Friday, July 8, 2011

Writing in a Foreign Land

I love writing when I'm in Italy, a place dear to my heart. But the sights, fragrances, language change, at times challenging navigation all seem to add to my stories. It is so different than using Google to do the research. I take pictures while I am there so once home I have instant memories that keep me in Italian mood.

I would love to hear your stories of writing in spots that aren't in your familiar territory. They don't have to be tales of heading to Europe or elsewhere, but what happens to your writing when you are out of your environmental comfort zone?

8 comments:

  1. For some reason, I am ridiculously productive on airplanes. So much so that I should probably just book a bunch of flights -- I'd end up making a profit in the long run.

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  2. Not to mention the frequent flyer miles! They add up.There's nothing wrong with working at 36,000 feet. My husband flies to the other side of the world often. He is known for getting the plane and working 24-36 hours straight. He says the same thing- no phone, no email, and hopefully no chatty seat mate.

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  3. I don't travel a lot, so I don't have any grand ideas, but I think it's interesting to be someplace other than home while writing. I think it can give a different flavor.

    My family is going to upstate NY in August for a wedding. The place is beautiful. My husband's best friend's family bought a resort in the 50's and they only use it for family now. There are several cabins on a lake. It's so peaceful there. So I'm excited to see what inspiration it will bring for book three, which I'm so behind on. This is the same place where I started reading again, after years of stopping while the kids were young. I started with a Carla Neggers book which kicked off a reading jaunt that in turn kicked off my desire to write. So it will be a real treat to return to the place.

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  4. What fun, Anita! There is something about a change of location that can make the world of difference. I even move between my home office and the kitchen island, just to have a change of scenery. Enjoy your holiday!!

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  5. Cassy, I agree that a change of scenery helps the writing. It's why I used to go to Starbucks once in a while, because it has a different energy than my living room/writing area. :)

    Plus it's always nice when you're writing about someplace you know, because there are little details that only "the locals" know about -- it's fun to add those into the story.

    Donna

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  6. I was just in London so I spent a lot of my free time there writing in pubs or in parks. I tried to absorb the atmosphere and the lingo as much as possible, especially since I have a few scenes in the book I am revising which are set in London.

    I love getting a sense of being a local. In fact, on Saturday night while I was out writing and having a pint, I had two younger guys share a table with me and fill me in on where to go to hear good live music plus the latest slang and what music was good, etc. It was perfect. :)

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  7. I lived in Costa Rica for six months in 2002, and that was the most productive I've been writing-wise in my life. There was just something about the beach and atmosphere there that made me want to write!

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  8. I have been long absent from posting here. BUT, I am back and ready to continue our conversations. Please do check in. I look forward to hearing from you.

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