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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 2d

I'm similar. I get some of my most satisfying work done Saturday mornings, but don't have to do anything then. Sundays are off. Theres often flexibility to have a weekday off, usually after a tiring trip or after a big deadline. Every quarter I take a few days to review what I've done and refocus.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 2d

Also, it depends on the writing. If it’s an assignment with a deadline or part of a paying project, I rarely want to look at that on a day I’ve designated as a non-work day. A poem, scribbling thoughts, or tinkering with something I’m writing for me - any time is good for that.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 2d

It depends. An actual non-writing/work day or three off is great. Good for doing things with family. Good for thinking. And I usually feel ready/keen to write the next day. Long breaks are harder. I often start tinkering with writing or make time to write during them, or I get frustrated. You?

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 3d

A different kind of Friday today. Went to immigration to collect my new visa. Home for a few online chats with other writers. Then city office to update my MyNumber card. Now trying to do an international bank transfer for college fees and making a pig’s ear of it. Not written a thing all day.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 9d

Some days it feels like my “getting ready to write process” is even less efficient than Neil in the Young Ones prepping for an exam. Clear the desk. Do some dishes. Check to-do app. Emails. Kettle on. Write grocery list. Make drink. Tidy a desk drawer. Etc. Etc. Etc.

youtu.be/7FtcW9u0GDE?...

The Young Ones - Neil's Exam

YouTube video by 053bss

youtu.be

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 11d

If, like me, some of your copyrighted books were used without permission to train AI, the settlement website is now up. You can search to see what work was used and register a claim. anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

ANT Homepage | ANT

anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com

Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 11d

So I can write without the need to lug a laptop around, I got a keyboard for my iPad for work trips. Hound not entirely impressed, but hopefully it’ll be an ok setup for trains, planes and hotel rooms.

A black and white shiba (dog) looking at the screen of an iPad.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 11d

The following #haiku are brought to you courtesy of jetlag.

1 am
the caffeine-nap
bites back

2 am
the dog chases pigeons
in a squeaky dream

3 am
just darkness
creaking

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 12d

Back in Tokyo, back to writing, and back to doing these online chats about travel writing/feature writing. I have time to fit in a few more this month, if anyone is interested. Details in the post below. #writingcommunity

Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · Sep 2

I'm opening my travel writing sessions again from October. Details in screenshots and link below. Briefly: one-to-one sessions in return for a donation to a good cause, whether that's related to Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine, or something in your own community. www.tokyofreelance.com/first-friday....

Screenshot of a page of text. The text reads:

What are the travel writing mentoring sessions like?

A session isn’t one size fits all. It isn’t a fixed class. Each one runs for about an hour and the focus is up to the participant. Some people have wanted to discuss their freelance business plans or talk about how/what/who to pitch. Others have wanted to discuss specific pitches or get feedback on a writing sample. Some have wanted help building a strategy for transitioning from teaching to writing (like I did), or for going from writing for Japan-based media to writing for markets overseas (like I do). A few have wanted to share the frustrations they’ve encountered and then get some advice.

When a participant isn’t entirely sure what they want to focus on, I often send them this blogpost about freelancing, and then we can hone in on some of the points it covers. With a few emails or DMs prior to a session, we can find something to structure a session around.

When and how are the sessions conducted?

Each session is conducted via Zoom. They are one-on-one and last about 60 minutes. I’m based in Tokyo (GMT+9) and (when not travelling) can schedule sessions on weekdays between 8am and 5pm my time. You don’t have to be in Japan – people have done sessions from Australia, the UK, and the US.

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How much do you need to donate and to who?

When I started doing these sessions, the deal was for participants to donate a fee of their choice to a specific cause (directly, not via me). The first sessions were related to humanitarian aid in Ukraine, the second group of sessions the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake. Now that the sessions are monthly, you can donate to any charity you like (well, nothing MAGA related…this is about spreading positivity not hate). I can suggest a charity if you aren’t sure. How much? There is no fixed amount. If you can afford $100, that’s incredible. If $10 is a stretch right now, do $5. And it doesn’t have to be money. Last time, one participant decided to donate a few hours of volunteer work in their community.

All that said, donations aren’t essential for everyone. Not all aspiring travel writers have wealthy parents who can support them through unpaid internships or provide a financial safety net during the early years of a career. Nor do we all have country club contacts who can fast-track a media career or a trust fund with which to launch our own indie magazine. So, if you aren’t from a financially privileged background or aren’t able to spare any extra cash, don’t worry about the donation. There’ll be plenty of opportunities down the line for you to do something positive for someone else in return.

How to get in touch?

You can DM me on Instagram or email me (see the contact page). It really helps me to sieve out the spam if you send a message with a bit of detail – just a sentence or two about your writing goals, for example, or your writing background (if any) so far.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 12d

They are nice. Melville feels like it could be applied to lots of locations. Kind of attainable for more people maybe. I like that.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 14d

For all sorts of reasons, I'm amazed travellers still want to go, and find it odd how much positive/unquestioning coverage there still is in travel media.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 17d

Hello jet lag. I nearly fell asleep in the supermarket queue. (Not a haiku…).

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 20d

Lovely morning back in the village.

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Rob Goss @robgoss.bsky.social · 20d

“Active parents” is quite an unfortunate way for them to put it.

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