I had spent the morning at the local Border’s, sitting in their café, drinking coffee, flicking through the newest travel magazines, and dreaming of new and exotic places to go.
But the dreaming was violently shattered with a tremendous shuddering and shaking that felt like it was never going to stop.
My hometown of Christchurch, New Zealand was in the midst of yet another massive earthquake. And unlike the 7.1 one last September, which resulted in structural damage but no loss of life, this earthquake did both.
In the days that follow, having accounted for family and friends who luckily all managed to escape unscathed, I watch with disbelief reports of death and destruction, all the while wondering how much more Christchurch residents can take.
And yet, despite feeling like we are all in the midst of a disaster movie, life goes one.
(part of Photo Friday Network)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Friday Photo: Christchurch Earthquake
Monday, February 21, 2011
Discover the Amazing Street Photography of Vivian Maier...
A chance discover at a furniture and antiques auction changed John Maloof's life.
Finding a box of thousands of photographs, negatives, and undeveloped film taken by Vivian Maier, an unknown street photographer in the 1950s and 60s, has resulted in John spending his time out finding out exactly who Vivian was, how she developed her extraordinary vision, and how to introduce her amazing photos to the rest of the world.
First he started a blog (Vivian Maier.com), then linked it to Flickr, and now he, with the help of two others, is working on a documentary film and book on the life and art of Vivian Maier.
Not exactly a cheap project. So they have turned to Kickstarter to find donors to help fund the project and so far they have raised $90,000.
There's plenty of incentives to donate, including getting a digital or hard copy of the completed film and a book.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Two more free e-books for writers...
Last month I posted about a series of free e-books for writers that freelance writer Thursday Bram was putting together.
At the time, only two - New Ideas from Old Topics and Time Management for Writers.
The last two in the series have now been completed and are available to download.
Job Finding Strategies for Writers is a 15 page e-book that provides "...strategies are geared towards helping you sort through writing opportunities efficiently, so you can get back to your writing."
Making Money of Your Writing is a 11 page e-book discussing the many different approaches to earning money from writing.
All four of these e-books provide insight into the business of writing and how to make it work for you. A must read for both beginning and established writers.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
Monday, February 14, 2011
The 2010 NATJA Awards for Great Travel Writing...
February must be award season for travel writers.
Not only have the finalists for the Weblog Award for best travel blog been announced but so have the winners of this year's NATJA awards.
The NATJA awards honor the 'best of the best' with gold, silver, and bronze awards in 61 categories ranging from best independent blog to special focus travel articles (internet)such as these two published in Perceptive Travel - Two Wheels, Two Drinks: Biking Through America’s Heartland and Once Upon a Time in Vienna
Discover who won what for yourself at the NATJA 2010 awards webpage.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Take a Travel Writing Course in Italy...
The Sydney Writers’ Centre, in partnership with Bookshop Travel, are running a unique writing retreat in Italy between Friday 16 September to Friday 30 September 2011.
Live like a local for two weeks in Florence during which time Sue White, one of Australia's busiest and most widely-published travel writers, will be presenting..."...a series of eight morning travel writing classes...including practical workshops that simulate a press trip and a hands-on field trip so that your tutor can illustrate the practical aspects of note-taking and observation while travelling."
Class topics include "...Knowing Your Market, Life on the Road, Walking the Streets, Hitting Your Target Audience, The Details You Need, How to Handle a Press Trip, Workshopping your Travel Writing, Selling Your Work and much more."
Afternoons will be left free for participants to explore the city of Florence and beyond.
You can find more information about Travel Writing in Italy 2011
at the Sydney Writers' Centre website.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Travel & Words Spring 2011 Writer's Conference to focus on Sustainable + Green + Responsible Travel and Tourism
The theme for this year's Travel & Words Writers Conference is Sustainable + Green + Responsible Travel and Tourism.
The two day event (May 1-2, 2011) will be held Willows Lodge, a sustainable boutique hotel located near Seattle in Woodinville, Washington.
This Pacific Northwest conference connects travel writers with tourism organizations, publishers and sustainability experts to explore new freelance market opportunities.
Early bird registration, available until March 1, is $99 is available and includes conference materials, access to presenters and exhibitors, refreshments and meals.
Willows Lodge is offering a special room rate to attendees.
More information can be found at the Travel & Words website.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday Photo: The Potato Seller at Helsinki, Finland
In a rush to catch a ferry in Helsinki, I nearly missed this floating 'potato seller' engaged in business.
(part of the Photo Friday network)
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Weekly Top 5 Blog Posts for Writers...
1. It’s Time To Finish Your Book: 9 Productivity Tips for Writers
2. 10 ways to make editors fall in love with your work
3. 5 Legal Questions to Ask Before Turning in An Assignment - How to make sure you don't violate the law when trying to collect your check...
4. Is Your Freelance Writing Business Prepared For When Things Go Awry In Your Personal Life?
5. 15 RSS feeds EVERY freelancer needs to be subscribed to
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Quark Expedition Travel Writing Contest: Blog Your Way to the North Pole...
There's still time to enter Quark Expedition's Blog Your Way to the North Pole travel writing contest.
All you have to do is...
"..post a short essay (200 to 400 words) on this website. Tell us why you qualify to be Quark's Official Blogger to the North Pole. The 400 words must also include a short story about a unique trip or travel experience you've taken, as well as your photo. Then, reach out to your social networks to get the most votes."
An amazing prize is on offer - a trip for 2 to the North Pole aboard the world's most sophisticated and powerful nuclear-powered icebreaker. Airfare from the winner's nearest international gateway, as well a charter flight from Helsinki, Finland, to Murmansk, Russia, is also included.
However, the contest closes on 15 February 2011, so there's not much time left to post an award winning entry and also get the thousands of votes need to be in the running.
Alternatively, you could just cast your vote and help someone else win. That's what I'm going to do.
Here's my pick...travel writer and photographer Lola Akinmade who took part in the Write to Travel 'interview with a travel writer' series back in 2008.
Lola entered the contest a few months ago and is currently in the top 5 most popular posts.
Let's help get her to Number One...
Saturday, February 05, 2011
Travel Writing Miscellanea...
This year's New York Times Travel Show is scheduled for 25-27 February 2011 at the Jacob K Javit's Convention Center.
Nomadic Matt has written a guest post about Niche Travel Blogging over at Problogger.com.
For a limited time (9pm EST on Friday, February 4th), travelers can download 13 Lonely Planet North American Travel Guides Apps
Posted at Publishers Weekly:
Call for information: Travel BooksSphere: Related Content
Deadline: Feb. 8
Needed: Publishers'/editors' written comments about the state of travel book publishing. In particular, we are interested in what publishers are doing to compete in—or against—digital travel information. Story and sidebar ideas are welcome. Please e-mail information to Dick Donahue, ddonahue@publishersweekly.com. Please observe our deadline.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Friday Photo: Port Said Policeman...
One of the stops on last year's Dawn Princess World Cruise was Port Said, one of the busiest ports in the world. Just before the Dawn Princess docked, the port was empty except for those guiding the ship in. But within minutes of arrival, out came the hackers, tables and tents were set up with items for sale and the whole dock took on a carnival atmosphere.
Overlooking this activity from a strategic place along the road above the dock, a lone policeman leaned casually against the railings.
(part of the Photo Friday network)
Time to Vote for the 2011 Weblog Awards (aka the bloggies)...
The finalists for the 2011 Weblog Awards have been chosen.
Now it's up to all of us to help decide who gets the 'bloggie'.
Casting your vote is as simple as heading over to the weblog awards site and clicking on your choices for each of the 30 categories (of course, you don't have to vote for all the categories - only the ones that interest you)
Each category has five nominees.
This year's travel category nominees are... (drum roll)
Camels & Chocolate
Everything Everywhere
Hole In The Donut Cultural Travel
My Itchy Travel Feet
The Vacation Gals
All brilliant and entertaining blogs, it's hard to make a choose just one. But why not do it any way.
And while you're there, check out the Music Category.
Kerry Dexter, one of my co-bloggers over at Perceptive Travel blog, has had her blog Music Road, which focuses on Irish, Scottish, folk, and country music from many different neighbourhoods, nominated for a bloggie.
Thursday, February 03, 2011
Plenty of time left to Pure Travel's 2011 Travel Writing Competition...
Pure Travel, in association with Geographical magazine, is has launched their second annual travel writing competition.
Entries should be between 350 and 750 words with the focus on a memorable travel encounter. For inspiration, check out the 2010 winning article.
Deadline is 31 October 2011.
Prizes: The winner will receive £1,000 or US$1,500, with the winning article published in Geographical magazine, the official magazine of the Royal Geographical Society.
Full details available at the PureTravel website.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Authors@Google: The Lost Girls...
In this Authors@Google, two of the three 'Lost Girls' discuss their book (The Lost Girls: Three Friends, Four Continents. One Unconventional Detour Around the World) and upcoming projects.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Enter the DiscoverWildlife.com 2011 travel writing contest...
DiscoverWildlife.com, the official site of BBC Wildlife magazine, is calling for entries in it's 2011 Travel-Writing Awards.
The theme is encounters with a wild animal (or even a plant, if it has made a big impression).
Entries should be no longer than 800 words.
Deadline is 28 February 2011
Grand Prize: The overall winner will receive an ‘emerald season’ safari for two to Zambia, courtesy of Expert Africa.
Head to the DiscoverWildlife.com site for more information about the terms and conditions and how to enter...
