10 Adventures for Writers
Now, especially after a long, cold winter, we think writers might be looking for a way to get out, have some fun, have an adventure. We have come up with 10 ideas that are simple and fun. We think they will help you get out, inspire, and give you time to write.
1. On a train.
Yes, with Amtrak running writers around the country for free, you should consider taking a ride on the railway. It is an amazing place to write (on a train). If you are looking for a little adventure and a lot of fun writing, grab tickets, get on a train round trip somewhere, and see how it goes.
2. A Cruise
Ugh, what a winter. This winter has been so cold and so snowy, what would be more fun than a cruise? Read our article Cruise for Writer for more information. To make a long story short, take friends who also want to write, or you will never get any work done. Cruises are great for inspiration, but bad for motivation.
3. Beach
Yep, my bones are frozen. I need to thaw, so most of these adventure writing places are going to be WARM places. Beaches are great for writing. Get a lawn chair, a book, a notebook, sunscreen, and find a beach (not in winter, of course).
4. Follow the river
Ok, if you want an adventure, find a thicket of woods. Find a small river or creek (I would bet dollars to donuts you already know of one). Go to that creek and follow it into the woods. Follow it for a half hour. Once you are in a good spot (woods wise), stop and write.
5. Laundromats at night
So if you are already taking your clothes, late at night, to the laundromat, you are probably someone who is full of adventure, and you don’t need this list anyway. If you have a washer, dryer, and have had one for years, and haven’t seen the inside of a laundry in a long while, consider taking a basket of clothes (not too many, you not trying to give yourself work), and go to the local laundry at night. Go as late as you can, after 1 am if you can swing it. Put the clothe in the washer. Get out your notebook, write.
6. Late night cafes/truck stops
Ok, in the old days, or lets say 30 years ago, there was a lot of late night places, cafes, L&Ks, Country Kitchens, and other late night truck stop type places where you could sit and get refill after refill of black coffee until you filled your notebook with poetry or prose. Today, you really only have Denny’s or some other mom and pop places. I will tell you there is no more adventure than sitting at a late night truck stop diner and writing. Sounds boring, but it’s fantastic. So, clear a night and a day. Find a truck stop late night go there at midnight. Stay up all night, and drive home when the sun comes up. See what happens.
7. On the Road
Yep, Kerouac got it right. Please don’t hitchhike to do this. Those days are gone. You can’t hitchhike these days. All the normal people won’t pick you up because they think you will kill them, so the only people who will pick you up are people who want to kill you, and the only people who are hitchhiking are people that want to kill people, so really hitchhiking and picking up hitchhikers is only for killers who are looking for a fight. But, if you can take a road trip, go across the country, or even across your state, stopping at cafes, coffeehouse, truck stop diners and what ever places make you dream a little, you’ll have one of the best writing adventures you can possibly have. Go. Just go. Get a map, point blindly at a city or town, make it a long way away. Drive there staying in hotels or camping along the way. Make it a few day trip. Make it a lonely writer road trip where you can observe the world. Go. Go and write.
8. Rent a cabin
Yes, I know that I said the depth of my kidneys have been frozen solid this winter, but I think you should rent a cabin in the off season (usually winter). Rent the cabin for a weekend (in the off season they are cheap), and just write. Now there are cabins that look like ski lodges with pool tables and hot tubs (don’t rent these). You are looking for one with very little perks. Rent the cabin by yourself (if you need to get away from family, and just write). Go on frequent walks in the woods. Have a fire (if your off season is winter). Try to be bored by day, and afraid at night.
9. In another country
Yes of course, one of the best writing adventures you can have is to go to another country and write. If you have the time, and the money, go ahead and book a flight to some place in the world that is foreign to you. Book it to a place where culture is different (maybe like Hong Kong if from the US) or a place where you can wander the countryside, like Ireland or Iceland. Try to find a place where you will not be killed. Most places in the world you can travel easily, but don’t pick a war zone looking for a thrill. It’s just going to get you killed or kidnapped or both. Go someplace that is reasonable in the sense that you can focus on your writing. If you have the money, book a week or even 2 if you can, and go and immerse yourself in the culture, and see what it does to your writing.
If you do not have the money you have a couple of alternatives, namely: any country you can drive to. Many people in the US live close to Mexico or Canada. Drive over the boarder for a couple of days, get a hotel, go out to eat, stay in at night and write. Even though those countries are so close to us, and much alike to what people know, they still have differences that will certainly influence your writing.
10. Writers Colony
Yes, Writer’s Colonies are a great adventure for a writer. I know that you don’t think that going to a bed and breakfast type place would be an adventure, but there is a lot more to it! First many writer’s colonies are in ideal places, mountains, woods, secluded places, and the thing that can be more adventurous than anything for a writer, is meeting other writers. So if you have the money, and the time, find a writers colony, sign up for a session (times vary) write, and meet other writers who will inspired your work.
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