Posted on by Christi

Three Lessons for the Traveling Writer

Even though we knew we couldn’t get into the onsite events at AWP, Victoria Flynn and I went to Chicago last weekend anyway. We had a hotel. We had ambition. And, my goodness, we had a great time.

Lesson One: Whenever you can, take the train.

There’s something romantic about boarding the train, about climbing the narrow, metal stairs, suitcase in tow. About following the pull to your left and turning into a cabin full of rows and promise. You take your seat, gaze out the window, and float along with a landscape enveloped by the season. On this day, by a heavy snowstorm; the city streams by in a soft, white glow.

Quiet. Like a dream.

The conductor asks for your ticket. He punches twice, smiles once, nods and moves on. You take a picture to mark the moment.

Lesson Two: Whenever you can, take a friend.

Certain bits and pieces of life are best experienced in the presence of someone who puts you at ease, as you move through new spaces. Someone who’s traveling that same journey with you, who shares in your excitement about the future, about the things you want to do and the stories you want to write. Someone who looks you straight in the eye after you’ve said there’s no way you could apply for that two-week writing residency. Ever. Life would never allow for such extravagance, you say. To which she says, Maybe not right now. Reminding you that now isn’t the same as never.

Lesson Three: Whenever you can, take risks.

Say Yes to a late-night dessert. Order the gelato drizzled in salt and olive oil and find yourself saying, “Oh, my. Who knew.” Stay up until two-thirty in the morning, even though you know what “tired and over forty” feels like.

Soak up the fancy of a hotel you might never have visited before, except by the random choice of an online reservation site. A hotel dressed in straight lines and sharp angles and silver and lights and – somewhere in your room – hidden disco balls. A hotel with mirrored tiles that fracture your image and make you believe for a second that you really are living out a dream.

Make a list of all the things you will do this year, ignoring the committee in your mind that presses you with “impossible” and “come on!” and “who do you think you are?”

Write about “gasp-able moments”, sage advice learned from a writer friend’s young son.

And on the ride home, when you realize the train will travel backwards the whole way, sink into your seat and take in the irony of it all, how you’re being pulled out of the dream and back into the day. As if to say, Grab hold: of the energy, of the inspiration, of the call to take risks. Why not, you think. Here we are, only once, There’s no guarantee you’ll succeed just by trying, but there’s promise to fail if you don’t.

 

 

 

 

21 Replies to “Three Lessons for the Traveling Writer”

  1. This post makes me happy from the inside out! Where did you stay??? I want a hotel with disco balls.

    Your photos (and Victoria’s) are truly gasp-able (I especially like the one you took of Victoria’s looking down). Yes, not now is not the same as not ever. A good reminder for us all.

    1. Lisa,
      We stayed at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, right in the thick of it all. I don’t think the photos of the hotel online do it justice. They keep those little disco balls a secret.

      We had such a great time, both Friday and Saturday, talking all things writing with other folks too, like Susan Bearman & Pam Parker. So sorry we missed seeing you!

    1. Thanks, Linda. I’m so glad our photos turned out to capture some of the moments well. It really was a surreal experience!

  4. I enjoyed this post..
    my favorite line is “when you realize the train will travel backwards the whole way….”
    I love the train, especially the older trains…when I grew up, that was the mode of travel for any distance. Great advice.

    Thanks for the good reminders to enjoy the unique with a friend, creating wonderful memories

    Peace,
    Siggi in Downeast Maine

  6. Thanks for spreading the inspiration.

    I love the Milwauke-to-Chicago Amtrak ride. It’s the perfect length, perfect scenery, perfect writing atmosphere–just plug in the computer, balance it on the tray and type. Maybe someday I’ll commute to Chicago a couple days a week just to write.

  7. Thanks so much for this, Christi … there is something magical about riding the rails. Sounds like you had fun. Nice that you brought us along on the virtual ride and hotel visit. Gellato with olive oil? Okay 🙂

    1. Florence,
      “Okay.” that’s exactly what I thought 🙂 But the dessert was surprisingly delish! Rich, but delicious. Just like the whole weekend.

  8. Whenever you can, get free packets of butter off of buffet tables.

    Seems like you enjoyed Chicago—it’s a great city!

  9. Agreed! I’ve done a lot of traveling, and think that changing the scenery and stepping out of normal routines can really invigorate any writer. Traveling really gives me a good perspective on home, too. I find myself looking at what was once familiar and ordinary with new eyes. Now I really want to try some gelato with salt and olive oil…never would have thought of that combination before. Talk about perspective!

    1. Getting out of the routine, that’s exactly it, whether it’s with writing or with food 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Sarah!

  10. Pingback: Plan Your Story, Meet Your Characters | Christi Craig
  11. Pingback: A Writer's Week in Twitter Hashtags | Christi Craig

Comments are closed.