I’m back with more questions from blog readers about RVing, what’s happening in our lives since we hung up the keys, and all kinds of other things. While I try to answer all questions individually, I also share some here occasionally.
Q. We went to two of your Gypsy Journal rallies and really enjoyed them, and always went to your seminars when you spoke at Escapades. I know you guys have hung up the keys, but is there any possibility you might come and present any of your seminars at an RV rally somewhere in the future? We would go to see you no matter where it was.
A. One of the things I miss most about our life as fulltime RVers is presenting seminars at rallies. I haven’t given any thought to it, and I haven’t been asked to do any, so we have no plans for something like that in the future. But who knows? Maybe things will change someday.
Q. I love reading and read books every day. I myself am not a fan of audiobooks, but I know many people enjoy them. Although I know probably all of the books are donated for the drawings and you get what you get, any chance of any e-books? I used to read paperbacks, but went to e-books and love them.
A. Amazon makes it difficult for authors to donate free e-books as prizes, and since the cost is usually relatively low ($3.99 for mine, for example) and because not all readers have e-reading devices, or they have Nooks or other e-readers that are not in Kindle format, the times we have offered an e-book as a blog drawing prize the response has been very low.
Q. We just bought our first motorhome and plan to do a month-long shakedown cruise starting next week through the Smoky Mountains and then into Kentucky and Tennessee. My husband wants to bring along his shotgun for self-defense even though neither one of us think it’s really necessary since we’ll be staying at campgrounds every night. But I’m afraid of what the laws might be traveling in different states with a gun. Is that legal?
A. Gun laws vary by state, and I wouldn’t begin to give you legal advice in a blog. I will say that it’s easier to travel with a shotgun than a handgun in some areas, but there are still places where you don’t want to take anything if you want to completely avoid the possibility of legal trouble. I would advise you to get yourself a copy of the book 2021 Traveler’s Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States. It has up-to-date information that will guide you to making the best decision.
Q. When I saw the cover of your new Big Lake Shootout book, I thought you were starting to write westerns, but then you said it was a modern-day western. I’m sure I sound dense, but what the heck is a modern-day western?
A. Well, it is a book that is set in the West, but in the present day, not in the days of cowboys and Indians and shootouts on Main Street. Oh wait, it does start with a shootout on Main Street and the sheriff getting killed! The book will be out in just a few days and you’ll be able to find out what happened.
Q. I know there’s some website or magazine or something that helps RVers find part-time jobs, but I’m having a brain fart and can’t find it. I know you’re gonna know, Nick. What is it?
A. I am sure you are referring to Workamper News, which is a wonderful resource for RVers seeking part-time employment as they travel.
Q. We are new to the whole RV lifestyle and will be taking an extended trip from September through November. I wanted to get travelers’ checks to take with us, but several people have told us that they are pretty much a thing of the past these days. Is that true? And if not, where would we get them?
A. These days, debit and credit cards have pretty much replaced travelers checks, but they are still out there and still available. Contact your bank. If they can’t supply them, they can probably point you in the right direction.
Q. Congrats on your new book Nick! I don’t know how you do it and have a million questions. I’m sure others do, too. A blog on “this is how I work” would be a great blog post. Do you write at night, in the day, is it silent, do you listen to music, do you isolate yourself or not, etc.?
A. I’m not sure very many people would be interested in that, but if I get some comments saying they are, I’ll post something.
Congratulations Chris Yust, winner of our drawing for an audiobook of Pirate Trials: Dastardly Deeds & Last Words, the first book in my friend Ken Rossignol’s Pirate Trials series. We had 29 entries this time around. Stay tuned, a new contest starts soon. Note: Due to the high shipping cost of printed books and Amazon restrictions on e-books to foreign countries, only entries with US addresses and e-mail addresses are allowed.
Thought For The Day – Where there’s a will, I want to be in it.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Yes! Yes! Tell us how you write! Have Miss Terry snap a couple of photos of you speaking into your recorder and two-finger typing! Do you post outlines on white boards? Do you keep character profile notes on index cards or in a binder. We are all in awe of your productivity.
I’d sure be interested, Nick.
Emjay
I have always wondered about your writing routine. Photos would be fun. My big question is how do you keep track of all the characters?
I am interested for sure 😊
I second Judy Rinehimer’s comment.
If it’s possible to explain how your brain comes up with stories, I’d love that.
I was a pretty good technical writer but writing fiction would be impossible. My best guess is that it must be something like dreaming while awake.
In reply to the question about travelers check they are a thing of the past. It would be very difficult to find a bank that will issue them to you and there would be a fee.
There’s also a fee at that end to cash them, if you can find someone to cash them.
I could give a damn how you go about writing your books. Just don’t stop! Can’t wait for the next Big Lake.
We got travelers checks from our credit union last year for a trip that was canceled for Covid. Tried to use one at a hotel in Houston while my wife was being treated at MD Anderson last month and they would not accept it. Young girl at the desk had never seen or heard of one and neither had her manager. Credit Union said to bring them in when we get home and they will give me a refund on them.