Writer’s Life : What I Can’t Leave Home Without

As June sneaks in – I mean seriously, where the hell did the first 5 months of the year go? – I find myself thinking ahead to vacation like I do every year. This year is a bit different however, as I am in the middle of sorting out my family’s home, where 35 years of ‘stuff’ has accumulated. This year won’t be spent in the usual beachfront getaway of Wildwood Crest, New Jersey but rather pushed back a bit as I prospect properties in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and plan a move.

I have lived in New York my entire life but I have always been drawn to the water. I escape to it as often as I can – whether it’s a lake, a river, or the ocean. It simply helps me realign. I guess being a water sign, Cancer, draws me to it.

Sorry for that tangent. Back to vacation. So this year I’ll be replacing Wildwood’s sun and sand with its Myrtle Beach counterpart.

There is one thing – well probably a few things which are all related but for this particular installment of ‘The Writer’s Life‘ – I will focus on the one. There is one thing I cannot leave the house without; that is a pen and a pad. It’s a must-have! And yes, they are one item. I never know when an idea will hit or even a full piece when I’m writing poetry, will fill my thoughts and I have lost far too many ideas over the years to not be prepared.

For the last 5 years, I have kept a small travel notebook in the console of my SUV to be sure, if I am on the road, I can stop and get it on paper. I also have a digital recorder, that I never seem to use, and of course, I have a note app on my phone. I guess I’m still a little old school, even though I am very tech savvy, I just love leaving ink on the page. It’s truly my blessing to be able to have the words travel from my mind to the tip of a pen and then to ultimately spill out.

I have always had an affair with pens and pads ever since I was a child. It has simply stuck with me. When I go away I always have at least 2 journal type books with me. I love writing…I love getting away and It’s as if my notebooks are my buddies headed out with me.

Ok, now I’m sure you all think I’m nuts with that last line. But you understand what I mean. As an indie writer, I don’t’ always feel like I’m ‘not available’. After all my work is my words – and they never seem to take a vacation. No matter where I’m going, I have a pen and pad with me in some capacity. So if you ever run across me on one of my excursions, say “hey!” I’ll be the one holding a double Captain in one hand and an inc. R2 Rollerball pen in the other, starring at the sun trying to evacuate my mind.

What is your “Never leave home without it” item? Let me know in the comments below. And if you’re looking for great reading material for your next getaway, consider grabbing a copy of one or both of my poetry books.