As most of you know, we spent June in Europe. It was a wonderful, inspiring holiday, relaxing and energising all at once. For the next few weeks, I thought I’d share some peeks at the places we visit, as well as some of the lessons I brought home to my writing.
Westminster Abbey
In London, we lived without a plan.
In Madrid, we tried someone else’s routine.
In Seville, we opened ourselves to inspiration.
In Granada, looked at things from a different angle.
In Barcelona, we explored extraordinary art.
In Nice, we trusted the advice of the experts.
In Rome, we listened to local stories.
In Vernazza, we remembered to rest.
In Pisa, we took advantage of the unexpected.
In Florence, we soaked up rich detail.
This week, London! We arrived in London at 5am, and with just two days to take in a few sights and catch up with friends, we couldn’t afford to waste time napping. We honestly meant to make a plan in advance, but I was speaking at a conference and Husband was trying to get everything wrapped up for our departure, and it fell through the cracks.
So we let our feet take us where they would, and saw things we hadn’t imagined. Sure, we saw Buck Palace and Big Ben, but the unexpected sights were our highlights! Walking along the Thames from St. Paul’s to the Tower of London, we saw a familiar looking outline across the river… and next thing I was a groundling at Shakespeare’s Globe. Pretty exciting place for a writer!
Was that all? Internet, it was not! Other delights awaited. We wandered off the beaten track at the Tower of London, and there was a DRAGON. A dragon, people.
And then–brace yourselves, geeks–The Dr. Who Experience. Just when you thought it couldn’t get better.
Husband had fun…
… and so did I.
The writing lesson: As a devoted outliner, this is a difficult thing to say, but… sometimes the best plan is no plan at all. I’m a plotter, not a pantser, but just this one… pantsing was the answer. Perhaps it is for all of us, now and again?
<3 London!!! This is a great lesson…I think it can go the other way too. I've always been a pantser and have only recently realized how amazing plotting can be. I guess it's all about letting yourself go and being open to new things!
Your adventure in London sounds so fun — it’s one of the places I’d love love love to visit one days.
And you’re so right. Sometimes, the best plan is to have no plans at all.
I love this new series! I’m looking forward to hearing about your travels and learning how it applies to writing. What could be more fun?
I love the photo of you at Westminster Abbey. When we visited London a number of years ago, we visited the Globe Theatre at my (then) 6 year old’s request. She’d read about it in a Magic Treehouse book and wanted to see it. Oh, the power of books!
What a fun series! I’ll vacation through your posts. The tie-in of plotter/pantser and that we all need to experiment or let the experience dictate where we go at times – love it!
It looks and sounds like you peeps are having an amazing time! I’m a big believer in outlining too but I have to agree with you. Sometimes we just have to open ourselves up to new things and soak it in.
What an amazing adventure! London is one of my most favorite places on earth. If I were to choose a city to live in regardless of location or cost of living, it would likely be London, at least for a little while.
Looks like you had a great time! I can’t believe I haven’t been (or heard) or the Dr Who Experience! I love the Tower of London,it features in my WIP
Awesome pics… sounds and looks like a blast!
An awesome lesson! The hubby looks like he definitely had fun
How wonderful! London is one of the Critique Sisters’ favorites places! Thank you for sharing your lovely pictures with us. It’s wonderful that your travels are inspiring you so much.
Sounds wonderful!
I’m a pantser when writing… and a planner in life (with kids)
Sounds like a fabulous trip overall. I, too, love London. We are going to central Europe in October and using miles for our airlines tickets. When making the reservations, we were told they couldn’t get us home the day we wanted to and would have to spend two extra days in Budapest. When I asked what the problem was, she said she just couldn’t get us back to the states, but could get us as far as London. BONUS! Two days in London instead! Our favorite city in Europe. Enjoy your time there.
Sounds like a lovely vacation. All of it. I love London, too. So much history and art. Do you think some of your experiences will show up in a future story?
Well, you and your husband are too adorable for words!
It looks like London was good to you. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a *little* envious. I love your closing writing lesson–isn’t it fun when real-life teaches us how to be better writers?
Can’t wait to hear more about your trip!
That Doctor Who exhibit looked awesome!
Very exciting! Great lesson taken from the trip, as well.
BTW…I am your newest follower.
I enjoyed reading about what you get from each city. And I love London.
When I travel, I do plan some things, but I love finding the unexpected when I’m wandering.
Oh man! You were at the Globe?! So cool! London is at the top of my “most-want-to-visit” list.
And great writing lesson. I’m a plotter, too, but every now and then, going off the beaten tracks works wonders to liven up the story.
Welcome back Amie! I agree, sometimes when travelling it’s best to be a pantser, but I like a plan as with a limited time you can’t afford to waste it. I hope the weather was kind to you!
Denise
Love it! I like going in without a plan most of the time – but at other times a plan is a necessity. My hubby’s a total planner so that makes it interesting!
Oh, you were so brave! I don’t know if I could have gone without a plan. The Hubster likes to wing it, but I’m big on knowing where we are going when. I think because I’m such a list person. I love my lists. Big time. I have a ton of them…but it looks like you had a great time. Love the pictures. The one with the big head is creeeeepy cool!
Sounds like you had a ball, even without a plan. I do agree that sometimes things do work out best without a plan.
This sounds so fun! I am excited to read your vacation posts. I just spent three weeks in Italy and Amsterdam so I am excited to hear what you did in Italy! And I’ll be spending a week or two in London this winter so I loved hearing about that!
Glad you had a good time here! I’ve been in London for over seven years, and I still love it.
Can I just tell you how jealous I am? What an amazing trip! And I had asked you whether you’re a plotter or not, and I just got my answer
When my husband and I are on a trip with our sons, driving along in the motorhome, sometimes we’ll stop and do unplanned things. It’s a lot of fun!
I’m so jealous! You’ve just seen some of the places on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing the pics. Looks like you and the hubbs had an absolute blast. A whole month of doing whatever sounds amazing.
I’ve always plotted in my head, and for some things I think that’s okay, but as of late, I’ve felt the need for an outline like really bad. The story started out as simple then it just got all complicated, the plot took a turn for the worst which made it for the better, but without an outline, I became overwhelmed, off track a time or two, and its taken longer to write than it would have had I had an outline. Travel though, simpler plots, I’d say roll with it. A little of that happens anyway. Sometimes its the things you never thought you’d happen upon that become the things that matter the most.
Just when I was feeling a bit bad about being a pantser, there you go making it all right again! I guess there are pros and cons to both. Glad you enjoyed London! It looks like a lot of fun.
Fantastic photos, thanks for sharing! Now I feel I’ve lived a little through you!
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So pleased to have found you, Amie. One of the highlights of my life so far was living in London for a year. That was years and years ago, and I’m still going through withdrawal! Looking forward to reading all the travel posts.
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