BootsnAll Travel Community

so i would like to be a travel writer, and i think the little travel journals i send home or articles i've written are good. but i have to ask myself if people aside from my friends and family WOULD think they're good. Of course my grandmother reads them and replies that i would make a successful travel writer. going through travel blogs, here and there, i always see similar comments from people's relatives. i'm no one to judge, but not all that i've read are that exciting or interesting, but someone out there thinks they're book worthy. so i'm just wondering, if you think people are just being kind when they read your blogs/journals or do you genuinely believe that people are really impressed by what you're mass emailing them?

well, shoot, I"D be interested in reading what's doing in Kagoshima, Japan!

I'd say, just keep writing and let the other big bad bastards sort their opinions of it out (in hell!) without your help.

It is gratifying when you make the leap and strangers begin to read your work too. Gives Grandma a little back up (by the way, I think it's wonderful that she's so supportive. give grandma an extra squeeze today!)
seems that in this day and age, blogs are a good way to reach strangers, esp. if you do a little guerilla marketeering and exchange links w/ other bloggers whose work you enjoy.

Myself, I prefer paper zines.

there are ways to reach readers outside your inner circle even if the editors aren't yet willing to take a chance on you. Self publishing is really rewarding - start small - don't lose money! xerox! staple it up on your bed! - and you'll keep improving with everything you write.

good luck!

thanks ayun.. i've not read your book, but i can get it on amazon here in japan (next paycheck maybe). i've been published a bit. i was a film critic for my university paper (the fifth biggest in canada) and also did travel journals for them. i also recently wrote for a local paper back home (one read mostly by my grandmother and other lovely old ladies) about my experiences in sri lanka during tsunami time. i guess i only trust people's opinions when either i don't know them or they had no reason for bringing it up other than to say something positive.

i actually want to be a screenwriter, but travel has become like heroin and meth for me (not that i've taken them) and it's starting to become a major goal for me too.

my main reason for posting was to find out if others, were the same. seriously i could write "crap boobs crap" a million times on a page and someone's bound to say.. dude, love your writing! just doesn't mean it's publishible.

as for kagoshima, it's the naples of japan (allegedly, although they are sister cities), and we have a lovely smoking volcano looming over the city that just doesn't seem to want to put on a little lava show while i'm here.

looking forward to checking on your book.. any book with a review by stephen colbert is on my list!!

ps. ayun.... i went to see urinetown... was the first show i went to see when i was passing through new york at xmas time 2003. it was soooo good.. although my jetleg (was barely in the country 15hours) kinda made me nod a little bit.. it was soo funny. i wish i could have seen it with hunter thompson.

Hey, BBBB, do you have a blog? I'd say that when complete strangers send an email and say they love you're writing or you provided a new perspective for them, inspired them to travel on their own, etc......you're writing is universally good.

How about trying those giant collective free-story sites where you can post your work (doesn't necessarily have to be travel....if you can write well, you can write well) and get feedback, ratings, etc. on your story? Not that I've tried them...

Otherwise, keep writing. You can only get better.

Heck....maybe the BnA moderator's wouldn't mind you posting a little bit up in the travel writing forum or in the travel stories section or something and you can deliberately ask folks to go read and quickly offer random feedback.

I have an MFA in Writing and let me tell you--people often lie. I'm not saying your writing is bad, but don't trust friends (or even vague friends) b/c they don't want to hurt your feelings.

Perhaps you could start a writing group--virtual or with some friends in your town--and go over each other's pieces.

Remember: constructive criticism is what you want, not trashing or lying.

good luck

You're so right, Cherie! My poor mother thinks anything from my head is brilliant, even when I know it's complete crap.

And you TRY to tell them you need honest, real feedback and some people, just can't dish that for you.

One of my professors says that part of learning to be a good writer, is learning which advice to take, and which to ignore

I decided to take that advice heh

Saying good things is not especially 'constructive' to me (i.e. wow I like this, hey that's really good, very funny!) but if someone wants to sing the praises of my prose, who am I to stop them? its a blessing, enjoy! (even if they are lying)

Ah, so right you are, Mina Olen!!

Which makes me think of a an excellent topic to start in this section....

BAD Editorial Feedback

People often say my writing is cold and distant.

hey justine.. i just checked out your site. fucking wicked, mate, good on ya.

Hey, Big Bad, thanks for the compliments! Feel free to drop a line sometime.