From Philadelphia to the Dismal Swamp—follow my writer’s road trip full of research, adventure, and inspiration.
As you may have guessed – I have a trip coming up, and I’m beyond excited!
At the end of the month, I’ll be heading to Philadelphia for the Toastmasters International Conference. A good friend from my Toastmasters club has been attending these conferences for years—if it’s in the U.S., she’s there without fail.
During one of our goals group meetings (she’s in that group too), I mentioned I was hoping to visit the Dismal Swamp area in Virginia to get a feel for the setting of my next book, and also Waynesville, NC, for another future story. After the meeting, she surprised me with an offer: why not join her on the drive to Philadelphia, and on the way home, we could swing through both areas? That way, I could do some in-person research for my books.
Needless to say, I said yes in a heartbeat!
I love to travel, and this trip means I’ll get to do actual, on-location research. Seeing a place online, in a movie, or on a travel show is one thing—but being there in person is completely different. Meeting the people, experiencing the culture, seeing both the charming and less-polished sides of an area… it all helps me capture the real tone and atmosphere for my stories.
As a full-sensory person, I’m deeply inspired (and yes, sometimes distracted) by my surroundings. The smells, the colors, the sounds, the textures—everything has the potential to spark creativity, especially when history is involved. Whether it’s for a book, a blog post, or an art piece, these details are like little sparks of light waiting to ignite a bigger idea.
Sometimes inspiration comes when I least expect it. I’ve been sitting in my local coffee shop, overheard a conversation (people talk loudly… or maybe I just have good hearing), and walked away with a brand-new mystery plot. I hope the murder I imagined wasn’t based on anything real—but since I didn’t know the people, I’ll never find out. Pro tip: if you don’t want strangers to know your business, whisper. Please. And don’t use speakerphone in public unless you want an audience.
Even as I’m writing this post in the coffee shop, I’m surrounded by inspiration: background music, the grinding of coffee beans, the clinking of dishes, orders being called out, and snippets of conversations drifting over from nearby tables. Unless I’ve got my headphones on (and sometimes even then), I pick up almost everything.
But back to the trip. The thought of walking the streets and landscapes where my stories will take place is thrilling. And here’s an extra bonus: I recently learned that Philadelphia has… gargoyles! Which means my gargoyle book just might find its home there. If so, this trip will give me research for not one, not two, but three of my upcoming books. How exciting is that? (Answer: super exciting.)
I’ll also be writing a blog post from the road, so you can travel along with me in spirit.
Before I wrap this up, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to my friend Mary for inviting me to join her and for being willing to take a few detours for my research. And an even bigger thank you to my sweetheart, who is funding this trip as a birthday gift. He’s so good to me. 🥰 I love you, Sweetheart.
I’ll leave you with this thought: if there’s someplace you’ve always wanted to go, find a way to make it happen. Places change, and sometimes they disappear. But one thing is certain—our time on this beautiful planet is limited.
Till next time, may your days be filled with hugs, love, laughter, and blessings. 🌻
We are Creatively Unlimited! 
Leave a comment