Monday, 27 September 2010
Categorized | travel writer
Become a travel writer: Myths and Facts
20:12
Do you have what it takes to become a travel writer? Travel writing might be thought to go along with such glamorous professions as a best-selling novelist or syndicated columnist, but what’s unknown to many is it’s hard work, not to mention expensive, too, unless you’ve reached a point when your publisher covers all travel expenses.
What you should know first
Even stay-at-home mommy writers or those who work mostly from home can write travel articles about their local area to an audience who would find it exotic and interesting. Breaking in to becoming a successful travel writer requires your understanding of these:
The myths
The truth is few jobs in the world are misconceived than that of a travel writer: adventurous and worldly; client meetings are cosy cafe chats with captivating characters; meeting reports are printed in glossy magazines and/or weekend papers, and read by everyone. Not to cause dismay but these are all but a myth.
The real truth about a travel writer are far less glamorous: exhausted at the airport at 7am for probably the second or third time that week; lonely dinners for one at romantic ambiences; monotonous trips to hotel chains; tight deadlines (means no extensions) – and all this for what? Very little pay. Still want to proceed? If so, here’s how you can start.
How to start
Despite all the warnings, if you believe you can become effective at travel writing there is one thing you can do: write. Travelling is part of the job, but better improve skills on looking for compelling stories and punchy angles, and practice writing hard-hitting sentences.
As soon as you find out you like writing and have a knack with words, start collecting writing clips but don’t expect to shine overnight. For starters, honing your travel writing skills first, instead of your imagination, will take you farther to become a travel writer.
What you should know first
Even stay-at-home mommy writers or those who work mostly from home can write travel articles about their local area to an audience who would find it exotic and interesting. Breaking in to becoming a successful travel writer requires your understanding of these:
- Caveats about travel expenses given as complimentary;
- Kinds of markets for travel writing aside from travel Web sites and magazines;
- Tricks for data gathering and fact checking;
- Clichés in travel writing to avoid;
- How much you expect to make in this specialisation;
- The right time to query before a trip and when to wait till your return;
The myths
The truth is few jobs in the world are misconceived than that of a travel writer: adventurous and worldly; client meetings are cosy cafe chats with captivating characters; meeting reports are printed in glossy magazines and/or weekend papers, and read by everyone. Not to cause dismay but these are all but a myth.
The real truth about a travel writer are far less glamorous: exhausted at the airport at 7am for probably the second or third time that week; lonely dinners for one at romantic ambiences; monotonous trips to hotel chains; tight deadlines (means no extensions) – and all this for what? Very little pay. Still want to proceed? If so, here’s how you can start.
How to start
Despite all the warnings, if you believe you can become effective at travel writing there is one thing you can do: write. Travelling is part of the job, but better improve skills on looking for compelling stories and punchy angles, and practice writing hard-hitting sentences.
As soon as you find out you like writing and have a knack with words, start collecting writing clips but don’t expect to shine overnight. For starters, honing your travel writing skills first, instead of your imagination, will take you farther to become a travel writer.
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1 Responses to “Become a travel writer: Myths and Facts”
27 September 2010 at 21:04
Thank you for the tips. It seems that I want to become a travel writer.
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