The Author’s Progress: Slowing Down to Move Faster
- debener
- Apr 24
- 4 min read
By Dirk Ebener – April 24, 2026
My travel journal is open, but I am not just here to collect sights. Sitting at a round table outside a Florentine café in the summer of 2024, I look back at what I wrote yesterday and think about what I still want to capture before leaving Italy. Every few days in a new city is a balance between my urge to explore and my commitment to writing. Enjoy reading "The Author’s Progress: Slowing Down to Move Faster."
The air is cool and smells of wet stone and fresh coffee. Florence is waking up around me. Shopkeepers open their stores with a loud sound, and locals walk with purpose to start their day. Early tourists wander through the plaza, looking up at the Duomo. They come to see the city, but I am here to write about it.
Being an author has shown me that perfect writing moments do not exist. There is no ideal studio. Inspiration comes from discipline, whether I am writing a scene or a post for Travel That Makes Sense. My workspace could be a crowded train seat or a busy terminal. Today, it is this sunny spot on the cobblestone. The real challenge is not finding time, but making the most of it as life moves quickly.
Right now, the most important part of my process is to slow down.
It is tempting to rush, to keep writing and move on to the next place. We often treat travel like a checklist, but moving too fast makes it hard to write well. By staying here a little longer and delaying my next move, I am finding a new way to be productive. I pay attention to the people in the plaza, looking for the stories in how they act.
I notice an older man at the next table, slowly enjoying a macchiato while reading his newspaper. His suit is old but perfectly pressed, and I make a note of that detail. When we make eye contact, I say "Buongiorno," and he gives me a quick, knowing smile. These small, real moments with locals are where I find the best material for my writing.
As I watch tourists rush past, I realize they are seeing Florence but not really experiencing it. By staying still, I notice how sunlight moves through the dust or the rough sound of a street performer tuning his guitar. I am not just collecting facts; I am letting the atmosphere sink in until it feels real on the page. Without this quiet hour, my writing would just be a list of things I should have done, not real experiences.
This is where my work as a food blogger blends with my writing process. In front of me is a flaky, sugar-covered cornetto filled with tart apricot jam. The first bite surprises me with its texture: the pastry is crunchy, then gives way to the sweet, ripe fruit. I am not just eating; I am taking notes. I notice the bitter taste of the espresso that balances the sweetness, the warmth of the steam on my face, and the sound of the cup touching the saucer.
As a food and travel blogger, I know that a meal is more than just food. It tells the story of the place, the season, and the people who made it. As an author, I want to bring that same depth to my writing. If I cannot describe the exact color of an apricot glaze or the special smell of a Florentine roast, how can I bring readers into my world?
Taking time to enjoy this meal is not a break from my work. It is part of my research.
Work is not always about reaching the next destination. Sometimes, the best thing I can do is sit quietly and let the world set the pace. I aim for real, lived moments in my writing, not just a summary. My goal is to look closely at a few things and go deeper.
The plaza becomes busier. As the morning ends, more tourists arrive and the city’s pace changes for midday. Now it is time for me to collect these memories, close my journal, and move on.
Dirk Ebener is a global traveler, food storyteller, and founder of Food Blogger Journey, and the author of Travel That Makes Sense. With more than four decades of personal and professional travel across Europe, Asia, and beyond, he focuses on meaningful journeys shaped by food, culture, and human connection. Dirk is the author of the forthcoming book Travel That Makes Sense, where he encourages travelers to slow down, travel thoughtfully, and bring home stories that last.
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