How to Travel Like a Writer

Alyssa Hollingsworth | April 8, 2016

3. Come Prepared

If you’ve read any of my other posts here, you’ll know I’m a big fan of researching before you travel. Instead of waxing on about how you see better when you’ve already studied a place, I’m going to dwell instead on helping you figure out what to focus on.

When you don’t really know what you’re there to find, you can fall into stimulus overload. Of course, you want to remain open to any and all new discoveries — but it can be a lot to take in.

Have some basic concepts of what you’d like to learn before you go. When I went on a research trip to Venice, I wanted to take a look at the canals, see if I couldn’t find out more about the governmental structure, and get some costume inspiration. But when I happened upon the perfume museum, I joyfully squandered hours learning about perfume trade and finding blends that suited my characters. (Sidebar: Research trips to Venice are the best.)

Alyssa Hollingsworth / Own Work

You can be as vague or specific as you want. What pavement was used for the streets in Bath, England, during Jane Austen’s time there? Or: What seafaring stuff can I discover in Iceland?

Have an idea of what you’re after, and you’ll be more likely to find it.

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