Unlike single or male business travellers it wasn't just packing the briefcase, getting the taxi and going. The mental excess baggage included being available on tour and handling domestic crises and even helping with homework via mobile or fax. Eight years later the independence training has paid off. The mobile phone is brilliant, except when I'm out of range. Sleep anywhere, especially in-flight.
Ghosts are an optional extra.
Literary dinners usually mean answering FAQs about writing and not eating. In-flight, it's best to eat vegetarian and drink plenty of water. Read business magazines or ask travelling companions about their occupations. Stickybeaking is research sometimes. A bonus was talking with an electronic surveillance expert, just at the time I needed to find out background for my Stalker novel.