The $4,000 Manuscript Odyssey
In the sprawling landscape of eccentric authorial endeavors, one name stands out—Peter Shankman. When confronted with the Herculean task of completing a book manuscript within a mere two weeks, he eschewed the conventional writer’s retreat for a more audacious plan. Rather than sequestering himself in a quiet cabin, he opted for a round-trip business-class flight to Tokyo, a venture that came with a price tag of a cool $4,000.
The Unconventional Writing Retreat
Armed with nothing but a laptop, a sweatshirt, a power cord, and headphones, Shankman embarked on the flight to Tokyo. In the span of the 14-hour journey, he managed to weave the narrative of chapters one through five. Upon touchdown in Tokyo, he briefly indulged in the local flavors—a cup of coffee and sushi—and promptly reboarded the same plane, in the same seat, to pen chapters six through ten during the two-hour return flight. The entire escapade resulted in a completed manuscript, all accomplished within the remarkable timeframe of 30 hours. Whether Shankman is a literary virtuoso or simply possesses an unparalleled understanding of his brain’s idiosyncrasies remains a subject of intrigue.
The $5,000 Brain Investment
Predictably, skeptics raised their eyebrows at Shankman’s unconventional approach, questioning the sanity of allocating $5,000 to essentially go “nowhere.” However, his response resonates with a certain brilliance: “No, I spent $5,000 to write a book because I know how my brain works.” Sometimes, genius comes with a hefty price tag, and in this instance, it took the form of a pricey round-trip ticket to Tokyo.
The In-Flight Writing Studio
Shankman isn’t alone in discovering the marriage of solace and productivity at 30,000 feet. For frequent flyers like him, airplanes morph into personal writing studios. With the right tools—laptop, headphones, and determination—any seat becomes a distraction-free zone, fostering an environment conducive to the uninhibited flow of creativity. While some may view it as an extravagant splurge, others recognize it as a strategic investment in the delicate art of focused writing.
The Absolute DUMBEST Reason to Fly Business Class?
While there are myriad reasons to opt for business class—comfort, luxury, status—using it as a makeshift writer’s haven could tiptoe into the realm of the absolute dumbest. After all, the exorbitant price tag isn’t a paltry sum, and not everyone can rationalize such an expense solely for the sake of undisturbed creativity. Nevertheless, for those fortunate souls who’ve savored the sweet nectar of uninterrupted focus at 30,000 feet, the indulgence might just be worth every penny.