As someone once said, “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” I agree with that. I also concur with Saint Augustine who said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.”
So, I travel. Fortunately, I have a footloose son, Tyler, who still wants to spend time with me so he invites me to join him in various parts of the world: Japan, Africa, Colombia. We’ve explored Alaska and done a coast-to-coast road trip. Our latest adventure took me to the Republic of Georgia (where Tyler had been teaching) and then on to Turkey.
The Gergeti Trinity Church in northern Georgia
I used to think that traveling would take me away from my writing. After all, when I’m away from home, I’m away from my computer, my files, research, and books. But, over the years, I’ve learned that travel can be extremely helpful writing-wise. Five or ten or twenty-four hours on various planes gives you time to think and plan, jot notes down, and really give a second (or third or fourth) look at what you’ve written, away from the everyday distractions of home. I often take a clean, hard copy of a recent work and go over it through the eyes of a reader rather than a writer. It’s really helpful.
Being out in the world always gives me ideas for new writing projects. And, it always provides me with opportunities to write. Since I love to take pictures when I’m traveling and I enjoy editing and organizing those pictures into albums when I return home, writing helps clarify the experience for myself and for others who view the pictures.
The challenge is to write a narrative of the pictures that will connect them as well as provide more information. Transitions are important, and brevity is essential because of the limited space. My goal is that when I’m done I’ll have something that will have meaning for others and for me.
Classroom applications are easy here. Have kids bring in several pictures of an experience they had. Or, they can draw the pictures. Then, have them write a narrative that goes along with the pictures/drawings. Share it with others and you have an authentic writing experience that goes beyond their eyes and the eyes of the teacher.
Here’s the link to my adventure: https://plus.google.com/101818842090327599007/posts/ekxv4UpggmZ
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