I’ve spent a considerable amount of time traveling this year, more so than I have in the last few years.  The travel has really spurred my imagination and inspired story arcs, characters, or settings for several recent stories.

In January, I visited Indonesia.  This nation of 17,000 islands is a sensory Nirvana with its rich smells, tantalising tastes, and coral reefs that are simply otherworldly in their beauty.  In addition to being one of the most amazing places I have ever visited, it was also inspiring as a writer.  In the past few months, I’ve written three stories that have direct connections to this trip, including “Thief of Futures,” which was recently accepted at Lightspeed Magazine. 

So anyone out there in need of inspiration, I suggest you hop in your car, jump on a plane, set to sea on a boat, or simply go for a long walk and experience something new and different.