Use Your Travel Experience to Transform Your Writing and Inspire Your Creativity

by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes @KHutch0767

When people travel, they often use their experiences for transformative creative inspiration. But is this realistic for writers? Is keeping a writing routine while exploring new places, vacationing solo, or with friends and family feasible? Two of my favorite things to do are travel and writing. I’ve found utilizing the following six tips helpful in keeping up with my writing routine.

6 Things to Do While Traveling to Keep Up Your Writing Routine

• 1. Goal-setting: I usually take my planner with me on most trips. Each day, I map out realistic goals based on what time I have available and set a commitment to write at a certain time. During my writing time, I commit to what I believe is achievable, whether it’s a word count, several pages, or a specific piece I plan to finish. Whatever goal I set, I try not to make it overwhelming. 

• 2. Take pictures: This may seem like a no-brainer, but capturing the visual aesthetics of the places we visit is a practical way to recollect vivid details and emotions.

• 3. Utilize Technology: I invested in a more compact travel laptop than the one I have for daily use. I also travel with my smartphone, a notebook, and a pen. However, I’ve seen other writers use their tablets and iPads.

• 4. Take advantage of downtime: Sometimes, unexpected periods of downtime, like delays, occur while traveling. However, we can also use our time on planes, trains, or vehicles as we travel to and from our destinations. I’ve found that reading while traveling heightens my enjoyment of books. Reading also inspires us and helps us become better writers.

• 5. Adapt: While traveling is generally enjoyable, unexpected things can happen. The same applies to our writing routines. Not everything always goes as planned, so it’s important to be flexible and open-minded.

• 6. Observe local ambiance: Something about visiting a new country or place renews us. Take in all the sights and smells of different adventures while traveling. Often, a mountain retreat, a sandy beach, or a café in London breathes fresh perspective into our writing. Allow unique spaces to develop our focus.

As writers, we may not get to travel around the world, but we certainly can visit a new town, coffee shop, library, or park. Whether we’re enjoying a staycation or traveling to another state or country, the new experiences that come from traveling should enhance the creative writing process. Remember these tips––Set aside dedicated time for writing each day, even while traveling. Keep a journal to record experiences and ideas on the go. Find inspiration from new places and cultures during travels. Use travel downtime for writing, such as during flights or train rides. Seek out writing spots in different destinations, like local cafes or parks. Balance exploration and relaxation to avoid burnout while maintaining a writing schedule.

Embrace the journey and let travel inspire your writing!

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Use Your Travel Experience to Transform Your Writing and Inspire Your Creativity from @KHutch0767 on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021). She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color),

AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 board and the 540 Writer’s Community board and is an art instructor for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine hosts the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel to her first general market thriller novel. Her thriller A Fifth of the Story will debut in February 2024 through Endgame Press.

Katherine flourishes in developmental editing and coaching writers. She has a twenty-year career in education, leadership, and journalism. Katherine freelances as an educational consultant for charter schools, home school programs, and churches. In this role, she has written and edited curriculum, led program development, and helped manage growth facilitating and public relations.

She also works as an editor and book coach through her consulting business. Katherine provides skill, accountability, and professionalism so clients can begin, develop, and finish their writing projects for publication.