How to Travel Like a Writer

Alyssa Hollingsworth | April 8, 2016

1. Carry a Journal and a Camera

A writer’s not a writer without a journal (or a phone note-taking app). It’s like my professors used to say: Within 24 hours, you’ll forget 80% of what you hear. Same concept applies. If you don’t write it down, you probably won’t remember.

My favorite journal for travel note-taking is the Miquelrius Leather-Like Journal. I love the grid paper because you can sketch out sights next to your notes, and you can bend the soft cover back for extra support while you write. This journal is flexible and small enough to slip in your pocket, but durable as hell. Mine has a small scratch in it from a travel accident that would have shredded a lesser journal. Not this one! It dries out pretty well when it gets wet (don’t ask me how I know) and withstands being thrown around a backpack or an airplane.

When you’re walking around town, exploring museums, or anywhere that note-taking might be necessary, get that journal in one hand and a pen in the other. If the journal’s in your backpack, you’re not going to stop to get it out. Trust me.

Alyssa Hollingsworth / Own Work

If you prefer to take notes on your phone, that’s cool. I have writer friends who do that, too. But sometimes your battery dies or you don’t want to be flashing a smartphone around certain areas of town or the museum doesn’t allow any cell phone usage/sign of cell phone existence. Just sayin’.

As for a camera, you only use this to accompany your notes, not to supplement them (unless you really want an entire plaque’s worth of information and don’t have time to copy it). If you take the time to write your observations down, you’ll remember them much better. You will also know where to find the information when you need it, instead of having to rely on old image folders stuffed with 500 pictures of flowers in Maui.

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