We have TEN Days left until we leave.\u00a0 We have many tasks to accomplish, not least of which is packing up our bags.\u00a0 I’ve started, but it is difficult.<\/p>\n
I’ve been thinking though, that packing is like writing, and writing like packing.\u00a0 First step, think about what the situation will be and what you need for it.\u00a0 Then make a list, for packing, or a sort of outline for writing.\u00a0 Next, put out everything you think you want to pack and look at it.\u00a0 Then put about half of that back in the closets or drawers.\u00a0 For writing, free write your thoughts,\u00a0 do a “save as” document, and delete roughly half of it.<\/p>\n
Next step, think some more.\u00a0 How many pairs of slacks, jeans, shorts, do I really need for the duration of the trip?\u00a0 Really?\u00a0\u00a0 Put some more away.\u00a0 Imagine a day in the life, and think about each item you use, from your toothbrush, don’t forget that, to your hat for the sun and other weather, down to your socks and hiking boots. \u00a0 Do you need anything new or specific, better get that now.\u00a0\u00a0 In the writing process, do more research, ask yourself, “Am I going on and on and on til the reader is lost?”<\/p>\n
OK, now go back to the drawers and make some exchanges, the lighter weight slacks instead of the heavier ones, or vice versa.\u00a0 Think about dressing up or down, and do you have some clothes for cleaning the apartment?\u00a0\u00a0 In the writing project, are you being true to the story, or are you leaving out the dirty work?\u00a0 Do you want to take a necklace, or not?\u00a0 How much do you want to dress up, literally, or in your writing?<\/p>\n
Start putting stuff in the suitcase, the carry on bag, and the purse.\u00a0 Get out the scales.\u00a0 Weigh everything.\u00a0\u00a0 Cut, drop and\/or add some more.\u00a0 In writing, review, revise, rewrite.\u00a0\u00a0 Count the words.\u00a0\u00a0 Ask for advice from other travelers, or other writers, or editors.<\/p>\n
Finally the day will come, when ready or not, it’s time to go.\u00a0 What you have is what you’ll take.\u00a0 No more decisions, just go.\u00a0 In writing, the deadline approaches.\u00a0 The editor is not looking for perfection, but for something on a certain day.<\/p>\n
So, that’s what I’m thinking about today.\u00a0 How about you?<\/p>\n
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We have TEN Days left until we leave.\u00a0 We have many tasks to accomplish, not least of which is packing up our bags.\u00a0 I’ve started, but it is difficult. I’ve been thinking though, that packing is like writing, and writing like packing.\u00a0 First step, think about what the situation will be and what you need […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=402"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":404,"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402\/revisions\/404"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/talkingwithjulia.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}