It’s My Life. It’s Now or Never – Bon Jovi…
I’ve just landed back home after a three-week trip to America. I love to travel and as a fiction writer I’m always on the hunt for fresh ideas and vivid settings. Writers are always seeking new inspiration and different perspectives, and travel, if you are open to it, can provide this in spades.
America never disappoints. It’s amazing how stepping out of your comfort zone can kick-start your creativity.
Writing and Travel – A Change of Scenery
The first benefit of travel for me is the change of scenery. Breaking away from your usual environment shakes up your routine and refreshes your mind. Whether it’s the bustling streets of New York City or the tranquil beaches of California, each new location offers a backdrop that can spark new ideas and breathe new life into your narrative. Each place has its own flavour and can spark new ideas, bringing colour to your stories. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to America four times over my lifetime and the changes to this country over the past 25 years are mind blowing.
On this trip, I travelled from Chicago, Illinois down to Nashville, Tennessee, stopping in Indianapolis and Charlotte, South Carolina.
Stunning Chicago
Writing and Travel – Get Curious
Travel is the perfect opportunity to cultivate curiosity. I met some lovely people, each with a unique story to tell. Americans are very open, and they love a good yarn. I especially like chatting with the locals, learning about their lives. I observe their nuances of dialogue and the way they interact with one another. These details are invaluable for crafting believable characters and dialogue that pops. The stories you hear and the people you meet can inspire plots or subplots that enrich your storytelling. Uber drivers are invaluable even if they deliver the upsetting news that finding myself a genuine cowboy in 2024 is like winning the lotto. I remind myself I won $836 in the lotto recently so there’s still hope…
For now here’s my pretend Cowboy
Writing and Travel – Soak up the Senses
As writers, our job is to transport readers into the world we create. Travel lets you soak up those sensory details firsthand. I soak up the smells, sights, sounds, and textures around me. A sound of a bustling market, the serene quiet of a snow-covered landscape, or the oppressive heat of a desert, these experiences can help set a vivid scene for your readers. Trust me, the odour of the bars in Nashville will stay with me for some time.
Our Favourite bar – Robert’s Western World Bar in Nashville
Writing and Travel – Dive into History and Culture
Exploring historical sites and cultural events can open new avenues for historical fiction or culturally rich narratives. Whether it’s for a deep historical fiction novel or setting the scene in a culturally rich narrative, knowing the ins and outs of a place can really anchor your story. All I knew about Chicago, Illinois before I left was gangsters, crime and speakeasies, but did you know that in 1871, a fire broke out in a barn on the southwest side of Chicago? The fire burned through the heart of Chicago, destroying 17,500 buildings. The great fire killed 300 people and left one-third of the city’s population homeless. Then came the ‘Great Rebuilding’ which is the Chicago we know today.
Writing and Travel – Write on the Go
Travel often means waiting around, delayed flights, transport, road trips. Some of my best ideas come when I’m in motion, physically and mentally. Use these to your advantage. Airports, long drives, or quiet evenings at a hotel are perfect for reflecting on what you’ve seen and jotting down ideas. Even if you don’t have a good chunk of time to write, take some notes, write about your day. You’ll often find me quietly observing my surroundings while my husband is chatting away to someone at an airport bar.
Writing and Travel – Use Photography
Take photos not just as souvenirs but as prompts for writing. A single photograph can inspire a scene, a character, or an entire story. Upload your photos to your favoured social media platform. Later, these images can help you recall the details of a place with greater clarity. My friends often complain I’m not in many of the photos I take, that’s because I’m busy observing things outside myself, like my environment.
Writing and Travel – Mix Up Your Style
Travel exposes you to different storytelling styles. Local literature, art, or performances can sprinkle some new style into your writing. This exposure can influence your own writing style, helping you experiment with new techniques and voices. Although I know a few country and western singers and can recall a few tunes, I wasn’t brought up with a love for country music. There is a whole other world out there in this genre and so much to learn. Who knew a man’s voice could get as low as Josh Turners. Holy smoke, I swear if that’s the last sound I heard before I died, I’d die happy and swooning.
This is Josh Turner go here to listen to that voice for yourself https://www.joshturner.com/videos
Writing and Travel – Carry a Notebook
Always carry a notebook. You never know when inspiration will hit, and you’ll want to capture those thoughts right then and there. Notebooks become your treasure chest of ideas. I have dozens of notebooks I’ve collected over the years that I’ve filled with my travel memories or scraps of information. I’ve noticed my notebook covers have become prettier and sparklier over the years. Whatever inspires you, go with it.
Writing and Travel – Stay Open
Keep yourself open to whatever comes your way and let those experiences seep into your writing naturally. Even the annoying experiences, like delayed flights or grumpy servers, have their place. Sometimes, the influence of travel on your writing might not be immediate, but the seeds planted during these trips can grow into compelling stories down the track. Experiencing America this time after COVID-19 and with all their political upheaval of that past few years, I stayed open to conversations I wouldn’t normally be willing to engage in. I learned a lot. People and places can surprise you.
Writing and Travel – Chill and Refresh
Most importantly, travel gives you the chance to relax and rejuvenate your mind. A relaxed mind is a creative mind. A rested mind is more creative and less susceptible to the dreaded writer’s block. Even short breaks from the routine can recharge your batteries and get those creative juices flowing again. Any excuse to travel, really!
So, if you’re feeling stuck or just need some new scenery to spark your imagination, it might be time to pack your bags. Don’t forget your notebook. Let the world around you fuel your next great story.
Don’t know where to start? check out my blog on goal setting and giving yourself a break.
Creative blessings,
Selena Jane 🙂
