It’s probably the time issue, but I feel more productive in my writing in the winter months AFTER the holidays. Having a large family, I’m usually up to my eyebrows with family obligations, preparing meals for an extended gathering—although I’m not sure this will happen this Christmas. It didn’t happen for Thanksgiving, due to an increase in coronavirus cases in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. We had a quiet Thanksgiving, but we still used the good china, silverware, and wine glasses.
For me, productive writing happens without constant interruptions from family or friends. Beautiful weather can be a problem for me, too. I love the outdoors. When beautiful weather hits—and snow counts as beautiful weather in my book—I need to get outside. My new writing room has large windows onto a wooded lot. Yep! It’s a problem. I’ve faced my desk toward the wall to help a little. I use the opportunity to “go outside and play” as a reward for a good writing day, or for a chance to think things through if I’m having problems moving forward in my writing.
I’d like to switch gears here at Adventures in Writing and tell you about a wonderful writer you may know. Liesbet Collaert has had the most extraordinary life. She’s sailed the world on Irie, a beautiful sailboat, and continues her adventures on land, camping all over North America in her camper van Zesty.
Her new travel memoir, Plunge: One Woman’s Pursuit of a Life Less Ordinary, launched recently in eBook and paperback and is already the #1 new release in sailing on Amazon. The global link to order Plunge is HERE. I’ve purchased a copy a few days ago and am enjoying her adventures so.
Here’s the enticing book blurb for Liesbet’s book:
Tropical waters turn tumultuous in this travel memoir as a free-spirited woman jumps headfirst into a sailing adventure with a new man and his two dogs.
Join Liesbet as she faces a decision that sends her into a whirlwind of love, loss, and living in the moment. When she swaps life as she knows it for an uncertain future on a sailboat, she succumbs to seasickness and a growing desire to be alone.
Guided by impulsiveness and the joys of an alternative lifestyle, she must navigate personal storms, trouble with US immigration, adverse weather conditions, and doubts about her newfound love.
Does Liesbet find happiness? Will the dogs outlast the man? Or is this just another reality check on a dream to live at sea?
You can keep up with Liesbet’s present adventures at her blog Roaming About, where she shares excellent photosand the good, bad, and difficult about living life in a camper travelling from campsite to campsite. I’ve learned lots, and I’ve camped across the United States and up into Canada with five children in a pop-up camper. You can read of my adventures at Camping with Five Kids.
You can connect with Liesbet on twitter and facebook and follow her Amazon author page.
Writers helping writers! That’s what Insecure Writers Support Group does. I’ll be interested to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our thoughts on each month. I am extremely thankful for all of you for being my sounding board and advisors in this writing and publishing journey.
Thanks so much for visiting! Please follow Adventures in Writing if you haven’t already and connect with me online. Leave your blog link in your comment so I can be sure to do the same for you.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We post on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
Big congratulations to Liesbet!
Snow counts as a beautiful day for me as well.
Yes, a huge congrats to Liesbet! I think the holidays are usually a busy time for period where it's hard to find much time to write. Maybe it will be different for many of us this year.
A big congratulations to Liesbet!
(I didn't hear back from you, Victoria. Did you solve that HTML Blogger problem?)
Yes I did, Chrys. Thank you so much! And as always, it is a great pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks again for your help and your comment. Have a beautiful holiday!
Well, we have one more thing in common, Vic – other than being fellow memoir writers and enjoying camping. We both LOVE the outdoors and get distracted by beautiful weather. Yes, the draw of nature is a big one and it is the main reason that it took me five years to finish Plunge – too many distractions, by life, by travel, by companions, and by nature! 🙂
Thank you so much for featuring my sailing memoir here on your blog. And, I hope seeing me complete this long road will inspire you during your last steps of the process as well!!! Happy Holidays!!
Covid has changed the way we celebrate holidays, but I definitely still get out the good china and crystal. After all, there is no one more important than family. And in my book, snow is always beautiful. Some of my happiest childhood memories include traipsing through snowy woods, and seeing the pristine snow-covered corn fields glistening in the sunlight.
Leisbet, your book would be a huge success here in Nayarit. There is a large community of cruisers at the marina in La Cruz. They would love your book.
Congrats to Liesbet on her debut release. Our Thanksgiving was quiet. I hope Christmas will be better, though I don't know. Looking forward to 2021. It has to be better.
Hi Victoria – congratulations to Liesbet – she really does seem to have lived a life full-on and had lots of fascinating experiences. you with your family and commitments – I just admire you can write too … but the writing room sounds amazing – I'd have had my desk facing the trees – a little green to encourage me to keep on!!
Glad you had a happy Thanksgiving with all the good things of life – and now will have a happy Christmas by staying safe – all the best – Hilary
That’s good to know, Joylene! Amazon.mx only sells my eBook, though. I should find a way to advertise with the cruisers in Mexico… At the moment, I don’t have sailing friends in that area to spread the word. I will be on a webinar panel with the Seven Seas Cruising Association the end of January. Maybe that will create some buzz. 🙂
Yep! I love snow, Alex. We had a tiny bit of snow this past week. I got all excited, but then it melted.
Yes, bravo Liesbet! It is always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing, Alex. Thanks again for your comment. Have a beautiful holiday!
I think the holidays will still be busy, Natalie, but we may not be able to visit everyone like usual. Please stay safe and well.
It is always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks again for your note. Have a beautiful holiday!
You are so right, Lee. Nothing is more important than family. And I don't know about you, but for me, many of my friends are considered part of my family. Your childhood memories of snow sound so peaceful and beautiful, Lee. Lucky you!
It's so wonderful to have good friends visit Adventures in Writing and leave a note. Thank you so much! Have a beautiful holiday!
Absolutely, Liesbet! My family and nature bring interruption to my writing, but they also bring solace to my life. I so hope to have my college memoir out in 2021. Here's hoping.
I am so enjoying your adventures on the water. Frightened by the storms, but finding calm on the white sand beaches. I love that you bring back, from your trips to Belgium, both boat parts and chocolate. Boy, would I love to have some Belgium chocolate!
It is always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks again for your note. Have a beautiful holiday!
Hi Joylene! Thanks for sharing this information with Liesbet. And bravo, Liesbet! A webinar panel in January. Send us the link please. Writers helping writers. That's what we should do.
Thank you, ladies, for your comments and gracious sharing of information here at Adventures in Writing. I hope I can find all these outlets and readers for my college memoir when the time comes. Have a beautiful holiday, ladies!
You are right, Diane. 2021 has to be better than 2020! I hope to see more of my family at Christmastime. God bless you and have a beautiful Christmas. Thanks for your comment here at Adventures in Writing.
Thank you for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing, Hilary. I am truly blessed! Yes, Liesbet certainly had adventures on the water.
Please have a beautiful Christmas filled with many blessings. Be safe and stay healthy!