19 years ago, I never would have guessed I’d be a writer. Maybe like you, I’d never actually written anything. And aside from snapshots of my travels and friends, I’d never taken pictures, either. Fast forward 19 years and now I do both. Fresh out of college, my priority was to get a job near […]
You wouldn’t show up at a job interview dressed in torn sweatpants and an unwashed, ratty old T-shirt, clutching a half-eaten meatball sub in one hand and a lit cigarette in the other, would you? Of course not. As far as editors are concerned, though, if you send a story pitch that’s packed with misspellings, […]
Though I’ve never considered myself a professional photographer, I’ve always loved taking pictures. In fact, it was my love of travel writing that prompted me to improve my photography game. Here’s why… During the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in 2014, a professional photographer shared some valuable photo tips in his presentation Taking Photos Editors Will […]
Many years ago, a longtime magazine editor gave me some advice that proved to be unquestionably valuable. “A place is not an idea, he told me, but a place can serve up multiple ideas.” It’s helped me improve as a writer (more focus equals a better story) and become a more successful one. You see, […]
Maintaining and growing your social media presence is an essential part of being a travel writer. It’s one of the key factors in whether your stories attract readers. And if you’re writing for publications, your editors are going to expect it–it’s also a great way to promote your writing. However, it can also be the […]
I’ve always said it’s smart to write about your hometown before anywhere else. After all, you know your local area—who better to tell the story? Following are some tips for a new writer on a few things you should do and a few things you should steer clear of when looking for ideas in your […]
All travel writers get excited about the possibility of free perks. Perks cover a wide range of experiences. A delicious meal at a new or trendy restaurant, a complimentary stay at a hip boutique hotel or luxurious resort are standard perks. A perk can also be an insider pass for front row seats or behind […]
In the movies, writers are often portrayed as lonely figures hunched over a typewriter or keyboard in a dimly lit room, banging away at the keys until an article or chapter of their novel is finished just minutes before a deadline. The truth is, writing is a team effort. Especially for a travel writer. There […]
When you have no money, energy, or free time, the thought of starting out as a travel writer can be quite daunting. But after attending the 2013 Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop with Great Escape Publishing in Boston, Mass—listening avidly to past attendees’ success stories and instructors’ step-by-step plans on how to make it happen—I knew […]
One of my favorite movies is Field of Dreams. Kevin Costner plays an Iowa corn farmer who hears a voice telling him to build a baseball diamond in his fields. “If you build it, he will come” says the whispered message from somewhere beyond over and over again. Though his brother-in-law and neighbors think he’s […]
