In a couple hours I'm heading off to Flordia. I know there are alot of ideas and other things you can get from traveling. Besides taking notebook and paper, are there any tips I could use while on the road?
Watch people. (But don't be a creeper. lol.) You can get some great ideas for characters by watching people you don't usually interact with.
When I'm in a car or in a plane, I choose a person (maybe more than one if the trip is long) and write down my first impressions of them. Then I try to think of their back story. I really helps with character developing.
It's too late for me to come up with any advice now, since you already left, but please let me know if you have any tips for me, because I'm going to be traveling extensively for the next ten months, and anything you see or realize could be helpful.
Explore as much as possible, too! I used to live in Florida (Key Largo, then Gainesville for a bit) and the change in scenery from a lil' Mid-West town to a tropical one brought so many more ideas to mind. Take photographs for reference, jot down little notes of cultural quirks and as stated before: people watch.
(hopefully you get to read more replies to your question, lol)
A camera is a really great idea. I live in a very rural area so when we drove through Chicago (sort of anyways) I spent a lot of time snapping pictures of buildings and billboards.
And of course people watch. Just don't get caught, people will start avoiding you. Sometimes, you'll come across the most interesting characters that will likely spark the most epic inspiration.
Oh, and explore when you get a chance. Don't go to the usual tourist attractions. Go to downtown areas where you see regular people just, hanging out. It's the real stuff that you'll get to see then.
Happy travels!
Never forget who you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.
