The joys of sky writing
Sunrise views make 4 a.m. wake-ups worth it
As a writer and traveling enthusiast, I’ve spent many, many hours writing in the sky. In fact, I tend to discover my most interesting writing ideas at 33,000 feet.
The first job I snagged out of college was working for an airline. (Hello flight benefit addiction!) In three and a half years wearing flight attendant wings and gifting free peanuts to passengers, I’ve made it to all 50 states and seen gorgeous sunrises, sunsets, the tippy tops of mountains, and rippling waves of oceans. I captured the picture-perfect cloud scene above with my camera phone, looking through the galley window. (Now that’s an office with a view, right?)
Ever wondered what flight attendants do after giving out snacks and drinks? For me, after cabin service is complete, I’m delighted to write. If I have a few spare minutes (or hours sometimes!), I sit in the jumpseat with a notebook and jot ideas. Sometimes it’s to-do lists or ideas for freelance articles. Other times I catch up on my journal, and include the route I’m flying next to the date (e.g., ATL-SLC), so I’ll remember later.
The day I officially became a flight attendant
As a matter of fact, the idea for this blog was born in the sky. I wanted my own corner in the digital world and needed an angle. I took an inventory of my interests: traveling, communication, active living, marketing, humanities, leadership, the color teal – but what topic could I never tire writing about?
Up there, I had a mile-high realization: crisp copy, scintillating syntax, and grammar matters – now that gets me excited. It came to me: celebrate words. And thus, delighted to write came into fruition.
Fasten your seatbelts, ladies and gentlemen; I’m ramping up my blog editorial calendar and have some fun Saturday Spotlights, posts, and contests up my sleeve. Thanks for reading and being part of the journey with me.
And friend – next time you fly, take a pen.
Where do you like to write? Let’s hear it in the comments.
13 comments on “The joys of sky writing”
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Good idea, Sariah. Thanks for reading, sweet pea.
I get my best ideas for writing on road trips.
Yeah, something about travel and being between one place and another…it is inspiring!
That’s really great – and has such symbolic power
I write on the metro sometimes, and very often on long distance trains – means of transportation seem to do it for us, eh?
Yeah, Mariella, metros and trains get the creative juices flowing too. I wonder if there have been studies done about movement and idea flow? Or perhaps we are most creative at those times because we are free from other responsibilities and we let our minds wander?
I write in my journal usually sitting in the most comfortable chair in my bedroom. When it comes to blog posts I find myself sitting at the kitchen table or on my bed or couch with my laptop – rarely with a plan.
When I’m on a plane I always dedicate my time to reading, I’ve never considered writing way up there…
Well now you know to give it a try – I have a unique situation, but literally 95 percent of my journal writing the past 3.5 years has happened on a plane. It’s exhilarating up there, and the only time I can’t get caught up in the deadlines and responsibilities awaiting on the ground below.
Thanks for reading, Julie!
One of my favorite places to write is the Sculpture Park at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City.
That sounds inspiring, Michelle! Nice to meet you.
I never knew flight attendants had any time to do anything. They always seemed so busy!
I made myself a writer’s cave. It’s painted orange with butterflies and tigers on the walls. Tin lizards climb the walls with a Kurt Vonnegut quote that keeps me going. “I want to stand as close as I can to the edge. From the edge you can see so much more than you can see from the middle.”
Yeah, even on an hour and a half flight, there’s about 30 minutes of time to kill, so I tend to bring a notebook/journal. That’s a perk of flying, for sure. I’ve literally written 90% of my journals on a plane the past few years.
And your writer’s corner idea sounds awesome! Cool quote. Happy to have you here, Aimlesswriter!
Nice intro to your blog. Love your title – delighted to write and celebrating words, two things we share!