Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Writing
Full-time cruising provides an abundance of time and inspiration, a perfect foundation for
aspiring writers. Some sailor-authors write for periodicals; others pen entire books, from
novels to nonfiction. For most, writing is an enjoyable hobby that brings in the occasional
bonus rather than a means of underwriting the lifestyle. Personally, writing helps cement
vivid impressions in my mind, and it inspires me to observe people, places, and situations
more closely than I might have otherwise. It's a low-investment, flexible line of work (in
terms of equipment if not time) that puts little demands on your fellow crew and rarely im-
pacts cruising plans. However, like many other working cruisers report, it can be difficult
to churn out quality writing when the boat is in motion. Most writers carve out quiet time at
anchor to further their literary aspirations. This, in turn, makes it a challenge to balance the
amount of time devoted to “work” with time spent enjoying the surroundings, a conundrum
faced by all working cruisers.
Given the vast range of possibilities in working while cruising, what are the commonalit-
ies? All the working cruisers I spoke with have mastered valuable skill sets; they are flex-
ible, disciplined people; and they cruise on modest budgets. For most, hitting their stride in
terms of work took some time. Finally, most agree that it can be difficult to use time under-
way productively. Rather, it is down time at anchor that falls victim to work. Like
everything else about sailing, there are compromises to be made, though the parameters are
largely of one's own making.
Is working while cruising for you? With reasonable qualifications and modest expectations,
it certainly is worth a try. After all, success stories always begin with some level of risk-
taking. If working is a way to make cruising possible, why not give it a try? Ultimately,
most cruisers who work agree that their efforts pay off - in more than one way.
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