Packing for a Writer Visiting Australia from Gail Carriger

• I have a released date for Heartless, Book the Fourth in the Parasol Protectorate series, it’s July 2011.
• The final cover for the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2, features yours truly
• Guest blog up for Marianne de Pierres on my favorite subject: Proper Attire

• The Guardian gives the Parasol Protectorate series a nod in this Introduction to Steampunk article.
• And last, but not least, congratulations to Mr. Ship Breaker

Today’s blog, Gentle Reader, is a peek into the exciting life of a mobile writer beast. I’m off to New Zealand and Australia this Friday to my mind is filled with what to take and what to pack ~ mostly clothing. But there are also things that are quintessentially writerly so I thought I might do a bit of a blog about it.

Packing for a Writer Visiting Australia

• Baby laptop (called, by the PC minions a “Netbook”) all loaded up and ready to go. I’m a Mac girl but I made the switch for $ reasons, and I wanted something small and portable that was too expensive. I got a Samsung N150 Plus (AKA Gimli). So far we’ve been getting along moderately well, I highly dislike the lack of Personalization on Windows 7 Starter (but am far too lazy to do the hack).

• Duracell DC to AC Pocket Power Source Inverter – seems a pretty popular piece of kit, doesn’t have the plane attachment but I decided I wouldn’t use that much given the battery life of Gimli. I’m banking on even New Zealand cars having cigarette lighters.
• Casio Exilim Digital camera – mine is an old 3.2 mega pixel that (annoyingly) needs a dock to charge. But since my pics are mainly for the web I usually have to downsize them anyway, and it still runs grate and has been all over the world with me. Now I just have to remember to pass her off to other people to take pictures at panels and convention events.
• Olympus Digital Voice Recorder – I’m a not write-by-voice person as a rule, mostly because I feel like and idiot talking to myself. But sometimes, need dictates idiocy. All too often in my case. This is thee one I have, but I paid about $20 for it, five years ago. I can’t believe how expensive it’s become.
• Moleskine Daily Planner – see above. I’m addicted to this size, shape and style.
• Neck Pillow – a new one this trip. I don’t usually sleep on planes, to much to do. But this time I’m giving it a try, reports indicate these memory foam ones are the best.
• Adaptors
• Travel Power Strip
• Mitties – because they go everywhere with me.
• Pocket Size Travel Alarm Clock with flashlight – I don’t have a smart phone and even if I did I wouldn’t trust it to wake me up. I travel everywhere with an independent alarm clock, I just find it more reliable.
• Tea – (Twinings(UK) English Breakfast) because it’s better to be safe than sorry where tea is concerned.
• Immersion Heater for Liquids – see above (most brilliant invention EVER)
• Powdered Milk – normally I would NEVER, but better powdered milk than no milk at all.
• Marmite – I refuse to defend this superior form of yeast product, but when one is going into the land of vegemite, be prepared!
• Collapsible Tupperware – one of the greatest inventions of mankind, bowl, plate, and storage all in one. And you can use it as a Frisbee in a pinch for entertainment.
• Sewing kit – vintage clothing = constant repairs
• First aid kit – mine includes blister pads for all my stiletto shoes
• 4 Packets Travel Woolite – if you need to you can wash your smalls in a sink with these handy little things.
• Flip-flops – never enter a strange shower without them.
• Baking soda – because it is so very useful.

Gail’s Daily Dose
Your Infusion of Cute:
A little bit more of Ivy Hisselpenny


Your Tisane of Smart:
Fun motorcycle helmets.
Your Writerly Tinctures:
Myth of Evil Editors

Quote of the Day:
“When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money.”
~ Susan Heller