I think I write best on trains. Maybe it’s the built in deadline of arriving at a destination and having to put the pen down. Maybe it’s that something else is moving, so I can stay still. Maybe I’m inspired by the *ahem* colourful characters around me. But I do remember staring at a blank page a few years ago, needing to write a story for my nephew, and thinking… maybe I should just head down to the train station…
It’s pretty easy not to write. There’s the full time paid employment that keeps our family afloat, there’s cooking dinner, paying bills, baking to keep the school snacks jar full, school forms, not to mention mum’s taxi service. And there’s Netflix, social media and sleeping on the couch all vying for my writing time. And often winning.
But this year, I jumped onboard Tania McCartney’s 52 week picture book challenge. Each week, there’s a theme, and each week, the challenge is to write a picture book to said theme. So something needed to change.
On the whole, I’ve just become more opportunistic. I can see through my sea of schedules to any 15 minute block and fill it with writing or brainstorming time. It’s become habit. So, I thought it might be fun to keep track of where I write. For my own benefit, but also for anyone who just feels overwhelmed by finding time to write… or read, or learn another language or anything for that matter. Disclaimer: don’t learn to play recorder on the train… this is not the way to make friends.
This week
There was no pen and no paper, and I was too tired to pull my phone out to dictate anything into the voice recorder, but I did think. “Writing” while running is tricky. Everything feels like an epiphany. Everything seems clear. But often, everything is forgotten when you get home.
This week, I forced some thinking during my long run day. My long run was 34km and took 4 hours. I was near delirious when I got home. I remember thinking a picture book with about digging deep to meet the Deep theme was brilliant. Hmmmm…
Next up, I’m trying to work (official technical writer business) in the car between my Master Sporty’s events at the district athletics. But my laptop battery has gone flat. Out came the pen and notebook as I scribbled down some more Deep ideas.
Which brings me to today. Today, I had to take Master Sporty to basketball, then catch a train into the G to drop him to his Dad who was already in watching the footy. Which gave me a whole train ride home by myself. Just before I got on the train after basketball, I realised I forgot to pack notebook and pen. And I hate writing on my phone.
So, off to the op shop next to the train station. No, they don’t sell pens. But, yes, they have millions of them. Would I like one? While they protested, I emptied my silver coins onto their counter, thanking them profusely as Master Sporty and I bolted back to the train.
And so, there was some scribbling time on the ride home. On the back of the scrap of paper shopping list in my bag. And I think I have an idea that could work. If I can find some more time…
So, where do you write? Do trains inspire you too?
