BootsnAll Travel Community

Why? I have met so many people, myself included who when they return from an extended trip, fantasize about beeing a travel writer. You know what I am talking about, the I wish I could travel for a living syndrome.

How likely is it? Just like anything else, I would think that it is not so difficult...oh well, it is always fun to think about it and maybe take myself seriously for a second.

The best writing tends to look so easy, doesn't it? The flow, the syntax - that's another thing that gives you that, 'hell, that'd be easy!' feeling.

It's not though, and I think that's the difference. It's easy to fantasize about being a writer, any kind of writer, not just a travel writer, but when you actually sit down at that computer or notebook, it's usually pretty damn hard. I forget who said 'the art of writing is re-writing,' but it's so, so true!

'Course, writing may be difficult, but there's a quote I picked up from an agent that I think is good advice: "If anything can stop you from being a writer, let it. If nothing can stop you, do it, and you'll make it."

Hi

All u have to do is sit in front of the computer, speak to it and start keying in.

Pretend that your PC, laptop, typewriter, scribbling pad/pen, is your best pal and you are very excited to tell your pal all that happened during the trip. The funny things, the ups the downs, every single bit.

Later you can cut out what you dont want and polish up what you want to write about.

I may be a lunatic, but my computer even has a pet name. I find it helps!

All the best, do try writing, it is an experience not to be missed.

I've often wondered why I get a lot out of some traveller's articles about mundane things such as sitting in their hotel room and so bored by other writers who are on a 'safari of a lifetime'. As previously mentioned good writing takes practice and its not about where you go its about what you get across.

Stephen King the novelist offers tips on writing. These include : reading A LOT, writing A LOT, avoiding cliches, telling the truth, not over embelishing a scene and finding your own quiet place to write. He suggests the best way to write a lot is to get into a 6 day schedule where you crank out 1000 -2000 words without exception.

There are different kinds of travel writing from your basic guide to a Brandon Dane 'seat of your pants adventure'. I think whatever way you go the reader has to be kept in mind and unnecessary detail often bores the pants of readers.

Nick

I think Stephen King is definately onto something. (Imagine that, eh?) Routine, at least for me, is a big part of it. And lots of writers, regardless of if it's travel writing or not, think the same way. Crank out the words, even if it's garbage, becuase then you are constantly writing, constantly producing, and eventually you will come up with something good. And often from the 1000 words of crap, you can polish, pare, rewrite it into something good.

Some writers suggest you look at it as a 9 to 5 job, or suggest you sit for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week if you have the luxury.

And writing isn't just a natural gift. It's a craft and takes practice. You can look at your 1000 words a day as your apprenticeship.

Just a thought..

Upon returning from a 11 week journey around Europe, I too had dreams of writing about my adventures. I still think that my undertaking deserves to be told to a wider audience than just my friends and family. (that's why I made www.kahunna.net )

But I don't think I have the writing skills to portray well enough what I experienced on my journey.

But I have 300+ pages of diary entries to spark memories when I do acquire those skills...

~Kahunna

I was having a conversation with a good freind recently about travel writing and the supply vs. demand. I hear many people saying they dream of being a travel writer and travelling the world with their laptop supplying some larger publication with regular updates of their trips.

My friend commented that the sort of travel writing these people dream of as a full time occupation really doesn't exist. Many people travel and write about their experiences and there are people like Tim Cahill who can earn a buck from a travel book, but even Tim Cahill doesn't do his writing on the road, he does it in his office after gathering information and spending many monthes getting it down on paper.

I think for me guide writing ( gathering and updating data ) would be a cool project on a place I enjoyed, but would seem a chore to do continously.

Nick

Nick is so right in his post above. Every time I hit the road, I tell myself I'm going to write along the way. Then the reality of the actual travel, exploring, talking to people, dealing with lodging and meals, etc., hits. Almost always the end of the day finds me semi-exhausted, snoozing in front of the laptop, with good intentions but no remaining creative brain cells.

I find it relatively easy to blog and post a few pictures from the road, but the "real work" of 800-1200 concise words, data and details neatly tucked in, happens back in the office. Time is less limited and resources (online searches for historical info, etc.) are more available.

Rabbit