Taking Writing on the Road
On a recent trip to North Carolina, I brought my computer and my camera–my first mistake. Photography proved itself to be the most incredible distraction from writing.
As soon as I got home, I knew traveling had renewed my focus. I could think more creatively. I felt happier and more centered as a result of walking away from my creations for a few days. This trip was just before I decided to finish off book 1 and send it into the hands of a hoard of beta readers. Subsequently, I fixed by dilapidated website (the first time), found a cover artist, and found an editor–in the same week.
The mental break got me past a lot of hesitation and onward to better things.
There’s something to be said for taking your time and letting yourself take in all the hugeness of the world. Appreciating that which is greater than you had been the best way for me to come back to… well, me. The best place I have ever seen for such exploration was the Blue Ridge Highway where it winds its way south to North Carolina through Virginia. Seeing how close I could get my little Subaru to 3000 feet proved to be terrifying and wholly entertaining.
The world is big, your worries are small, and you should just take the chance and do the things you love while you still have time to do get ‘er done.
Ascending up above 2000 feet allowed me to literally travel from summer into fall as the leaves at higher elevations had started their dramatic show. I was floored by yellows and oranges and reds all the way up to the highest crests. I had to get out of my car and walk out to the ledges and just take in all the the incredible life around me.
I write books about elements and energy and I think maybe some percentage of that is real for me. The trees and the sky and the animals had an addictive sort of draw that pulled me higher and higher. I was late, ultimately, getting to my destination, but I felt like I had the best reason ever for being so.
These trees have lost their leaves my now, I’m sure. Luckily, as fall fully ended summer, I have lost my hesitation. Here’s hoping I will have more than bare trees to show for it this year.
I never missed an opportunity to take a picture, I wasted hours and hours and I have no regrets. I should have left my computer at home.
All my love and gratitude,
