Author: Cathy Baker - Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101

Cathy Baker is an award-winning writer who delights in observing God at work in the nuances of life. Her work has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Upper Room, Focus on the Family’s Thriving Family, etc. Her award-winning poetry has appeared in two anthologies. She is also a regular contributor for A3 blog, Inspire A Fire, and a member of Cross N Pens, as well as the Light Brigade. With four grandchildren, a mustache-laden husband, a spoiled pooch named Rupert, and a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper called Buttercup, she considers life to be quite the adventure.

Email Cathy @ tea4thee@charter.net

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Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101

10 Favorite Sites // Travel Writing Opportunities {Just in Time for Spring}

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!

Travel WritingThe month of March offers a plethora of activity – nature buzzing, days staying lighter a little longer, and roadways calling our name. There’s no better time to pack up and hit the road. And why not make a little money on the side while building your resume? The lists below obviously caters to full-time travel writers but there’s something for everyone, including bloggers. The best part? These sites are updated and ready to go for your convenience.

So take time now to peruse the sites, jot down what sparks your interest and plan your trip. Don’t forget your camera!

10 Sites Offering Paid Work to Travel Writers

I hope you find this list helpful and beneficial for fulfilling your travel writing desires.

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The Creative Tool Kit

3 Ways to {Creatively} Fall in Love with Writing All Over Again

The creative tool kit

“Falling in love in a Christian way is to say, ‘I am excited about your future and I want to be part of getting you there. I’m signing up for the journey with you. Would you sign up for the journey to my true self with me? It’s going to be hard but I want to get there.” -Timothy J. Keller

I can’t tell you the exact day I fell in love with writing. I can tell you, however, that in 2009, journaling in the morning hours began to fall flat in writing satisfaction. Over the years, my love has waned at times but I’ve held tight to the notion that I’m on this journey for the long haul because deep down, I’d be lost without it.

Are you experiencing a season where your love for writing could use a little reshuffling of the kindle fires?

Love writing

3 Ways to Fall in Love with Writing All Over Again:

  1. Write purely for fun. Sounds simple but for diehard purpose-driven people like myself, it’s anything but.  Obviously, there are deadlines to be met but spending a few minutes every day (or week) writing simply for the enjoyment can breathe life into your writing experience.
  2. Implement a date night…with your WIP. What’s your work-in-progress? Invite it to join you for a meal somewhere other than its normal spot. New scenery will heighten your senses and give you a fresh perspective on your project. Your WIP will thank you!
  3. Remember why you fell in love with writing in the first place. Like relationships, there are times when we need to step back, observe, and recall the many reasons we first fell in love with our spouses or significant others. Did we initially pick up the pen to fulfill a calling? To heal emotional wounds? To earn money? To share expertise on a subject? Sometimes simply recalling those early days is enough to woo us back to our first love. And if you need a little more coaxing? Why not write a love letter to your gift of writing? Pour out your heart, your struggles, your desire to move closer to a reconciliation.

Have you signed up for the writing journey? Are you excited about your future and are you willing to be your true self as you pen your story? It’s going to be hard but if you want to get there – wherever “there” is for you – being published, writing stories about your family history, journaling, etc., you will have to re-invest yourself, your time and energy…but it’s worth the effort. Wouldn’t you agree?

What’s one way you’ve fallen in love with writing all over again? Please share in the comment section!

 

 

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The Creative Tool Kit

5 Habits To Spark Your Creativity in 2017

The creative tool kit

Spark Your Creativity

“Creativity is a habit, and the best creativity is the result of good work habits.” Twyla Tharp

Every break of daylight offers new and fresh opportunities to start again, to improve, to overcome. Celebrating the start of a new year is the proverbial cherry on top.

Because practicing good habits is a springboard to increasing our creativity, what better way to start the new year than to review our current habits and priorities in order to make our 2017 the most creative ever?

In today’s post, let’s look at five specific habits that are sure to spark creative energy into your daily endeavors.
  1. Join Instagram. Give your followers an idea of what goes on behind the scene of your creative work. Where does your creative energy take flight? Snap and share! Spiff up your camera skills and share your work (and others, as well.) Follow people or businesses that you might not normally follow to gain a deeper perspective of the world around you.
  2. Learn to Maximize your Minutes. E.B. White, author of Charlotte’s Web gets right to the heart in his popular quote: “A writer who waits for ideal conditions under which to work will die without putting a word on paper.” Ouch. There’s plenty of detailed information on the Web as to how you can make this happen. The point is, it needs to happen.
  3. Define Your Peak Time and Stick to It. Most creative types are early risers. This fact has been documented numerous times but there are others, like Carl Sandburg, who worked late into the evening after everyone had gone to bed, writing till early morning. If you’re not sure when your energy level is at its peak, jot down how you’re feeling throughout the day – and do this for a week. By the end of the week, you should be able to tell where your peaks and plummets of energy occur most days. Define it, then do your best to do your most creative work during those hours if possible. If you hold a day job during that time, see #2 above. Arrange your break around that time. Get creative!
  4. Slow Down. Henry James nailed it with his quote, “A writer is someone on whom nothing is lost.” Our pace may be frantic for a season but even in the busiest of times we can shift our sensory panel into low gear by choosing to breath deeper, stare longer, listen more carefully. Take notes…a lot of them. No detail is too minute.
  5. Exercise. A little goes a long way in helping our bodies to stay fit as well as our minds.

 

Which of the above habits do you plan to begin in 2017? If you have a different one, please share!

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The Creative Tool Kit

12 Days of Christmas for Creative Minds

The creative tool kit

12 days of ChristmasHey, creative peeps, here are twelve gift ideas (either for yourself or for others!) in honor of the 12 Days of Christmas. Enjoy!

On the FIRST day of Christmas // The gift of aloneness

We know there’s a difference between being alone and being lonely. Embracing time away from people, phones, and laptops can boost our brain power, especially during this bustling season.

On the SECOND day of Christmas // The gift of learning

Try taking a class or an online course in an unfamiliar field to broaden your creative horizons.

On the THIRD day of Christmas // The gift of momentum

Feeling off your game lately? Try priming the pump with these writing prompts by ThinkWritten.

“If the road behind me is not growing ever longer, then it is likely that the feet underneath me are not moving any longer. And if my feet are not moving, I have somehow, somewhere traded this most glorious journey for lesser endeavors.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough, An Intimate Collision: Encounters with Life and Jesus

On the FOURTH day of Christmas // The gift of a fresh perspective

Allen Arnold’s The Story of With: A Better Way to Live, Love, & Create offers a fresh perspective on the subject of creativity, squashing pre-conceived notions that only certain privileged folks can attain it.

“Science has shown that, in many ways, we are all wired to create. The key is recognizing that creativity is multifaceted—on the level of the brain, personality, and the creative process—and can be displayed in many different ways, from the deeply personal experience of uncovering a new idea or experience to expressing ourselves through words, photos, fashion, and other everyday creations, to the work of renowned artists that transcends the ages.” -Scott Barry Kaufman, Wired to Create: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Creative Mind.

On the FIFTH day of Christmas // The gift of acceptance

Embrace your quirks. Enough said.

On the SIXTH day of Christmas // The gift of prayer

Pray for a heightened sense to your surroundings. Engaging all our sensories helps to improve every aspect of life and who better to help than the Creator Himself?

On the SEVENTH day of Christmas // The gift of rest

This is different than the first day. True rest involves shutting down the very senses we just prayed to heighten. It’s resting the body both emotionally and physically. This kind of rest allows our minds to breathe, possibly birthing some of our most creative ideas.

On the EIGHTH day of Christmas // The gift of keen observance

Immerse yourself in nearby crowds. (What better time of year?) Take note of those who pass by. What do you notice about them? Eavesdrop on those eating at the next table. Is there a particular word or phrase you could use in your WIP? The list goes on. Another idea is to pack your camera and head to your downtown area. Capture all things Christmas!

On the NINTH day of Christmas // The gift of a notebook

“A writer is someone on whom ‘nothing is lost'”. -Henry James

On the TENTH day of Christmas // The gift of music

Buy a pack of 3 I-tunes gift cards. Give two away, keep one for yourself. There’s power in music!

“When sailors have to move a heavy load or raise an anchor, they all sing together to keep them up and give them vim. That’s just what artists lack.” -Vincent van Gogh

On the ELEVENTH day of Christmas // The gift of good health and energy

Who needs candy canes stuffed in their stocking? Stock your fridge with blueberries, green tea, leafy vegetables, fatty fish, water, dark chocolate, flaxseeds and nuts.

On the TWELFTH day of Christmas // The gift of a mini-trip

Enjoy all or some of the above gift ideas on a mini-getaway following the holidays. Use this time to restore and re-energize for 2017!


Do you plan to give yourself or someone else any or all of the above gifts? If so, please share your favorite in the comment section. Or, if you have another idea to add, I’d love for you to share it.

Thank you!

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The Creative Tool Kit

15 Inspiring + Unique Settings to Write

One particular corner in our home will be missed once we move to the country. That would be my beloved upstairs writing nook. A well-loved writing spot is nice but there’s something to be said for venturing out to discover fresh and inspiring places to write. Not only does it awaken the senses, it also infuses the mind with new plots twists and settings for our stories. So pack your common sense (be careful), laptop, and/or writing pad/pen, along with a fold-up chair.

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Now, let’s get started!

  • A construction site (in this case you may want to also pack a hard hat).
  • A vacant old house or home place where only the chimney still stands.
  • A local walking bridge.
  • Beside a local river.
  • In the mall.
  • In your local airport. Either go inside or park where you can watch the planes land.
  • On a dock overlooking a quiet lake.
  • Hop on a local bus and make a round trip.
  • Find a beautiful local garden and ask permission to write there for awhile.
  • Your local cemetery. (This isn’t as creepy as it sounds.)
  • Go to your favorite hotel, order a cup of coffee, and observe your surroundings.
  • Forget the cafe — go to your favorite restaurant, sit in the corner, order your favorite meal, and savor the moment.
  • A room or area in your home you’ve never written in – the kitchen, back porch, front porch, backyard, etc.?
  • Tour a local museum, drink it in, and then find a shady tree not far away, park and write down every detail you remember.
  • A high school stadium.

Do you have an inspiring or unique place where you write?  Please share, if so.

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The Creative Tool Kit

5 Places to Stir Your Creative Senses, Part 2

The creative tool kit

{If you missed last month’s first installment on 5 Places to Stir Your Creative Senses, you may want to begin there.}

This month we’ll explore five places that I’ve not yet tried, but plan to visit in the coming months.

hands-600497_640

Five More Places to Stir Your Creativity:

  1. In the kitchen. I don’t profess to be a great cook but I do plan to become more intentional in our new home. (Which I hope to be in by the time this is posted.) Consider the sensory opportunities as you shop, prepare, and serve a meal. Could this play into your current work-in-progress (WIP)?
  2. Music. I often play George Winston’s melodic sounds in the background when writing but let’s add a level of depth to this “place”. If writing a melancholy piece, place music that reflects as such. A children’s book? Perhaps a more playful tune will suffice. Match the music to the mood and see what happens.
  3. A museum. How can beautiful artwork not stir our own creativity within? Don’t rush the experience. Meander through the halls, taking in everything it has to offer. Marvel at the minute details, the mood, the skill, of the artist’s hand.
  4. Exercise. Ideas have sparked during times of exercising but I dare wonder what ideas would come if this was more routine. Routine exercise generates a healthy body and a healthy body generates healthy ideas. Also, once it becomes routine, we think less of the pain and technique, leaving more creative space in our minds for fresh ideas.
  5. A scene in your current WIP. Are you working on a scene in a park? In a coffee cafe? In a rural area? A police department? Find a location nearby that mirrors your scene to heighten your senses and knowledge.

If you have a go-to place, would you consider sharing it in the comment section?

 

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The Creative Tool Kit

5 Places To Stir Your Creative Senses, Part 1

The creative tool kit

hands-600497_640Where do you go to have your creative senses stirred?

No doubt there is value in following a routine. It builds structure into our days. Routines also help us to be more efficient because less time is required to carry out tasks. But there is something to be said for finding creative spaces that spark inspiration where routine lacks.

Below are five places I’ve found to be brimming with inspiration, regardless of the preferred genre:

  1. The mind. This complex sensory powerhouse is constantly gathering information which slip into our subconscious, surfacing when we least expect it. Menial tasks like sweeping or taking a shower are often catalysts for unexpected ideas. (This is when Aqua Notes come in handy!)
  2. The library or local bookstore. Browsing titles (or those missing!) and magazines can create new and fresh titles for our own work as we use mix and mingle words.
  3. The garden. Be it a flower or vegetable (or both, if you’re fortunate) garden, you will find inspiration coming to fruition at every turn. Slow down, take note of the subtle marks of nature. Inhale deeply, noticing the surrounding scents. Does it stir any past memories? The first line of a poem?
  4. On vacation. A simple change of scenery is sometimes all that’s necessary to gain a fresh perspective on our current project. The beach offers a plethora of sensory opportunities but regardless of your destination, allow your senses to soak in all there is to observe and then use it.
  5. The mall. Talk about characters for your next novel! Because I currently spend more time on non-fiction and poetry, I tend to focus more on expressions, reactions, and yes, sometimes conversations. Eat lunch while you’re there. This will offer the perfect opportunity to glean from those around you.

Do you have a favorite place to escape to for inspiration? If so, please share in the comment section.

Next month, I’ll share five places I have yet to explore but look forward to visiting.

 

 

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Uncategorized

Daily Rituals and Creative Energy

The creative tool kit

dailyritualsFor years daily rituals have fascinated me.

Was there a secret to the creative energy found in writers, poets, artists, and musicians? Would waking up earlier, staying up later, drinking lattes only after the froth had melted into an oblivion propel my creative energy into overdrive? I’m thankful to report that there’s no right or wrong way. There’s your way, and there’s mine. Nothing illustrates this more clearly than one of my favorite finds in recent years. Enter Mason Currey’s brilliant book, Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, which is the resource for the following examples of daily rituals:

 

 

 

ernest hemingway2

Ernest Hemingway had his share of writing idiosyncrasies. “He wrote standing up, facing a chest-high bookshelf with a typewriter on top, and on top of that a wooden reading board. First drafts were composed in pencil on onionskin typewriter paper laid slantwise across the board; when the work was going well, Hemingway would remove the board and shift to the typewriter. He tracked his daily word output on a chart⎯’so as not to kid myself,’ he said. When the work wasn’t going well, he would often knock off the fiction and answer letters, which gave him a welcome break from ‘the awful responsibility of writing’⎯or, as he sometimes called it, ‘the responsibility of awful writing.'”

 

Ann Beattie

“Ann Beattie works best at night. ‘I really believe in day people and night people,” she told an interviewer in 1980.

I really think people’s bodies are on different clocks. I even feel now like I just woke up and I’ve been awake for three or four hours. And I’ll feel this way until seven o’clock tonight when I’ll start to pick up and then by nine it will be O.K. to start writing. My favorite hours are from 12:00 to 3:00 A.M. for writing.‘”

 

George Gershwin

“‘To me, George was a little sad all the time because he had this compulsion to work,’ Ira Gershwin said of his brother. ‘He never relaxed.’ Indeed, Gershwin typically worked for twelve hours or more a day, beginning in the late morning and going until past midnight. He started the day with a breakfast of eggs, toast, coffee, and orange juice, then immediately began composing, sitting at the piano in his pajamas, bathrobe, and slippers. He was dismissive of inspiration, saying that if he waited for the muse he would compose at most three songs a year. It was better to work every day. ‘Like the pugilist,’ Gershwin said, ‘the songwriter must always keep in training.'”

 

How about you?

  • Do you have writing idiosyncrasies like Hemingway?
  • Are you a “night” person like Ann Beattie or are you a “day” person? {And I saved the best question for last.}
  • Do you wait for your muse to appear or, like Gershwin, do you plug away every day whether you sense it’s there or not?

Please share your answer to one or all of the above questions. We would love to hear from you! Thank you for stopping by.

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The Creative Tool Kit

6 Must-Have Books On Creativity

Elizabeth Gilbert Creativity
Click to Enlarge

The subject of creativity has always fascinated me. Where does it originate? How can I access more of it? Am I born creative or can I develop into a creative person? It’s because of these questions (and many more) that I’ve collected quite a few books on the subject and look forward to purchasing more in the future.

Three Top Picks Currently on My Shelves:

  • Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Elizabeth Gilbert. It’s no surprise this was an instant #1 New York Bestseller. One thing I’m most enjoying about Big Magic is Liz’s intentional focus on incorporating creativity into our daily lives.
  • Steal Like An Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, Austin Kleon. This is a fun, clever, and dare I say, creative, book. From cover to cover, you’ll be exposed to fresh ideas on the subject of creativity. Nothing boring here, folks!
  • The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron. This book was originally published in 2002 but the audience and appreciation for it has only increased with time. I will forever be grateful to Julia for introducing me to the concept of Morning Pages.

a3creativityThree Top Picks on My Wish List:

I hope these six selections will stir up your creativity as it has mine.

Do you have a favorite book on creativity? If not, is there a book mentioned in this post that sparks your interest? Please share!

 

 

Graphic courtesy of Penguin.com

 

If you enjoy the subject of creativity, I’d love for you to stop by Cathy Baker…Cultivating Creativity. 

 

 

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The Creative Tool Kit

3 Time-Saving Strategies To Up Your Writing Game

The creative tool kit

Three Time Saving Strategies to Up Your WritingYou may ask what the following three strategies have to do with creativity.

I think we can all agree that time is our greatest natural resource so when the minutes of our days can be saved, the hours will take care of themselves, freeing up our time and energy to put towards more creative endeavors.

Below are three practical but sometimes missed opportunities to make the most of our time.

  • Refuse to Cave to the Comparison Trap. Sylvia Path said, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” When other writers are gaining traction that sticks like glue while we’re still spinning our wheels it’s tempting to start second guessing our skills, sometimes to the point of questioning our very calling to writing. Michele Cushatt recently published a post, Enough, that speaks to the beauty of dropping our competitive guard in order to embrace a bigger and more meaningful picture in the world of writing. Comparing ourselves to others depletes our confidence, time, and energy. And who has time for that?
  • Take Advantage of In-Between Moments. Many successful authors became so while working at least one full-time job, raising a family, volunteering at church, etc. One of my favorite contributor’s on this subject is Brian Hutcheson of The Positive Writer. His post How To Become A Prolific Writer While Holding Down A Day Job is superb. You’ll rarely find me without a pen and tiny moleskin notebook in the front pocket of my purse. I know, I know. I can also use Notes on my iPhone, and I do, but there’s something about the scratching sound of a pen on paper that lights my fire.

Your turn! What’s one time-saving tip you can share with the rest of us?

Thanks for stopping by!

 

Cathy Baker // Cultivating Creativity
http://www.cathybaker.org

 

 

 

 

 

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The Creative Tool Kit Uncategorized

3 Simple Ways to Boost Creativity

The creative tool kit
Creativity
Graphic courtesy of melibeeglobal.com

Welcome to The Creativity Kit!

Each month tips and tools to help boost your creativity skills will be found in The Creativity Kit. Sensory workouts, exercises, and dare I say, fun ideas await!

So, let’s get started by learning three easy ways to increase creativity in your writing endeavors.

One: De-Stress.

Art therapy studies show that patients suffering from cancer and other chronic illnesses find respite from their suffering by engaging in creative work. This could explain why sales from adult coloring books skyrocketed in 2015.

As expected, relaxed people tend to have an easier time being creative but interestingly enough, the opposite is also true. Creative activity is an effective way to combat stress.

Adult coloring books are fun but they also offer the mind an experience known as the “flow” which is a mental state in which a person is so immersed in an experience that nothing disrupts the moment.

One of my favorite Pinterest pages is Adult Coloring Books. Would you like to try adult coloring books at no charge? There are a lot of free online pages ready for printing, like this one.

Two: Take  a Shower.

Okay, hopefully this is already on your list of to-do’s but for an entirely different reason. Still, it’s one of those menial tasks that forces our conscious mind to to take a break. After all, it’s the conscious mind that’s on duty throughout the day. Decisions are made constantly and without the conscious mind, we’d be lost. Literally. So when we perform tasks like taking showers, exercising, or petting the dog the conscious mind takes an audible sigh and relinquishes control to the subconscious. And when the subconscious takes over, so does the creative part of our brain. Seriously, how often has an idea or solution to an ongoing problem come to you while rinsing out the shampoo? You may even want to try Aqua Notes, a waterproof writing pad. I picked up at our local Mast General Store but it can also be purchased online.

Three: Do the Opposite for One Day. bloga3seinfeld

Pretend your George Constanza. Do the opposite of what you would normally do for one day. Do you normally take the highway to work or school? Take the back way, as we refer to it here in the South. Eat breakfast food for dinner and drink tea instead of coffee. Change up as many things possible for one day. Who knows, you may begin declaring one day a month George Constanza day!

I hope these three ideas will get the creative juices flowing. But there’s one more thing I can’t help but ask…

If you were to try a George Constanza day, what would your favorite “opposite” thing be?

 

If you’re interested, there is a random drawing for an adult coloring book, In The Beginning, being given away on my site this month. Simply comment on my blog to add your name to the drawing!

 

 

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Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101 Uncategorized

Top 5 Posts for Every Travel Writer

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!
Top 5 Travel Writing Posts to Bookmark
Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

“My last point about getting started as a writer: do something first, good or bad, successful or not, and write it up before approaching an editor. The best introduction to an editor is your own written work, published or not. I traveled across Siberia on my own money before ever approaching an editor; I wrote my first book, Siberian Dawn, without knowing a single editor, with no idea of how to get it published. I had to risk my life on the Congo before selling my first magazine story. If the rebel spirit dwells within you, you won’t wait for an invitation, you’ll invade and take no hostages.” ― Jeffrey Taylor

If your own rebel spirit is restless, below are top five sites offering boundless opportunities for every travel writer.

 

Do you have a favorite travel writing site? If so, please share in the comment section.

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Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101 Uncategorized

5 Sites with 24 of the BEST Travel Blogs, Websites, and Apps

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!

A324As much as I’d like to say that the following travel sites are in celebration of the renewal of the popular “24” TV series, it’s not. While I’ve never been an uber fan of Counterterrorism Agent Jack Bauer, I do admire the way he tackles life with a fearless spirit and full-throttle adventure.

I had a similar takeaway when reading Fathom’s 24 Best posts. Adventure journals, stunning photography, and awe-inspiring stories of travel are all here. Fathom more than fulfills their three-fold mission through these “24” links: To help us indulge our love of travel, whether we’re on the road or at home. To narrow down endless options (hotels, sites, destinations) to those that are special, and to share the best travel stories.

Warning: You’ll want to set aside plenty of time when perusing Fathom’s site. It’s addictive for travel lovers and the like.

24 Best Blogs and Websites 2016

24 Best Travel Blogs and Websites 2014

24 Best Travel Photography

24 Best Travelers on Steller, the Storytelling App That Everyone Should Know About

24 Best Travel Apps 2015

Bravo, Fathom!

Do you have a favorite travel blog, Website, or app? We’d love to hear about it. Please share in the comment section.

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Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101

When the Love of Travel Takes On a New Meaning

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!

There is no denying that February is the month of L-O-V-E so let’s do something a little different. Okay, a lot different.

“A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” – Moslih Eddin Saadi

As writers, our senses snap to attention when visiting a new place. We see things with fresh eyes and catch the aroma of foods never explored, but if we’re not careful those same senses can become dulled by the routine of life. We drive home the same way every night, listen to the same genre of music, and munch on Chinese food every Friday night without a second thought. Our senses gradually become accustomed to our day-to-day doings—taking them for granted—and if we’re not careful, the same can hold true for the people in our lives.

If you’re wondering if I mistakenly submitted this post to A3 instead of Psychology Today, rest assured this is no mistake. After all, is there any destination more traveled, more wondrous, awe-inspiring, or rewarding than that of the heart?

It’s for this reason I encourage you to consider traveling to that wondrous place through what you do best, writing. Below you’ll find a few ideas to try this month, but being the creative person that you are, I’m sure you’re already way ahead of me. (I hope to hear from you in the comment section!)

  • Take small slips of paper and on each slip, write one thing you love about that person, a favorite memory that you both share, or a specific way that person has impacted your life. Fill a container (I love Mason jars!) with the slips; tie a tag explaining how the recipient is to remove and read one slip each day for the month of February, or whatever length of time you choose. (For bonus points: Sprinkle a layer of rose petals on the bottom of the jar. As they begin to dry, the slips of paper will become immersed with their scent.) Okay, maybe I should have submitted this to Good Housekeeping, but let’s continue.A3map216
  • You’re a travel writer. Draw a map that includes your relationship milestones. Be as colorful and creative as possible. To top it off, plan a mini-getaway to a restaurant or particular place where one of your milestones took place, if possible.
  • You are a trained observer. Plan to travel to a place you both love, whether it’s just for an afternoon or for an entire weekend. The theme? Love, of course! Go on an expedition to find all the things you love about that place. Engage those five senses. Take pictures, journal about your time together.

If you’ve lived on this planet for any length of time you know that the heart of another is sometimes the most difficult destination of all to reach, making the journey all the more valuable.

This month, and every month, enjoy the greatest adventure of all—love.

How about you? Are you willing to try one of the above ideas, or do you have a love-related writing idea to share? I’d love to hear from you!

 

Photo courtesy of The Knot, one of the best sites around when it comes to love and marriage.

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Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101 Uncategorized

3 Questions to Ask When Setting Your 2016 Writing Goals

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible to the visible.” -Tony Robbins

A3Jan16invisible-manWhether you’re a natural goal setter or not, the benefits of doing so are undeniable. Below are three questions to consider as you set your writing goals for 2016:

  1. What is my why? Are you writing to earn money? To pursue a dream? Leave a legacy? Or simply for enjoyment? It’s different for everyone and thankfully, one is not better than another. Take some time in January to consider your why. It’s the foundation of your writing goals as it helps steer your expectations, time, and energy towards the results you truly desire. Write your why down and keep it visible wherever you choose to write.
  2. How will I measure my goals? Once you’ve nailed down your why, focus on writing out specific goals to achieve it — but don’t stop there! Determine how you will measure your goals. Vague goals are useless ones. If you want to write more, what steps are you willing to take to make it happen? Do you need to set aside office hours in order to write “x” amount of hours per week? Do you need to decrease blog posts or other publications in order to pursue your why? Do you want to travel more? How could you begin saving money? Write it down!
  3. Will you call yourself a writer? I admit it. The first time those four words—I am a writer—spilled from my lips I wasn’t sure whether to zig zag to avoid the lightening bolt or to choose to believe it myself, refusing to feel the pressure of validating my declaration. I chose the latter and it’s made all the difference. I’ll let this excerpt from Story Engineering, by Larry Brooks sum it up for us all:

We are lucky. Very lucky. We are writers.

Sometimes that may seem more curse than blessing, and others may not regard what we do with any more esteem or respect than mowing a lawn. To an outsider this can appear to be a hobby, or maybe a dream that eludes most.

But if that’s how they view you, they aren’t paying enough attention. If you are a writer–and you are if you actually write–you are already living the dream. Because the primary reward of writing comes from within, and you don’t need to get published or sell your screenplay to access it. …

Whatever we write, we are reaching out. We are declaring that we are not alone on this planet, and that we have something to share, something to say. Our writing survives us, even if nobody ever reads a word of it. Because we have given back, we have reflected our truth. We have mattered.

Now let’s go make 2016 one of our best…from one writer to another.

Which of the three questions will be your most challenging, and why?

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Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101 Uncategorized

5 Fun Gifts for Your Favorite Travel Writer

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!

Tis the season to gift, and be gifted! Maybe you may have a favorite travel writer on your list, or perhaps you simply need to share a copy of this post with a loved one. (Hint, hint.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vintage Globe Business Card for Travel Blogger/Writer, Set of 50, $27.50, Etsy. Illustration by Nancy Nikko. Searching for a unique eye-catching business card? This one is sure to stand out above the rest.

A3dec2015notebook

Parachute Suitcase Printed Lined Notebook, 64 pages (front/back), $8.00, Etsy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A3dec2015leatherRugged Medium Leather Travel Journal, with Recycled Paper, $54.00, pen included, Etsy.

 

 

 

 

A3dec2015headphones

Ditch those earbuds and enjoy a sweet set of noise cancelling headphones. The Best Headphones of 2015 list can be found here.

 

 

 

 

A3dec2015aqua-notes-homeAnd finally, a personal favorite. Aqua Notes – Waterproof Pad, $6.99 Amazon. (I picked mine up at a local Mast General Store). Yep, that’s right. Slap it on the shower wall and you’ll be prepared for any water-induced epiphanies that come your way. And what writer doesn’t have these from time to time? I recently did a weekend writing jaunt at a lake retreat, thanks to a generous family friend. My Aqua notepad saved the day more than once. Use any type pen with it.

May you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

Pilgrims are poets who create by taking a journey. –Richard Niebuhr

Categories
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101

Make Your Next Travel Writing Article More Memorable

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!

Andrew McCarthy, guest editor of The Best American Travel Writing 2015, says that the best travel writing is “the anonymous and solitary traveler capturing a moment in time and place, giving meaning to his or her travels.”

Capturing a moment in time—and sharing it in a way that captures the very imagination of the reader—is the goal of every writer. Below are four tips to consider in making your next project a memorable one:

  • Make your prose sing. Read a little poetry every day. Yes, poetry! Read it aloud. Feel the cadence and you’re sure to gain a new understanding, as well as a fresh appreciation, for the value poetry can bring to your prose.
  • Make it impossible for readers to turn away. Engage a person’s five senses and you’ll go straight for the emotional jugular. Include as many of the senses as your piece will sensibly allow—especially where the sensory of scent is concerned. It’s a powerhouse player on the sensory team and unfortunately, often overlooked.
  • Make your point. If you don’t know the focal point of your travel story, chances are your reader won’t either and who wants to ride a merry-go-round of endless details? Most of us enjoy the scenery but we all expect to land at a particular destination.
  • Make continual learning a must. Howard Hendricks once said, “I’d rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.” When we as writers hone our skills by furthering our education through classes, increasing our time between the pages of quality travel books, or joining a local or online writer’s group, our readers will drink from a running stream, leaving them refreshed… and wanting more.

Is there one tip, either from above, or from another source, that you plan to integrate into your writing to make it more memorable?

Categories
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101

No Tricks Here! Just Lots O’ Travel Writing Opportunities

Have Words Will Travel
Upon returning from a writer's conference earlier this year, Cathy found a 1963 Shasta Airflyte Camper sitting in her driveway. Since then, she has taken quite the fancy to travel writing. She hopes you'll join her on this adventurous journey!

halloween-151422_640Sorry, I couldn’t resist the Halloween reference, but let’s face it, finding quality travel writing opportunities can be tricky at times.

Lucky for you, I’ve done the leg work. You need only hold out your bag and let me fill it up with lots of treats in the form of opportunities that can propel our efforts in becoming published, boosting our all-important platform.

Today, I’d like to introduce you to Caroline Eubank’s site, “Caroline in the City.” Specifically, I’d like to share her October post, Travel Writing Roundup {October 2015}.

In this post she delivers a plethora of opportunities including paying markets (web/print), guest posting and non-paying opps, both of which are valuable when trying to gain traction in the writing world. You’ll also find internship opportunities, helpful links, and lots of valuable traveling tidbits.

I wasn’t kidding when I said you were in for a treat! I’ve bookmarked her site and plan to visit often. I hope you will too.

Do you know of another site with travel writing opportunities? Share it in the comment section. Did you pop over to Caroline’s site? I’d love to hear from you too. Basically, I just like hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by Have Words, Will Travel.

 

Categories
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101

Why This Travel Writing Site Rocks!

work-791437_640“Great travel writing consists of equal parts curiosity, vulnerability and vocabulary. It is not a terrain for know-it-alls or the indecisive. The best of the genre can simply be an elegant natural history essay, a nicely writ sports piece, or a well-turned profile of a bar band and its music. A well-grounded sense of place is the challenge for the writer. We observe, we calculate, we inquire, we look for a link between what we already know and what we’re about to learn. The finest travel writing describes what’s going on when nobody’s looking.” -Tom Miller

Regardless if you’re a weekend warrior with a camera and waterproof notepad in hand, or a full-press travel writer utilizing all the apps shared in last month’s post, you’re sure to savor every moment spent perusing Wanderful World…For the Curious, the Creative, and the Inspired. (Pour a mega cup of cold brew coffee because you’re gonna want it!)

While Wanderful World offers a plethora of relevant information I’d like to share one post you’re sure to appreciate:  The Different Types of Travel Writing Jobs Out There. Lizzie doesn’t disappoint!

So, hop over to her site, choose your type of writing job(s) and then, would you consider sharing it here?  I chose Product Description. Okay, so it’s not a featured article for The National Geographic but writing hotel descriptions and text for tour guides? That’s right up my proverbial alley!

I look forward to reading your choice.

Categories
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101 Uncategorized

Making Your Travel Writing More Memorable

Landscape

glasses-431376_640Andrew McCarthy, guest editor of The Best American Travel Writing 2015, says that the best travel writing is “the anonymous and solitary traveler capturing a moment in time and place, giving meaning to his or her travels.”

Capturing a moment in time—and sharing it in a way that captures the very imagination of the reader—is the goal of every writer. Below are four tips to consider in making your next project a memorable one:

  • Make your prose sing. Read a little poetry every day. Yes, poetry! Read it aloud. Feel the cadence and you’re sure to gain a new understanding, as well as a fresh appreciation, for the value poetry can bring to your prose.
  • Make it impossible for readers to turn away. Engage a person’s five senses and you’ll go straight for the emotional jugular. Include as many of the senses as your piece will sensibly allow—especially where the sensory of scent is concerned. It’s a powerhouse player on the sensory team and unfortunately, often overlooked.
  • Make your point. If you don’t know the focal point of your travel story, chances are your reader won’t either and who wants to ride a merry-go-round of endless details? Most of us enjoy the scenery but we all expect to land at a particular destination.
  • Make continual learning a must. Howard Hendricks once said, “I’d rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.” When we as writers hone our skills by furthering our education through classes, increasing our time between the pages of quality travel books, or joining a local or online writer’s group, our readers will drink from a running stream, leaving them refreshed… and wanting more.

Is there one tip, either from above or from another source, that you plan to integrate into your writing to make it more memorable?

 

 

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/35740357@N03/4727573694″>Tricycle Club of the Century Village Retirement Community Meets Each Morning.</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”https://www.flickr.com/commons/usage/”>(license)</a>

Categories
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101

3 Mobile Apps Every Travel Writer Needs

Searching for mobile apps to assist your travel writing efforts? Search no more! Weekend warriors and global travelers alike will benefit from these popular time-saving tools.  Be sure to share your favorite app in the comment section.

googletranslate

Google Translate: Break through any language barrier with this mobile app. It translates with your voice, camera, keyboard or handwriting and no internet connection is needed. You can also save your translations and access from any device.

IOS: App Store

Android: Google Play

pinterest

Pinterest: This mobile app is a no brainer. Pinterest has been a constant source of inspiration for years. (Take this board by Wanderlust Magazine, for instance.) But have you considered using Pinterest to scout out your next adventure? You can search for destinations, foodie-favorite restaurants, historical sites, etc.

IOS: App Store

Android: Google Play

evernote

Evernote: With this mobile app you can create a separate notebook for each destination. Include your maps, pictures of places you visited, foods you liked (or disliked), architectural features, etc. The possibilities are endless! Save an idea on Evernote and free yourself to move on, returning to it at any time.

IOS: App Store

Android: Google Play

 

Do you have a favorite mobile app for your traveling ventures? Please share!

Categories
Have Words, Will Travel....Travel Writing 101

Moving Three Steps Closer to Travel Writing

So, what exactly is a travel writer? The answer seems obvious, which is why I prefer Brian Klems’ perspective:

“All good travel writing moves the reader twice: it transports him to a place, and moves him emotionally.”

This idea of moving our readers embraces a plethora of possibilities for the one who invites others to see what they see, feel what they feel. Like the weekend warrior who introduces local readers to nearby adventures, sites, and attractions they might have otherwise missed. Or, perhaps it’s the person with wanderlust buried in their bones, traveling both home and abroad.

Either way, there must be a starting point. Below are three steps to help move you towards your goal, whether it’s for professional or personal purposes:

  • Create a travel blog. This is an effective way to build a platform, increasing the visibility of your name and especially your work. Post pictures and videos, along with your unique take on the destination, as well as the journey itself. (I’ll share more tips specifically for travel blogs in future posts.)
  • Take time to network. Set aside 30 minutes every day, or a few times each week, to visit other travel blogs and Web sites. Leave pithy, well-composed comments on those sites you value most. Try to avoid simplistic comments, like “great post!” This is your opportunity to connect with those whose work you respect. Be specific. Tell them what you found to be most valuable in their post.
  • Spiff up those skills! Refuse to settle for being a good writer. Head back to school, take an evening class, join a local or online critique group, read, etc. Competition for travel articles is particularly intense.

Care to join me on this exploration of all things travel writing? If there’s a particular subject you would like to see covered in this column, please share in the comment section.

In the meantime, in honor of beloved Dr. Suess, what’s a favorite place you would like to go?

“Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” – Dr. Suess

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