reach. Libraries offer books for free, and librarians make great recommendations if you get to know them. What's not to love? If you really want to own the books you read, check out some local bookstores in your area with Indie Bookstore Finder or Google Maps. You'll find some cool books you might not stumble upon otherwise and support local businesses too.

If you don't manage anything on else on this list, at least promise to crack open a book or two (or twelve) this summer. I promise it will be worth it.