Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Getting Through Freelance Rejection

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

Writers in the Sky 2008 Keynote Address by travel writer Rob Story...

Rob Story, winner of the 2003-2004 Lowell Thomas Award, doing the keynote address at the Writers in the Sky 2008. Rob is a Telluride-based Outside magazine correspondent and also the author of Outside Adventure Travel: Mountain Biking.

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…

- the how, what, and why of eco-travel and offers ideas on how to minimize our impact as both a daily commuter and a long haul traveler.

- 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…

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Freelance Advice: Marketing yourself for free

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.

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

Weekly Top 4 Blog Posts for Writers…

1. How To Start a Freelance Business Today (Tools for Beginners). 

2. The Essential Time-Saving Guide for Busy People

3. How To Beat Procrastination And Get Things Done

4. Why environment matters as a writer

Travel Related Fitness Giveaways at Healthbolt...

I’ve been playing Mrs Santa Claus this week over at Healthbolt with all the great giveaways that have been lined up for the month long ‘31 Days of Giveaways.’

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…

Authors@Google Video: Stephanie Griest

Author Stephanie Griest discusses her book "Mexican Enough: My Life between the Borderlines"...

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Freelancing on the move: 3 essential briefcase fillers you can’t afford to be without

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

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.

Prizes Posted for Passports with Purpose Fundraising Raffle...

The list of participating travel blogs and the prizes they have procured are now posted over at Passports with Purpose.

All you have to do is ...

• 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.

The Travelbloggers Fundraise For The Heifer Foundation with ‘Passports with Purpose’ Raffle...

Looks like the holiday season is in full throttle now, with everyone focusing on shopping, planning, and organizing their Christmas holidays. Sometimes with all the holiday hype, it's hard to remember that a large percentage of the world can barely put food on their table, let alone buy extravagent presents and travel long distances to gather with family and friends.

This year, some Seattle based travelbloggers - Pam Mandel from Nerd's Eye View, Beth Whitman of Wanderlust and Lipstick, Debbie Dubrow from Delicious Baby, and Michelle Duffy of WanderMom - (all of whom I include amongst my cyber-friends) have created Passports with Purpose, a travelblogging fundraiser for the Heifer Foundation. It’s a great way of giving something to those who have very little.

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers…

1. 10 Things You Should Keep for Tax Purposes

2. More Tips on Managing Multiple Freelance Gigs

3. Freelancing FUBARs: 8 common mistakes

4. Write Email Subject Lines that Get Read

5. Five Great Ways to Conquer Your Fears

Win a Copy of Organic Explorer New Zealand...

Just posted about the latest edition of Organic Explorer New Zealand over at Perceptive Travel Blog.



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...

Travel Writing Miscellanea...

The Traveling Mamas interview travel writer and blogger Nancy Brown.

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. The Truth About Press Trips

2. How to Be on Time (And What to Do if You Can’t)

3. 10 Tips on Querying Magazines and Websites

4. Inspiration on Demand: Create a Swipe File

5. Living Simply: The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Your Clutter

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

Reviews of the Recent TravelBlog Camp...

Last week in London, two events were held that attracted the attention of travel writers and bloggers.

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

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Freelancer Pro Interview: Paul Spicer

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

Dealing with Writer's Block...

Discovered Dr Wicked's Write or Die the other day. Looks like an interesting way to write yourself out of writer's block...



You can find Dr Wicked's Write or Die web application here.

Travel Writing Miscellanea....

Everything Everywhere and Killing Batteries have an interesting discussion on the need for travel guides on the road.

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Five Simple Ways to Instantly Improve Your Writing and …And Five More!

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

Traveling Feet...

Foot Notes

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: design inspirational)

(source)

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. 7 Freelancer Stress-Busters You Can Use Today

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

Travel Writing Miscellanea...

PRWeek has an interview with Mary Potts, online editor/associate editor for National Geographic Adventure. It's got a PR focus but is still interesting from a travel writing perspective.

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.

Transcript of 'The Future of Travel Blogs' conversation...

I mentioned the other day that Karen from Europe la Carte was hosting a live blogging conversation on the topic The Future of the Travel Blog. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch it due to other commitments.

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers…

1. Freelancers: Finding Corporate Markets

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

Join the conversation on the ‘The Future of the Travel Blog’...

Karen from the Europe a la Carte blog is hosting a live blog session on 22 October looking at ‘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…

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. 5 Creativity Killers And How To Get Your Creative Juices Flowing Again

2. 10 Tips for Getting More Personal Interaction as a Freelancer

3. Applying for Blogging Jobs - Do You Need A Resume?

4. 13 Tips to Recession Proof Your Blog

5. How to Gain Control Over Your Freelancing Life

All About You Tube...

An anthropological introduction to YouTube or everything you wanted to know about You Tube...



(found via Problogger)

Book Giveaway: Lonely Planet's Volunteer, a Traveler's Guide....

Check out my book review and giveaway of Lonely Planet's book Volunteer, A Traveler's Guide to Making a Difference Around the World.



Entries close 17th October 2008...

2009 Travel Writing Scholarship from WorldNomads.com...

WorldNomads.com is offering an amazing opportunity for anyone looking to become a travel writer.

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Are You a Writer, Freelancer, or Entrepreneur?

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

Michael Pollen Talks About Writing...

A Berkeley Writers at Work video from August 2007:

This Week's 'Travel Writer Tips'...

Here's this weeks travel writing tips from David Whitley of 1001 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)

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Best tips for a great story pitch

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

Travel Writing Miscellanea...

DeliciousBabyhas an interview with Wendy Perrin

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. The Dark Side of Freelance Writing

2. 6 Reasons Why Freelance Writers Should Have A Niche Blog

3. Why You Should Attend Conferences

4. Drumming Up Clients During a Recession

5. Are You a Lazy Writer?

A Book called 'Ultimate Blogs'

Interesting Authors@google talk by Sarah Boxer who researched and wrote a book called 'Ultimate Blogs'...

Nerd's Eye View Twittering World Savers Congress...

Here's a head's up for all of you interested in environmental issues. Conde Nast Traveler's 2nd Annual World Savers Congress is being held in NYC today (23 September 2008).

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'

The tips just keep on coming over at 1001 Travel Writer Tips and each one is a gem.

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...

Here's a slice of the Travel Media Showcase for those of us who never got there...

Now on Twitter...

Well, have finally got around to joining 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...

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Lessons on Freelance Writing from the Dating Scene

2. Letting Your Articles Marinate

3. 7 Motivation Hacks for Freelancers

4. Strategies for "Man on the Street" Interviews

5. A Guide to Becoming a Writer for Kids and Teens

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...

Travel Writing Miscellanea...

Vagabonding has an interview with Matt Goss, aka The New York Times Frugal Traveler.

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. 10 Ways to Write Better Articles for Magazines

2. The “Alfred Hitchcock” Guide to Branding

3. 5 Ways to Battle Creative Blocks

4. Putting the “Work” Back Into “Freelance Worker”

5. Transforming Your Blog Into Really Big Business

Tips for Travel Writers...

Want some help in becoming a travel writer?

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.

Advice on Becoming a Travel Writer...

Remember Kim from Wild About Travel + Writing ? She took part in the 'interview with a travel writer' series back in May and since then has been galavanting around Tanzania, helping author uthor Philip Briggs update the 6th edition of the Bradt travel guide. It's a tough life but someone's go to do it.

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

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Learn from the Greats: 7 Writing Habits of Amazing 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

Win a Copy of Lonely Planet's 'A Year of Festivals'...

Just a heads up to a book giveaway I'm running over at Perceptive Travel Blog.

Have a read of my review of the Lonely Planet's 'A Year of Festivals'...



...and then enter the giveaway.

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.

Travel Writing Miscellanea...

Blog Critics has an interview with Adventurer and Travel Writer Brandon Wilson. His list of books includes Yak Butter Blues, Dead Men Don't Leave Tips, and Along the Templar Trail: Seven Million Steps for Peace.

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. 7 Ways to Turn Miss(ter) Modesty into a World-Class Freelancer

2. 10 Bad Freelance Writing Habits You Need to Break

3. Looking for an Angle

4. 5 Easy Ways to Start a Productive Day

5. 7 Certain Ways to Crucify Your Content

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.

Guest Post: Book Passage 2008 Review by Nancy Brown.

Nancy Brown from What a Trip Blog was lucky enough to attend the recent Book Passages Travel Writers & Photographers Conference. Here's her review of the four day event.


"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.

The 65-year-old Founding Editor of Outside Magazine and author of books including Hold the Enlightenment and Lost in My Own Backyard said he'd be happy to stay home and explore Montana. When asked about what makes a story standout, Cahill said that research is important. "Tell us some interesting historic facts and something special about the people," added 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.

Blogger rock stars Jim Benning, Jen Leo and David Lytle twittered and blogged their way to alltop.com where the best travel blogs are listed on the web. Pauline Frommer discussed writing for the on-line travel industry with David Lytle and Michael Shapiro, while Larry Bleiberg, Catharine Hamm and John Flinn explained how to work with an editor.

"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.)

Travel Writing Miscellanea...

Interviews...

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. How to Score a Job With a Web Magazine

2. 10 Steps to the Perfect List Post

3. Liz Strauss: The Secret of Being a Successful and Outstanding Writer

4. One Blogger, Many Roles

5. 50 Amazing and Essential Novels to Enrich Your Library

Talking Travel With Peter Moore and Annie Caulfield...

Here's a series of videos I found on You Tube that features a talk given by travel writers Peter Moore and Annie Caulfield at the Guildford Writer's Festival 2007...

Part One




Part Two




Part Three




Part Four

Dealing the Writers Block...

Writers Block - it's something that all writers have to deal with. But what is it and how do you deal with it...

These videos might not help but they will entertain...

Travel Writing Miscellanea...

Seattlepi.com has an interesting article/book review/interview More than just a travel writer, Kira Salak didn't search far for her novel's inspiration that makes me want to read Salak's first novel The White Mary. I've not read any of Salak's writing yet but she's on my list now.

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

Travel Book Giveaway...

I'm running a travel book giveaway over at Traveling the Green Way.

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. 22 Places to Find Freelance Writing and Blogging Jobs

2. How to Choose a Topic for Your Next Blog Post

3. Eight ways to recycle articles

4. 8 Attributes Of An Olympic Mind SetPosted

5. Guest Post: Your Competition Stinks – Isn’t it Great!

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.

Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...

1. Hate Writing Query Letters? Try LOIs

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?

10 of the Oddest Travel Guides Ever Published...

Slate has put together a list of what they consider the '10 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.

Google Map: Bookstores Across the USA

Thanks to the Baltimore Sun and the dedicated readers of their Read Street Blogwritten by Dave Rosenthal and Nancy Johnston, there is now a google map of over 120 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...

August is National Travel Writing Month...

Christine over at Almost Fearless has come up with a great idea to help either kick start your travel writing career or put back some omph into your sagging travel writing career.

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.