From the Mountains, to the Ocean...
There was a time when hopping on a plane was my go-to move for inspiration. But this summer, with no travel plans, a looming deadline, and a 12-year-old to keep entertained, I had to get more creative with my routine. Inspiration wasn’t as far away as I thought, and while I’m not exactly a hiking boots and bug spray kind of person, I’m definitely inspired by being outdoors-adjacent.
Venice Beach is just a half-hour drive from home, but it feels like a totally different planet. My sixth grader nailed it when he called it a perfect mix of ocean and carnival. Every kind of character you can imagine—from thriller villains to romance heroines—can be found wandering that boardwalk. With my plus-one eager to skateboard for hours, I discovered my new favorite writing spot. We got into a nice groove, sharing plantain coconut pancakes in the morning, then he’d hit the skatepark or take a surfing lesson while I worked, with the ocean breeze keeping things (mostly) cool and calm.
By the end of the summer, I found myself in Idyllwild, which felt like the complete opposite of Venice. There’s something about a view of the mountains that takes me back to an old childhood obsession with Heidi—a book I loved so much that I spent a month drinking milk out of a bowl, just like she did. I found a writing spot there, too—and even went on a short hike—also known as a long walk—but the writing space worked out better for me.
Balancing freelance work feels like a circus act most days, but moments like these remind me why I love it. Whether co-plotting chapters in Taylor Hutton’s next spicy thriller or recording episodes of Mom’s and my podcast, So, Mom (more on that next month!), it’s all about enjoying the ride.
Here’s to wherever your inspiration takes you in these dog days of summer.
