So I blew it. I wanted to develop Travel. Write. Live where I could talk about travel and writing that fell outside of a traditional travel article, something that explored the art of writing and included thoughts about how travel and writing pertained to life, but I blew it.

It was not that I ran out of creativity or topics. Instead, I started worrying about social media and keeping up with the googles. I found myself rushing to get articles done before they were fully fleshed out, because other bloggers were spitting out new content at alarming rates. I found myself spending more time partnering with legions of people trying to keep up with the googles, most of whom ran sites I only felt so-so about, and I strived to be more like them. I worried about competing with large corporations and SEO masters so my little site might be found by the masses, as if I were selling get rich quick schemes or miracle floor-wax. I also became less willing to point out how some of these corporations and organizations are ruining travel, so I might play “the game” with them. Travel. Write. Live. became more like a banal video game than a useful site, or, at least, a site I could be proud of writing. It all became a huge mistake on my part.

Once I figured out the mistake. I stopped maintaining Travel. Write. Live. I needed to step back and regroup, think about what I hoped to accomplish. I have done that. I have some clarity of vision. It has taken eight months to finally write this little article.

During this time I thought about what I wanted to do, how I wanted to rededicate myself to travel writings and life. The answers were easy.

1. Never again publish a story that is not completely baked. This might mean fewer stories in the beginning.
2. Let knowledgeable experts chime in and help us become better at traveling, writing, and even leading a better life.
3. Promote travel, but not always. I love travel, but there are plenty of companies that make the process of doing it terrible. Expect to hear a rant about the TSA in the future.
4. Criticize, when necessary.
5. Because I intend to explore social issues as it relates to travel, writing and leading a better life, TWL will now become “the No BS Blog about life.”

I know, maybe it does not seem like much, and do not get me wrong; there are still a number of stories that I am proud of presenting on TWL. I just am not willing to publish duds to keep up with the googles. I will take a few more chances.

Welcome to the new thoughts on travel, writing and life on Travel Write Live.

It all started with a simple note from my host server, the company that keeps ITKT and TWL safe and available to read. They wanted to let me know that my “CPU usage” was high. So high, in fact, that they were discussing turning off my sites. They could not tell me how to fix the problem or even point me in the right direction, but needed it done asap.

My aimless quest led me through platforms, themes, scripts, plugins, permalinks, redirects, super caching and many Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups (for emotional support). After a few days of stressing and deep thought, I might have figured the problem out. As of this moment, I am still in a holding pattern waiting to hear from five different tech people to coordinate and confirm.

For those who do not know running a web site frequently means having to wear many hats. The tech hat is the most frustrating by far. For now, I will take a deep breaths and hope for the best. And yes, this whole techy universe feels like a very inexact science at times.

Oddly, the first part of the week was productive. I wrote (one article is for one of the most prestigious web sites in the world) and sent out business proposals. I received my new (snazzy) business cards and interviewed India Tourism for Travel Writing Rockstar.

Writing

Outstanding Japan article needs to finish. I also need to shift my attention to my first ebook about making it in the travel industry as a writer, Travel Writing Rockstar. This means explaining how to get the perks and accessing the part of the travel industry that makes it all worthwhile.

I have also promised a friend to get a “real” book proposal together for her to shop on my behalf. I need three perfected chapters and a good argument why others might want to read it.

Video

Time to start video editing Travel Writing Rockstar. There are now multiple hours of footage to organize and edit.

Technocrap

I am looking to put platforms, themes, scripts, plugins, permalinks, redirects, super caching and many Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups behind me.

This week’s photo is long bridge in Greece. I could use a long bridge right about now. Greece would be pretty nice as well.

I did not shoot for the stars, but I wanted to say thank you to the people who have been reading, commenting and, in general, showing an interest in travel and writing. So, thank you! Welcome to my 100th blog post. Here are the latest headlines in honor of 100.

In The Know Traveler Gets a Face Lift

Beyond the long overdue cosmetic upheaval and navigation redesign, I have added some functionality to those leaving comments and visitors looking for linkbacks to their own blogs by adding ComLuv, or CommentLuv. ComLuv is a system that allows visitors to leave a link to their personal blog posts within the comment section of any ITKT post. There is also an increasing community of sites using this service. I recommend using ComLuv any time you leave a comment. I have also added TwitterLink (also from ComLuv, which offers optional twitter contact information on all comments. I have found them both to be useful in developing an online community. It is my small way of giving back to In The know Traveler readers.

Honesty Till it Hurts

Because it is important that readers have an honest understanding about whose words they are reading, I wanted to offer a little more of myself on the Meet the Editor page. I have taken a small handful of thoughts that have started some compelling conversations and an occasional “frank exchange of ideas” (a quote from my friend Peter). I offer these ideas not as a reason to argue, but as a reason to be more honest about myself in a very public forum — these damn Internets. I want it all to just hang out. Yes, it is a gamble. I hope you won’t hold it against me and even consider challenging some of my ideas. There will be more “outrageous statements” on the way.

My New eBook

Because writers have been asking me about breaking in to the travel industry (and other industries) for years, I have decided to boil my successes down and mistakes to create a practical guide for getting the most from the travel world from the inside-out. I have reached out to my travel friends who are experts in their fields and who have agreed to help me give readers a step forward in the right direction at getting what you want from a travel writing hobby or career. Learn exactly what the travel industry is looking for from writers and know the rules of the system to help put your best foot forward. This information will come directly from decision makers for national tourism offices, media contacts specialists and public relations firms who work directly with the media. What are the mistakes writers make, and how can you avoid them.

While I have yet to come up with a name, I have been putting together interviews with some of the most experienced and important experts in the travel industry to offer you advice and give you a leg up on the travel writing competition.

And now to march forward into the next 100 posts with more travel philosophy, travel writing tips, and living the writers life. Thank you so much for being part of this trip with me.

Happy travels,
devin

While the photographer may have made some questionable choices during the three interactions with local police and could have simply cooperated, things seemed to disintegrate to the point of ridiculousness in an unnecessary way.

As a photographer and someone who constantly has dangling cameras around my neck when I travel, I have to wonder about the value of stopping random visitors for roadside questioning and how uninviting the video makes the small seaside town look to potential visitors. I have written both the Lancashire Constable (their web site featuring a toll-free Anti-Terrorist Hotline for a city of 30,000) and the local tourism board, but I really don’t to expect an answer. I will provide the whole response if I receive one.

I offer the video here not to condemn the behavior of either the photographer or the Lancashire Police, both are imperfect. Or to say look at this awful thing and we need to avoid Lancashire, England. I added the video here to point out, that as travelers, we can take this video as something to learn from and be prepared in case we are approached by the police over amateur photography.

The two thoughts I take away from this video are the following: being deceptive and argumentative with the police (especially when traveling) is never a good idea and before visiting a place try to learn a little about the political climate and customs. Decide for yourself.

To see the video and the whole story

PS the photo of the police woman in El Salvador has nothing to do with this story, but I didn’t have a better shot. dg

All of this got me to thinking about the idea of transparency, authenticity, being real on the web. After all, most of us have a Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace account and an online persona. I follow dozens of bloggers online. The ones I am most attracted to are the ones I feel are being most honest with me, the ones being most transparent, authentic and real. Sometimes, they say things that push buttons and boundaries of their readers. Their ideas provoke and maybe gamble with their personal reputation, like my doobie toking pal. So where does the line get drawn with an online public image? The Internet makes for a smaller world.

Because I believe in promoting no B.S., there is a built-in problem with wanting to be transparent, and that is taking the chance of being too honest, too exposed, and too open.

Here are the three questions I answer before adding a new article that might be controversial to some.

1. Have I been completely honest?

When I have been completely honest, I know that if I catch any flack, it is, at least, for the right reason.

2. Am I willing to take the scrutiny?

When I have a strong opinion publicly, it means that someone with an equally strong opposing opinion may want to punch me in the face 63 times. Yes, exactly 63 times. This is something I have to be willing to accept.

3. Does my opinion fit into the larger picture of my web site’s ideology?

Is there a good reason for making a bold statement that is beyond my ego or just a feeling of wanting to be clever? If the answer is yes, than I go for it. I think the most important idea here is being conscious of how people might react and making a decision that I can live with it. Before Travel. Write. Live. went live, I decided where my lines were drawn.

Now I will go write something either compelling or offensive. Wish me luck.

“What about at the airport?” I called. ”Sorry,” she said.

Clearly she was kidding. Being from Los Angeles, she could not fool me. There must be a locker around here somewhere. So, I looked around to no avail. “Really, everyone does it” she said. Panicked, I looked back at her and told her of my rational last second solutions, “Can I put it in the secret locker room? How much will it cost for you to take it home and guard it? How about the trunk of your car? Is there a special holding area for personal belongings and their emergencies?” “No, no, no and no,” she politely responded. “Why don’t you just leave it over there?”

“And let someone steal all my stuff!?” I squealed.

She finally looked at me in all seriousness, “Why would someone want to take your things?” I stood there speechless and feeling a little paranoid. I did not know why anyone would want to steal my things. And mostly, I was carrying soggy socks and underwear that were the result of walking through Iceland’s many downpours. She continued. “Do people take things that are not theirs where you are from?” Her nearby co-worker could only shake her head, “That’s terrible.” The other lady said.

I looked to the space at the front of the tourist office. I counted six backpacks – and a purse. I thought about how my jaded viewpoint had little to do with this country, or its people. Most Icelanders believe in faeries, gnomes and trolls. The whole country is organic and there are fewer than seventy people in jail in the whole country; and they go home on weekends.

I turned to the ladies behind the counter. “It’s safe, huh?”

They both nodded finding sympathy for my American neurosis. I walked over and leaned my pack against a wall near a warm radiator. Still doubtful, I leaned in closer to my pack, looked around to make sure no one was noticing and whispered, “Goodbye old friend.”

I boarded the itsy bitsy plane to Grimsey to watch the Puffin and an abundant bird population thrive on a tiny island in the Arctic Circle. Upon our landing the weather turned for the worse and I stayed at a small bed and breakfast for two days longer than expected.

Upon my return, my pack was right where I left it.

While it is never recommended to leave your luggage unattended and always wise to take precautions while traveling, I was not entirely surprised. Iceland is one of the few countries where normal rules just do not apply. In a bigger way, I have found people want to help the weary traveler and because of it I have never had a significant problem visiting far away places.

I recommend never leaving baggage or personal items unattended. –Editor –