Today seems surreal. I’ve been telling people for months that I’m going to Dubai. I’ve been preparing and planning for the trip. I’ve been excited about the adventure. Yet, it’s hard to believe that I actually fly out of LAX to London and then on to Dubai TODAY. You can probably tell that I’m not a world traveler. I’ve never been much of a traveler until the last few years, when I started giving writing/publishing workshops throughout the U.S.
A few days ago, a friend called to say that Dubai is featured in the June issue of Vanity Fair. I ran right out and bought it, and just in time. At that point, my excitement was starting to wane and I was becoming nervous—not about the speech, but about the trip. After all, Dubai is a far off, foreign land. But, after reading the article and marveling over the photos of this amazing city, my excitement was renewed, and I went out and bought extra batteries for my digital camera. These batteries are to back up the back-up batteries. I don’t want to miss a photo opportunity.
I have packed a journal so I don’t chance forgetting anything about this amazing adventure. And what will I do with my journal notes? I have many things in mind. I will, of course, write about the experience—maybe an article for The Toastmaster Magazine. It was because of my articles in this magazine that I received this invitation, after all. And this is a good lesson for all of us. You see, you just never know what rewards your writing efforts might bring and when. The Toastmaster Magazine might be interested in a piece featuring tips for speaking out of the country, for example.
I may contact local newspapers to see if they’d like a story about my trip. This would also provide an opportunity to remind locals about my books for sale and my editorial services. I might come up with some angles that would appeal to travel magazines. Since I am the first woman to ever deliver the keynote address at a Toastmasters’ conference in this district, a woman’s magazine might be interested in a story.
I might even come up with some book ideas based on my experiences in Dubai.
But for now, it is bon voyage or whatever you say when someone is flying thousands and thousands of miles toward a wonderful adventure.
Keep writing and keep seeking out the adventures in life.
Patricia Fry is the author of 24 books, including her latest, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. Order it at http://matilijapress.com/rightway.html