Often anticipation and dread go hand in hand. That thing we most anticipate is also something we fear and dread. Will the wedding of our dreams go off without a hitch? Will our first big promotion prove we weren’t ready for a leadership role? Will this first date lead to something more? As a writer and a reader, I have found that many story topics and plot ideas come from these anticipation and dread questions. They are especially great plot bunnies for romantic comedies or for secondary plots in other genres.

In real life I’m a wife, mother and grandmother. I work full-time and I have several obligations. It isn’t always easy to just pick up and leave, but I have planned a little vacation to visit some of my grandchildren and I’m looking forward to it. I have to admit that I’m dreading the trip. I’ve not flown in several years. I’m older and slower and larger than I was the last time I flew, and I’m nervous about doing something stupid like not making my flight or not knowing where to find my connection. I don’t want to pack too much but I need to pack enough…oh boy!

I can’t wait to spend time with my grandsons and visit with my daughter-in-law. Maybe I’ll have some great ideas for stories when I return. Although I really hope they don’t include disaster stories. Oh well, no matter what happens, I will deal with it and hopefully my flight will be the least adventurous part of my visit.

Do you ever deal with the combination of anticipation and dread? Do you have any tricks for keeping the dread at bay and focusing only on the good? For me it is planning:

1. Ask questions of someone who travels more.
2. Think about what I have to have to make my life easier.
3. Plan to have a good time.