Thoughts about Better Travel Writing

Earlier in the year, I wrote a series of posts about avoiding travel writing rejection. My reasons for doing this were two-fold. First was my sincere desire to help other writers get published more often. I believe that we always need more people travel writing, and writing well. The second reason is more personal. As the editor of a large travel site that publishes travel stories, I receive many submissions that could use a lot of help. While, the first series of posts helped. There is still a ways to go. The following is a cartoonish example of the type of writing In The Know Traveler receives:

“I went to this okay place on the advice of a friend. It was just okay. I do not have own a thesaurus, but I can attest that my nameless friend is correct. It was just okay. Then we went to dinner at this restaurant, near the okay place, and it was so-so. I ate lots of food, which was not bad and the service was not memorable because I am not describing it. I was with my boyfriend Larry. He does not do much but he was with me at dinner and thought I should include him in this story. Actually, I am not doing or thinking much here either, so there are no valuable insights about the okay place or the so-so restaurant. Everything is just okay. Welcome to my trip.”

While I go over the top with my example of nothing happening in a travel story, you might be surprised at what shows up in my inbox from writers that are not interested by their own stories. As a rule of thumb, I ask myself, why am I travel writing this story? If you had a so-so time, why do you think a reader needs to be aware of uninteresting places.

Interesting Travel Writing

There are a ton of bloggers want to guide you to “be remarkable” but few say anything about the subject or how to improve your travel writing. Here is my secret, I do not write travel articles. I pretend that the reader is my friend. When I tell a story to my friends, there is nothing too embarrassing to talk about. My best friends get all the dirt. In fact, they revel in the ridiculousness of the moment with me. So I try to give the reader the details. I want to read every horrifying, disgusting, salacious, incriminating, outrageous detail available. It is here, with all the details out in the open, that I can offer the reader a chance to identify with my experience through my travel writing.

Travel Writing on the America’s Cup

I recently went sailing on one of the “America’s Cup” boats. Because I am not a winner in the water, I ate a sack of Dramamine and threw caution to the wind. Yes, there was some seasick anyway. There were dry heaves and introspective moments that attempted to quell the feelings of wretch that crept up my spine and sat on my tonsils and kicked at the that weird hanging thing in the back of my throat. I held ice cubes to the back of my neck and wished I had made up a huge excuse for not getting on the boat in the first place.

Still, my nausea did not stop the captain from asking me to steer the ship. I allowed him to pull me toward the wheel, which helped me focus on the horizon. While I steered, the crew began spinning those bicycle-like spinning hand cranks in unison that helped raise the sails and ignite the meager wind. I never barfed. The fifty-million dollar boat never caught a breeze and never sailed more than a couple of knots of speed (about as fast as an old lady walking the plank). I gripped the wheel tightly for fear of loosing my balance and my lunch. And for one small moment between the quesy and un-easy, the chilly wind filled my lungs and I felt what it must be like to love boating. Just because I am in a far off place, does not make the place or me being in it all that interesting. I have to make you understand through my travel writing.

“…I want to make a living at travel writing (writing, selling, markets etc.). I am ready to go TODAY!…”

I cannot blame him for his enthusiasm. Sadly, this is not a simple transition for most writers. Here is my answer on how to get started. Please note, I have changed some of the language to be a little more generic to help all newbie travel writers. Otherwise this letter is almost the same as the one I sent this morning.

I recommend reading magazines that pay, like the ones found at the local news stand. These likely represent the creme of the crop in paying opportunities for travel writers. Become familiar with their style and form, word counts and subject matter. Take a long look at the mast head to see who should be contacted regarding submission. Then explore these magazine’s individual web sites for specific “submission guidelines” (as an example here are In The Know Traveler’s Submission Guidelines). Also do this with the knowledge that most established magazines have already developed relationships with writers and may not be particularly open to receiving queries from new ones. However, this does not mean you should not send in a query. Remember, someone’s story has to get picked — it might as well be you.

Please note that while I completely understand the sincere desire to get paid (which is also a very reasonable desire), writers are competing with numerous other writers who write for the love of travel and may not care about getting paid. Stiff competition doesn’t mean writers should not try to get paid, but it means that publishing has changed and that there are a ton of well-trained, experienced writers looking for work. Also many good smaller magazines have folded, while others have fewer editorial pages or have stopped using freelancers altogether. This is a grim prospect for a new travel writer.

Most magazines online do not pay at all, including the many premiere sites who claim exposure is somehow worth as much as real money. ITKT has been listed as a paying site (by a variety of online sources), but my pay is only token. So recommend taking a mental note at how dramatically publishing has changed over the last several years.

The bottom line is that you have to be willing to hustle to find paying venues to place your writing. Submit. Submit. Submit. Keep trying. And while I often offer advice on requests like this, most editors do not have the time. So if you receive no answer or a short rejection to submitted work, do not be surprised. I can tell say from experience, it is nothing personal.

The minimum a writer needs to know:

1. Follow any submission guidelines exactly
I routinely trash 1200-words articles without reading them because a writer ignored my guidelines of 500-750 words. Only in the most rare occasion (a well-developed, long-standing relationship with a writer) will I consider writing outside of the scope of my submission guidelines.

2. Know the editor’s name and spell it correctly
When the first words of a query are “Dear Sir/Madam”, “Hey There” or “Hi Mike”, I know the writer has put little effort and has set a tone for the rest of the query.

3. Only submit your best work
Otherwise what is the point.

4. Know that you will be edited
A professional editor will edit every story before it gets published. Moreover, arguing over edits made by the editor will guarantee your will never work with that editor again. I know that sounds harsh, but I have had many conversations about this with many editors, and it is the truth. I have also received names and email addresses from other editors warning me about abusive writers. No one wants to be named on that list.

* I would also recommend reading the series, “Avoid Travel Writing Rejection.”

And of course, keep traveling and writing.

My lids are propped by toothpicks due to a bumpy red-eye flight into Guatemala this morning. I sit in a dark corner of the Holiday Inn of Guatemala City and try to gather my barrings as I wait for my room. While my body is fighting me, I want to run into the street and do some exploring. I expect great things. The dawn views from my window-seat included the pluming of an active volcano just outside of Guatemala City. I am taking it as a sign of welcome. Much more to come about how to travel Guatemala in the coming days

Where does the time go? It only seems like weeks since I was exploring volcanoes, admiring the art in the artist enclave of Ataco, chatting with politicians, learning the meregue in Nicaragua, and escaping death (briefly perceived) in Death by Sandanista during my last visit to CATM (or the Central American Travel Mart) in El Salvador. This year, it is held in Antigua, Guatemala. The event will be similar to FITA, a show I visited a couple of weeks back.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from CATM including the pictures of several dignitaries I planned to, but did not interview including: The President of El Salvador, several ministers of tourism throughout Central America, a number of Miss Teen Universe contestants, and Miss Guatemala 2009 — I did catch her briefly on the dance floor at the event announcing Guatemala as the new locale for CATM 2010.

And now for my brief plans for the week in the business of travel blogging. As I am leaving on Wednesday, I have little precious time to take some of the action I want to make, so it will be a light week, sort of…

Writing

For the next three days, I hope to do nothing but, other than packing. I have some writing to do for ITKT, TWL, the Huffington Post and Technorati. Hopefully, eight articles in all. Most of these have notes and rough drafts, but all need to be read and reviewed.

Reading

ITKT is still behind when reviewing submissions, but I am hoping I can catch up to within three weeks — nebulous and elusive goal.

Travel

First plan is to travel Guatemala before the three days that is dedicated to a ballroom filled with tourism companies and organization all wanting to promoted someplace in Central America. I will be telling you about it over the next ten days. And then on to Honduras for my second visit in in two years.

While this occasional update is really to showcase some of the writing featured on In The Know Traveler, I also try to add a couple other features that catch my eye in the world of travel blogging — so it is not just ITKT appearing here.

The Land That Offers All, Tanzania by Rita Cook

Unlike Anything, Myanmar by Sandra Scott

The Titanic’s Story is Cobh, Ireland by Bob Kelley

Waiting to Dance in Costa Rica by me (Devin Galaudet) linking to Costa Rica vacations

Who is the World’s Worst Salsa Dancer by Ayngelina of Bacon is Magic

Weekly Snapshot: Auschwitz-Birkenau by Norbert of Globotreks — a photo I was too uncomfortable to take during my visit many years a go.

Photo by Rita Cook

It is 11PM. My belly is full, too full. I have had the hiccups for the last forty-five minutes. I am trying to write this short article and then I pass out. I would really like to pass out. Today has been a long travel day with a mission of discovering luxury in Orange County. I can report, I have found that luxury in the form of food, a ton of food. I am tired, dulled, and disjointed — my palette satisfied.

The following food shots are from today’s gullet stuffing and include lunch at the Waterfront Beach Resort by Hilton. A late linner/dunch at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort, featuring chef Josef Lageder’s authentic Austrian and Octoberfest inspired treats. And a fine dining dinner at the Ritz Carlton Laguna Nigel in Dana Point serving up some clever desserts with sour creme sorbet and ginger ice creme.

I still have another day that includes more food, but first my travel writing business plans for the week. I still have the hiccups. Look for more writing about OC luxury coming soon.

Writing

I have a taken a couple of weeks off from my ebook project to help writers get more from the industry they are writing about. Specifically, travel writing. Back to work. I am hoping to complete my first draft.

Editing

I have been playing catch up with submissions and not quite there. However, I have some help and many new stories in the queue. I think this might be the time to get all the reading out of the way. With reading out of the way, ITKT editors can start focusing on different projects like rewriting our submission guidelines and media kits. Both projects are long overdue.

Follow Ups

I have two phone calls scheduled this week to work more closely with two top national tourism boards this week. While I do hope to make a little more money, I genuinely do want to help promote these fabulous destinations. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

So I had just left the main square of Mexico City, along with several members of the press trip for FITA I was on. Actually, I didn’t go willingly. I had been watching some incredible traditional/untraditional Mexican dancing near the Aztec ruins in “Zocalo” when I was reminded, about nine times, that I was holding up the group from dinner.

I found myself walking down the crowded Mexico City streets when I ran into a busy intersection with velvet ropes with the fashionably elite escorted inside through tight security. A friend and colleague flashed her media credentials (for a different event) and headed through the doors into an Immaculate party. A moment or two later, I tried the same (but had forgotten my badge). Although I was initially turned away, I was asked to wait while they checked to see if other writers could enter.

One of the joys of being a writer, especially while on assignment, is knowing that my profession opens doors both literally and figuratively. In this case, the doors opened wide and the show’s producer gave me and several other writers full access to, what turned out to be, Mexico’s 200 Years of Fashion (or 200 Años de Moda). The black tie, dressed to the nines event showcased two centuries of Mexico’s finest evening wear, local fashionistas, champagne, hor d’oeuvres, local camera crews and me trying to get the show’s models to pose a little for my camera.

As I watched the local tour guides attempt to wrangle the party-crashing travel writers out of the door and back to our scheduled restaurant for dinner, I snapped photos as fast as I could. My impromptu photography session moved along quicker than I would have liked. Still, I managed to get some good shots, including my friend and first party crasher of the night, Teresa Rodriguez (of Jetset Extra and Tango Diva fame) enjoying a little of the event’s bubbly.

And yes, this is a real job. Although, sometimes travel writing does not feel like a job. It just feels like an opportunity to crash the party.

Last week, I explored Mexico City’s newest annual travel event, the International Tourism Fair of the Americas, or FITA (or Feria Internacional de Turismo de las Américas in Spanish). Basically, there are several hundred booths filled with travel trade pros, spokes model-types in tight dresses handing out brochures and suited executives looking important. While there were many destinations in Mexico represented, there were also numerous tourism boards including India, Thailand, Argentina, even Cuba. I took advantage of the situation.

As I have written before, I am a big fan of the convention floor as a great place to find story angles, the latest information and new contacts. I did well as both writer and traveler.

The convention itself has a few bugs that will likely work themselves out by next year. The most obvious problems were the location and the connectivity. As a traveler, Mexico City’s Financial District is basically a ghost town and about an hour from anything worth enjoying in Mexico City, the distance also made my over-priced, generic 5-star hotel a funnel to take my money without other local options (I have a story about money traps coming soon). As a writer, I was unable to report from the press room, with its 40 computer stations, due to zero Internet access. This likely dampened some of the exposure the event hoped to receive.

However, while my job was a little harder, there were still plenty of good opportunities. One such opportunity is my interview with Cancun’s Promotion Direction, Jorge Luis Tellez Vignet. There are more and I will be sharing them over the next few weeks.

And until next year’s FITA event…

I have just returned from several days away in Mexico City. No, there was nothing to be worried about and the trip included strolls after dark around the historic Zócalo area in the heart of downtown. However, much of my time was spent in the financial district at FITA, the first ever International Tourism Fair of the Americas. More about the tourism fair during the week. And yes, I found Mexico safe.

Since I am running on fumes from a day of travel, let me get straight to the coming week in the life of this travel writer.

Writing

I have a small spiral-bound notepad filled with nine story ideas, and five that will likely find the light of day. This means lots of library and getting the right ideas down on paper.

Photos

Mexico City has some dynamic colonial architecture. I took about 450 shots during my visit. I will try to narrow it down to my favorite 30 or so for ITKT readers.

Contacts

As I have discussed in previous writings, I am a fan of networking at conventions. This trip was no different. I have a huge pile of new contacts that include travel agents, tour operators, airlines, pr firms, tourism boards and other writers. I will write most of them individually. Yes, it will be a fair amount of work, but history has shown trying to develop contacts, within my industry, is invaluable.

Products

readers know that I do not do many product reviews. However, I have found an interesting product I tested in Los Angeles, while I was away in Mexico City, the Ceiva.

From My Last trip to Mexico, Mazatlan 2008

It has been two years since I last visited Mexico. In that time, Mexico has gone from being one of the most popular spots for vacations in the world to a destination that receives a lot of bad press. Sadly, dangerous cartels and a few bouts of weather has turned Mexico into a place that raises the eyebrow when mentioned as still one of the best vacation spots in the world. For the same reasons I do not fear gang violence while living in Los Angeles, I plan on visiting an incredible historic city. Mexico is still a great — at least I will find out as I travel to Mexico this week.

Travel

I am heading to Mexico City early on Wednesday morning for four days of international tourism promotion. While I have attended many tourism fair events, I am always excited to go for the best new information in travel and some of the best networking possible under one roof.

Writing

Since most of my week will be spent out of the country, I have a few days of intense updates, so I do not have to worry too much about working while on the road.

Video

Another great opportunity is video. Beyond the interviews I will be conducting on both Spanish and English, there are likely going to be some excellent cultural performances happening during the show.