Comments on: Why Be A Travel Writer? http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/ Sweet travel advice for independent travellers Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:03:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Traveller http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-33220 Traveller Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:53:43 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-33220 I wish I could try...Travelling is my great passion, but writing, unfortunately, isn't my strenght. I wish you good luck! I wish I could try…Travelling is my great passion, but writing, unfortunately, isn’t my strenght. I wish you good luck!

]]> By: Travel Writing Tips | The Indie Travel Podcast | Travel magazine, travel info and free travel guides http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-27386 Travel Writing Tips | The Indie Travel Podcast | Travel magazine, travel info and free travel guides Wed, 16 Dec 2009 09:07:34 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-27386 [...] committing myself publicly to travel writing, I’m constantly being asked, "Is that your real hair?" But more importantly, I’m often [...] [...] committing myself publicly to travel writing, I’m constantly being asked, “Is that your real hair?” But more importantly, I’m often [...]

]]> By: lauren http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-21485 lauren Sun, 13 Sep 2009 15:38:43 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-21485 I've been writing and traveling off the revenue for some time, and am more than happy with this lifestyle. While I rarely get paid for actual travel-style writing, i do find money writing other things and genres easily, which keeps the road ahead of be changing. I’ve been writing and traveling off the revenue for some time, and am more than happy with this lifestyle. While I rarely get paid for actual travel-style writing, i do find money writing other things and genres easily, which keeps the road ahead of be changing.

]]> By: Claire http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-10981 Claire Mon, 02 Feb 2009 21:52:23 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-10981 Despite the fact that I probably won't live a high strung 'comfortable' lifestyle like I grew up in, I still want to pursue this. I'm only seventeen and I know that I am meant to become a travel writer. I want to lead a fulfilling life without having to rely on materialistic belongings. I honestly believe that I can give up shopping and TV to just be able to live and explore a foreign country. I know there will be ups and downs (maybe more downs than ups) in my quest to travel and write professionally, but on my deathbed, when I look back at my life, I will be happy. Despite the fact that I probably won’t live a high strung ‘comfortable’ lifestyle like I grew up in, I still want to pursue this. I’m only seventeen and I know that I am meant to become a travel writer. I want to lead a fulfilling life without having to rely on materialistic belongings. I honestly believe that I can give up shopping and TV to just be able to live and explore a foreign country.

I know there will be ups and downs (maybe more downs than ups) in my quest to travel and write professionally, but on my deathbed, when I look back at my life, I will be happy.

]]> By: Travel Writing Tips at The Indie Travel Podcast http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-8702 Travel Writing Tips at The Indie Travel Podcast Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:01:27 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-8702 [...] committing myself publicly to travel writing, I’m constantly being asked, "Is that your real hair?" But more importantly, I’m often [...] [...] committing myself publicly to travel writing, I’m constantly being asked, “Is that your real hair?” But more importantly, I’m often [...]

]]> By: dave prine http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-5677 dave prine Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:49:24 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-5677 Hi Craig & Linda—Many thanks for the support! Brianne—Sorry for your experience. Thanks for posting—it’s a reminder that we all need to be cautious about the fine print (and lack thereof) when it comes to paying for travel. Nomadic Matt—A lot of people share that sentiment, and I must admit I’m a little wary of the business. It sounds like a lot of work for little payback, including those reasons you mentioned. But it does let one travel for a living, so that’s a plus. And it is a writing credit (although most guidebook writers I hear from end up selling way less than a million copies). But there are also many other outlets for travel writing, so there are alternatives to the fast-paced guidebook gig. Yankee—Yeah, it’s not an easy gig: lots of competition and lots of time at the computer writing horrid draft after horrid draft (at least in my experience). But it’s fun and you meet a lot of nice people in the process. To get started, I’d suggest: -Read a lot of travel writing, especially in the vein of what you’re hoping to write (narratives, magazine articles, guidebooks, whatever). -Write a lot. Write, write, write! -Read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0864427425?ie=UTF8&tag=flexibleplane-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0864427425" rel="nofollow">Lonely Planet’s Travel Writing (How to)</a> book. This is one of the best books I’ve read on this topic, and it combines great advice, practical examples, and interviews with various travel writers. -Check out various travel writing sites. The ones that got me started were <a href="//www.writtenroad.com”" rel="nofollow"> www.writtenroad.com</a>, <a href="//www." rel="nofollow"> www.vagablogging.net</a>, <a href="//www." rel="nofollow"> www.bootsnall.com</a> and <a href="//www." rel="nofollow"> www.worldhum.com</a> to name but a few. From there, you should get connected to other writers, publishers, editors, and events that will open doors and provide opportunities for you. -Sign up for the Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference. Great time, incredible staff (including some big names) and an amazing opportunity. Check out <a href="//www." rel="nofollow"> www.bookpassage.com</a> for more info. (I hope these links come through ok.) -Don’t drag your feet like I did. Get out there and write! USA Traveller—I think you’re right. I think it’s hard to enjoy travel the same way when you’re paying too much attention to what you’re doing. On the other hand, as far as a job goes, I’d prefer that to the typical 9-5 routine. (But would I be able to take a vacation without treating it like work? Hmm…) [Say, isn’t your name a contradiction, since in the US, we spell â€Å"Traveler” with one â€Å"l”?] Hi Craig & Linda—Many thanks for the support!

Brianne—Sorry for your experience. Thanks for posting—it’s a reminder that we all need to be cautious about the fine print (and lack thereof) when it comes to paying for travel.

Nomadic Matt—A lot of people share that sentiment, and I must admit I’m a little wary of the business. It sounds like a lot of work for little payback, including those reasons you mentioned. But it does let one travel for a living, so that’s a plus. And it is a writing credit (although most guidebook writers I hear from end up selling way less than a million copies). But there are also many other outlets for travel writing, so there are alternatives to the fast-paced guidebook gig.

Yankee—Yeah, it’s not an easy gig: lots of competition and lots of time at the computer writing horrid draft after horrid draft (at least in my experience). But it’s fun and you meet a lot of nice people in the process. To get started, I’d suggest:

-Read a lot of travel writing, especially in the vein of what you’re hoping to write (narratives, magazine articles, guidebooks, whatever).

-Write a lot. Write, write, write!

-Read Lonely Planet’s Travel Writing (How to) book. This is one of the best books I’ve read on this topic, and it combines great advice, practical examples, and interviews with various travel writers.

-Check out various travel writing sites. The ones that got me started were
http://www.writtenroad.com,
http://www.vagablogging.net,
http://www.bootsnall.com and
http://www.worldhum.com

to name but a few. From there, you should get connected to other writers, publishers, editors, and events that will open doors and provide opportunities for you.

-Sign up for the Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference. Great time, incredible staff (including some big names) and an amazing opportunity. Check out http://www.bookpassage.com for more info.

(I hope these links come through ok.)

-Don’t drag your feet like I did. Get out there and write!

USA Traveller—I think you’re right. I think it’s hard to enjoy travel the same way when you’re paying too much attention to what you’re doing. On the other hand, as far as a job goes, I’d prefer that to the typical 9-5 routine. (But would I be able to take a vacation without treating it like work? Hmm…) [Say, isn’t your name a contradiction, since in the US, we spell â€Å"Traveler” with one â€Å"l”?]

]]> By: USA Traveller http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-5524 USA Traveller Sat, 20 Sep 2008 20:52:11 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-5524 Sounds ideal on the surface but I think you would relinquish a lot of what makes traveling fun - i.e doing your own thing, in order to get perceive things the way other people would. Sounds ideal on the surface but I think you would relinquish a lot of what makes traveling fun – i.e doing your own thing, in order to get perceive things the way other people would.

]]> By: NewWrldYankee http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-5275 NewWrldYankee Sun, 14 Sep 2008 23:12:46 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-5275 Sounds like an idea, but from what I've heard, it sounds like an uphill climb. But you've convinced me that it might just be worth a try! What is the best way to get started?. Sounds like an idea, but from what I’ve heard, it sounds like an uphill climb. But you’ve convinced me that it might just be worth a try! What is the best way to get started?.

]]> By: Nomadic Matt http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-5248 Nomadic Matt Sun, 14 Sep 2008 05:55:36 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-5248 After interviewing a number of guidebook authors for my website, I would never want to do the job they do. Maybe once just to do it and see my guide in the hands of millions but not as a career. low pay, rushed work...no way.... After interviewing a number of guidebook authors for my website, I would never want to do the job they do. Maybe once just to do it and see my guide in the hands of millions but not as a career. low pay, rushed work…no way….

]]> By: Brianne http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-5119 Brianne Thu, 11 Sep 2008 01:27:15 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-5119 I would guess that as a paid travel writer that most of your travel would be covered, or at least tax deductible, but let me warn you and your readers about booking with Expedia. They claim to have high customer satisfaction ratings, but let me tell you that's not the case. Not only am I now aware of the upset and very unsatisfied customers they do have, but I'm unfortunately among their ranks... We booked a flight with them and bought the cancellation insurance in case I couldn't go. Which of course is what happened. When we tried to cancel my ticket, we were informed that even though we had purchased the insurance, the tickets we had were the type you couldn't cancel. At no point during our purchase had we been informed of this, and we were even allowed to pay for the insurance even though it was going to do us no good. They customer service reps and even their manager agreed that it was misrepresented, but they wouldn't do anything for us. Now we're stuck with a ticket that cost us over $500, which means I have to go - and on top of all this, they won't refund the cost of the cancellation insurance that we can't use. I would guess that as a paid travel writer that most of your travel would be covered, or at least tax deductible, but let me warn you and your readers about booking with Expedia. They claim to have high customer satisfaction ratings, but let me tell you that’s not the case. Not only am I now aware of the upset and very unsatisfied customers they do have, but I’m unfortunately among their ranks…
We booked a flight with them and bought the cancellation insurance in case I couldn’t go. Which of course is what happened. When we tried to cancel my ticket, we were informed that even though we had purchased the insurance, the tickets we had were the type you couldn’t cancel. At no point during our purchase had we been informed of this, and we were even allowed to pay for the insurance even though it was going to do us no good. They customer service reps and even their manager agreed that it was misrepresented, but they wouldn’t do anything for us. Now we’re stuck with a ticket that cost us over $500, which means I have to go – and on top of all this, they won’t refund the cost of the cancellation insurance that we can’t use.

]]> By: Craig and Linda http://indietravelpodcast.com/writing/why-be-a-travel-writer/#comment-5116 Craig and Linda Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:19:22 +0000 http://www.indietravelpodcast.com/?p=452#comment-5116 Good luck Dave. As you said, it's hard graft but ultimately rewarding. We, and I'm sure many people here, wish you all the best. Good luck Dave. As you said, it’s hard graft but ultimately rewarding. We, and I’m sure many people here, wish you all the best.

]]>