Writing on the Road: Finding Inspiration in Unexpected Places
By Erika Liodice | June 28, 2022 |
As I write this, I’m sitting in a cabin in Sunriver, Oregon warming my feet by the fire. The sun is about to break above the pines, where a cloudless summer sky awaits. In a few hours, I will be standing at the top of an ancient volcano that forged rocky spires and calderas to create the local landscape. By the time you read this I will be in Wyoming, peering into the bubbling blue depths of Yellowstone’s geysers.
These days, I live and work in motion. My husband and I are on a crisscross-country road trip we built out of our travel bucket list. If you were to trace our route on a map, it would look like a drawing of poorly hung Christmas tree garland draped back and fourth and up and down the United States.
Life on the road has been inspiring (like discovering the raw, untamed beauty of northern California’s coast), challenging (like when all the trails near Mt. Hood, Oregon were buried in snow IN JUNE), surprising (like when we stumbled across Norah Jones giving an outdoor concert in Bend, Oregon as the sun set over the mountains), and exhausting (from long workdays followed by intense hikes).
Above all, this road trip has been full of enriching experiences and powerful lessons that translate beautifully to life and writing. Today, I thought I’d share a pocketful of those experiences with you along with the lessons I’ve learned and ideas we can all use to connect more deeply with our stories.
Unexpected flooding taught me the easy path is rarely the most rewarding.
The experience: We were hiking through a fern canyon in northern California when we discovered the trail before us had been washed away and was covered in several inches of water. Rather than turning back, we decided to forge ahead by hopping from rock to rock and tiptoeing across fallen trees.
How it made me feel: Frustrated that our dry path was underwater, followed by childlike delight from the fun of spotting alternative routes and the challenge of navigating a natural obstacle course. And finally, victorious at making it through the wet parts with dry boots.
What I learned: The easy path is rarely the most rewarding. Some of the best views and experiences are discovered during detours.
How it applies to writing: When you encounter an obstacle in your story, look for hidden paths in unexpected places. If you don’t immediately see them, look again through the eyes of a child or from the viewpoint of different characters. Shifting your perspective can help you see challenges from new angles and notice solutions you may have overlooked.
Spotting this little whitebark pine growing in a lava field made me contemplate the untapped power within each of us.
The experience: We were exploring a 1,500-year-old lava field in central Oregon when I spotted a lone whitebark pine growing in the obsidian.
How it made me feel: Inspired by the little tree’s grit, independence, and minimalistic needs.
What I learned: If that little tree can thrive in a place that’s been devoid of life for thousands of years, perhaps we are all stronger and more capable than we realize.
How it applies to writing: Fear, uncertainty, and self-doubt can create an inhospitable environment for nurturing creativity and producing great writing. Lay down your words and bring your story to life anyway.
Discovering the alluring fragrance of False Solomon’s seal reminded me that when we slow down and engage our senses, a deeper world reveals itself.
The experience: In May, northwestern Oregon’s hiking trails are infused with a billowy clean fragrance from fluffy white flower clusters known as False Solomon’s seal.
How it made me feel: Joyful to slow down and literally smell the flowers.
What I learned: When we slow down and engage our senses, a deeper world reveals itself. What may be commonplace for some can be joyous discoveries for others.
How it applies to writing: Slow down and describe your story world as if the reader has never been there. Examine the “everyday things” you might be rushing past and bring them to life with sensory details.
Stumbling upon a surprise piano concert in the park showed me that you never know what’s right around the corner.
The experience: After spending the day wandering behind waterfalls and peering over their edges, we were walking back to our car and we happened upon a pianist giving a free concert in the park. We abandoned our plans to go home and cook dinner and instead enjoyed a piano-infused picnic in the park.
How it made me feel: Surprised that we happened to be in the right place at the right time. Grateful for the agility to shift our plans at a moment’s notice. Enchanted by the way music added a new dimension to an already majestic place.
What I learned: You never know what’s right around the corner.
How it applies to writing: Sometimes we think we know where our stories are going until a character says or does something that surprises us. Allow your vision, outline, and plot to be fluid so you can fold these magical surprises into your story when they present themselves.
Ditching our hiking plans to dip our feet in the hot springs taught me that adventures aren’t measured by miles but by the memories you create.
The experience: We had set out to hike the 7.5-mile loop around Paulina Lake, in central Oregon, but got sidetracked when we discovered natural hot springs along the shoreline. Hours slipped by as we dipped our feet in the steaming water and gazed up at snow-capped Paulina Peak looming before us. By the time we dried our feet and slipped back into our boots the sun was sinking and we didn’t have time to finish our hike, so we headed back the way we came.
How it made me feel: A mix of disappointment in not reaching our goal, fear of missing out on the other side of the lake, delighted by our discovery, and grateful for the unique experience.
What I learned: Adventures aren’t measured by miles but by the memories you create.
How it applies to writing: Whether on the path or on the page, expectations are heavy. Leave them behind and go into each new experience with an open mind and heart.
Have you ever been on a road trip or other inspiring journey? What experiences did you encounter? What lessons did you learn?
» For more travel stories and creative inspiration, join me on my crisscross-country road trip on Instagram: @erikaliodice
The first time Erika Liodice saw the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and Holland’s tulip fields was on the postcards her father sent from his business trips. Those postcards inspired a deep desire to see the world long before she stepped foot out of her small hometown in Pennsylvania. Today, Erika is an accomplished world traveler and freelance travel writer for National Geographic. Through her new Places That Inspire column here at Writer Unboxed, she sends postcards to fellow writers about the places she’s discovered and the creativity they’ve inspired along the way. To learn more about Erika and her work, visit erikaliodice.com.
Thanks, Erica, for a wonderful and inspiring piece! I agree, many of my most cherished memories are times when I interrupted my plans for a detour on the road and discovered magic.
Back in 2019 I started the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied-de-Port with the first few nights booked ahead. I quickly realized that due to unforeseen circumstances like albergues that closed due to fire damage and other issues with housing, I faced a Camino of hopscotching back and forth on buses and taxis to hike and have a place to stay.
After a few days regrouping in Pamplona, I let go of my Camino plans, flew to Ireland (my first time there) and had the trip of a lifetime. You could say I failed my Camino. I looked at it as my Camino started in France, then to Spain, then to Ireland.
Safe travels to you and your husband!
My apologies – I misspelled your name! I have a friend who spells it with a c and my fingers just naturally typed it that way. I’m so sorry.
No apologies needed, Carol.
Hi Carol. Thanks for sharing your experience traveling the Camino de Santiago. I love how “your” Camino took you to unexpected places and delivered you to new lands. It can be challenging to let of plans and expectations (and lodging reservations), but it sounds like your flexibility led you to something even better. (Also, sounds like there’s a terrific travel essay in there!)
You are living my dream! Great post and inspiration.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to be part of your journey, Janet.
Thanks Erica. Earlier this month I drove from the LA area up to Carmel. An early morning walk on the beach in the chill air felt great. And later on the 17-mile drive I stood at the water’s edge with a pounding surf as winds approached gale force. Glorious! Wind in my face, surf in my ears. A warm sun. I came home ready to dive into writing my short fiction again. If gulls and pelicans can soar on the wind, why can’t I?
Sorry, Erika. Misspelled your name! Apologies.
No worries. Happens all the time :)
Hi Bob. Sounds like quite the recharge! I’m jealous that you live within driving distance of Big Sur. I’m already counting the days until I can return. Happy writing!
Thank you for taking us along on your road trip, Erika. Beautiful pictures and lovely reminders for the writing life. We’ve enjoyed many long and leisurely road trips, camping along the way. I, too, have marveled at how life grows in the most inhospitable places. When Mt. St. Helens blew, the ash traveled 300 miles across the state where I lived in Eastern WA. Fast-forward 20 yrs later when we went hiking with our kids near the pumice plain and seeing nature claim it. When we were driving across the country from WA to SC I wish we’d had a camper and more flexibility to stay and explore so many places; alas, we arrived with three days to spare before the start of school. Still, so grateful to see so much of this beautiful country.
Thanks for joining me on my journey, Vijaya, and sharing a bit about yours. I share your sense of gratitude; every time I take a road trip I am awestruck by the beauty of our country.
Erika:
Your timing with this post is perfect. I’ve been contemplating a long summer weekend away, and this is the inspiration I need to go for it. Thanks!
Well then, Christine, my job here is done :) Happy trails!
I love this article, Erica. Thanks for bringing these settings to life, and sharing their writing-related lessons with us! And enjoy all of your future travels!
It’s my pleasure, Therese. Thank you for giving me the space to share my experiences with our community of creative writers.
Thank you Erika for writing this piece. I love how you tie your travel experiences into how it applies to writing. I am embarking on a three month UK trip and plan to capture the experience in my writing. The way you capture the essence of what you feel and learn along the way is inspiring and motivating for my writing journey.