Hi Reader,

Summer is here, and for a lot of us, that means one thing - vacation!

Maybe you’re heading somewhere far away by plane or boat, or you’re taking a road trip. Maybe you’re spending a few quiet days at a cabin, beach, campground, or hotel. Or maybe you’re just stepping away from your normal routine for a little while.

Either way, that change can be great for your writing.

And I don't mean because you need to sit down and force out ten pages while everyone else is relaxing. Quite the opposite.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your story is stop pushing it for a few days.

Your brain needs room to breathe

If you're anything like me, you'll think about deadlines, page counts, structure, character arcs, plot problems, dialogue, and scenes that aren't quite working yet.

Even when we're away from the keyboard, part of our brain is still working on the story. Sure, that can be useful. But it can also become exhausting.

A vacation gives your brain a different kind of space.

You may be walking along a beach, sitting by a lake, exploring a new city, or staring out the window during a long drive. And suddenly, the answer to that stubborn scene appears!

Here's why!

Your normal surroundings shape the way you think. You see the same streets, the same weather, and let's face it, the same people.

Sure, there's comfort in that - but there's also repetition. On the flip side, when you travel somewhere new, your senses wake up.

You notice:

• different buildings
• unfamiliar sounds
• new food, new smells
• changing landscapes
• local habits
• strange little details you would never see at home

And more than that, you'll have a pressure-free way to think about your characters and plot - but in a relaxed and casual setting, rather than forcing it like you might at home.

You don't need to outline or take notes every five minutes. Instead, just let the story sit in the back of your mind while you relax and have fun.

Your secret weapon

And while you relax, here's the one thing you should do - people watch!

Vacations are great for this because you'll often see people from all over - different countries, regions, ages, backgrounds...

You'll hear new accents and speech patterns. You'll see how people move and interact in unfamiliar settings. How families argue, how couples communicate, how strangers help each other, and how people behave when they are tired, excited, nervous, lost, or late.

That's gold for a writer!

Rest helps the work

Just remember, this isn't homework. It's a getaway from work, and a fun way to rediscover creativity from your new surroundings.

We sometimes act like rest is separate from writing. It's not.

Rest gives you distance, which in turn gives you perspective. And that helps you see what your story needs from a different angle.

And don't get me wrong - that doesn't mean every vacation will solve your third act. But it just might help you return with clearer eyes.

So if you are heading away this summer, give yourself permission to step back, let the scenery change, and let your mind wander.

Watch the people and places around you, and take in the sounds, tastes, smells, feels, colors, habits, and unique little moments.

You never know what might follow you home!

And if you missed my last video on using AI in screenwriting and coverage, check it out below.

🎥 Watch the full video here: What the WORLD CUP Taught Me About AI in Screenwriting​

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👉 My coaching calls - great for brainstorming, outlining, character work, and solving story problems early: Book Your Session today!​

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Sometimes the next great character, line of dialogue, or story idea is waiting somewhere far from your desk.

Until next time - keep writing, and stay creative!

Neil

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P.S. Check out my feature film, Spin the Wheel - out now on Tubi!

Click here to watch for FREE: https://tubitv.com/movies/100030151/spin-the-wheel​

And see my latest feature, Contamination, now on Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango, and Hoopla!

Learn more about storytelling, screenwriting, and filmmaking:​ www.neilchasefilm.com.

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