A to Z Theme 2016

For my 2016 A to Z theme I used a meme that I ran across on the blog of Bridget Straub who first saw it on the blog of Paula Acton. This meme is a natural for me to use on my memoir blog. It's an A to Z concept and it's about me. No research and nothing complicated. I'm given twenty six questions or topics to discuss that are about me.

In April I kept my posts short and uncomplicated. In the midst of it all you might learn a few things about me that you didn't previously know.

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Road Writer

 
    After my recent road trip adventure with my wife, over 7000 miles of driving in 10 days with another 13 days visiting family, I've realized that the road trip lifestyle of this magnitude is not particularly conducive to writing.  However, the sensory and informational data feed on this type of a trip can be amazing.  In some ways it can even be overwhelming.

       I don't know if I could sustain this intense road tripping for long and blogging would certainly fall by the wayside if I were to do so.   I do love the road though and I can see myself living a more relaxed, more limited road trip lifestyle.   After all I did it for over a decade when I worked in show business.   I didn't get much writing done then, but I can't blame the traveling for that.  I just had other priorities.  If I were traveling like I did back then, regular writing would not be much of a problem.

       During my traveling days our average daily drive time was rarely much more than 150 miles which is only 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  There's still time for sightseeing and doing work if work is what funds my traveling.  With my computer and WiFi I can do anything I do at home and have far more inspirations along the way to prompt my writing.

       One day maybe--that's my dream.   To be able to travel and write and even work along the way.   Performing would be nice if that option were available to me.   Lecturing, conducting workshops, or some other similar endeavor sounds attractive.  The opportunities are out there.  Perhaps when my wife retires in a few years we can consider that option.

        Road tripping is fun.   The life of a road writer lures me.  Then again, staying home is not bad either.  I guess I'm looking for the best of both worlds.

         Do you write much when you are traveling?    Could you live on the road?    What is your ideal writing dream?

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7 comments:

  1. Ida ThoughtAugust 17, 2013 at 2:27 AM

    Hi Arlee, I love road trips but there is always too much to do and see when I travel to focus on writing, but I take notes either a on my phone or in a notebook.

    ReplyDelete
  2. JoJoAugust 17, 2013 at 6:06 AM

    I love road trips too but haven't done one in awhile; not a long distance one anyway. I even have a hard time writing about my day trips on my blog b/c I'm so tired. I'll end up doing 7 or 8 scheduled posts at one time to get it done.

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  3. D.G. HudsonAugust 17, 2013 at 8:18 AM

    No matter how I travel, I keep a journal where I jot notes and produce posts afterward. I record details while the trip is in progress. Then later, I can match photos with details of what we did.

    Sounds like a good plan for when your wife retires, and it gives you some time to decide.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stephen T. McCarthyAugust 17, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    I used to love traveling and have numerous major Road Trips throughout America under my belt.

    But as I've gotten older (recently turned 54) I find that about a week away from home is about all I really enjoy. In fact, even when I'm having a good time, by about Day 5 or 6 I find myself looking forward to the trip's end and getting back to my own bed and routine.

    I'm definitely not the Road Animal I was in my youth.

    ~ D-FensDogg
    'Loyal American Underground'

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  5. Kelly RobinsonAugust 17, 2013 at 1:31 PM

    On my recent Ireland trip, I filled an entire notebook with notes. I'm constantly jotting things down even when I'm not traveling, but I was doing it ten times as much. I guess I feel protective of my ideas or something. I hate the idea of forgetting an impression or connection -- or these days, just people's names.

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  6. Arlee BirdAugust 17, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    Ida - I should try to get better at at least keeping some notes. Sometimes I'll write down something that really stands out, but I miss a lot of details.

    JoJo -- I was writing in blocks like you describe before my vacations. I've gotten lazy of late.

    DG -- We'll keep mapping out the post-retirement travel plans. Hopefully we're not too tired when that time comes.

    StMc --I kind of know what you're saying and I can get the same way. Once I get trippin' though I get into a travel mindset. But home does sound good.

    Kelly-- I need to get better at jotting down details. When I'm behind the wheel most of the day it's difficult to do. There's no excuse when I'm not spending a day driving.

    Lee

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  7. Hilary Melton-ButcherAugust 19, 2013 at 12:54 AM

    Hi Lee .. I love travelling around - though getting back to my space is nice too. Now I'm blogging life takes a different stance ..

    I jot things down .. but I really should make more use of the smart phone .. apart from taking pictures, use the note facility, or recording facility ..

    I collect bumph - if the places are interesting as on my recent trip - then I sift through to see what's useful for my blogging .. and learning experience ..

    So pleased you had a happy time .. that's the most important thing!

    Cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete

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