I spent Christmas 2013 alone in Fiji.
Talk about doing stuff that brings up all your shit. It was the freaking weirdest, coolest, out-of-my-comfort-zone, face-my-fears trip I’ve ever done.
Leaving Auckland at 4am on Christmas Day and spending most of my waking hours on some form of transport is not exactly most people’s idea of Christmas. And certainly not for a European, used to snow, or overcast skies and drizzle at the very least. But it happened, because I’d celebrated with my family before leaving the UK and I didn’t want to tag along to others’ Christmases (despite the kind offers from my NZ friends).
I figured I may never have an opportunity again to have a solo Christmas and I wanted to find out what it would be like.
Plus… tropical islands are a thing
After four days of lusciousness, soaking up that sunshine, I knew I’d return to Fiji soon. I’d heard that the South Pacific islands, as much as they have the same flavour, are very distinct cultures. I wanted to see them for myself.
April 2014 rolled around and again I took to the road (AKA dusty piglet-strewn track) to start my adventure.
Never had I been more excited to have an editing business that I can take anywhere. And never had I been more nervous about ‘making it work’.
In Tonga for the first week, connection was limited and resources scarce. However, once I hit Fiji, I was inundated with requests for editing. I couldn’t understand where they were coming from all of a sudden.
It was here…
…on this beach, talking to an editing client, that it dawned on me.
I apologised for taking our catch-up call outdoors in a not-too-private space, because I was seeking wifi. Her reply, “Are you kidding? You’re doing a call from the beach. You’re totally walking your talk.”
And then I got it…
All the enquiries, all the new clients, people had started to see me.
Combining my two passions had been making me so happy that I was effortlessly putting myself ‘out there’ online in a prolific yet genuine way. I was all over the internet – well, my corner of it at least – without feeling gross that I was all over the internet. I was sharing my joy, my experiences, my adventures and my work.
The language love meets the travel instinct.
The editing business meets the desire for freedom and fun out there in the world.
The web words meet the wanderlust
I got off the phone and snapped up the URL instantly. I sketched an outline in pencil in the back of the tatty notebook I was carrying at the time. I wrote down the sections of Web Words & Wanderlust, what they would contain and how it would help people.
It all made so much sense.
Thinking back, it’s how I get all of my best writing ideas. Out there in the world, moving around, changing the scenery, talking to people and exploring. Even if that ‘out there in the world’ means going to a café on my doorstep. Or attending a meetup in the city I’m living in. Or going for a walk in my local area.
Inspiration does not come from a blank screen
A flashing cursor on your laptop is the antithesis of creativity.
But that sunset up there? Those nerves as I got on the plane to an unknown destination on Christmas Day? That conversation with an entrepreneur whose blog I was enlivening, while sipping pineapple juice? How can you not have the urge to say something? How can you not overflow with emotion and expression when you’re living that life?
Web Words & Wanderlust is now here. It’s about this very idea that we have to go out and live our lives in order to infuse our business writing with the right kind of energy, with words that connect and convert because they’re so rich with your exciting life.
When was the last time your writing felt fun? Ask yourself that question. And if you can’t recall…
Dive in! I dare you!
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