NY Craiglist...
Write for Fodor's Morocco
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reply to: gigs-699692903@craigslist.org
Date: 2008-05-29, 12:31PM EDT
Fodor's Travel Guides (www.fodors.com), a division of Random House Publishing, is seeking a freelance writer to update an upcoming edition of Morocco.
Top candidates would be published writers living full- or part-time in Morocco, however we will consider new writers who are extremely well-connected to the country. Candidates must be fluent in English with strong French skills.
If interested, please respond with resume, two writing clips, and be prepared to complete a short writing test.
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: Flat rate
PostingID: 699692903
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(found via About Freelance Writing Job listings)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Fodor's Looking for Writer for Morocco Guidebook...
Visuwords: A Combined Graphic Dictionary and Thesaurus...
This is really neat. Visuwords takes any word you type in and creates a 'neural net' diagram of the word's meanings and associations.
(found via Neatorama)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Interview with a Travel Writer...David Stanley.
Today we talk with guidebook writer David Stanley. David is the author of Moon Handbooks South Pacific, Moon Fiji, and Moon Tahiti, published by Avalon Travel Publishing of Berkeley, California. He also researched and wrote the first three editions of Eastern Europe on a Shoestring, the first two editions of Lonely Planet Cuba, and the first edition of Lonely Planet Canada's Maritime Provinces.
You can find out more about David's publications at his South Pacific Organizer website and South Pacific Travel blog.
Hi David. Welcome to Write to Travel. Thanks for stopping by and chatting.
1. Did you always want to be a writer? How did you get started in writing?
I studied literature at university, but it was travel that got me into writing. In the late 1970s I was working as a destination representative at a Caribbean resort. In the off season I'd make trips to Asia. There weren't many practical travel guidebooks in those days, and in Indonesia I used a slim volume titled "Indonesia, A Traveler's Notes" by Bill Dalton. I kept notes of my own as I went along, and upon returning to my resort the next winter I sent Bill a long list of corrections and additions to his book. We began corresponding, and when Bill heard that I was planning a visit to the South Pacific islands the following year, he suggested we co-author a guide to the region. I was doubtful, but when Bill offered to do the donkey work of turning my rough notes into a publishable book, I agreed. The first edition of South Pacific Handbook was published by Moon Publications in June 1979 with Bill and I as co-authors. Bill withdrew from the second edition to concentrate on Indonesia and I wrote the following seven editions single-handed.
2. What do you consider your first "break" as a travel writer?
I was able to cover my traveling expenses from my South Pacific writings, but little more. My first real break came in April, 1989, when the first edition of Eastern Europe on a Shoestring was published by Lonely Planet. I'd researched and written the book myself, and Lonely Planet allowed my to retain the copyright and even paid me royalties, things they won't do for anyone these days. The Berlin Wall fell in November, 1989, and for well over a year my guide was the only one on the market as western tourists poured into the area for the first time. I did two more editions of Eastern Europe before being turned off by the masses of tourists I'd helped invite into the area. Lonely Planet bought my copyright and gave me a contract to cover Cuba for them.
3. What advice would you give to someone who wants to break into writing?
Writing for Lonely Planet these days is a learning experience with no future. You'll have a sign away all your rights to get a contract and you'll never earn more than your flat fee. It's worth doing once or twice when you're starting out, but think about your really want to do with your life. If travel writing is your choice, consider writing about your own local area where your travel and accommodations costs will be lower. If your hometown hasn't much to offer, consider moving to somewhere that does.
4. What do you see as the future for travel writers in the printed media and online ?
Guidebook publishers pay their researchers very little these days and the writers have no rights. Self-publishing is an option, although the chain bookstores usually don't order self-published books. If you self-publish a guidebook, make sure it's one that fills a niche and one that you can distribute yourself in your own area. Self-publishing online is easier but obtaining a high ranking on the search engines is more of a challenge. There are many simpler ways of making a living, though not as much fun.
5. Which travel writers and/or travel books have influenced you?
I was most influenced by the house style of Lonely Planet. Everything a guidebook writer produces must fit into the publisher's template, otherwise it will be rejected by the editor. Self-publishers must create their own templates. In 1988 Bill Weir and I created the first template for Moon Publications as none existed before that time and the authors did their own thing, leading to uneven quality. The guidebook writers who influenced me most were Bill Dalton and Tony Wheeler who edited the first editions of South Pacific and Eastern Europe respectively. I don't write travel books. Guidebooks are a completely different genre.
6. As a writer and traveler, what are the biggest challenges you face on the road ?
My biggest challenge on the road is obtaining the information I need while remaining anonymous. I've learned to ask questions carefully and to write my notes when I'm out sight of the restaurant and resort owners. If someone guesses who I am, I deny it. On a small Pacific island, if one person knows who you are, everyone soon knows and it becomes impossible to obtain the information you need. I don't solicit or accept freebies, so I feel I have a right to my privacy. The restaurant and resort owners have fewer rights in this regard as they're marketing their services to the general public. The honest guidebook writer has few friends on the road.
7. Finally, what is your favorite place and why ?
I have different favorite places for different reasons. I guess Vancouver Island where I live is my favorite place for the security and convenience it offers. As for travel destinations, Fiji and Cuba are about tied for their friendly people and wealth of things to see and do. I'll go anywhere once but I never return to a place where the people were unfriendly to me as a visitor or the local officialdom was corrupt or threatening. I could name a few of those, but I won't.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
My Tropical Escape now has Part One and Part Two of their interview with New York Times freelance writer Cindy Price.
Blissful Travel has an Interview With Bestselling Author Paul Kilduff.
And on Killing Batteries, Paul Kilduff does a guest post offering up some Travel Writing Tips.
New West Books & Writers have An Interview with Heather Hansen, co-author of Disappearing Destinations, an environmental travel book.
Geeky Traveler suggests you Use an itty-bitty wireless mouse when traveling
My travel posts at Perceptive Travel...
Air Travel: Better Today Than Yesterday.
Fictional Travel
Sunday, May 25, 2008
b5Media Looking for Travel Blogger...
b5Media network are looking for a travel blogger to write about Phoenix, Arizona.
They're looking for someone who lives, works, and/or regularly travels to the greater Phoenix area (includes, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, etc).
Check out the full description and application requirements at the Pro Blogger Job Board.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Telling Travel Stories...
Slideshow on 'Marketing Travel through Storytelling' by Stephen Joyce, publisher of Tips from the T-list.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
1. Five-Step Plan to Setting and Achieving Goals for Your Freelance Writing Career.
2. How to Lose 30 Pounds of Word Flab Overnight.
3. Promote Your Design Business and Save The Earth While You’re At It
4. Fund Your Writing Projects: Preparing Your Budget, Part One
5. So you want to be a Freelance Travel Writer? Interview With New York Times Freelancer Cindy Price (part 1)
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Interview with a Travel Writer...Carolyn McCarthy.
Today we talk with travel writer Carolyn McCarthy. Specializing in wilderness travel and all things Latin America, Carolyn’s articles have been published in National Geographic Magazine, Salt Lake Tribune, Toronto Sun and the Boston Globe. She has also written about Argentina, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador and Yellowstone National Park for Lonely Planet.
Carolyn blogs at Wild Blue Yonder and recently wrote an interesting guest post for Perceptive Travel Blog about why A Guidebook is not a Guru.
Hi Carolyn. Welcome to Write to Travel. Thanks for taking to time to chat.
1. Did you always want to be a writer? How did you get started in writing?
I recognized early that I wanted to be a writer but didn't know how to get from point A to point B. After a series of random jobs after college I realized that, though comfortable with my daily latte, good friends and nice surroundings (Boulder, Co), I was on the wrong track. I backpacked through Mexico through South America, eventually getting hourly work as a teacher in order to have free time to write. It was my first solo journey and the discoveries of the road lit a fire under me. I wrote, wrote, wrote and kept with it.
2. What do you consider your first "break" as a travel writer?
South American Explorer magazine published a piece I wrote chronicling some pathetic dating experiences in Buenos Aires called "Isn't it Romantic". That encouraged me to continue.
3. What advice would you give to someone who wants to break into writing?
It's hard work. Write about what intrigues, puzzles or fascinates you so you have the drive to stick with it. Rejection becomes a big part of your reality, so you can’t become too attached to one idea or commercial success.
I would also recommend that new writers knock on doors. When I was first starting out I mostly eavesdropped. I don't like disturbing people. I didn't realize that being a writer was a credential I could use.
Then I went to check out a famous Panama hat factory in an Ecuadorian village. Closed! But there were people inside. It was so out of the way that I didn't want to turn around, so I convinced the guard to let me look around. I was crashing a farewell party for management. The weavers--all women--were decked in their Sunday best, prodding their German boss to dance with them in the courtyard. The scene gave me a real sense of who they were and how they worked together.
Of course, not everyone on your path is welcoming, but it still amazes me how willing people can be to let you drop in on their existence for a few hours or days.
4. What do you see as the future for travel writers in the printed media and online ?
I think we live in a tricky time. On one hand, there are fascinating contradictions that we see when we travel---with the modern world interacting with old cultures and great landscapes getting gobbled up by development. There is plenty to write about. But newspapers and magazines have gotten more focused on service pieces, forsaking, I think, great stories for vacation fodder (like Top Tens). As a guidebook writer, I've obviously covered this material, but think there's room to explore the complexity of travel, to talk more honestly about travel's contradictions and its discoveries. Right now, the Internet (through travel websites and blogs) is where these kinds of stories are ending up.
5. Which travel writers and/or travel books have influenced you?
I was born in Jack Kerouac's hometown of Lowell and have to say, On the Road was the first book that made me want to chuck it all, write breathless run-ons and inhale life.
Travel writing favorites include Bruce Chatwin's Songlines, Redmond O'Hanlon's In Trouble Again and the essays of Pico Iyer and Susan Orlean.
But rather than scoping the travel shelf at bookstores, I tend toward literature that gives a strong sense of place. Gabriel Garcia Marquez is a certain version of Colombia, there's also Edward Abbey's Utah and Lucas Bridges' portrait of early Tierra del Fuego.
6. As a writer and traveler, what are the biggest challenges you face on the road ?
After five straight years of travel, mobility and trusting my instincts are not a problem. But it is hard to have a sense of community when your surroundings change so often, so there's a difficult balance to strike between stoking the home fires and being present and living in the present.
Another challenge is to stay open to spontaneous opportunities--no matter how tired you are, or prone to cop out for an easier plan. There is always one big one which ends up being the best eye-opener and somehow defines your trip.
7. Finally, what is your favorite place and why ?
Chile's Puelo River valley. I spent over a year there on grant writing about Patagonia's fading pioneer culture. It's remote, wild and taught me a lot about the independent human spirit.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Guest Post Fridays...
Want to be a guest blogger at Write To Travel ?
I’m looking for guest posts about all aspects of writing, book reviews, conference, workshop, and course reviews, etc, etc, etc. It can be something newly written or re-cycled from your own blog or writing portfolio.
What you get out of it - another location in which to air your views, your expertise, and your writing. All guest posts will get a byline and links back to their sites.
What do you think?
Send your guest post submission to kiwiwriter@xtra.co.nz
Previous Guest Post Friday Posts:
What National Geographic Taught Me by Lola Akinmade
Bells and Whistles ... Incorporating audio and video into your blog' by Keith Kellet
Travel Media Showcase by Kara Williams
Finding Your Niche by Shannon Hurst Lane
Why I Travel Blog by Karen Bryan
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Become a National Geographic Glimpse Correspondent...
Last year National Geographic and Travoca offered college students opportunity to "win the chance to travel on assignment for National Geographic Traveler."
This year, according to Intelligent Travel ...
“National Geographic Glimpse is launching a correspondents program that will enable a few talented writers, videographers, and photographers to contribute to the Glimpse magazine and website while they live or study abroad.” But besides being talented, you have to be between the ages 18 and 30. Applicants must also:
- Have some experience with media outside their specialty and are willing to learn
- Will be living or studying abroad for at least 10 weeks between August 15 - December 31, 2008
- Are willing to commit to a professional editorial process
This is a great opportunity for young Americans abroad but come on National Geographic - where’s the contest or program for the few talented writers, videographers, and photographers over the age of 30 ???
Us ‘oldies’ would also love such an amazing opportunity…
Monday, May 19, 2008
Travel Writing miscellanea...
Blisfull Travel has an interview with travel writer Joshua Samuel Brown.
TravelHacker has put together a list of the 100 Best Travel Journal Blogs. Take look - you’ll see some old favourites and discover some new ones worth checking out.
GeekyTraveller reviews the StarTech Wi-Fi Detective. Internet cafes are great but sometimes you just want to use your own laptop. This Wi-Fi Detective sounds like it can help.
Maybe you should start looking at your own hometown as a destination piece for your local or national newspapers - according to an article in Newsweek, high gas prices will result in more people will be staying at or near home this summer.
Traveler’s Notebook offers 5 Essential Tips for the Budding Travel Photographer.
And finally...
Over at Pecerptive Travel Blog, I asked Are postcards past their use-by date? which resulted in Nerd’s Eye View planning a Postcard Revival. All postcard fans welcome.
Friday, May 16, 2008
2008 Travel Photographer of Year Competition...
The 2008 Travel Photographer of the Year competition opens for entries on May 17th, giving amateur and professional photographers worldwide the chance to win superb prizes and gain international exposure for their photography.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Interview with a Travel Writer...Kim Wildman.
Today’s interview is with travel writer Kim Wildman, an Australian with itchy feet. Her writing has been published in a numerous magazines and online publications as well as enjoying the wandering lifestyle of a guidebook author for publications such as Lonely Planet and more recently Bradt Travel Guides. Kim is currently on a ten week round the world trip.
Kim also blogs about her travel and writing experiences at Wild About Travel+Writing.
Hi Kim. Welcome to Write to Travel. Thanks for stopping by...
1. Did you always want to be a writer? How did you get started in writing?
I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. Though, I was
originally interested in writing fiction, not travel. My mother always said
I had a very vivid imagination! The first piece I had published was a short
story about treasure hunting in the Mediterranean which appeared in the
Brisbane Sunday Sun when I was 12 years old for which they paid me a paltry
$5. Then, when I was 16 years old, I became very influenced by SE Hilton
(the young author of The Outsiders first published in 1967) and imagined
that I would become the writing world’s next big teenage discovery and so
wrote my first novel.
Unfortunately, I made a very common mistake many writers make when starting out and tried to mimic her style (hence why my book was never published and why it today remains boxed away in storage in my brothers’ attic!). Somehow though I managed to get lost on my way to pulp fiction super stardom and ended up working as an account executive for a uniform company. That was until I travelled to South Africa for the first time in 1996 and was inspired to combine my three loves: travel, writing and
photography. Travel writing wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be though.
My articles were rejected numerous times. Instead of giving up my dream, I
decided to quit my job and went back to university to study journalism full-time, telling my friends that I was going to get a job working as a travel writer for Lonely Planet. Naturally, they all scoffed at me and assumed I would never do it.
2. What do you consider your first "break" as a travel writer?
My ‘break’ as such was part tenacity in knowing what I wanted and going for
it and also the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time.
As part of my journalism degree I had to do a two week internship with a print media publication. While most of the students in my class simply applied to do their internships with the local newspaper (the good old Toowoomba Chronicle), I‘d already gotten myself a job there as a casual writing advertorials and was still determined to work for Lonely Planet.
So I called up LP’s head office in Melbourne and asked if they would take me
on, and to my great surprise they said yes. It was then while I was in the
Melbourne office doing my internship that I was informed that the company
was actively looking for younger, female writers (at the time, most of their
authors were men over the age of 40) and was asked if I wanted to apply.
Naturally I jumped at the chance. So within three months of completing a sample chapter and two months after finishing my university degree I was off on my first assignment to cover Romania and Moldova in Eastern Europe.
3. What advice would you give to someone who wants to break into writing?
Quite obviously, I’d say never give up. We’ve all been rejected. JK Rowling
was rejected nine times before some wise editor glimpsed the magic of Harry Potter. So follow your passion and hold on to your dreams no matter what. It should go without saying, but in order to become a better writer you must practice your craft. Write daily if you can, or in the very lest set aside an hour or two each week to devote to your writing. Take a class, do a workshop, keep a journal or write a blog, but whatever you do; write. Also it pays to find your niche and to write about what you know and love. Once you do that, it is much easier to find your voice and write from your heart.
4. What do you see as the future for travel writers in the printed media and
online?
I believe it will be some time (if ever) before the e-revolution completely overtakes print media. Like many other readers out there I still love my books - I love the look of them; I love the feel of them; and, I love the smell of them. That said, while I still do plenty of work for traditional publishers such as the guidebook I’m about to update for Bradt Travel Guides, about 90 percent of my income these days is derived from writing for online publishers. So personally I believe the internet has opened up a whole new world of opportunities for travel writers. However, it seems there is a common misperception that to write for an internet website or online travel ezine you either have to write for free or earn a pittance.
Bear in mind that all major media outlets and publications now have their own websites for which they continually require fresh content . Even traditional guidebook publishers like Lonely Planet and Rough Guide have seen the benefit of making their content available through the internet. So there are plenty of reputable online publishers out there that do pay, and pay well, for good quality writing. Granted online readers have a shorter attention span, so the articles you write are usually shorter and pithier. But this also means that they are quicker and easier to write which leaves you plenty of time to devote to that heart-felt, in-depth travel article which you can pitch to a glossy magazine.
5. Which travel writers and/or travel books have influenced you?
As I mentioned previously, the writer who had the most influence on me was
SE Hilton. When it comes to travel writers, though, while I’ve read the greats -Theroux, Chatwin, Hemmingway - I often find their style of writing somewhat dry and tedious. I prefer to be entertained. I want the author to take me on the journey with them, put me in their shoes no matter where they are and have me rolling around the floor laughing at their [mis]adventures.
So my two favourite travel books are Bill Bryson’s Down Under and Irish comedian, Tony Hawks’ Playing the Moldovans at Tennis. Funnily enough, after I read Hawks’ book I ended up travelling to Moldova for Lonely Planet and consequently met almost everyone he mentioned in the book - I even stayed with the same family and had the same interpreter/guide. My only regret is that I didn’t take the book with me so that they could all sign it!
The book I am currently reading is Alain de Botton’s The Art of Travel. While it is much more academic, I love that he looks at the psychology behind our desire to travel. His main argument is that, more often than not, there is a huge difference between the everyday reality of travelling and what we imagine the experience will bring us. That in the end what we are looking for when we travel is what we are lacking at home. As a travel writer I think it is very important to keep this in mind.
6. As a writer and traveler, what are the biggest challenges you face on the road? How do you maintain a travel blog on the road?
For me the biggest challenge I face is knowing when to stop and smell the roses. I usually become so obsessed with trying to get all the information I need for whichever guide I am working on or whatever article I am writing that I often have to remind myself to stop and take a moment to relax and enjoy the sites and sounds of wherever I am. Thankfully, I seem to be getting better at this as I get older. Perhaps that just comes with experience though.
As to blogging while on the road, I only started my personal blog this year and so far have only been moving around within Australia, so haven’t encountered any problems as yet. My upcoming trip, however, which will take in South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Jamaica and Cuba, will be the first real test for me. Once I am on the road researching I am sure that keeping up my blog might prove a little challenging, especially in some parts of Africa that I will be travelling to.
7. Finally, what is your favorite place and why?
Without a doubt, my favourite place is Cape Town. After living there for three years while I completed my Masters degree in African Studies at the city’s university, it has become home away form home. In fact, I feel more at home there than I do anywhere in Australia these days! Apart from being the most beautifully positioned, picture-perfect city, for me it is a place full of wonderful memories and fabulous friends. Just some of the amazing experiences I’ll remember forever include climbing Lion‘s Head at sunrise on Sunday mornings, watching the clouds froth over Table Mountain from the deck of my apartment in Rondebosch, learning about ‘the struggle’ on a tour of Robben Island, seeing Nelson Mandela deliver the inaugural lecture at the University of Cape Town, dancing under the stars at the first 4664 concert at Green Point Stadium, watching the Rugby World Cup and drinking Windhoeks with the boys at The River Club, rummaging through the antique shops and second-hand book stores at Kalk Bay, braaing on the beach with friends at Laguna, and having sundowners at Camps Bay. I can‘t gush about the city enough. Fortunately for me I will be back there next week!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
Rolf Potts highlights the benefits of attending writing workshop with a roundup of success stories from previous attendees…
Geeky Traveller has all the info on Wi-Fi shoes and the Traveler’s Notebook has a list of the Top 10 Useful Travel Gadgets & Accessories.
travelblatherer has a couple of posts on a recent Bookseller seminar focusing on travel publishing.
Nerd’s Eye View offers some great tips on How to Keep Your Travelblog Alive When You’re Not Traveling.
The Urban Muse posted about a New Way to Research Magazines. Seems Barnes and Noble offers online print and digital subscriptions. Here’s a list of all the travel magazines they have.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Travel Writer Christopher P. Baker talks....
Christopher P. Baker talks is interviewed on CBS TV's "Eye on the Desert."
In case you missed it, Write to Travel interviewed Christopher in November 2007.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Off to the 2008 NZ Freelance Conference...
I'm off to Auckland in the morning to attend the 2008 Freelance Conference so there won't be the usual posts this week.
In fact, there won't be any posts this week as I'm leaving the laptop behind...a few days without the computer is just what the doctor ordered.
Instead, I'll be going to the conference and then playing tourist. On the possible tourist agenda -- Skywalk, Minus 5 Bar, and High Tea at the Langham.
As for the conference, I hope to learn lots. I know I did last year (Reflections on the NZ Freelance Conference 2007... )
See you at the end of the week...
Monday, May 05, 2008
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
Sandwagon has an Interview with Robin Barton - author of 101 Weekends in Europe
Latest Perceptive Travel Zine Offers Good Reading.
Sex, sunshine and sangria? You must be joking! or more on the Thomas Kohnstamm saga.
World Hum writes about Travel Writing and Tall Tales: An Historical Perspective
Pam at Nerd's Eye View is giving away three copies of Mark McCrum’s Going Dutch in Beijing: How to Behave Properly When Far Away from Home. All you have to do is post about your favorite story about a cultural misunderstanding and leave a link in the comments.
The Matador Network, the interactive travel magazine, is launching 8 new websites. Here's a complete list of their sites:
Matador Travel
Matador Trips
Matador Study
Matador Nights
The Traveler's Notebook
Brave New World
Matador Goods
Matador Pulse
Matador Volunteer.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Authors@Google...Jeff Greenwald
Jeff Greenwald of "Shopping for Buddhas" and "The Size of the World" fame talks about traveling and writing.
Friday, May 02, 2008
Guest Post Friday: Why I Travel Blog by Karen Bryan.
Welcome to Guest Post Friday: Today travel blogger Karen Byran writes about 'Why I Travel Blog'. Karen blogs at Europe a la Carte and Wanderlust.
Why I Travel Blog by Karen Bryan
I don't think of myself as a travel writer as such. I write travel content for
my UK based online travel business, Europe a la Carte. I started off writing online guides to less well known destinations in Europe, with my site focusing on authentic travel in Europe on a modest budget. My plan was to earn commission from accommodation suppliers featured in the guides and from adverts on the site. My destination guides are more of a resource than a traditional all encompassing guide
My guides are designed to make readers think that they'd like to visit that place and discover it for themselves. The beauty of an online guide is that you can insert links to more information, so if a reader is interested in a specific topic they can find our more by clicking on the link. Using several photos in a online guide is a good way to cut down on the flowery prose.
I started Europe a la Carte blog in October 2006 as a way of marketing my business. Writing a business blog is a balancing act I have to write useful, informative, entertaining content to satisfy readers but I must always bear in mind that it's a business blog and the blog has to increase the number of visitors to the site and turnover for the business to justify the time and effort spent researching and writing blog posts.
In March 2008 I started as editor of Wandalust a UK travel blog which is part of the Creative Weblogging network. I have to write 5 posts a week and the pay is lousy but I did decided to take the job in order to raise my profile. It's a change to able to write about the whole world versus Europe. Also I can write about any interesting topic without having to consider if it will be a good fit with my business.
I still have a part time "day" job as a social research interviewer. Although having a travel business sounds glamourous the majority of my time is spent sitting at the computer, I enjoy my "day" job as I get away from my desk and interact in real life with the interviewees as opposed to my virtual online contacts. I don't have time to travel as much as I'd like. I recently had to cancel a trip to Hamburg, Germany due to pressure of work.
My advice to aspiring travel writers is to always consider carefully what is it about your writing that is going to make readers read your work, plus what is the benefit to them? Travel writing is extremely competitive and I'm sure that only a tiny proportion of travel writers make a good living. Many travel readers will be willing to write for no payment - to get started or because they view travel writing as more of a hobby than a full time profession. However if you love travel writing and are diligent about producing quality, unique work you may strike it lucky.
........
Don't forget - if you have something to say about writing, you can send it through to Guest Post Friday.
