Tips and Tricks for Writing on the Road
Even when traveling, writing is possible
Summer is for wandering in my family. Most years, we visit friends and family down south. We’ve also taken several RV trips across the U.S. and Canada. Being on the road sometimes takes up most of our time off before I head back into the classroom.
Finding time to write on the road can be difficult, but not impossible. I’m happy to share how I’ve found ways to squeeze writing time in while traveling. Here are some tips and tricks I learned from writing while rambling.
1. Streamline Your Equipment
If you’re used to sprawling out in a workspace to write, you’ll need to modify your practices. Your favorite tea mug, potted plant, and whimsical decor won’t be practical on the road. Nor will your 1963 Smith Corona Typewriter, if you are one of those folks.
A laptop, notebook, and a couple of pens should do it. A small briefcase or tote bag to keep everything handy helps for easy access. Having your writing things jumbled in with your clothes in a suitcase makes it less likely you’ll dig them out. Essentials only.
2. Maximize Travel Time
I don’t feel well if I try to read or write in the car. Instead, I listen to podcasts and audiobooks when not listening to road trip music. This allows me to learn and generate ideas. It’s easy to dictate notes to my phone if something pops into my head that can’t wait.
Air travel allows the most flexibility for writing. Using a laptop or a notebook works well on an airplane. It helps pass the time and utilizes travel time wisely. Even if you can’t fully concentrate, you can always refine what you’ve done later.
Another option as a passenger — sleep. SPOILER: One of my later suggestions for writing on the road includes early mornings or late nights on vacation. Resting in the car or on the plane will fuel your creative tank for writing during quiet hours.
3. Prioritize Projects
Since you’ll likely be traveling for a finite period, choose what projects you want to work on while you’re gone. Obviously, deadlines come first. If you owe your editor something or there’s a submission deadline for a freelance opportunity, address these first. Anything else you can accomplish is a bonus.
After the obligatory items on your to-write list, consider what your trip consists of before adding more items. Do you need to do research? Some writers do on-site research for their books and articles. Is anywhere you’re going a potential spot to help you?
Perhaps you’d like to write an article about birding in southern Florida because you’ll be in a good area to investigate this topic. If possible, use your location to your advantage for creative flow.
Another possible use of your time is brainstorming. Get inspired by what you see and hear around you while you’re away. Take notes, listen to conversations, be nosy. Good material is everywhere.
4. Set Reasonable Goals
If you’re normally dashing out thousands of words a week, realize that you may not be able to do the same on the road. A family vacation should be fun. Stressing about making sure you write at the same clip as at home diminishes the enjoyment of being away.
Perhaps you are away on business. That may come with responsibilities beyond the workday. Meetings and dinners with clients will likely infringe on your free time. Aim to adjust your writing output based on the amount of work you’ll need to do while away for your job.
Even if you spend fifteen minutes brainstorming, it’s useful. Only had time to knock out a couple of hundred words? So what? That’s something.
Keeping the creative flow going doesn’t mean it has to be a flood. Progress is progress, even if it’s itty bitty.
5. Edit Later (or Now)
Traveling means your attention is going to be directed differently than if you were at home. Don’t worry about perfection. Any snippets of time you can steal on the road are precious.
Get your ideas down and go back to them later to tweak. Good ideas have a way of escaping us if we don’t make a note of them immediately, so do it while you can.
Conversely, maybe you have work already written in need of a fresh eye. Look it over now that you’ve been away from it a bit to see where it needs improvement. Editing on the road may be a bit easier because you can do it in short bursts.
6. Use Quiet Hours
Learning to filch time as a writer helps us be more productive. I recommend early mornings or late evenings after the activities of your travel are done. I’m a morning person, so getting up early is perfect for me.
For night owls, a little time before bed might be just what you need to let ideas flow. Dump out your brain so you can rest.
Anywhere you are just sitting around, make good use of the time. Others watching TV? Write instead. Kids swimming in the pool while you sun in a chair? Brainstorm and take notes. We can write without stealing time from our loved ones and from our fun. Little moments add up and help maintain your creative output.
You can write on the road. Just plan ahead and equip yourself for the journey! I’d love to hear some of your stories and ideas for getting words on the page while traveling. Happy writing!
Community Garden:
Join in the conversation by leaving a comment. Let’s get to know one another better as we continue on the writer’s journey.
Do you have any plans for travel (near or far) in the next few months?
Which of the tips above is most helpful as you consider writing on the road?
Heading out on vacation today and grateful for your guidance. I love to write on airplanes (although I have an overnight flight this evening, so I'll focus on sleep!) My husband and I agreed to write when it's raining on vacation, which gives me something to look forward to when we can't do the original plan.
progress is progress! I don't plan to have long stretches where I can write ( I usually have two kiddos with me) so if I get even a few sentences down, it's better than nothing. Thanks for this Tracy.