How to Write Even While Traveling

It's summer, the perfect time to be planning all of those getaways you've been longing for especially if you live in a place like I do. Sure it's July, but here in New England, it feels as if we've never stepped out of Spring with all the rain and chilly days we've been having. 

However, stepping onto a plane and flying away from your cares and worries doesn't mean you get to leave your writing behind. It's the best time for you to be writing!

Here's how to continue working on your novel even on your way to that special vacation spot you're heading to. 

Plan Ahead 

Just like you have your regular packing list - shoes - sunblock - more socks than you'll wear and your general itinerary of what it is you'll be doing on your vacation. You can plan ahead the pockets of time when you're most likely to have the moments to write. On the plane, in the morning before heading out for your adventure, or at night while you ice off that sunburn. 

Plan ahead some downtime or seizable moments for writing to make the most of the time you have.  

Carry A Portable Writing Setup 

The great thing about writing is that it can be done from anywhere with just about anything. 

Pen and paper

A notes app on your phone

A laptop or tablet

I personally always carry around a Bluetooth keyboard that folds up to the size of my phone and I keep it in my purse with me whenever I leave the house. I never know when I'm going to have downtime or when I'll need to write something on the go and I type much faster on a keyboard than a phone. 

Choose a tool that works best for you to make sure you have a way to take your writing with you wherever you go. 

Set Realistic Goals 

Be honest with yourself - vacations can be exhausting. Add some creative work to the mix and you're going to need a vacation when you come back from your vacation. You need to set realistic goals for your writing that align with the time and the energy you'll have available. 

Don't think you're going to be able to write an entire novel while in the line for Space Mountain or that you'll be typing away as you relax in the bright sun. 

The goal of writing on the go isn't to stress yourself out more, but just to maintain the habit of writing.

Prioritize Self-Discipline

Writing on the go is going to take some serious commitment because as I said you're not going to write a whole novel while waiting for Space Mountain - but you could get in a few hundred words while in line - and then a few more when you're waiting in line for the Mad Teacups and so on. 

Writing on vacation isn't going to be convenient in the least, that's why you need to have the discipline to take the moments you can for writing and make it a priority a little bit each day. 

Embrace Interruptions and Adapt 

Life isn't perfect and well -  things happen. You don't have to write on your vacation - you're on vacation! If you make the attempt to get some words in you should be proud of yourself! If something got in the way and you just can't make the time for writing that's great too! 

Your story will still be there waiting for you when you get back home and back to your regular writing routine without any harm or foul. 

It's okay to be flexible with your writing when traveling, you should be embracing the adventures and take the experiences with you to the next time you write. 

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Writing while traveling is an amazing feat that some of the most disciplined writers have yet to master (myself included) but planning ahead and making the effort to get in a few words here and there is enough. 

Enjoy and go have an adventure. 

Then get back to writing. 

With love, 

B. King

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