My family is preparing for a camping & water skiing trip, and even though I'll be gone, my writer hat will still be firmly planted on my head. Writers have a difficult time shutting off their writer brains, and here are some ways we can remain engaged in writing, even though we're on a trip:
- Add words to a current w.i.p.--if writers have a laptop, they can continue plugging away on their manuscript. And if they don't have a laptop, they can continue writing by longhand and transcribe those words when they return home.
- Plotting--writers can bring spiral notebooks or index cards and plot during down times. I plan on bringing a notebook, along with my favorite craft book, and will continue with plot ideas.
- Character study--as I wrote in this post, when we're out and about we can collect character details from unsuspecting vacationers. Perhaps the hunky lifeguard with the "mom" tattoo or the hairy guy wearing the yellow Speedo deserves a spot in a book.
- Audio books--if the vacation includes lots of driving, audio books are a great way to pass the time. My son has to read FEED this summer, and his teacher gave us the green light to use the audio version. I've never read this book, and look forward to joining my son as he listens to it on the long drive to our destination.
- Read a print book--there's nothing quite like opening a print book and turning the dampened, worn pages. Even though reading great books is relaxing entertainment, it still keeps our writing brains engaged.
When all else fails, writers can just let it all go and enjoy the trip. Sometimes our over-active minds deserve a break!
Is there anything you'd like to add to the list? And do you use vacation time to accomplish writerly tasks, or do you stop the presses and push writing to the back of your mind?