Always nice to begin a new year with new hope, dreams, aspirations, and optimism. But this is often tempered by the usual blues that tends to set in during the winter months, where getting motivated to write consistently against the backdrop of gloomy skies and frigid temperatures can be challenging to say the least.
So how does one escape the wintertime blues and stay on track with a demanding schedule of writings? For me, it is leaving the Pacific Northwest winter behind for a couple of weeks in favor of Hawaii, my favorite place to go for a working vacation. Indeed, it was where I started and finished my upcoming Kimani romance, PLEASURE IN HAWAII.
I have spent time on three of the Hawaiian Islands, but far and away, my favorite is Maui. To say that it is magical there would be an understatement. Maui is that rare combination of picturesque, pristine beaches, first-rate accommodations, activities galore, and some of the friendliest people on earth. And did I forget to mention the wonders of the Pacific Ocean from seemingly every vantage point?
One might wonder, how on earth do I find any time in paradise to write, if in fact I do at all? The answer is that, yes, I actually do work some in Maui, as in the aforementioned. Be it while sitting under a palm tree with my laptop and enjoying a cool breeze off the ocean. Or relaxing on my lanai and typing away in between sips of a Mai Tai or Blue Hawaii.
I am even at work mentally, conjuring up plot curves and angles while being totally mesmerized at a luau, with exotic dancers showing off their moves and fire knife skills in tightly choreographed routines. Or when making the not for the timid trip to Hana and back.
Most importantly, I enjoy getting away from my normal habitat every year during these early months to recharge the batteries, take in the closest thing to heaven on earth, and come back refreshed and ready to take o the writing world.
At least till the next winter sets in and the hankering to escape for warmer, greener pastures with incredible scenery captures my fancy.
What do you do to escape the winter writing blues? Any interesting spots around the globe you love as a getaway?
Where would you like to go that you haven't during the winter before returning to the grind?
4 comments:
Weather is certainly strange. I actually find the urge to write in gloomy weather, although my topics are often gloomy as well. But when you do create a different weather environment for a story you can certainly feel like you've moved into that season.
I actually like the change of seasons overall in terms of colors and atmosphere. But when it comes to writing, I would be right at home if I were living in a tropical paradise year round.
Sounds wonderful!
Snow has seemed to follow me everywhere I go this year.
I would love to be on Hawaii right now, but i'm not sure how much writing I would get done.
Last summer I went the St. Kitts and got little writing done. I was having way too much fun.
For me, though, the weather has little impact on my writing, especially since I usually write indoors most often, afterhours.
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