No, unlike some writers, I don’t actually write on vacation.  (Unless you count postcards.)  But I do use my vacation time to restore myself, improve my craft, and advance my career.  Here’s what I do:

1.  Draw.  Instead of writing, what about permitting yourself to dip into another art form?  Before leaving for a recent vacation, I asked a friend who’s an art teacher to suggest some “assignments.”  Here’s what she said:

“Wander around observing and absorbing what you see.  Look for a specific scene that you can go back to sketch for about 30-60 minutes.  Close your eyes for a few minutes and notice all the sounds of the place before you start.  Open your eyes and visually study the scene.  Then draw what you see.”

The time I spent sitting and sketching – on my porch, at a café table, atop a stone wall – was deeply relaxing and put me in touch with nooks and crannies of my creativity that I hadn’t known were there.  (See my sketch, above!)

2.  Read like a writer.  Read for the pleasure of it, of course, but also challenge yourself to slow down and examine the author’s craftsmanship.  I particularly like to take a close look at the first page of a book.  How is the theme reflected in the very first sentence?  How does the author establish her authority on page one?  What does she do to make me keep reading?  You don’t need a writing program to ask yourself these questions.  For me, a vacation is a great opportunity to think about what works and what doesn't in a work of literature. 

3.   Keep a journal.  I always pack a notebook.  The pages fill up with sensory details, facts I’m learning about the place I’m in, reflections.  I don’t think of this as real writing.  I don’t necessarily plan to share these notes or use them as material for a writing project.  But the mere act of scribbling helps keep my observational powers and my recording skills fresh.  I’m thinking like a writer, and that feels good.

4. Get a writing assignment or two.  Your local newspaper or a favorite website could be good places to start.  Pitching stories can give you an entrée to amazing experiences-- and enhance your C.V.

Before traveling to Lithuania to do research for my book, We Are Here, I approached several publications with story ideas. Armed with several assignments, I found that people in Lithuania were eager to provide me with special tours and spend time making sure I understood what they were up to.  Once home, I used my notes to write the articles and eventually incorporated the material into the book.  (Granted, this wasn't exactly a vacation, but the principle applies.)

5. Give a talk.  While on vacation at my mother-in-law's in August, I’ve arranged (far in advance) to speak about my book – one year at a library and in other years at houses of worship.  You might think I (and my listeners) would have preferred just to kick back and enjoy the summer air… but in fact I had no trouble drawing a crowd.  I found the events invigorating…and sold some books!   

Join the conversation!  What do you do as a writer on vacation? 

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Ellen Cassedy’s latest book is We Are Here: Memories of the Lithuanian Holocaust (University of Nebraska Press, 2012), which won the 2013 Grub Street National Book Prize for non-fiction and the Towson Prize for Literature, awarded annually to a resident of Maryland. Her first post for SheWrites was “Who Cares about Your Family Story? Ten Tips to Ensure Readers Will ...” Her [TIPS OF THE TRADE] series appears monthly. See all of Ellen's Tips for Writers.