The best writing routine might be no routine at all.

[@mevia_mastropietro_author]

I love that Rosa takes her turn driving. She's a good sport. 🤣

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I'm not kidding - the second we park, she's got her paws on his lap like "okay gtfo, my turn" LOL

[@mevia_mastropietro_author]

@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor

[@maryhedl7664]

What a lovely vlog. I love the very Zen vibe. You really captured the scenery. Good advice about the timer. Writing when you don't know how physically well you will be is very similar. I had been struggling to find a rhythm that worked...(my nano goal is just to actually get some kind of story summary down. Don't know if I am a pantser, plotter, or plantser) ...I think the timer approach will keep me a little less overwhelmed. Happy Travels!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks Mary! I hope the timer strategy works for you - let me know how it goes, and good luck with Nano!!

[@reginaduke7451]

Beautiful scenery! I’m so glad you are enjoying your trip. I am envious in a good way. Rosa wants her learner’s permit. Have a great time! ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks so much, Regina! It's been lovely so far. And yeah, I didn't predict that Rosa's favorite spot in the van would be the driver's seat lol

[@kitcosmos]

I love this chapter for you Michelle! I've done small bursts of this kind of living, and it brought me a lot of peace and happiness. I hope it does the same for you all and inspires you. Safe travels and I look forward to more vlogs to see where you've been :D

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you so much!! It's been lovely so far, and I'm excited to see what happens next. :)

[@PaulRWorthington]

That looks like a great adventure. I often think I'd like to do it, at least going up the Pacific coast... but I'm so comfortable where I'm at that inertia is definitely the biggest challenge! But hey, if your travels take you near Yosemite, I've got land and RV hookups you guys can stop at.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks Paul! Hey, we might take you up on that - I'm sure Yosemite is in our future at some point. The Pacific coast is beyond gorgeous, I hope you make the trip sometime!

[@PaulRWorthington]

If you haven't seen Yosemite, yeah, you gotta go there! I've been here 20 years and I'm still amazed at it all. There are of course lots of camp grounds all around of all types, but you are certainly welcome here: 8 acres in the mountains. Power, water, wifi, and even septic tank access in the rv spot near the house. (Though I'd have to check out that last - I've never used it in all the time I've been here!)

[@j.s.elliot7121]

Rosa is such a good girl. 💖 I'm glad to see that you're getting to unwind, though. Happy travels to you!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

She's the best :) Thank you so much!

[@kanashiiookami6537]

That scenery is amazing, but man that canyon would have me terrified in person. It's beautiful, but I'd just have to trip on my way to that bench and bye-bye. 😬 Loved how Rosa claimed the driver's seat. 😂 Also, van life! It sounds like so much fun. I'm glad you guys are getting to do that. Exploring all those places sounds amazing. But man do i love the fact that even (seemingly) in the middle of nowhere you've got internet reception, whereas we live only a few kilometres from a cell tower and need a booster to get 2 bars. 😅 Thank you for taking time to make the video and sharing this adventure with us. Wishing you all the best with your work, and hope your week is amazing. 💜

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Believe me, I stay very clear of the edge! 😂 Isn't it weird which places have good reception and which don't? The actual worst reception I've had so far was parked in front of a gym in a suburban area. Meanwhile the campsite we were at last night had lightning fast wifi. So bizarre. I hope you have a great week too, K!!

[@Sue-pn7mq]

The scenery looks so amazing. I’m glad you’re having a great time. I’m doing NaNo and am at 49% with a project I’m pantsing. I started with a blank document and it seems to be working out, which is a huge relief. I’m also having fun, which is the most important to me.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks Sue! Whoa - you're making awesome progress! So glad you're having fun with it!

[@starklingspars8956]

2 hours is about how long I last. I'm a night 0erson but need that empty, half asleep brain in order to write. I *can* write before bed , but i mostly am too tired. That was a holiday for my brain, this vid. I love the timer idea and am going to steal it

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I hope it's helpful, and thank you! :)

[@therealannataylor]

I’m so amused! I recognize so many places in this video! My family lived in Twin Falls just a few years ago and spent so much time in the Barnes and noble! Snake a river is one of my favorite rivers! It follows up to Donnelly/McCall and that lake is BEAUTIFUL.

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Oh wow, that's so funny! It was a lovely B&N - and I just love the scenery. Snake River is absolutely stunning. I'd love to see the lake, will have to check it out!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

I'm the same with time spent writing, anything from 45 mins to 1.5 hours in a writing day. Revisions usually take a lot longer obviously but drafting is an hour or so!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

I suspect a lot of us think we're writing for like 4-5 hours a day but in reality it's a quarter of that!!

[@malikamaybe]

Idaho is absolutely gorgeous. So many pretty places to walk and stroll. How lovely! I appreciate the talk on being flexible with your writing schedule. I'm trying to be better about 'I have to start at 8:00 am and have less than 3 errands to run and no caregiver things to do, and, and...in order to really write today' so this was a nice reminder so thank you!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks so much, Malika - and I'm so glad this was helpful! :)

[@RachelBatemanBooks]

I love the Snake River gorge there in Twin so, so much. It's one of my favorite places!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

It was so gorgeous!

[@prashantkumar4217]

You had no right to be so accurate with your title! 😂

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

LOL!

[@jessicamoore8238]

I love this! We camp and rock climb here all the time!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Oh cool! It was such a gorgeous spot!

[@EmilyParagraph]

I actually AM moving at the end of the month XD Luckily it's literally just one block down, so we're not even renting a truck. But NaNo this year is a Nah, No for sure. I am trying to sneak in at least 15 minutes during lunch when I can, and I've been writing longhand for about a month so my writing focus this month is going to be transcribing what I have so far. If anything, moving is taking a long time for me because I also want to use it as an opportunity to clean a bit and purge things that I don't want. I've lived in the same space for 5 years, so things have kinda grown into the space

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Oh gosh...you just triggered a memory I have of moving a block away and literally carrying all our stuff from apt 1 to apt 2. It was NOT FUN. 😅 I hope your move goes smoother! And I'm totally with you on the clean out/purge. Getting rid of clutter is a great feeling.

[@EmilyParagraph]

​@@MichelleSchustermanAuthorDon't worry I know people who sell art at conventions for a living so I was able to get a big ol dolly. Plus we're going from a second floor apartment to a first floor apartment so gravity can do half the work. The tricky part is gonna be moving the cat.

[@pietruszkapietruszkowa9713]

Happy for you :) Enjoy your amazing adventure :)

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you! Will do! :)

[@SeanC3541]

OMG! That is amazing! Can't wait to see more of your new vanlife adventures! :D PS: Hi Rosa!!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thanks so much! :)

[@jazzminewillis4724]

Thanks!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

Thank you so much, Jazzmine!!

[@mevia_mastropietro_author]

I'm always curious what makes others decide to do van life. Did you know you were going to do it for a while? Spur of the moment?

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

We had conversations way back in our 20s about how fun it would be to live in an RV and travel! It's something we talked about on/off for years, and just recently decided to give it a shot. :)

[@mevia_mastropietro_author]

Cool!@@MichelleSchustermanAuthor

[@LindsayPuckett]

you...are officially the coolest person I know Where you guys wanting to visit next?!

[@MichelleSchustermanAuthor]

LOL!! Thank you :) We're making our way south to explore the AZ/NM/UT/CO area for the winter, I think.