tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post9215453499954007520..comments2024-03-29T07:01:21.278-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: How Travel Benefits WritingJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-51361944518743904972013-07-02T22:51:50.076-04:002013-07-02T22:51:50.076-04:00Jim, Jacqueline, E.B., Sasscer, Warren, Gloria, Ca...Jim, Jacqueline, E.B., Sasscer, Warren, Gloria, Carla, Kara, and Shari, I was traveling today, so I'm delighting in reading all your messages following my journey. Thanks for taking the time to comment and for all the lovely ideas. E.B., I'm going to try your hand trick. Warren, hope you'll write about Africa. Kara, so glad to have you back in the country! Sasscer, I'd read your books even if you wrote about dish washing, and, .Carla, I think it's time we make a road trip!Paula Gail Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843350597811462936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-49827414454319331592013-07-02T15:44:59.516-04:002013-07-02T15:44:59.516-04:00Paula - loved this post - makes me want to pack up...Paula - loved this post - makes me want to pack up and go right now!<br />Warren, I am looking forward to hearing about that African safari.<br />Kara, your passport story - wow. I can imagine the grilling you got, but as you say, what a great way to kick off a story of suspense.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-58695507905723737172013-07-02T15:21:03.598-04:002013-07-02T15:21:03.598-04:00I agree that travel and getting away from the ever...I agree that travel and getting away from the everyday routine can provide story ideas. A few years ago while returning from a vacation in Canada, the customs agent scanned my new passport. He then said, “You’re not an African-American male.” While my photo and printed information was correct, the tracking chip contained another person's information. It was an interesting dilemma how to prove my identity and I was questioned for a long time. My husband later told me he thought he was going to have to leave and get a lawyer. But I've tucked that experience away thinking it could be an opening scene to a thriller that begins with mistaken identity similar to North by Northwest.Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-58914460852359004522013-07-02T14:28:44.939-04:002013-07-02T14:28:44.939-04:00I agree: a change of venue can be a huge help to o...I agree: a change of venue can be a huge help to our writing. Of course, traveling with Paula Benson means I'm too busy talking to write. She's a seriously bad influence. <br />carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985823239660829148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-62809663752994882592013-07-02T11:03:49.356-04:002013-07-02T11:03:49.356-04:00I enjoy travel and pick up little ideas here and t...I enjoy travel and pick up little ideas here and there, but since I'm always with others, I never write while on vacation except in my journal which covers people and events and maybe a conversation I overheard. But like Sasscer said, it's good to get away from the everyday routine, and as Warren wrote, the phone calls and social expectations.<br /><br />I always start any writing project writing in long hand with pen and paper. The ideas seem to flow so much better, but after it's started I can finish it on the computer where I do all my editing, too.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-35600063685226349342013-07-02T09:45:19.553-04:002013-07-02T09:45:19.553-04:00Living in New Zealand for four months was a great ...Living in New Zealand for four months was a great experience, with amazing scenery and wonderful people. I also had chunks of time when I was not distracted phone calls or social expectations. I wrote my dissertation by shutting out distractions. NZ was much better. We'll see what happens when I go on an African safari in August.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-91748112300811597712013-07-02T09:42:30.171-04:002013-07-02T09:42:30.171-04:00Travel can fuel the creative juices, no doubt. Dif...Travel can fuel the creative juices, no doubt. Different places, different faces, but mostly it's getting away from the mundane routine. The load of laundry, the dishwasher that needs to be run, the dog that needs to be walked. The vacuuming, the dirty windows. If I wrote about that stuff people would probably burn burn my books!Sasscer Hillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05855348330942561488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-55789031627438679882013-07-02T09:12:55.214-04:002013-07-02T09:12:55.214-04:00I think well during long car rides, although anyth...I think well during long car rides, although anything over six hours makes my legs cramp. That's when I do my best plotting, especially if I'm alone. I like to go someplace and stay a while. Trips that mean hotel stay and driving to the next stop the next day aren't pleasure to me. All the points you mentioned in your blog, Paula, are true. Getting outside of your routine jogs the brain. Every so often, I pour using my "off" hand and solve puzzles. Both ignite the brain like mini trips so when I'm not traveling, I'm challenging myself out of the mundane.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-53951155420664582812013-07-02T07:58:36.244-04:002013-07-02T07:58:36.244-04:00You've convinced me! Definitely need to travel...You've convinced me! Definitely need to travel more. It does spur the creativity.Jacqueline Seewaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09177500620940251009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-13576150348824622442013-07-02T07:00:42.469-04:002013-07-02T07:00:42.469-04:00Looking forward to reading about Seamus' journ...Looking forward to reading about Seamus' journey. So glad you and Jan made yours to Columbia, Jim. That's another advantage of travel. Meeting new people.Paula Gail Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843350597811462936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-27444258745740893762013-07-02T06:35:08.448-04:002013-07-02T06:35:08.448-04:00Everything that provides us greater experience, in...Everything that provides us greater experience, influences our writing. Travel is certainly one way to broaden our exposure to the world.<br /><br />Recently I visited Columbia, South Carolina for the SC Book Festival. Fellow WWK blogger Paula Benson (Oh gosh - that would be this blogs author) gave Jan and me a great tour of the capital and at the end of the festival suggested my main character, Seamus McCree, should spend some time in Columbia.<br /><br />Sure enough, Seamus does get to spend time in Columbia, at least in the first draft of my current WIP-although probably not exactly as Paula had in mind!<br /><br />~ Jim<br />Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com