Writing and Travelling... How?

N.R. Marxsen
Jul 29, 2023
3 min read

Travelling and don't want to cut out writing? Me either, let's break it down.

I often travel from my hometown to the big smoke, Brisbane; and for me I find this time deeply inspiring. But vacations and holidays can be exhausting, and it can be hard to find the time to express our inspiration and actually put the pen to paper.

Recently, the fam bam and I hit the Gold Coast, we spent a whole week at resorts, shopping, theme parks and checking out the cutest sea animals at the... sea animal place.

At one point, my daughter and I crawled the bookstores and loaded up on reading material and I found myself at that trendy notebook place, you know the one - write-o? - buying notebooks and pens with the intention to get pen to paper. I think I wrote a total of thirty words, but I read a book so I am calling that a win.

“I think I wrote a total of thirty words...”

It can be disappointing, I know. But there are ways to find time to write while holidaying. I have done it before. I feel a sense of real accomplishment and such confidence when I can get down some 'real work' while relaxing the shit out of my brain.

Create Space for your writing...

And by space, I mean time.

The most successful holidays I've taken, successful in that I wrote a lot! were those when I took a mode of slow-moving transport, that I didn't have to drive myself.

Trains!

Whenever I mention catching the train from here to Brisbane, the comments from others are less than impressed.

"It's so cramped.."

"All I got was an apple juice..."

Neither of these things could really be a bother when you are locked in a fantasy world and fighting the forces of evil, or something. Also, there's a canteen, you can literally buy anything to eat.

But I have no mind to get to my destination in any kind of hurry. I can't imagine getting much writing done on a one-hour flight.

But a nine-hour train ride? Yes, please.

I once filled an entire notebook, just scribbling, scribbling, scribbling. Scribbling is writing, just in case you're not with me.

Another great thing I love about the train is being able to just take in the scenery as you go.

But, if trains aren't your thing, then... drive. Make many stops at as many parks as you like. Or Lakes, water can be especially inspirational.

Just taking that minute to sit in quiet can be enough to create an imagination station in your mind.

But, you want to get writing done on destination. Easy.

Even with demons... I mean... Children. Damn autocorrect.

The Hotel room

Seriously, rent a movie or whack on that flix channel, buy them snacks (this includes partners), and sneak off to the bedroom for a little you time.

With your notebook.

"But, what if I can't create the time for a holiday let alone a space to write?"

Yeah, I get that. I am sure that within the current financial climate there are many of us in the same boat. Or actually, no, not in a boat. 'Cause Cruises be expensive!

Don't worry about it. I am sure that for many of us a vacation may be a simple trip to the beach, or park. And that is perfectly fine. You can watch them perfectly fine from the beach or a bench and spend your time writing.

My favourite beach is a common place for my kids and I to take mini vacays, even if it's just a couple of hours and lunch from the fish and chip van. It is totally worth it to take the break, they have fun, and you get words down on paper.

The important thing is, taking time out for you. Relax your mind.