Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. Selected Resources & Organizations for Writers, Editors, and Other Freelancers — Part 1
3. How to Write Fast
4. New Year, Fresh Start: How to Recalibrate Your Freelance Business in 2009
5. Bloggers and Writers: Make 2009 a Year of Expansion
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Writers in the Sky 2008 Keynote Address by travel writer Rob Story...
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Win a Copy of ‘The Eco-Travel Guide’.
Just a quick tip. Traveling the Green Way has a book giveaway running until the 2nd of January 2009.
They have a copy of ‘The Eco-Travel Guide’ by Alastair Fuad-Luke on offer.Written by a sustainable design consultant, the book focuses on…
- lists 200 vacation destinations around the world and information on green products ranging from hybrid vehicles to green travel clothing.
For your chance to win, head over to Traveling the Green Way and tell them how you travel green…
Friday, December 19, 2008
Book Review: Drama & Diplomacy in Sultry Puerto Vallarta by Jenny McGill.

I’m always surprised when I go and check the mailbox and discover that a book has arrived to be reviewed. It’s not that common an occurrence but it does happen. And that’s how I ended up with a copy of Jenny McGill’s book Drama & Diplomacy in Sultry Puerto Vallarta.
An anecdotal account of Jenny and her husband Howard’s life in Puerto Vallarta in the 1970s and 1980’s, this book is a jumble of events and colorful characters that dotted the landscape of a town only beginning to grow.
Much of the book focuses on Jenny’s time as the consular agent for the US Government and offers an inside glimpse into a bygone era when diplomacy truly was diplomacy.
After telling us the four D's - death, detention, disappearance and destitute – that make up a consular agent’s area of responsibility, Jenny introduces us to a cast of characters, each of which fit into one or other of these four categories. The descriptions are not always pretty (or clean) but each individual character we meet provides an almost historic reflection of a Puerto Vallarta that no longer exists.
The writing style won’t suit everyone. Those who like their stories to flow gently and evenly along a well defined path will find it difficult to read. You have a feeling that Jenny writes like she talks and the book is not so much a complete story as it is a collection of vignettes. Reading it is almost like sitting and listening to a favorite aunt reminiscing about her past – interesting and fun, sometimes confusing and disjointed, but always intriguing and compelling.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. How To Stay Focused: 7 Ways To Keep On Task
3. Interview with Allyson Lewis, author of The Seven Minute Difference
4. The 10 Free Resources Every Writer Needs
5. Clutter: One big tip – don’t “treat” yourself – plus eleven quick tips for keeping your home uncluttered.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea..
A Backpacker in India interviews travel writer and photographer Arun Bhat.
Frank Bures has an inteview with Rolf Potts published in the Nov/Dec issue of Poets & Writers.
Sandwagon asks Does travel writing style rule over travel writing substance?
Travel writer David Farley offers some tips on how to Travel (and get paid to do it)
Beth Whitman has a conversation with travel writer Dave Fox for seattlepi.com
New York Times has a slideshow looking at Why We Travel
Times Online lists The Best Travel Books of 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Travel Related Fitness Giveaways at Healthbolt...
And since many of these giveaways are perfect for the traveler, I thought I’d better give Write to Travel readers a heads up so they could head on over and enter into a giveaway or two.
Just click on the picture and it will take you to that specific giveaway post…
And if you think these are great, just wait to see what’s lined up for next week…
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Authors@Google Video: Stephanie Griest
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. The Art of Self-Motivation
3. 11 Ways to Banish ‘Lonely Freelancer’ Syndrome
4. How to Use a Genius Tool for Writers: Mind Maps
5. Improving Writer-Editor Relationships
Plus one...
Zinio Inside Opens 50,000 Magazines to Searching and Sharing
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Win a Copy of Pauline Frommer’s New York City Guidebook...

Family Travel has a copy of Pauline Frommer’s New York City guidebook to giveaway. Check out Sheila's review of the book and then leave a comment by Friday 5th of December 2008 as to why you want to win this book.
I have...
And don't forget to check out the Passports with Purpose fundraising raffle.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Prizes Posted for Passports with Purpose Fundraising Raffle...
- Browse through the list of prizes.
- Choose which ones you’d like to win for you or someone else
- Click on the FirstGiving link
- Buy one or more $10 raffle tickets for each prize you want by December 29th (11:59 pm PST)
Don't forget - all money raised is going to the Heifer Foundation. So pull out the wallet and join me in buying a ticket or two.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
The Travelbloggers Fundraise For The Heifer Foundation with ‘Passports with Purpose’ Raffle...
The Heifer Foundation, for those who don't know, is a nonprofit organization that seeks to eliminate hunger and poverty around the globe.
Here's how Passports with Purpose will work...
- Various travelbloggers from around cyberspace (and the world) have spent the last couple of weeks gathering great prizes to raffle off.
-Starting tomorrow (1st December) each of these travelbloggers will post about Passports with Purpose on their blog, along with the prize that they have procured.
- readers are invited to purchase raffle tickets (at $10 each) throughout the month of December at the FirstGiving.com account set up for Passports with Purpose.
- a established raffle committee will pick the all prize winners on 30th December 2008.
- the proceeds of the raffle sales (minus minimal transaction fees to FirstGiving.com) will go directly to the Heifer Foundation.
Stop back tomorrow to see the full list of participating travel blogs and the prizes on offer, as well as exactly where to go to purchase a ticket or two...
(This is cross-posted on Perceptive Travel blog)
Two Travel Bloggers Talk About Travelblogging…
Check out this interesting podcast from Internet Marketing for Tourism. It’s host Todd is talking with travelbloggers Pam Mandel (Nerd’s Eye View) and Sheila Scarborough (Family Travel). They talk about how they became travel bloggers and how travel, tourism, and blogging can be an essential components of marketing travel experiences.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Win a Copy of Organic Explorer New Zealand...

Head on over and leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of this great book. Listing over 550 of New Zealand's artisan and eco-friendly places to eat, drink, explore, and sleep, it's a must for anyone considering a trip to the 'land of the long white cloud' or anyone who just likes to dream about beautiful places to visit...
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
Kim Mance asks Does Travel Really Matter Anyway?
Don't Forget to Write suggests that You're not a travel writer because you never made it a goal...
The Salt Lake Tribune reviews some travel books that make you feel better about staying home.
Bryan at Brave New Traveler wrote an interesting article about 5 (Western) Thinkers Who Understood Inner Travel.
Janelle Nanoson at Intelligent Travel interviews photographer Alexandra Avakian. A veteran National Geographic photograper, Alexandra's new book Windows of the Soul: My Journeys in Muslim World recounts the stories behind the pictures.
Are travel writers able to simply 'take a vacation'? That's what Leif Pettersen from Killing Batteries hopes to find out as he heads over to Thailand. (Breaking news: legendary travel writer decides to travel “just because”)
the traveler's notebook has put together a list of 20 Great Wordpress themes for travel blogs for anyone considering creating or updating their blog.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
UK Telegraph’s Travel Writing Competition.
Got a travel story in you that needs to get out? Why not enter it into the Telegraphs’ Year of Discovery travel writing competition.
Here’s how…
“Write a feature of up to 500 words about your travel discovery of the year – be it a new destination, a journey or experience, or just a fresh take on an old favourite at home or abroad.
The best entry, chosen by our editors, will win a 10-night holiday for two in South Africa, taking in Cape Town, the wine lands of Stellenbosch, whale watching in Hermanus and safari trips in Sanbona Wildlife reserve. The best runners-up (one from each of the six categories below) will each win an Asus Eee 910 PC netbook (a compact laptop). Submissions will be judged on the quality of the writing and the originality of the content.”
Go here for more information.
What the Election Taught One Blogger About Blogging….
There’s an interesting post over at Problogger called What I learned about Blogging from the U.S. Presidential Election. It cleverly outlines not only Obama’s election strategy and shows how it could be related to blogging.
Written by Trisha from Ideas for Womens, it highlights a number of things you need to either win an election or create a successful blog post and, in turn, a successful blog.
- you need a story
- you need a community
- Pay attention to the numbers, but don’t take them too seriously
- Everyone has an opinion
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Reviews of the Recent TravelBlog Camp...
One was the annual World Travel Market, a four day gathering of the global travel trade industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry.
The other event, smaller and lesser known, as the inaugural TravelBlog Camp (BlogCamp08) set up by Darren of Travel Rants.
If, like me, you weren't able to attend, you can still get the feel of the event by reading these reviews...
Sandwagon - Travel Blogcamp, London 2008 - pints and pondering
Midi sur l’Asie - Travel Blog camp: When Travel meets Social Media
Mr and Mrs Smith - Travel Blog Camp 2008
Roaming Tales - Travel Blog Camp in London
A full list of reviews can be found at Travel Rant's Wrapup of the Travel BlogCamp and World Travel Market
Friday, November 14, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. 7 Tips for Making Email More Effective
3. How to Deal with Difficult Interviewees
4. The Lazy Man’s Guide to Getting Things Done
5. Writing Inspiration: How to Break Through Mental Barriers
plus two...
Copywriting Grammar Ain't Perfect
Entrepreneur Guy Kawasaki doesn't accept failure
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Dealing with Writer's Block...
You can find Dr Wicked's Write or Die web application here.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea....
Jennifer Marlow comes up with 6 Predictions for the Future of Travel.
Happy Hotelier has a three new 10 Questions posted, this time with : Shannon Hurst Lane from Traveling Mamas, Pam Mandel of Nerd’s Eye View, and Kevin May of Travolution.
Find out more about freelance travel writer David Farley with this half interview/half book review article called Chasing History.
Travel writer Brian Thacker is Stepping back in time, along the hippie trail, '...retracing the 1974 journey through South-East Asia of Lonely Planet founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler using their original guidebook — based on information they collected during their adventure a third of a century ago — as his only reference.'
Here's an excerpt of Dervla Murphy's latest book The Island That Dared: Journeys in Cuba.
William Least Heat-Moon got a new book out. Called Roads to Quoz. Here's the The Los Angeles Times review.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. How Do You Really Make Money Writing Books?
3. 10 Ways to Avoid Writing Insecurity
4. 7 Important Lessons Freelance Writers Can Learn from Working in Fast Food
5. Branding 101: How to Promote Your Blog Like the Big Guys Do
plus...
The Ultimate Productivity Toolbox for Creative People
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. You’re Hired! Don’t Blow It…
3. How to Break Bad Habits
4. How to write a non-fiction book in 60 days: WCDR talk
5. Why Discovering Your Obsession Can Lead to Your Greatness
Plus Kristen King from Inkthinker has a series of live blogging posts from the Fifth Annual Going Freelance Seminar, jointly sponsored by American Independent Writer, that are worth having a read of...
AIW Going Freelance Seminar Session 1: The Fundamentals of Freelance Business
AIW Going Freelance Seminar Session 2: Finding Work in Commercial Writing
AIW Going Freelance Seminar Session 3: It’s Time to Publish
AIW Going Freelance Session 4: Blogging and Your Writing Career
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
The Telegraph wrote an entertaining article abou the high price of a free lunch.
The Salt Lake Tribune discusses how author Tony Hillerman, who passed away on Sunday, brought his 'sense of place' to Utah.
Nomadic Matt has an interview with travel writer Lara Dunston
Written Road has a post about on Rethinking Newspaper Travel Stories - Don’t Just Tell, Show, based on advice obtained at the recent Society of American Travel Writers Conference in Houston, Texas.
Written Road also has an interview with Tim Patterson and leads to a few travel writing jobs worth - here and here - that might be worth taking a look at.
maketravelfair has an interview with travel writer David Stanley.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Transcript of 'The Future of Travel Blogs' conversation...
But luckily, there is a transcript of the conversation online here.
So for those of us who couldn't catch it live, we have a chance to go back in time and read what everyone thinks of The Future of Travel Blogs.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers…
2. Ten Habits of Highly Paid Freelance Writers
3. Publishing 2.0: Tim Ferriss on Using a Viral Idea to Create a Best-seller
4. 7 Daily Time Wasters and How To Get Your Time Back
5. 50+ Ways to Improve Your Productivity as a Freelancer
plus one...
How to Find Markets to Pitch
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Join the conversation on the ‘The Future of the Travel Blog’...
Set for Wednesday 22 October at 20:00 British Summer Time (one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. Use this calculator to work out what time that is wherever you are and join in the conversation.
With panelists such as Pam Mandel (Nerd‘s Eye View), Sam Daams (Travellerspoint), Sean O’Neill (This Just In), Tamara Heber-Percy (Mr & Mrs Smith), it should be a lively discussion.
To give you a head start on what’s going to be discussed, check out what these panelists predict for the future of travel blogging.
Hope to see you there…
Friday, October 17, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
Monday, October 13, 2008
All About You Tube...
(found via Problogger)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Book Giveaway: Lonely Planet's Volunteer, a Traveler's Guide....

Entries close 17th October 2008...
Friday, October 10, 2008
2009 Travel Writing Scholarship from WorldNomads.com...
The 2009 Travel Writing Scholarship is open to students, emerging and non-professional writers and lovers of travel looking for a career change.
Here's what you have to do...
- Write a 500 word (or less)travel focused essay based on a personal experience around one of the following themes; 'A Journey that Changed Lives', 'Responsible Travel', or 'Adventure in an Unknown Culture'
- complete the entry form which includes contact details and a 200 word (or less) essay on why you should be chosen and what the opportunity will mean for you. Your answer will provide considerable weight in the judging process.
And what you get if you win is ....
- a 10 day tour with The Blue Yonder, offering unique insight into the River Nila civilization in Kerala, India. Then, after touching base with your travel writing mentor - David Stott, you will hit the road for 10 days reviewing and writing for the Footprint India Handbook!
Sounds like a great way to kick start a writing career.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. Are You Missing The Point Of Being A Freelancer?
3. 12 Things to Do BEFORE Applying for a Freelance Writing Job
4. 'How a gorilla got me a job' Sarah Cruickshank on winning work online
5. Are You Ready to Freelance?
Plus a few extra posts definitely worth having a look at...
Attack Your Limitations: Turn Your Weaknesses Into Strengths
Trouble Sticking to Your Word Count? Try These Editing Tricks
Break Through Writer’s Block
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
This Week's 'Travel Writer Tips'...
- Film-related travel stories (or taking advantage of the set-jetters)
- Information in ex-pat bars (or getting the inside track in an Irish pub)
- Thinking laterally for film angles (or using the story, not the destination)
- Always meet your deadline (or delivering what you promise, when you’ve promised it for)
- Re-using information in round-up articles (or how to milk your research)
- Top travel writer resources: Skyscanner (or where to look first for cheap flights)
- Picking the Right Notebook (or why good things come in small packages)
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. Success Isn’t a Competition: Boosting Others Helps You in the Long Run
3. Steve Pavlina Interview: For Writers, Bloggers, and Readers
4. How to Find and Utilize a Mentor, No Matter What You’re Doing
5. How to Avoid the Physical Hazards of Blogging
Plus a useful article for anyone considering podcasting - A Voice For Your Vision: How to Make Podcasting Work for Your Business
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
World Hum has a Q&A With Stephanie Elizondo Griest, author of Around the Bloc and 100 Places Every Woman Should Go. Stephanie has a new book out - Mexican Enough: My Life Between the Borderlines - which she talks to World Hum about.
Nomadic Matt interviews Chuck Thompson
Happy Hotelier has chosen Desert Mama (from The Traveling Mamas) for his latest 10 Questions series.
Written Road posts about Travel Writer Events in NYC this October
Anyone in Telluride, Colorado this weekend should go to the Writers in the Sky literary meeting which has a number of travel writers attending.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A Book called 'Ultimate Blogs'
Monday, September 22, 2008
Nerd's Eye View Twittering World Savers Congress...
The World Savers Congress is a gathering of travel industry leaders. They join together in one place in order to discuss ways to reduce environmental impact and help improve the economic well-being, health, and education of communities in which their companies operate.
This year's Congress has some great speakers - Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan, Jeffrey Sachs, and Ashley Judd - as well as many panels and discussions, including one moderated by Wendy Perrin of The Perrin Post.
I'd love to attend this event. But that, of course, is not possible.
Instead, I’ll be at the Congress, virtually, through Pam Mandel’s (aka NerdsEyeView) twitter posts.
Pam was handpicked by Conde Nast Traveler to go to NYC and provide live continuing news feed (twitter) and also blog about the Congress so that people like you and me could feel involved and follow along.
Round-up of latest tips from '1001 Travel Writer Tips'
Here's the last four...
Expensive destinations on a budget (or getting money by writing about value for money)
Turn trivia into a story (or how to make money from useless pub quiz knowledge)
Using trivia in round-up articles (or making money from themes).
Why editors love round-up articles (or playing the numbers game).
The Travel Media Showcase...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Now on Twitter...
Not really sure what to do with it.
But then, once upon a time, I didn't know what blogging was either.
So one step at a time, I will find my way with twitter.
I'm here -- http://twitter.com/kiwiwriter
Stop by and help me learn to twitter...
Monday, September 15, 2008
Rolf Potts Discusses 'Marco Polo Didn't Go' With Pauline Frommer...

Travel Writer Rolf Potts discusses his latest collection of travel essays, "Marco Polo Didn't Go" with Pauline Frommer in this podcast.
Rolf's also got a 'virtual book tour' happening this week and next. You can check the schedule here...
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
Brave New Traveler interviews Christopher Rufo and Keith Ochwat, the Nomadic Geniuses Behind Roughing It: Mongolia.
Check out 2008 Rolf Potts Marco Polo Didn’t Go There book tour to see when Rolf might be in your neck of the woods.
For would be self publishers, Vagabondish has put together 7 Self-Publish Websites to Jumpstart Your Travel Publishing Career.
Wild About Travel + Writing provides Top tips for taking better travel photographs: Part 1 and Part 2.
Photoshelter looks at How to Shoot Great Travel Photography.
Rick Steves writes about The Art and Value of Journaling as You Travel.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Tips for Travel Writers...
Then this blog's for you.... 1001 Travel Writer Tips
Created by David Whitley, a successful freelance travel writer with articles published in magazines and newspapers around the world, 1001 Travel Writer Tips looks to be a great resource to anyone considering a career in freelance, and in particular, travel writing. Actually, it looks like it's going to be a great resource for freelance writers at all levels of expertise.
It's a new blog, so there are only a few posts so far:
#1 Writer who travels vs traveller who writes
#2 Know Your Competition
#3 Know your place in the greater scheme of things.
#4 Don’t get too precious
#5 Find the editor’s real e-mail address
#6 Spell the editor’s name correctly
#7 Exchanging contacts with other travel writers
#8 Writing about where you live
Only 993 to go...
You can be sure I'll be stopping by every day to get my travel writing tip of the day. Sure hope you'll join me...
In fact, I'll make it easy for you by posting a link each day to the latest tip over on sidebar under 'Daily Travel Writing Tip'.
David, by the way, was the very first travel writer that Write to Travel interviewed.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Advice on Becoming a Travel Writer...
But before you start thinking it's all glamour and fun, check out check out this post written by Kim's travel buddy Dan who reflects on his experiences on the road trailing a travel writer
As for advice on how to become a travel writer, Kim's put together a couple of posts worth reading. Take her advice on board and see where it leads you...
So You Want to Be a Travel Writer Part One
So You Want to Be a Travel Writer Part Two
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. Power of focused attention
3. Q&A with Renegade Writer Gwen Moran
4. Deal Makers and Deal Breakers: How to Get Your Resume to the Top of the Pile
5. Reslanting and Reselling for Writers
plus one...
What I Learned About Freelancing from Lucille Ball
Friday, September 5, 2008
Win a Copy of Lonely Planet's 'A Year of Festivals'...
Have a read of my review of the Lonely Planet's 'A Year of Festivals'...

...and then enter the giveaway.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Interview with a Travel Writer...James Bainbridge.

The 'interview with a travel writer' series is back this week with an interview with Lonely Planet author James Bainbridge. James has written a number of Lonely Planet books, including co-authoring the newly released 'A Year of Festival'.
Hi James and welcome to Write to Travel. Thanks for taking time to chat with us...
1. Did you always want to be a writer? How did you get started in writing?
Yes, definitely. I have book-selling parents so it was always in my blood. After penning a few great unpublished novellas (I never got as far as a novel), I converted my degree in English Literature and History of Art into something that'd pay the rent - with the help of a three-month postgraduate journalism course. It was a vocational 'crash' course that gave me enough skills to blag my first job in journalism, and I highly recommend it as a good way to get started as a professional writer. The guys teaching the course had lots of industry contacts and, within a month of completing it, I landed my first writing job: staff writer on Media Week, the magazine for the UK's marketing and media sectors. It wasn't my dream subject matter, but I stayed for 2.5 years to get some experience, working my way up to deputy features editor.
2. What do you consider your first "break" as a travel writer?
The only way to save my soul after 2.5 years of writing about advertising deals and targeted, customer-centric solutions etc etc was to go somewhere far far away from London. I travelled overland to Timbuktu and back, drawn by West African music. While I was in Senegal, I stayed with some 'griots' (musicians who play West African instruments such as the kora as their birthright, and are descended from the court bards in the Mandinke empire). When I got home to England, I sold a story about the experience to the travel section of Guardian Unlimited, the Guardian newspaper's website. Although I didn't apply to write for Lonely Planet for a couple of years after that, being able to send them that article demonstrated that I had solid West African experience. LP first hired me to work on their West Africa guide and, having proved myself on that book, I've contributed to half a dozen other books - from India to Ireland.
3. What advice would you give to someone who wants to break into writing?
You need to find a balance between practicing and hustling. You need to keep scribbling away when you're travelling (and even when you're not), but at the same time, you need to make sure you you're pitching and getting your name out there.. Check out travel media and figure out what they're looking for. Do they have any specific sections you could pitch something into? E.g. an article about that amazing Tagine you scoffed in Tangier for their food page. (Hey, we're back to targeted, customer-centric solutions!) What special skills do you have? Everyone's backpacked across Europe or southeast Asia, but do you know a certain language or have a deep knowledge of a country's history or architecture or food? Do you have any contacts who could show you round and help you find a fresh angle on a destination? Doing some time on a magazine helps, as it'll improve your understanding of what commissioning editors are looking for, and how they work... even if the mag covers something irrelevant.
4. What do you see as the future for travel writers in the printed media and online ?
As publishers like Lonely Planet start to describe themselves as 'travel content providers' rather than guidebook publishers, the future is all about cross-platform travel writing. Some naysayers have predicted that digital media will undo the likes of Lonely Planet, as consumers can get recommendations for free, via free websites and blogs. But have you used one of those free online sources of information? Not only is the writing often incoherent, but it's just not a trusted source. The information hasn't been collected by a professional journalist on the payroll - it's been collected by an enthsiast on holiday. Simply not the same. Digital media, then, is a great opportunity, giving us more channels to write for; in addition to producing the same, great guidebooks we've delivered have since LP's founder Tony Wheeler first flogged self-published tomes on street corners. One exciting and challenging thing about digital media is the opportunities it offers to multi-media journalists. If you can go somewhere and write about it, photograph it, film it and make some recordings, you can sell podcasts, blogs, video clips, photo features and so on in addition to the traditional, written account.
5. Which travel writers and/or travel books have influenced you?
I really like stylised, opinionated writers who tend to divide opinion... Bruce Chatwin, Paul Theroux. These guys tried to get to the truth of a place by telling it how it was - something Lonely Planet strives to do in a more prosaic, practical way in its reviews. Writers like that also really remind me how much a person's character informs his experience and perception of a place. Chatwin might spend a page describing the expression on a border guard's face or the atmosphere in a train carriage, then briefly refer to the view in passing. You just don't find that kind of subjectivity in mainstream travel writing, because publications often have a house style that can dilute a writer's individual voice.
6. As a writer and traveler, what are the biggest challenges you face on the road ?
Travelling by yourself, as I often do because I'm working rather than holidaying, you have be especially on your guard. You immediately look more vulnerable than someone in a group. I happily roam the streets by day, but I'm circumspect about what I do and where I go at night.
Then there are language barriers. In West Africa, for example, I can speak French, the colonial language, but many people only speak indigenous languages. If you can learn a few simple phrases in the local language (hello, how are you, thank you etc), it really wins people over, and someone normally appears who can speak English or a European language. I've had Sikhs in Punjab, North India punching the air when I've said 'satsriakal' (hello in Punjabi).
Although travelling is a lot of fun, it can be tiring and you have to pace yourself. If you don't, you'll get ill or, equally bad, you'll start to feel jaded and you won't get as much out of the travelling as you should. You need to give yourself a few days to acclimatise when you first arrive, to get used to everything from the weather to the food.
7. Finally, what is your favorite place and why ?
Ahh... the million dollar/dirharm/rupee question. It's a tough call but I do keep going back to Morocco's Atlas Mountains. The landscape is simply stunning, ranging from snow-capped peaks to red Martian hills, and Berbers are some of the friendliest, most laid back people you'll meet. There's a great mixture of Saharan and Arabic influences and a real romance to travelling those mountain passes, perhaps in a truck or a grand taxi with some Berbers on their way to market.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
The Guardian has an interesting article by travel writer Sophie Campbell called How solo can you go?, addressing the issue of solo travel.
Secret Agent Josephine has an article on a travel writer's Life on the Road.
Vagablogging has a brief recap of what travel writer Rolf Pott's has been up to lately, including links to his new book Marco Polo Didn't Go There.
Wisebread has an interesting article called High Tech and Homeless: My Life as a Cyber Nomad, full of great advice for anyone going on the road and wanting to stay connected.
Brave New Traveler has an interview with Brook Silva-Braga on the challenges of shooting a travel documentary.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Win a Copy of the Food Matters DVD.

Just wanted to share with Write to Travel readers a great DVD giveaway over at Healthbolt.
Food Matters is an independently funded film looks at the trillion dollar worldwide ’sickness industry’ and ask why ‘despite the billions of dollars of funding and research into new so-called cures we continue to suffer from a raft of chronic ills and every day maladies.’
It’s been called the ‘food equivalent’ of The Inconvenient Truth.
Healthbolt has five copies of the Food Matters DVD to giveaway.
Check out the film’s trailer….
And then enter here.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Guest Post: Book Passage 2008 Review by Nancy Brown.
"What's on your bucket list?" I asked Tim Cahill as we dined over California cuisine at the 2008 Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference. "My own backyard," replied Cahill.

Cahill, along with the who's who of travel writers, editors and photographer's shared their insider tips with students of the 17th annual Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference held August 14-17, 2008 in Corte Madera, California. The four day conference focused on newspaper, magazine and guidebook writing, as well as travel photography. Portolios were critiqued by Robert Holmes, Andrea Johnson, George Olson, Jeff Pflueger and Alison Wright.
In the evening, Wright earned a standing ovation for her slide show and tales from her latest book, Learning to Breathe. Author Eric Weiner, The Geography of Bliss, shared that "travel writing is writing about place and ultimately writing about people." While Author Phil Cousineau, Art of Pilgrimage, noted that "the value of travel is that you give yourself permission to be a different person."
Speaking of different people, Simon Winchester, in conversation with Conference Chair Don George, discussed his relationship with his mentor Jan Morris. Winchester, a wonderful story teller, shared some fascinating aspects of his friendship over the years with Morris.

"It's about relationships," stated Hamm. "The people who are the best writers are easy to work with," offered Bleiberg. "I treasure people who are good and solid," added Flinn. "Deliver a good story with no drama."
Yet drama is expected from Author Isabel Allende. "I think the hardest part of writing is sitting down," laughed Allende. "I'm not organized. I don't have an outline. That's like making love with a manual!"
I know I have missed including some faculty members in this review. Please accept my apologies, as I hope to see you at next year's conference August 13-16, 2009. Early birds can register until October 1 for a rate of $575, after that date the cost moves to $635.
(Guest blogger Nancy Brown of Northern California writes What a Trip for the Contra Costa Times Lamorinda Sun.)
Friday, August 22, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
Nomadic Matt has an Interview with Thomas Kohnstamm, the controversal lonely planet travel writer who wrote that tell all book 'Do Travel Writers Go to Hell?'
Gadling is Talking travel with [Mark Jolly] founder of globorati.com, the top luxury travel site for the stylish jet set.
Sand Dollar Adventures has an interview with Tim Cahill.
And Uptake has an interview with Kim Kavin, Author of Everything Family Travel Guide to Northern California
....
Book reviews...
SFGate reviews 'The White Mary', a novel by travel writer Kira Salak. And you can learn more about Kira with this OregonLive.com interview 'Adventures with Kira'.
The Los Angeles Times has a review of Paul Theroux's new book 'Ghost Train to the Eastern Star: On the Tracks of the Great Railway Bazaar', while The New York Times offers an excerpt from the book, and CNN offers a glimpse into Paul Theroux's world.
And if that''s not enough about Theroux, Don George also has a review of The Ghost Train to the Eastern Star over at National Geographic Traveler. Plus Theroux's writing is also reviewed in Dispatches, a new quarterly of essays. The inaugural issue focuses on American culture.
....
For those of us who didn't make it to this year's Book Passage's Travel Writers & Photographers Conference, here's a round up of reviews from those who did...
Sand Dollar Adventure writes Will Tim Cahill make me cry and what DID happen to Don George’s pants?
The Los Angeles Times Daily Travel & Deal Blog writes Tim Cahill regales Book Passage travel writers with adventure stories and writing advice
And World Hum has Looking Back at the Book Passage Travel Writers Conference.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Talking Travel With Peter Moore and Annie Caulfield...
Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Dealing the Writers Block...
These videos might not help but they will entertain...
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
Have Camera Will Travel has an interesting post about Selling Your Travel Photography that's worth a read.
NWA WorldVacations Launches Online Travel Story Contest
Friday, August 15, 2008
Travel Book Giveaway...
Up for grabs is a copy of Harry S. Pariser's 'Explore Costa Rica'.

This 622 page guidebook is rich in detail, providing plenty of background information about Costa Rica’s history, geology, culture, rainforests, and wildlife. Plus it covers everything from nature lodges to bed and breakfasts, from national parks and forests to historical sites, from places to dine to places to shop, and all things in between.
To get in the draw to win a copy, head on over to Traveling the Green Way and leave a comment by 22nd August. Winner will be selected by random number generator.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The Writer Mama Holding Month Long Giveaway in September...

Here's something you don't want to miss. The Writer Mama is having a Back to School Giveaway. Starting in September, there will be one giveaway a day. The list of giveaways so far include...
1. 2009 Deluxe Writer’s Market by Robert Brewer
2. 1-yr subscription to WritersMarket.com
3. 1-yr subscription to Writer’s Digest magazine
4. Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market 2009 by Rachel McDonald
5. Guide to Literary Agents 2009 by Chuck Sambuchino
6. Writer’s Digest Weekly Planner by the Writer’s Digest Editors
7. First Draft in 30 Days + From First Draft to Finished Novel by Karen Wiesner
8. Page After Page + Chapter After Chapter by Heather Sellers
9. WGF: Plot & Structure + WGF: Revision & Self-Editing by J.S. Bell
10. Writing the Breakout Novel + Workbook by Donald Maass
11. Chicken a la King & the Buffalo Wing by Steven Glibar
12. Pep Talks, Warnings, & Screeds by George Singleton, illus. by Daniel Wallace
13. The Daily Writer by Fred White
14. The Write-Brain Workbook by Bonnie Neubauer
15. The Mind of Your Story by Lisa Lenard-Cook
16. A Cup of Comfort for Writers with an essay by Sage Cohen
17. Make a Scene by Jordan Rosenfeld
18. Freelancing for Newspapers by Sue Lick
19. Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon
20. Writer Mama Gift Set from Ninth Moon
21. Travel Writer’s Collection from Ninth Moon
22. A Writer’s Space Collection from Ninth Moon
23. Wooden “Writer at Work” Doorhanger from Ninth Moon
24. THREE copies of Writer Mama by Christina Katz
25. THREE copies of Get Known Before the Book Deal (to be mailed upon publication) by Christina Katz
Looks like a goldmine of resources for writers...
So mark 'visit The Writer Mama' everyday in September on your calenders. It might just be worth it.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
2. Emotional Connections To Beat Creative Blocks
3. Becoming A Freelancer: 7 Things To Do When (Or Before) You Take The Plunge (And One Reason Why Famous Advice Is Wrong)
4. 8 In-Flight Magazines that Pay Well for Travel Writing
5. Do You Think You Could Succeed As A Freelancer Or Web-Worker?
Monday, August 4, 2008
10 of the Oddest Travel Guides Ever Published...
1. The Truth About Hunting in Today's Africa, and How To Go on Safari for $690.00 by George Leonard Herter (1963)
2. A Guide Through the District of the Lakes in the North of England by William Wordsworth (5th edition, 1835)
3. Das Generalgouvernement by Karl Baedeker (1943)
4. Fodor's Indian America by Jamake Highwater (1975)
5. Bollocks to Alton Towers by Robin Halstead, et al. (2006)
6. Travel Guide of Negro Hotels and Guest Houses by Afro-American Newspapers (1942)
7. Lonely Planet Guide to Micronations by John Ryan et al. (2006)
8. The Night Climbers of Cambridge by "Whipplesnaith" (1937)
9. A Tramp Trip: How To See Europe on Fifty Cents a Day by Lee Meriwether (1886)
10. Overland to India and Australia by the BIT Travel & Help Service (1970)
I haven't read any of them, although I have heard of a couple.
Head on over to the Slate article to find out what makes these travel guides unique.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Google Map: Bookstores Across the USA
View Larger Map
It's definitely a useful tool, especially for those of us who love both road trips and bookstores.
In fact, I'm going to put the map on Write to Travel's sidebar for future reference...
Saturday, August 2, 2008
August is National Travel Writing Month...
She's running the first ever National Travel Writing Month (NaTraWriMo), based along the same lines as the yearly National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
Christine calls the National Travel Writing Month a travel writing social experiment aimed at pushing each writer's boundaries. The goal - to send 31 query letters between August 1 -31, 2008.
To get people on board and provide guidelines, support, assistance, and encouragement, Christine has set up the NaTraWriMo Forum where you can sign up. There are threads for introducing yourself, getting started, posting daily updates and success stories, as well as tips on how to write queries, and publication guidelines.
Of course, this quickly caught my eye and I headed over to Almost Fearless to ask Christine a couple of questions.
WT: How did you come up with the idea of a National Travel Writing Month ?
Christine: I wanted to overcome what my husband calls "paralysis by analysis". I had spent so much time thinking, researching, reading, and planning to write for all my favorite publications, that I had put off sending submissions for far too long. I asked myself, "What would happen if I just buckled down and queried somewhere new everyday? Would I get published more often? Would I crack the secret to the perfect query? What's the worse that could happen?" So like any good writer, I decided to drag anyone I could into it, and from there NaTraWriMo was born.
WT: What do you hope to achieve?
Christine: I hope that the daily practice makes for better writing, and that the community aspect allows everyone to learn and share. There are some amazing, well-published writers participating already, and I'm honored to get a glimpse at their process.
WT: Any tips for those who want to participate.
Christine: Keep it simple! You live somewhere... write about it. A query letter writing isn't magical, it's just a communication to another person about your idea. Don't stop yourself from trying simply because you're not sure you can do it perfectly.
Unfortunately, this has come at the worst possible time for me, otherwise I'd be right in the thick of it.
But for anyone who needs a some encouragement, support, and incentive, this sounds like a great idea.
You can sign up here.