Every first Wednesday of the month, the IWSG (Insecure Writer’s Support Group) engages writers to share their fears, thoughts, progress, struggles, excitement, encouragement, or anything really, about their writing. A different question is posed each month as a writing prompt. Answering it is optional. For September, the question is: “If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?”
This amazing, supportive group of writers was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh. Today, the co-hosts are Gwen Gardner, Doreen McGettigan, Tyrean Martinson, Chemist Ken, and Cathrina Constantine. Feel free to swing by their sites and see what they’re up to.
My answer to the question (If you could pick one place in the world to sit and write your next story, where would it be and why?)
I love this month’s question! Mention “the world” and I’m excited. One place I would never pick to do such a thing would be… a camper van on a discovery trip of the Canadian Maritimes. ????
Picturesque Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia
Even before I became a writer, I said to myself: “One day, I want to write a book from a self-contained cottage in Hawaii!” This has not happened (yet); I’ve never even been to this tropical US state. I have, however, lived and traveled in self-contained units, like two sailboats and three campers. The part of using nature for resources like electricity, water, and propulsion (in the case of the sailboats) thoroughly pleases me and basic living off the grid surely is my thing. But the absence of a dedicated desk, internet, and the word “unlimited” in the above list makes writing difficult. I guess I could always use a notebook!
Picking one place as a favorite to write is difficult, as amazing locales would be too much of a distraction, countries with unlimited and fast resources are too expensive to live in, and underdeveloped areas offer logistic issues. So, what’s a writer to do when choosing a productive and attractive destination? How about a cheap rental, or better, a long-term house sit in a tropical paradise popular with expats, like Bali, Indonesia? Yep. Sign me up! Cheap living, fantastic weather, touristy enough to have resources, and – since I’ve been there – not too distracting to explore. That self-contained cottage in Hawaii would work as well.
My book progress
As to be expected… there’s not much work on my memoir going on. One rainy day in Nova Scotia, I made it a point to research ten more agents at a library. Another wet day, I wrote a few queries offline. And, on a third drizzly day, I sent them off from a visitor center. The waiting game continues.
In August, I did submit an article pitch about sailing along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) on the East Coast of the US to the well-known and respected Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book (2020 edition), which was accepted. So, for two days, I wrote this article in the house of friends. One accomplishment last month!
What’s next?
More travels in the Canadian Maritimes, namely Cape Breton (NS), Prince Edward Island (PEI), and potentially Iles de la Madeleine (Quebec). And, keep chipping away at 30 or so more agent queries to reach 100. My guess is I will fail miserably at that again, since my parents come for a visit later this month.
If you’re a writer, how do you manage to do so on the road or while traveling? Any favorite place in the world to work on a story?
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September 4, 2019 at 12:50
I’ve always found it difficult to write when we’re out cruising. Guess it’s an upside of being stuck in the boatyard – no distractions from getting the words down. I would love to visit PEI one of these days.
September 4, 2019 at 13:15
We hope to visit PEI soon as well, Ellen (our friends from SV Banyan are there!), but Mark just showed me Dorian’s expected path… It’s a bit too soon to tell, but after your stress and prep work, it might be our turn as Nova Scotia and PEI are currently in the “cone”.
And, yes to being stuck in the boatyard or a marina to be able to write… You have been incredibly productive with your writing and inspiration! I could never do this from our sailboat (or even from a boatyard as we always tried to get back in the water as soon as possible, which meant grueling work days from early morning until dark). I hope things are brightening up for you both on that front!?
September 4, 2019 at 13:22
While I haven’t personally written a book, I’ve watched my fiance undergo the daily grind of completing his novel recently. I do not envy a soul for that process! His last two books he managed to finish by driving through the city in the middle of the night in search of an isolated yet beautiful location to park and write literally from the driver seat of his car. It sounded dreadfully uncomfortable to me, but he claims it’s how he got his best writing done! I like your idea of writing a book from Bali, but then, I might just find its beauty all too distracting! Good luck on finding the agent- we know too well how challenging that process can be!
September 6, 2019 at 06:04
Wow, you guys are so talented, busy, and successful! I had no idea your fiancé finished this many books already. That’s incredible. And, mostly from a car… I could see how that might work, though (other than the fact that there’s no desk!), since the distraction level is minimal. Well done! And, it seems like he found an agent as well, which is helpful.
I picked Bali, since I’ve been there, but it would probably still be distractive. Maybe we should just park our van somewhere boring for a while and that would do the trick. As a matter of fact, that’s exactly our plan for November and December! 🙂
September 4, 2019 at 15:24
Congratulations on the article, Liesbet! That’s great news. I love to write anywhere with a view. One place I can’t write is out in public. I’m too much of a people watcher. 🙂 Enjoy your time with your parents!
September 6, 2019 at 17:30
I’m with you about writing in public, Jill. That’s why working from a coffee shop or sometimes even the library wouldn’t work for me. Silence is important for my inspiration and progress. “Anywhere with a view” is a wonderful answer to the question.
September 4, 2019 at 16:12
You’re always at a beautiful and unique location which must make it very difficult to write!
Good luck on the pitches.
September 6, 2019 at 17:32
Thanks, Alex. When it’s a sunny day and we’re camped somewhere pretty or exciting, I have a very hard time working. That’s why rainy days come in handy once in a while. My husband and dog don’t agree, however. 🙂
September 4, 2019 at 20:42
Thrilled to hear your article pitch was accepted by Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book (used to be my Bible when living in NYC) and that you have managed to carve out a bit more time to reach out to agents. Even after all my traveling, Canada is my favorite place on earth and I envy your journey through the Maritimes. Hugs from Medellin!
September 6, 2019 at 17:48
Can you believe I’d never heard of Eldridge Tide and Pilot Book when I read about their interest in an article last month? Luckily, Mark educated me. I’m glad the article was accepted as well, as I thought that would be a done deal after the pitch was accepted…
I had no idea Canada was your all-time favorite. How about the weather?? Better than the tropics? 🙂 It is nice to be so close to the water every day and almost every night in the Maritimes! Except when this hurricane will barrel by…
What are you doing in Medellin for so long? Maybe it’s time I send you a decent email one of these days!
September 7, 2019 at 13:00
I will take cool temps over tropic heat any day. Sadly, The Captain is just the opposite so I don’t think we’ll be sailing the high-latitudes anytime soon (although eventually, I always get my way ;-). I hope that this hurricane is nothing more than a rainstorm when it gets to you. What havoc that girl has wreaked. We were in Medellin for tests (Captain all clear and I expect mine will be) and comfort. Cartagena too hot and touristy for me. Medellin felt more like home. On a 30 day road trip around Colombia now and loving it.
September 11, 2019 at 10:19
I had to smile at your statement that you always get your way, Lisa. I feel a bit the same – if I really, really want something, anyway. Often, Mark’s rationale (or the weather, always the weather) convinces me to go a certain way or skip places. Glad to read all the tests went fine. Makes sense about why you’re in Medellin. Cartagena is nice for a few days’ visit, but it’s quite dirty as well in the water. Enjoy that amazing road trip!!!
September 4, 2019 at 21:37
The only writing that I do is blogging, which fortunately I can do absolutely anywhere that I have data or wifi connection. Your idea of a self-contained cottage in Hawaii does sound appealing.
I look forward to reading more about your Canadian adventures.
September 6, 2019 at 17:51
Hi Donna! I’m dreaming of the day that my only writing is my blog (and diary). That would take a lot of weight (and guilt) off these shoulder! 🙂 I’m still impressed about your commitment to the writing and blog during your last Camino in Italy. That will stick with me forever! I could never do that after a day of walking/hiking. Even these days, I’m usually too tired in the evening to write anything down. Except that same, trusty diary.
September 4, 2019 at 23:35
Well done Liesbet, great accomplishment on the acceptance on the article pitch.I am SO happy for you. That’s great news.
I totally understand the need to find a place that lends itself to being creative and being able to work in a productive way. This has finally happened for me here in Hoi An. And just to mention, our house here in Hoi An is available for the month of November when we will be visiting family. Great place to write, albeit rather humid and rather far and costly to get to. But once you get here, costs are probably one of the lowest anywhere in the world. You are invited to use it !!!!
Peta
September 6, 2019 at 17:58
Thanks, Peta. It is my desire to make a living with writing articles one of these days. Unless I’d be able to do this by writing books. But, it has to be in combination with my nomadic life somehow…
I’m so happy and excited for you that you finally picked up your brushes and easel again, in a very serious and committed fashion. I think you mentioned this before as well: there is a time for everything. Yours has come for being creative painting. One day, my situation will be conducive to more writing. 🙂
Thanks for the offer to use your home in November. If I were single… We actually do have plans for November and December, something very different than what we’ve done before. Less glamorous than our current travels, but I’m looking forward to it nevertheless.
September 5, 2019 at 08:40
I still give you big props for getting anything done while on the move! I struggle to properly concentrate on writing and any tasks associated with it while I’m traveling. Occasionally I get inspired and dash off some words, but overall I need less outside stimulation to really sit down and write. I love the scenery – you must be happy to be back near water and boats!
September 6, 2019 at 18:30
Yes! It’s so nice to be back near the water. Not sure about sailboats (yet). 🙂 The Maritimes have been incredible in regards to finding free camping along the water. The next couple of nights we have to shelter for the hurricane, though. Who would have guessed we’d ever have to worry about that now that we don’t live on a sailboat anymore!?
I’m just like you when it comes to writing and distractions, Lexie. That’s why I struggle to combine our current lifestyle with anything writing-related (other than my diary and the weekly blog post or so). That part was so much easier when house sitting!
September 5, 2019 at 12:07
Congrats on the article! I try to keep a journal while I travel, but that’s about it for my writing. Good for you for getting as much done as you do!
September 6, 2019 at 18:33
Journaling is great, Janis, especially when traveling. I find that my diary entries have grown over the months! When I hand wrote them, I stuck to one page a day. Now, especially on busy and exciting days, I easily write for 45 minutes and then I have to reread the bunch as well, because I can’t stand typos. So, it’s not unheard of that my last hour of the day is used for diary writing. It might be a reason why I don’t have time for anything else in the evenings!
September 5, 2019 at 12:56
Congrats on the article. What you are doing sounds wonderful. Happy IWSG! Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
September 6, 2019 at 18:34
Thanks for swinging by and commenting, Juneta! I hope to have some time this weekend to return the favor. And yes, in general, our life is pretty wonderful. 🙂
September 5, 2019 at 14:40
Oh, I recognise Peggy’s Cove, so pretty! Happy memories. Well done on the article.
September 6, 2019 at 18:36
I’m glad you had a nice time in Peggy’s Cove as well, Anabel. While touristy, it’s one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever visited! Strolling around cute fishing villages under a blue sky… what’s not to love? 🙂
September 5, 2019 at 21:19
Hi Liesbet. Interesting question about writing while travelling. In my second-last job, I had to travel a lot. I did lots of road trips every month. I also had to fly from my home base to the main campus for meetings once or twice a month (even though, as much as possible, I tried to audio-conference or videoconference to meetings for environmental reasons). I actually found air travel quite conducive to writing – not on the way there because I used my time in the airport and in the air to review the agenda and attachments, and refine my presentations. But in the hotel at night and in the airport on the way home, it was great for writing! Nobody to distract me, no errands that needed doing, peace and quiet! Whereas in my home community, I was at work 60 hours a week. In my time that I wasn’t at work, I had all the tasks of grocery shopping, cooking, laundry, housework, yard work, etc., plus kids and a partner, and a big garden to look after. Of course, there was also the fun stuff like getting together with friends, hiking, skiing, taking the dogs for walks, reading, and so on to distract me. Looking back, I don’t know how I managed to write at all, but I wrote a whole first draft of a novel plus dozens of poems during that period. I guess all writers have pretty full lives or we’d have nothing to write about!
September 6, 2019 at 18:46
Hello Jude!
Thank you for leaving all these thoughtful comments. It still boggles my mind how you managed to combine EVERYTHING in your pre-retirement life, especially when raising a family and working 60-hour weeks. That’s pure madness! Especially when continued for many years. You were like a super hero! But, I remember your health was suffering because of it. 🙁 So much better now, with different priorities. And I can totally imagine how you wonder how you managed to do it all with the same hours in a day as now, since you are still – pleasantly – busy!
I get your writing time on return plane journeys. Each time I take/took (it’s been a while) a plane to the opposite coast or to Belgium, I saw the trip as “free time” for exactly that reason. It was scheduled and during that time, my fate was in the hands of the airline company and every moment I had could be used for writing or reading or watching a movie. No guilt. No distractions. My own “free” time.
September 6, 2019 at 15:27
I find it hard to write when we are traveling but am probably finding it even harder to do so this summer as we house sit. I am good at starting things but not finishing them and I have way too many unfinished projects right now.
While we travel I have found the best way to keep up with our blog is to go out into the middle of nowhere and just write until we are caught up. Then back in civilization I upload everything to the blog.
I hope you continue to enjoy Canada and have a great visit with your folks!
September 6, 2019 at 18:52
Hi Duwan!
I hope you’re making some progress on those many unfinished projects of yours in Cabbagetown. That’s usually when I managed to be productive with my writing. But we’re not house sitting anymore, so I need a decent alternative!
Dealing with the blogs from the road is usually doable, especially when it rains often. But, like you, I’m overwhelmed by all the (writing) ideas and unfinished articles and blogs and books I have going on. This will never all be finished, though. Unless I get off the road… for years.
Thanks for the travel wishes in Canada and with my parents. As it’s getting much colder again, I hope we will still be able to enjoy it all. Have fun your last month in houses!
September 7, 2019 at 11:48
My favorite part of your post, Liesbet, is that you wrote an article in two days, submitted it, and it will be published. Bravo, my dear!
Cape Breton and Prince Edward Islands are beautiful. We’ve been there. My problem with having a beautiful place to write in would be that I’d rather be outside exploring than writing inside. More power to you!
September 11, 2019 at 10:16
I’m like you about the distractions of beautiful places when needing/wanting to write, Victoria. Hence, I get nothing done as we are traveling throughout the Maritimes. 🙂
I hope to focus on articles more in the future. I have plenty of ideas and outlets, but miss the time to create and submit them, unfortunately. again, it comes down to finding a balance between writing and life on the road. I don’t seem to find it.
September 8, 2019 at 17:01
I don’t blame you for being too distracted to write, Liesbet! You have been all over and seems like you have had a fab time exploring Canada and beyond. Glad you got that article done, too! I think if I had to answer that question, I would say I prefer to write (my book) at my desktop in my bedroom/office. Other writing I can do on my laptop but blog posts need to be done on a PC of some kind and not on a mobile device. Tech is fun, but I like sitting and typing old school!
September 11, 2019 at 10:23
Yes, working in a dedicated space for that purpose surely creates the most productivity. For me as well. That’s why it’s so hard to combine the traveling and the writing. Better to not have to work at all when living an alternative lifestyle, like many retirees do. Unfortunately, we aren’t there, and we don’t want to settle, so I’ll have to figure it out.
Usually, I have house sits coming up, where I know I can achieve a bunch of writing tasks, but we don’t have that anymore either. Not sure whether we will ever house sit again, now that we have Maya.
Interesting about your PC. I can easily create blogs on my laptop (luckily), but not on my iPad. I always prefer (and have to ) work on my computer.
September 9, 2019 at 18:11
So glad you’re taking in our beautiful Maritimes Liesbet. I hope you don’t encounter to much bad weather as hurricane Dorian is said to be making its windy way straight to Nova Scotia! As for writing, I can write anywhere it’s quiet because I don’t write on the keyboard – longhand my friend. And if I could go anywhere to write it would be sitting outside daily in a Parisian cafe! <3
September 11, 2019 at 10:24
You sounds like a real, true and tested writer, Debby, including the Parisian cafe remark. 🙂
Dorian was pretty nasty where we encountered him. Her? But, we surely enjoyed Nova Scotia and PEI!!!
September 11, 2019 at 10:37
Wow! So you caught part of her! You certainly experienced a ton of Canadian weather since the summer lol – from heatwave to hurricane! Hey, almost sounds like a book? Lol 🙂
September 11, 2019 at 12:45
Yep! Almost sounds like a book, especially the alliterations. 🙂 Or, it sounds like the blog I just posted! 🙂
September 11, 2019 at 12:20
As long as you’re doing a bit whenever you can, you’re still making progress – that’s more than most writers accomplish. So congratulations on your achievement; and hang in there! 🙂
My favourite place to write is on my front porch, looking at my flower garden and the forest and mountains behind it. Whether it’s blue sky and warm sunshine or glorious misty ribbons of cloud winding among the mountain peaks, it’s always an inspiring view!
September 11, 2019 at 12:49
Thanks for the encouragement about the submitting process, Diane. A little bit at a time right now, that’s indeed all I can muster. The problem with that is that it is such a LONG process to get one book published!
It sure sounds like you live in the most wonderful – and inspiring – place! Maybe you can rent it out as a writer’s retreat? Whenever all those vegetables have been picked and devoured or stored… 🙂
September 13, 2019 at 22:29
LOL! Dang, I was hoping to lure writers here with the scenery and then put them to work in the garden… 😉
September 14, 2019 at 10:18
You are too funny. But, this actually might work. A lot of people pay to “suffer”…
September 16, 2019 at 17:17
I’d much rather experience a new place and use it as inspiration later than try to write when I’m traveling, but it would be different if I were always on the road like you. Then concessions would have to be made, or I’d never get any writing done.
If I had to pick somewhere to write other than home, I found Greece and Italy inspiring. I’d love to try Scotland and Thailand as well. It’s my dream to have a house on a beach, with year-round beautiful weather, where I could write overlooking the water.
Congrats on the article pitch! Well done.
September 20, 2019 at 19:34
Yep. And, those concessions are not getting made. 🙂 In general, I agree with you about visiting new places and using the inspiration later. But… I have an infinite collection of experiences and memories now that keeps getting bigger. Even thinking about how I will never be able to write about it all in a lifetimes (without even adding more destinations) is stressing me out! I think I have to stop that need to share everything and create stories and blogs.
Let me know when you find that house on a beach with year-round beautiful weather, to write! By the way, it won’t be in Nova Scotia after all. 🙂
September 18, 2019 at 12:09
I definitely would read a book about Hawaii. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
September 21, 2019 at 16:11
Especially when it’s written in Hawaii!? 🙂