To the Writer: “Pack Up Your Bags and See the World!”
The link between a writer and traveling is essential. Going on a trip or exploring the world can do wonders for the person writing the words and their craft.
There are many advantages to being a writer. First off, writers take control of their time. Their hours are theirs; they can write away at any time of the day and with how many hours they want. They can work in the comfort of their homes, hide away in a library, or spend hours and hours in a coffee shop. The day, time, and place are theirs to control.
That’s why some writers would take time and effort to escape the city life’s hustle and bustle and find escape and haven out in the country, the mountains, or the sea. This freedom from the writing life provides that luxury of traveling and exploring.
Then again, there are writers whose writing jobs are more demanding, such as news reporters or technical writers. They’re forced to confine strictly to a schedule or a deadline because they’re tied to their clientele’s requirements.
But this type of pressure doesn’t prevent them from seeking a chance to escape into the world of traveling. This constraint only increases their urge to pack their bags and temporarily leave behind stress.
Payoffs of Traveling to a Writer
People say the so-called “writer’s block” motivates writers to seek a different place to write or relax. Besides good vocabulary skills, writers are often required to have a good imagination and a wide range of exposure or experience.
To these writers, traveling is one way to develop these character traits that would help them become better at their craft. Read on to find out other benefits writers seek when traveling.
Seek Inspiration for New Ideas
When everything becomes all too much, that’s when writers face a block – writer’s block. Writer’s block is a situation in which the writer cannot come up with anything to write about or does not know how to proceed with writing. This is a good enough reason for writers to travel.
Traveling provides opportunities for exposure to new sceneries, languages, and cultures, meeting new people, and even reconnecting with old acquaintances. A quick getaway can refresh the mind, yield inspired ideas, and motivate the writer to grab that pen (or laptop) and start writing again.
Physical and Mental Health Fitness
Another benefit writers gain from traveling is the health aspect it brings them. Because of the nature of their work (and once inspiration sparked), writers are often confined to their desks for endless hours because of that limitless flow of creative juice. Most of them aren’t aware, but if not recognized at the earliest instance, some common health problems they’ll encounter include eye disorders, headaches, musculoskeletal disorders, stress, depression, and so on.
The quickest remedy? Get out and seek new places to spend time. A nature hike into the wilderness would solve those muscle stiffness problems. An hour of sitting by the beach side and staring out into the ocean will refresh and reboot the mind – a good mental health exercise. Spending the whole day in the dewy, green countryside can do wonders for eyes and headaches.
Authenticity in Writing
Some writers travel for the learning experience, to gain knowledge, or for research purposes. So that their work will be legitimate and authentic, they go to meet people, visit places, or immerse in an experience that is the subject of their work. A plus benefit? They get to learn new languages and have the opportunity to expand their vocabulary.
“Me” Time
Just like any other profession, writers also need that “me” time for themselves. Traveling is a chance for that much-needed time to relax and do anything besides work. It is a time to reboot a person’s system, get in touch with their wants and needs, and enjoy the time away doing the things they love.
Call it a time to unplug and unwind, to relieve the brain from stress. After all, writers are humans too.
Becoming a Travel Writer
Some people travel to become travel writers or to have a travel blog. This interest may have stemmed from their existing love of visiting places, going on trips, exploring adventures, etc.
Becoming a travel writer means having no boss! You’re in a career that you’re passionate about and doing something you highly love and are motivated.
Author Wayne Scott Harral is a writer that has seen the world. With an extensive traveling experience to more than 40 countries, this writer’s journey proved to be an eye-opener and gave him the inspiration and the creativity to write his book, Moon Luck.
So if you’re a writer and need a mind-refresher and reboot, pack up those bags, go out, travel, and see the world!