Photo: h.koppdelaney

The usual collection of travel quotes tend to focus on inspiration and reflection. These, however, are meant to tickle your funny bone, and remind you of the inherent humor of the journey.

1. “When you come to a fork in the road….take it” – Yogi Berra

2. “Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers.” – George Carlin

3. “If you’ve seen one redwood tree, you’ve seen them all.” – Ronald Reagan

4. “I’ve been to Paris. And it ain’t that pretty at all.” – Warren Zevon, from the song Ain’t That Pretty At All

5. “Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversations.” — Elizabeth Drew

6. “Another well-known Paris landmark is the Arc de Triomphe, a moving monument to the many brave women and men who have died trying to visit it.” – Dave Barry

7. “The major advantage of domestic travel is that, with a few exceptions such as Miami, most domestic locations are conveniently situated right here in the United States.” – Dave Barry

8. “Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel from coast to coast without seeing anything.” – Charles Kuralt

9. “The worst thing about being a tourist is having other tourists recognize you as a tourist.” – Russell Baker

10. “You can find your way across this country using burger joints the way a navigator uses stars.” – Charles Kuralt

11. “You got to be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra

12. “Do not insult the mother alligator until after you have crossed the river.” – Old Haitian Proverb

13. “Canada is the vichyssoise of nations – it’s cold, half French and difficult to stir.” – Stuart Keate

14. “On a New York subway you get fined for spitting, but you can throw up for nothing.” – Lewis Grizzard

15. “Gaiety is among the most outstanding features of the Soviet Union.” – Joseph Stalin

16. “San Francisco is like granola. Take away all the fruits and the nuts and all you have left are the flakes.” – Unknown

17. “France is the only country where the money falls apart and you can’t tear the toilet paper.” – Billy Wilder

18. “Boy, those French. They have a different word for everything.” – Steve Martin

19. “Climbing K2 or floating the Grand Canyon in an inner tube. There are some things one would rather have done than do.” – Edward Abbey

Always look out for the hostage Buddha / Photo: antwerpenR

20. “There is science, logic, reason; there is thought verified by experience. And then there is California.” – Edward Abbey

21. “If you are going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill

22. “I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places. He told me to quit going to those places”. – Henny Youngman

23. “Two great talkers will not travel far together.” – Spanish Proverb

24. “Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel.” – Yogi Berra

25. “I dislike feeling at home when I am abroad.” – George Bernard Shaw

26. “I had a prejudice against the British until I discovered that fifty percent of them were female.” – Raymond Floyd

27. “Living on Earth is expensive, but it does include a free trip around the sun every year.” – Unknown

28. “When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money”. – Unknown

29. “Knock Knock! Who’s there? Tibet! Tibet who? Early Tibet and early to rise!” – Aha Jokes

30. “Go to Heaven for the climate, Hell for the company.” – Mark Twain

Add your favorite funny travel quotes in the comments section below!

Photo: Ingorrr

Many of you who tune into BNT on a regular basis are not only travelers who contemplate life’s big questions, but you are also writers who get those questions down on paper (or the 21st century version of paper – blog).

I’m sure many of you have also thought about what roles traveling and writing play in your life. Are they hobbies? Are they parts of your life that get you through the 9-6 job? Are they your life’s purpose?

For most of my life, I wasn’t sure of my purpose, or even if each of us have a particular calling.

I now blame that lack of belief on a system that doesn’t want us to find our calling, unless it is to be a doctor, lawyer, pharmaceutical developer or sales rep, or some other job that fits nicely into the wheel that keeps the market going.

Yet, I also believe we live in a time that more than ever before, there is an underground movement gently nudging everyone to find their own joy through some sort of spiritual practice and connection.

So when I came across a short interview with author Jill Jepson on American Chronicle, I thought about how writing is both a spiritual and sacred process. Jepson recently released her book, Writing as a Sacred Path: A Practical Guide to Writing with Passion and Purpose, where she “delves into the practices of four great spiritual vocations—that of the shaman, warrior, mystic and monk.”

Using Intuition to Access Creativity

Photo: Temari 09

The book shares an intuitive approach to writing, using myth, meditation, and ritual to find, or ‘get at,’ the creativity hidden deep inside of each of us.

Sometimes, it is hard to access this creativity when we constantly have to be in our minds (and being on the computer and millions of different websites a day keeps us up there).

Even when we are traveling, attempting to see all the sights – and hit all the nightclubs – keeps us disconnected from this inner knowing. And when we are at home, ideas start drying up; inspiration is, well, lacking. We get frustrated and hit a wall…then, nothing.

But if we can remember there are tools, sacred and centuries-old ones at that, which can help us get over, under, or around that wall, than we can ease ourselves out of that frustration. And, more importantly, we can move away from the question, “Am I really capable of doing this?”

Jepson adds:

Keep writing. I know that sounds simplistic, but I really feel persistence is the key to success at writing. It is at least as important as talent and luck, and more essential than connections. Many writers fall by the wayside because they can´t deal with the rejection—or with the many hours of hard work writing requires. It´s vital to learn how to deal with frustration and disappointment and get back to your keyboard or paper.

So if travel writing, or writing in general, is your calling, don’t give up. Get back on that horse as many times as you need to, meditate on what might be blocking you, and share your experiences with others – the community you build will take you where you need to go, and keep you inspired.

Do you have a recommendation on how to stay spiritually connected to your writing and get through those blocks? Share your thoughts below.

Host, Charles Runnette

Earlier this year, I wrote about the vapid show on Travel Channel Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches. Most of you readers agreed with my argument, that we should expect better from the Travel Channel.

Unfortunately, they’ve now given us Confessions Of A Travel Writer.

Hosted by Charles Runnette, the show offers a sneak peek behind the scenes of this “dream job”. The pilot aired last night, and the reactions are now flooding in…and they’re not good.

The World Hum interview with Charles has been flooded with outraged comments:

“Charles comes off as a completely pretentious snob who is quick to ridicule everyone else in order to generate pleasure for himself. I wouldn’t want to follow his advice when travelling. He seems to take no joy in ANYTHING.”

“I’m 20 minutes into this show. I had never heard of Charles Runnette before but I already hate him. What an arrogant, self absorbed, petty jerk.”

“This guy is an arrogant, negative joy-sucking jerk. Please, please don’t ever let him go on another press trip or ever get in front of a camera again. And never interview him again.”

“Huge misfire from the normally dependable Travel Channel. Charles Runnette is like the watery diarrhea you get from eating the wrong food in a foreign country.”

Similar comments were left on Jaunted’s coverage of the show as well.

To be clear, I haven’t actually seen the show myself yet. I’ve only read the reactions of others across the web.

What can we make of this decision by the Travel Channel? Was it actually another blunder? Or a calculated risk to generate an outpouring of negative publicity, and hence, interest in the show?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Community Connection

If you’d like to check out a show about travel writers that has good reviews, check out Word Travels. And see my behind the scenes photo essay here.

Photo: laihiu

Mashable recently named their top 7 places to watch great minds in action.

The list included the well-known conference TED, and a bunch of other ones based on the TED model (ok, we can easily deduce who is the leader of the great minds in action).

It got me thinking, where could you watch great travelers in action? Sure, there are plenty of great travel blogs out there, such as Nomadic Matt and Everything Everywhere, but what if you actually want to rub elbows with some of the top in the field? A place where you can get to know their secrets, and also find out what is happening in the world of health, sustainability, and cultural tourism?

I searched the internet, and found the top travel conferences that blend these important issues, gives you a chance to schmooze with some of the greats, and offers the opportunity to put your travel writing skills to good use. Here’s what I came up with:

Health/Industry

1. The World Medical Health Tourism Conference

Location: Phuket, Thailand (2009)
What they have to say: “The conference philosophy is designed to further improve the capabilities of healthcare institutions and tour operators who are key players in the medical tourism industry and to provide each individual patient to be well-informed on the standards of medical information worldwide.” Attendees include MDs, Spa & Massage Clinic Operators, travel agents, airline companies, tour operators, and anyone in the hospitality industry.

2. Adventures in Travel Expo

Location(s): New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles, Seattle.
What they have to say: Marketplace for travelers, offering “unique” vacation options and travel information. Also includes travel seminars, hands-on activities, and cultural performances.

Sustainable and Cultural Tourism

3. Sustainable Tourism: Issues, Debates & Challenges

Photo: swimparallel

Location: Crete (2010)
What they have to say: “The aim of the conference is to provide a forum for academics, emerging researchers, policy-makers, industry practitioners, and destination management and marketing professionals to discuss and debate key issues in the development and management of sustainable tourism in an era of climate change.”
Writing opportunity: Themes include alternative tourism development, sustainability and economic restructuring, and eco tourism as a possible viable route to rural development. They are also accepting paper abstracts with an October 1, 2009 deadline. If chosen, there is an opportunity for possible post conference publication in either the Journal of Sustainable Tourism or the Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management.

4. Sustainable Tourism 2010

Location: New Forest, UK (2010)
What they have to say: “Sustainable Tourism 2010 aims to find ways to protect the natural and cultural landscape through the development of new solutions which minimize the adverse effects of tourism. This can be achieved through the development of new strategies involving the active collaboration of society as a whole. Such solutions ought to cope with the continuous growth of tourism impacts on the country including culture and society.”
Writing opportunity: You can also submit an abstract for a paper here. Papers chosen for the conference will be considered for publication in the International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning.

5. World Cultural Tourism Association

Location: Bangkok, Thailand (2009)

What they have to say: “The aim of this conference is to provide a forum for international educators, scholars, researchers, industry professionals, policy-makers and graduate students with opportunity to explore and discuss issues in the topics on cultural tourism.”
Writing opportunity: They currently have a call for papers for the November 2009 conference due today, July 31st, that are relevant to culture and tourism.

Travel Writing

Photo: ExperienceLA

6. Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference

Location: Corte Madera, California
What they have to say: “The Conference offers an array of workshops, panels, and evening activities. There are many hours of informal interaction between faculty and students during lunch and in discussions that often last late into the evening. Alumni have published books, articles, and photos — many as the direct result of lessons learned and contacts made at the conference.”

7. Travel Classics International

Location: Quebec City, Canada (2010)
What they have to say: “Conference includes: low writer/editor ratio, editor presentations and panel discussions, scheduled one-on-one meetings with 4 or more editors, writer bios and clips sent to editors in advance, off site dinners and after hours networking, Writers contest judged by conference editors, pre and post conference trips, work showcased on TravelClassics.com.”

Any other great travel conferences we missed? Share your links below.

Community Connection

Want a foundation in travel writing before you venture to a conference? Check out Matador’s Travel Writing school, Matador U, to learn everything you need to know to become a successful travel writer.

Photo: alicepopkorn

Recently, Julia Ross over at the fabulous World Hum followed up a previous piece on great woman travelers in Asia with her top 10 inspirational woman travelers.

Her list included some well-known names, such as Melinda Gates, who has done amazing work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation around global health and poverty.

The list also included the beloved Julia Child, whom Ross notes “satisfied a thirst for adventure by signing on as one of the first female spies in the OSS (forerunner to the CIA), which posted her to Sri Lanka and China during World War II,” previous to her work as an internationally known chef.

Also listed were a few lesser known women-with-will: Martha Gellhorn, a US war correspondent who saw the Spanish Civil War, the US invasion of Panama, Normandy, and the Vietnam war (now that’s impressive).

But my favorite of the 10 has to be Jo Rawlins Gilbert. This 79-year-old woman was part of the first group of tourists to visit post-war Iraq, recently camped in Mali, and dug among ruins in Jordan. Since she’s already been to Afghanistan, Syria, and Yemen, Kashmir and North Korea are next on her list.

Ross’ article made me think about my own travel history, and what, or who, inspired me to go down the travel wormhole-of-no-return.

Inspiration Strikes

I finally realized that although my mother, who barely made her way to the US in 1972 as she spoke no English and missed her connecting flight at Heathrow, inspired me to tackle seemingly scary situations, it was actually one of my college roommates who got me to sign up for a semester abroad junior year.

This was a roommate who had not previously left the confines of North Carolina, except maybe to go to Myrtle Beach. She had grown up in a suburb of Charlotte, stayed close to her family, and planned to work with the family business once she graduated.

She didn’t even like going to parties unless she was going to know at least half the people there, and her idea of exotic food was cajun-flavored hush puppies.

I’m not sure what prompted her to even look at studying in Florence for four months – I’m absolutely positive the idea scared the bejesus out of her.

Photo: Gret@Lorenz

But somehow, she overcame whatever fear was brewing deep inside and booked that flight, enrolled in those classes, and tipped that glass of Chianti down her throat in celebration.

I had flown to Germany several times as a child, spent time in Juarez, Mexico with friends that I went to school with in El Paso, TX, and covered almost all 50 states during my family’s summer trips by air-conditionless car.

I was still completely frightened to set up shop for a few months in a country where despite two semesters of Italian, I barely knew a word of the language. But since that roommate took the plunge, and came back a happier, more evolved person, I decided I could do it too.

So for me, the most inspirational woman traveler is my sophomore year roommate, who knew when it was time to push her own boundaries in order to experience a bit more of life.

Do you have someone who inspired you to travel? Share your story below.

Community Connection

Check out the response to Ross’ earlier piece, What Makes A Great Woman Traveler?, and how our travels can inspire humanity in Divine Inspiration: How Travel Teaches Us To Appreciate Humanity.

Kachin recruits in training / Photo Ryan Libre

In 2006, the great travel writer Robert Kaplan gave a seminal speech at the Columbia School of Journalism.

Kaplan argued that mainstream journalism suffers from an obsession with soundbites, and that journalists should take time to steep themselves in the sort of local knowledge that only first-hand experience can provide.

Here’s my favorite part of the speech:

“Journalism desperately needs a return to terrain, to the kind of firsthand, solitary discovery of local knowledge best associated with old-fashioned travel writing. Travel writing is more important than ever as a means to reveal the vivid reality of places that get lost in the elevator music of 24-hour media reports.”

Today, with the venerable old house of traditional journalism ablaze, Kaplan’s message is more relevant than ever.

Enter The New Reporters

Travelers have a profound responsibility to report on what they experience abroad. Travel writing, a discipline that can be flaky, shallow and commercial, can also be a powerful form of journalism and a force for social change.

In this brave new world, we are all foreign correspondents. We are all investigative journalists. We are all photographers and videographers with the ability to snap an iconic image that can change the world.

We are all citizen journalists, able to shine a bright light into dark corners. With a keen eye, a digital camera and a blog, we can grab the attention of people around the world and make them care.

Reporting From Inside Burma

A few months ago I crossed into northern Burma in the company of ethnic Kachin rebels and spent one month reporting on the Kachin freedom struggle and teaching underground journalism workshops to college students.

A soldier laughs / Photo Ryan Libre

Few countries are as repressive as Burma, and to go to Kachin State under the auspices of the Pulitzer Center was a unique opportunity to shine a light on a place that does not receive much media attention.

Any traveler to Burma can, to some degree, help shine this light. Any traveler can post blogs, take photos and expose the fateful links between the totalitarian Burmese regime and immoral companies like Chevron.

However, going to Burma and acting as a citizen journalist bears an enormous responsibility. You are unlikely to be thrown in jail or tortured, but Burmese innocents who talk with you could bear serious consequences.

Travel as a Political Act

The prolific travel writer Robert Reid addresses this issue yesterday in a must-read essay at Worldhum.

Reid is the author of the Lonely Planet Burma guidebook. In the essay he discusses his own personal struggle with the question of whether travelers should even go to Burma. For Reid, the decision to go to Burma, and promote travel there, comes down to the ability of travelers to be effective citizen journalists, because ultimately:

Travel writers are in a position to fill information gaps and ask overlooked questions.

Right on, Mr. Reid. It’s up to all of us to fulfill that responsibility.

Community Connection

Read 5 Compelling Reasons To Visit Banned Countries, and Tim’s moving report: Kachin Christmas: Finding Faith In Myanmar

Feature photo and photo above by Ross_Goodman.

1. Survival Against the Odds

“Men wanted for hazardous journey… Safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.”

Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition of 1914 would ultimately fail, but the hardy crew he mustered would still win honour and recognition for its ability to survive against the odds.

After their ship Endurance was crushed in pack ice, the crew abandoned the plan to cross Antarctica on foot and the aim became merely to survive. Over two years, Shackleton led the crew across ice floes, then in lifeboats to a camp on Elephant Island where for six months the main group would subsist on seal meat and blubber.

Shackleton took five men around the island to the north and then across 800 miles of treacherous ocean to South Georgia Island. He then hiked with two others for 36 hours across the island’s uncharted interior to a whaling station with another three months to go before he could safely reach the crew left on Elephant Island.

He later wrote, “We had suffered, starved and triumphed, grovelled down yet grasped at glory… We had reached the naked soul of man.”

2.Lost in the Amazon

“I was obsessed with the idea of exploration,” Yossi Ghinsberg told CNN Traveller magazine on the recent release of his book Lost in the Jungle: A Harrowing True Story of Adventure and Survival.

It describes how in 1981, Israeli-born Ghinsberg and three companions set off into the depths of the Bolivian Amazon. When they realized they were ill-equipped for the journey, and lost, the four broke off into pairs; two were never seen again.

Ghinsberg and his friend Kevin were to float a raft downriver, but it caught on a rock and they were split up. For 19 days, Ghinsberg wandered helplessly in a brutal environment.

Fortunately, some local men had found Kevin and helped him search the river for Ghinsberg. Miraculously, they discovered him, alive and with a new understanding of his weaknesses and strengths.

Photo by *Zara.

3. Two Weeks in an Ice Cave

In 1982, Mark Inglis and Phil Doole were high up the slopes of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt. Cook, when a blizzard hit.

They built an ice cave and waited for the storm to pass, but it would be 13 days before help could reach them. They survived on meagre rations, but in the cramped cave they lost circulation in their legs, which had to be amputated.

This hasn’t stopped the men’s climbing careers. Both have gone on to summit Mt. Cook, and in 2006, Inglis became the first double amputee to conquer Mt Everest, losing five fingertips and more flesh off his legs to frostbite, though none of his strength of character.

He told the New Zealand Herald, “When you lose your legs when you’re 23… something like this is just a minor hiccup, just a bump in the journey, really.”

4. Stranded in the Andes

It’s a story so extraordinary it has spawned several books, a Hollywood film, an acclaimed documentary and an official website, and can be recognized with just one word: Alive.

When the plane carrying a Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes in October 1972, the story should have ended there, but it was only just beginning. Of the 45 people on board, 12 died in the crash or shortly afterward, another five passed away the next morning from injuries, another on the eighth day, then eight in a later avalanche.

The remaining 16 struggled through extreme cold and starvation before resorting to cannibalism of those who had perished.

When it became clear help wouldn’t come to them, Nando Parrado and Roberto Canessa hiked for days out of the mountains and eventually found help. The most recent, and arguably the most sensitive retelling of the 72-day saga is Gonzalo Arijón’s 2007 documentary, Stranded: I Have Come From a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains.

5. Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Amputating your arm with a blunt knife is a task the average person would find virtually inconceivable. But on May 1, 2003, it was the only option left to Aron Ralston after an 800-pound boulder fell on his arm, pinning it to a canyon wall.

After five days, the little food and water he had was gone and it was unlikely anyone would find him in the remote canyon in Utah.

In his book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, he describes how he managed to literally break free, first using the boulder to leverage his arm until the bones snapped and then sawing away at muscle and tendon with his pocket knife. He then had to rappel down a 65-foot wall. He was walking back to his car when hikers found him.

The 33-year-old continues to climb, including all of Colorado’s 55 peaks higher than 14,000 feet, and is also a motivational speaker.

Photo by lexdennphotography.

6. Mountain Odyssey

Joe Simpson and Simon Yates were descending from the summit of the 20,813-foot-high Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes when disaster struck-twice. First, Simpson slipped and broke his leg. Then, while Yates was lowering him down, Simpson went over a cliff and was left dangling on the end of the rope.

Yates couldn’t see or hear Simpson and held on for an hour as he was pulled down the mountain.

Controversially, he cut the rope (which some say was against the mountaineering code, while others say it ultimately saved both men’s lives) and safely descended. Simpson dropped into a crevasse, and though severely injured, was able to abseil down to the bottom from the ice shelf he landed on. From here, he spent three days dragging himself across five miles of rough terrain, with no food or water and in great pain.

He crawled into base camp in the middle of the night and was reunited with Yates, who, after recovering from his own injuries, was planning to break camp the next morning. The harrowing tale of survival is told in detail in Simpson’s book, Touching the Void, and the documentary of the same name.

7. Struck Down in the Pacific

Sailing the South Pacific may seem like an idyllic pursuit, but when American Tami Oldham Ashcraft and her British boyfriend Richard Sharp were caught in a category four hurricane 19 days into what should have been a 30-day crossing, the dream turned into a nightmare.

It was 1983 and they were en route from Tahiti to San Diego to deliver the 44-foot sailboat Hazana. Battered by Hurricane Raymond’s 50-foot waves, Hazana capsized. Ashcraft, sheltering below decks, was knocked unconscious. When she woke 27 hours later, Sharp was gone, his safety line broken, and while the boat had righted itself, the mainmast had snapped.

In the May 2002 issue of National Geographic Adventure, Ashcraft described how she had to fight the desire to just give up, how she fixed a makeshift mast and sail, rationed her supplies and plotted a course for Hawaii, 1,500 miles away.

Forty days later she sailed into Hilo Harbor, still in shock but thankful to be alive. She continues to sail and in 2000 published an account of her ordeal in the book, Red Sky in Mourning.

Photo by daren_ck.

8. Three Months in the Outback

When a walking skeleton over six feet tall appeared in front of his jeep in April 2006, Mark Clifford, a farm manager on a remote property in Australia’s Northern Territory, must have thought he was seeing things. The skeleton was 35-year-old Ricky Megee, who had been lost in the outback for an incredible 10 weeks.

Apparently drugged and left for dead by a hitch-hiker he had picked up (though he also claimed his car had broken down), Megee survived by staying close to a dam and eating leeches, grasshoppers, and frogs.

While police and the public had doubts about the story, especially when it came to light that Megee had minor drug convictions, there’s no question he was lost in the outback, for whatever reason, and lucky to have survived.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

For more unbelievable travel stories, check out 8 of the Greatest Non-Fiction Adventure Stories Ever Told, and 8 of the Greatest Fictional Adventure Stories Ever Told.

Feature photo by Bob Milsom. Photo above by dnhoshor.

Mark Twain

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

Writer of The Great American Novel (or one of them), friend to presidents and royalty alike, Twain chronicled his journeys through Europe and the Middle East in his best selling work, The Innocents Abroad and then again in the follow up, A Tramp Abroad.

Twain succinctly captured the importance of spreading one’s wings when he famously said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

Interestingly enough, despite the huge critical success of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Innocents Abroad was the best-selling work of Twain’s lifetime.

Maya Angelou

I do know, however, that being exposed to the existence of other languages increases the perception that the world is populated by people who not only speak differently from oneself, but whose cultures and philosophies are other than one’s own.

In Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now American poet Maya Angelou named travel as the one hope we have to recognize “that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die.”

She believed that if we could recognize these shared experiences, we would be more likely to “understand each other [and] even become friends.” How often have you looked around a café, pub, or park in a foreign country, and realized this is so very true?

Photo by Urbanworld Film Festival.

Margaret Mead

As the traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep, so a knowledge of one other culture should sharpen our ability to scrutinize more steadily, to appreciate lovingly, our own.

One of the biggest rewards of traveling is developing a deeper understanding of your own home as you adjust to the patterns and realities of other cultures.

Margaret Mead, an American anthropologist best known for her book, Coming of Age in Samoa, reminds us that when we sharpen our ability to observe another culture, we’ll also be able to apply that level of perception and appreciation to our own roots.

Samuel Johnson

Every nation has something peculiar in its manufactures, its works of genius, its medicines, its agriculture, its customs, and its policy. He only is a useful traveler, who brings home something by which his country might be benefited; who procures some supply of want, or some mitigation of evil, which may enable his readers to compare their condition with that of others, to improve it whenever it is worse, and whenever it is better to enjoy it.

In a 1760 column for The Idler, English writer Samuel Johnson identified one of the richest rewards of traveling: applying new knowledge of different ways of life in a way that benefits your own country. Even if it’s only on a small scale, both you and those around you are all the richer for it.

Photo by Tara Chambers.

Rosalia de Castro

I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I am going is what inspires me to travel it.

The best time to travel is always in the moment. And even if it means you don’t know where you’re heading, it is not knowing that makes it so much more exciting. Rosalia de Castro, Galician poet and writer, understood it is the unknown path that is the most inspiring one. After all, if you don’t know where you’re going, you can’t get lost.

COMMUNITY CONNECTION:

The history of literature and philosophy is filled with writers whose thoughts on travel remain relevant today. Check out 5 Eastern Thinkers Who Understood Inner Travel and 5 Western Thinkers Who Understood Inner Travel for some of their timeless, universal ideas.

Their vineyards are turning out good vintages, the architecture is Paris-lite, there is an abundance of culture and adventure, and it’s all there to be had for a fraction of the cost.

Part of this is what led Camille Cusumano to extend her brief jaunt to Buenos Aires into a full-fledged expat’s life for over a year (even now in San Francisco she yearns to cross the Equator again).

And, keeping up with the modern-day Lost Generation, she wrote about it. The editor of several Love Story anthologies for the travel arm of Seal Press, Cusumano’s Tango: An Argentine Love Story is her first full-length memoir and is now available in bookstores and online.

I caught her in between dances to get the scoop on writing, dancing, and dealing with corrupt governments.

Photo by -just-jen-

BNT: What is it about tango?

Camille Cusumano: How to answer that question simply…I didn’t expect to [fall for it], number one. But once I explored it out of curiosity it sort of crept into my mind and my body and my life.

I think I started to notice that there was a similarity between my Zen meditation practice and my yoga and my tango, which seems kind of strange since It’s considered to be a very sexy dance, very worldly.

But I couldn’t ignore that the dance requires you to show up and surrender and not think…It’s kind of a dance of improvisation. So people who don’t dance tango know it from the show tango. It’s still tango, but it’s a little different because it’s choreographed.

When you dance tango socially, you just go to what’s called a milonga (That’s the venue) and you ask or wait to be asked to dance. There are six basic steps upon which everything else is built, but you don’t know how they’re going to be approached. It’s like a language.

You don’t know what people are going to say to you even though you know the words when you meet them.

For the dance to work, you have to have connection. Again, it goes back to requiring surrender and just being there, fully. I could go on for a long time…That’s why I wrote a book!

The dance is almost like a journey in and of itself.

It’s a journey in self knowledge but in a way that makes you a better person for being intimate with other people.

It’s kind of a paradox because tango-just like Zen-seems to attract a lot of people who like to be by themselves, who like solitude. You’re not supposed to talk when you dance tangs (it’s part of the etiquette.)

And yet, for the dance to work on the most deep level, you have to open yourself, open your heart and be there. You have to be willing and vulnerable in a healthy way. It is paradoxical in that way.

And so it’s very sexy and earthy and sensual, but it starts to become spiritual, too.

So when you moved to Argentina, was it a double whammy of sorts, both going to Argentina and going to this state of tango? Was your move deliberate?

That’s a great question because it’s good information to share with people. I didn’t have much of a plan. I was in a bad state, as I say now because it’s not true of me anymore, I went to Buenos Aires with murder in my heart.

I was very unhappy because my relationship of 15 years had ended suddenly…seemingly suddenly. Of course, I was in denial of our problems; there was another woman and she had been a friend. It’s just garden variety suffering now, but at the time no one was suffering the way I was suffering.

Photo by Alaskan Dude

I had already planned to go to Buenos Aires for two months when all this happened and it turned out the best thing to get out of town. I knew after two days that it was the best thing to be there. I was in this cloud of confusion [before] and could clearly see within two hours [of being in Argentina].

So I changed my ticket right away–cancelled the return–and just knew I was going to stay there until I didn’t have murder in my heart. And tango was part of the healing process. And I also found a little Zen community and did all my meditation by day and danced by night.

And in the dance of connecting with so many strangers, I always wonder how many miles I really danced and how many different people I leaned up against, torso to torso.

In doing all that, I started to really find a place of love for everyone. It just felt that good to have that on the dance floor and I wanted to take it away. I didn’t want it to not be that way when I wasn’t dancing.

Tango is like a fever… it’s an infectious at-ease rather than an infectious disease. It gets in your body so you never get rid of it, it’s a virus in that way but it’s a good thing.

Once you’ve experienced this kind of love, you still have your moods, you still have your bad days, but it rears its head and it says “get thee to a milonga! Go dance!” And it’s there again. The fever rises and…I could make all outrageous claims for tango.

I think a lot of people feel that way about travel. And for most of us, there’s some aspect of travel that we latch onto in that idea of infectious at-ease.

I don’t ever try to convince everyone that they have to do tango to be happy as I am. Everybody’s got tango, and your tango is your clutch on this place.

It takes you out of yourself, it breaks down your defenses, your barriers, and boy, if leaning up against a stranger and getting in his or her warm body envelope doesn’t do it, nothing will!

There are many countries besides Argentina that have embraced tango, especially in Europe. Yet you mention in the book that both you and Argentina were going through a sort of mutual crises (similar, actually, to what we’re going through now).

It seems like there was a kind of misery loves company situation. Did this influence your decision to go to Argentina in general?

Oh, yes. It was this sort of homeopathic treatment. They were going through the same dis-ease as me. I felt very comfortable with them.

Also, as I write about in the book, I’m from an Italian American family-very Italian American-and the culture there is very Italian American, which a lot of people don’t realize, especially in Buenos Aires.

There are immigrants here from everywhere in Europe (and all around the world). But the dominant culture, after Spanish, is Italian-the food, the names, the language. Three of my four best friends [in Argentina] are like me, Italian South Americans.

I love the language; it’s Spanish but has a lot of Italian influence. There’s a saying down there that an Argentine is an Italian who speaks Spanish and thinks he’s French. And the last part refers to the fact that they like thinking of themselves as haughty.

They like their European culture. They do have some indigenous blood that has survived, but sadly a lot of it was wiped out.

Photo by .:elNico:.

How do you feel about Argentina becoming the next hot destination in travel?

Kind of mixed. Of course, it’s wonderful for them, and I love the youthfulness of that.

It reminds me of Paris in the 1920s, the Lost Generation went there to get away from America and have this European sophisticated culture and it was also cheaper.

There’s a lot of artistic firmament that I love being around. Francis Ford Coppola has a place there, and he’s been filming a movie there. I like that I got in on the cusp; I’m worried now that on the other hand it’s going to make it too expensive and overrun with too much attention.

But it’s okay, I had my time there.

Speaking of the Lost Generation, what got you into writing?

I’m one of those writers that wrote all her life and “That’s what I wanted to be” and “That’s what I thought I couldn’t be” because I was lost in the middle of a big family.

I was the fifth of ten kids, and in my Italian family, boys got the attention for developing in their careers. I did find my way because I wanted it very badly, and the way I did it was to get back-up degrees in Psychology (which I never used) and in French. The French was the connection for me.

So from French my first job out of grad school was on a French newspaper, which is still published here in San Francisco, called Le Journal Français.

So I got into publishing and writing film and restaurant reviews and meeting with cultural French icons who came through-Yves Montand and all those people.

That got me started, and then of course I wanted to write in my native tongue. I worked at Rodale price for about four or five years back east writing food books, health books, fitness…

I started writing for magazines. When I got tired of writing about food, I got into writing about travel. My first travel article was about a pike tour to Provence and it was when those bike tours were just starting and you stay in chateaux and castles.

And so I stayed in travel up until three years ago when I left a long-time staff editor job on Via magazine.

And I was thinking today how I loved writing travel, but the thing about food and travel writing in that milieu is that you have to write about how good you feel. If you don’t feel good about something, you don’t write about it. And I left that for writing about how bad I felt. It was another corner to turn.

Photo by einalem

Would you say that travel is one of the best healing tools? It seems that you latched onto that and your Zen and tango rather than going for a traditional “healing tool.”

YES, absolutely. There’s nothing like it. It’s not the first time I had a spiritual crisis, but in the past I’d taken off for France or Italy or Alaska–

Where you could see Russia from your house.

I love Alaska and she is just so alien to everything I love about it. You don’t have to run into Sarah Palin when you’re up there.

That kind of relates to your love of Argentina, where many people still associate it with Nazis and corrupt political officers and Eva Peron. Your book argues that no matter what physical state the country is in, you can still find beauty.

That’s a great point. I took refuge in a country that welcomed Nazis, that had this horrible dirty war against its own citizens, they killed horribly, and then wasted their money. The governments loved corruption there.

And here I am, traveling there to heal, and it’s okay. It worked. It may be counter-intuitive, you’d think I should go to the monastery and breathe clean air, but I found a lot of people there and one of them teaches yoga and does a lot of alternative healing.

It’s all just taking yourself out of the familiar, and there was something there that called me even amid all this corruption.

Now that Argentina is more familiar to you, do you have a next place on your travel list?

I definitely want to go back. I am only up here spending so much time because I wanted to take care of the book and promoting it.

I want to go back to Argentina and be with my community of friends and see more of Argentina, particularly near Salta which is near the Bolivian border. I understand you can get a sense of the indigenous culture there, which I kind of miss.

And I want to get to Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, now that it’s no longer a mystery to me. South America used to seem so far away and exotic. Now it’s a place I can call home. And then Asia…I’m ashamed to say that I haven’t really set foot in Asia.

I would like to go to India, make a pilgrimage of sorts, also because of my Zen background I would like to visit the monasteries in Kyoto.

And then I also just still thinking about Three Cups of Tea and I’m not gonna get to Pakistan right now, but he just makes those people-that’s what travel does, it makes you see people, not governments.

So will we be able to look out for Southeast Asia: A Love Story or South America: A Love Story from Seal Press any time soon?

I’m trying to talk to my editor. I need a new book! I hope so.

So do we. Thanks, Camille.

For more about Camille Cusumano, visit her website.

Photo Sissyboystud

One of the more unusual features of my new book is its “commentary track” endnotes, which comment on the ragged edges behind the creation of each tale.

Some of these endnotes detail information that was left out of a given story for various reasons; other endnotes examine the writing-process decisions that went into the story.

Last week, during my virtual book tour stop at Budget Travel’s “This Just In” blog, Sean O’Neill questioned me about the endnotes to Chapter 10, which amount to an extended rant in defense of backpacker culture.

Sean quoted a small portion of this rant, but what I’d like to do today is excerpt this endnote in full for the Brave New Traveler audience, simply to raise the issue of what backpackers have to offer the world of travel.

Just to give a little context, this endnote comes right after a chapter where I detail how I spent five days avoiding the pyramids in Egypt (and the potential letdown that sometimes come when you visit storied monuments) by gallivanting around Cairo with a ragtag bunch of backpackers from a budget flophouse called the Sultan Hotel.

The Excerpt:

For some reason, major media outlets see it fit to ridicule backpackers at regular intervals in the news cycle.

Buy Rolf’s New book “Marco Polo
Didn’t Go There”

Around the same time [this chapter was originally] published in Salon, one could find articles in Time and the New York Times bemoaning how watered-down independent travel had become.

The template for these articles was quite predictable:

Foreign-desk correspondent visits backpacker ghetto in Thailand (or India, or Guatemala) and observes information-age ironies and/or party scene; reporter then evokes supposed independent-travel ideals of the 1960’s and notes how today’s backpackers don’t live up to said ideals; reporter proceeds to quote Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler, cite tourism statistics, summarize perceived backpacker hypocrisies, and grandly declare independent travel to be irrelevant (or consumerist, or stone-cold dead).

This kind of story is the travel equivalent of those perennial op-ed pieces that use the latest demographic survey to conclude that young people are stupid, or morally lacking, or destined to destroy civilization.

And, just as “kids-these-days” op-eds are meant to convince older generations of their own virtue, “death-of-travel” articles essentially serve to reassure working stiffs that they aren’t missing anything by staying at home.

The Authentic Reality

In truth, backpacker culture is far more dynamic than reporters assume when they visit Goa or Panahajachel to shake down stoners for usable quotes.

Outside of the predictable traveler ghettos (which themselves aren’t as insipid as these articles let on), independent travelers distinguish themselves by their willingness to travel solo, to go slow, to embrace the unexpected and break out from the comfort-economy that isolates more well-heeled vacationers and expats.

Sure, backpackers are themselves a manifestation of mass tourism — and they have their own self-satisfied clichés — but they are generally going through a more life-affecting process than one would find on a standard travel holiday.

My experience at the Sultan Hotel is a good example. At one level my companions and I were indolent and impulsive in Cairo, skimming the surface of a culture as we cooked rabbits, ogled belly dancers, and swilled duty-free booze.

But most of us also studied Arabic and learned the rhythms of the neighborhood around Orabi Square; we attended Sunni mosques and Coptic churches; we lingered in teashops and made Egyptian friends.

Travel Mindfully

Travel mindfully / Photo Sanctu

Moreover, the Sultan Hotel (like many backpacker haunts) was a curiously class-free environment, where a Melbourne construction worker could hang out with a Pennsylvania Ivy Leaguer and an Egyptian fruit vendor in a spirit of mutual respect and curiosity.

Hassan the night clerk had trained as a lawyer, but he wasn’t bitter about working a lesser job while he waited for the slow wheels of Egyptian bureaucracy to provide him with a law position. For him, the Sultan was an international education in itself (not to mention a far-reaching networking opportunity).

It’s been eight years now since I stayed at the Sultan, and I’ve probably kept in touch with as many of the friends I made there as I have friends from high school.

A few of them are still traveling; most of them went home and became teachers, lawyers, carpenters, city planners, park rangers, social workers, and graphic designers.

All of which is to say that backpacker culture is far more diverse and engaged than its layabout stereotype would imply. Along with a stint as an expatriate, there are few other activities that — if approached mindfully — can sharpen the senses and tweak the perspective of someone who intends to leave home and experience the world.

***

Though this outtake essentially defends travel on the backpacker trail as a worthy endeavor, I welcome other perspectives and dissenting opinions.

What is your experience with the backpacker milieu? What do you find charming or annoying or telling about this type of travel?

Explore Rolf’s Book Tour

You can follow the rest of Rolf Potts’ virtual book tour online, or see him in person at one of 20 cities nationwide as he celebrates the release of Marco Polo Didn’t Go There (Travelers’ Tales, 2008).

We encourage you to ask for the book at your favorite local bookstore or Amazon.com, and follow Rolf’s tour diary at Gadling starting Sept 29th.

Tomorrow’s virtual book tour stop will be at Jaunted. To read yesterday’s tour stop, go to Matador Pulse.

Photo by Bhollar

The Internet has made it much easier for writers to break into the world of publishing. As an aspiring writer myself, I’ve spent countless hours exploring every website imaginable, all of which promise the key to success.

Websites such as Matador Travel, Transitions Abroad, and EditRED provide opportunities to hone your journalistic endeavors.

But while the Internet is undeniably one of the greatest platforms a modern writer can use to promote their work, the debate between old-school traditionalists who prefer print and cyberspace junkies who preach the gospel of RSS still burns.

Many perceive the printed word as THE official medium for a writer.

This perception is largely due to the pervasive belief that the editorial standards of print media are higher than those of online alternatives.

This perception is incomplete, because many online outlets do have high editorial standards; in some cases, higher than the majority of print publications.

Even if your writing is accepted by an elite online publication, telling your friends about your accomplishment will rarely evoke gasps of admiration. The reputation of inconsistent online quality is just too hard to shake, because so much mediocre writing is freely available through e-zines, online communities and blogs.

The truth needs to be revealed: writing for the web is more than Myspace blog posts and personal “My Summer Holiday” narratives. There is excellent writing online, you just need to know where to look.

The Weakness Of Websites?

One argument put forth by the traditionalists is that websites present less detailed information and lack in-depth analysis, supposedly symptoms of the online media generation afflicted with a bad case of Attention Deficit Disorder.

Photo by Len-K-A

Instead of reading an article thoroughly, these web-savvy youth merely log on, scan a few paragraphs, get their facts, and scuttle off to the next site in search of pirated movies, music, and the latest Britney Spears upskirt photo.

In some ways, this criticism hits the mark. Reading online does not provide the tactile and leisurely pleasure of turning the pages of a morning paper over coffee and eggs.

However, many websites such as Drift Magazine, Terrain and Anderbo provide downloadable PDF versions that are designed to provide a more in-depth reading experience.

Many online articles also provide a full-on multimedia experience that goes beyond the simple act of reading and provides new ways for reader and writer to connect.

And greens take note: in this age of increased environmental awareness, reading online is also much friendlier for the environment. Digital magazines prevent unnecessary paper consumption and waste.

Editorial Opinions

Online media also provides immediate opportunities for reader involvement. Simmons B. Buntin, Editor of Terrain, says:

“Online publications have provided more real-time, what we might call ‘viral’ marketing or exposure opportunities. If you read something online that you like, all you need to do is send the link to a friend…newer web technologies allow us to rate writing, comment on it, track it, listen to it, promote it through our blogs, and in general share it with others at an exhilarating, if not mind-boggling, rate.”

The online medium has become indispensable for aspiring writers because they’re able to receive feedback and publicity for their work.

Websites such as The Rose and Thorn, Hack Writers, and Cafe Irreal, provide the possibility for writers to interact with their audience.

Furthermore, e-publishing is a great way to gain exposure, not just among fellow writers, but also to literary agents, editors, and publishing houses who can help writers make the transition from web to print.

Editor Sam North from Hackwriters attests to the fact that online work can be a useful tool for self-promotion:

“Writers gain exposure through writing on-line and some find editors who will take them up in print…many of our writers have had books commissioned from work on site.”

Authors like Rolf Potts, James Ogle, and Digby Beaumont got their start by publishing in e-zines and online communities, and have since moved on to print publications, although both continue to publish writing online.

Learning Where To Start

Many authors have gotten their start by joining online writing communities. This concept of a society of artists is not new. For decades, authors have formed social bonds that involve the free exchange of connections and ideas.

Examples of legendary icons who have taken this route to fame and fortune include Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and their fellow beat poets, Ernest Hemingway and the Lost Generation in Europe, Henry Miller and Anais Nin, and Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.

One of the foremost websites that promote this concept is EditRED.com, which aspires to help writers get work published by exposing it within the online community.

In this ‘writers space,’ users are not only able to promote themselves, but can also provide feedback and support on each other’s work. EditRED is also a great space for self-promotion, because authors can advertise the books they’ve already published.

Sean Merrigan, editor and co-creator of EditRED, believes that the success and sustainability of both a writing website and aspiring authors is contingent on:

“…finding and keeping an interested audience. But I think beyond this simple formula, sustainability in any creative field involves finding a market or niche or community that is willing to participate, support and nurture talent. Editors need great writers, writers need great editors, both need an audience that is switched on to what is being presented to them. At the same time, audiences are ever more discerning.”

Show Me The Money

Screenshot of your beloved BNT.

However, if helpful sites such as EditRED.com aim to provide all the tools that a writer would need to become wildly successful, why aren’t there more successful online writers?

Alternatively, how do editors of quality websites achieve their sustainability without getting lost in the vast junkyard of blogs, sites, and ezines?

Simmons B. Buntin states: “the publication can be the impetus, but not the regulator.”

The tools, tricks, and the mechanics of publishing can be assisted by the website or community, but the real work begins and ends with the writer.

Buntin states the “responsibility of advancing work lies first and foremost with the writer…but the elements contain such things as hard work, perseverance, a thick skin, plenty of reading, plenty of writing, lots of submitting, an eye for detail, and no small amount of luck.”

Thus, the main way for writers to get work noticed and accepted is to produce quality pieces. Simple.

With so many ‘quick and easy’ schemes available on the net (as well as in print), it is easy to forget that the main job of the writer is to actually write well. The value of a website relies on the caliber of the written word.

Just like traditional writers, Barbara Quinn cautions that “…many people tell stories that aren’t interesting to anyone but themselves. Writers need to ask why would anyone want to read this? What makes this story stand out from the hundreds of others like it?”

Online magazines and writer communities won’t allow a mediocre writer to succeed, but they will grant good writers the possibility of success by allowing them to immediately expose their work to a wide audience.

A Changing Perception

Attitudes towards online media seem to be changing, and sites have been garnering greater attention from both readers and print publications. Online magazines, which many people initially thought of as a passing trend, seem to have become a permanent fixture.

Popular newspapers and magazines such as The New York Times and Newsweek have taken notice, building a major online presence with features such as blogs, podcasts, and videos.

With more and more companies, communities, and magazines expanding into cyberspace, the competition to produce quality content is fierce. Simmons B. Buntin asserts that the view of the public is changing and will continue to change “as more people find good literature online.”

With so many new technological innovations conceived and invented every day, readers, writers and editors all wonder: what’s next?

G.S. Evans from Cafe Irreal thinks that “some form of revolution in reading technology that would make it easier and more comfortable to read online publications” could combat the residual bias against cyberzines.

Simmons B. Buntin believes that websites that can be accessed through mobile devices, such as iPhones, and Amazon’s Kindle, are becoming increasingly necessary for success.

On a similar note, Sam North from Hackwriters believes that the future lies with magazines that move, allowing “some combination of sound, text, image…Performance readings and the like.”

Sean Merrigan looks to establishing closer ties between readers and writers:

“…the future holds greater interactivity between writers and readers; more debate, and more ideas. But this will be a collaborative process: editors need to ensure they promote quality writing; readers need to be demanding about what they want to read. This will be the key to greater legitimacy. In my opinion the sky is the limit.”

What do you think about the changing view of online writing? Share your thoughts in the comments!

LP writer Thomas Kohnstamm…in hell.

EDITOR’S UPDATE:

New information on this issue has clarified Thomas’ confessions and it’s now clear that the mainstream media sources on which Eva based her post were straight-up wrong.

We’ve decided to leave Eva’s article up, but please be sure to read her follow-up comment and BNT contributing editor Tim Patterson’s take on the whole hullabaloo.

Here’s the original article:

I’ve always been a big fan of Lonely Planet’s guidebooks.

I love their sassy, youthful tone, their emphasis on low-impact and alternative travel options, their rejection of freebies from bigwig hotel chains, and the way their authors manage to find vegetarian-friendly budget options worldwide.

So imagine my surprise when I made the rounds of my usual travel blogs this morning, and came across this item on Gadling: “Lonely Planet writer admits he never visited country he wrote about.”

It seems long-time LP writer Thomas Kohnstamm has outed himself as a fraud, telling News Ltd. that not only has he plagiarized or fabricated large portions of his 12+ Lonely Planet guidebooks, but he even failed entirely to visit one of the countries he wrote about.

“They didn’t pay me enough to go (to) Columbia,” he is quoted as saying. “I wrote the book in San Francisco. I got the information from a chick I was dating – an intern in the Colombian Consulate.”

My first thought (after a few four-letter words with alternating question and exclamation marks after them) was: Why? Why, if you’d gotten away with something so outrageous, would you own up to it voluntarily?

A quick Google search on Kohnstamm answered my question. His first travel narrative, “Do Travel Writers Go To Hell? A Swashbuckling Tale of High Adventures, Questionable Ethics and Professional Hedonism”, is due out next week.

Kohnstamm, it seems, is a believer in that old chestnut about there being no such thing as “bad” publicity. He is taking a calculated risk that the scandal surrounding his admissions, instead of leaving him blacklisted for life, will carry his book right onto the bestseller lists.

Sadly, he’s probably right.

The Plagiarism Double-Standard

Think back. It hasn’t been that long since another major plagiarism scandal rocked American journalism. Remember Jayson Blair?

Blair was a young reporter who resigned from the New York Times in May 2003, after it was found that an astonishing 36 of his national news articles for the paper – including high-profile items on the Beltway sniper, Jessica Lynch, and wounded American soldiers in Iraq – had been fabricated or plagiarized from other authors.

After he was drummed out, the Times executive editor and managing editors followed, paying the price for their failure to catch Blair sooner.

Though he published a tell-all memoir in 2004 (even accusing the Times of racism) to my knowledge Jayson Blair has never worked in newspaper again.

So, will the same fate befall Thomas Kohnstamm?

I’d be surprised if Lonely Planet offers him a contract again anytime soon. But what about everyone else? Kohnstamm has also written travel articles for the likes of the Denver Post, the Miami Herald, Forbes, the San Francisco Chronicle, Travel + Leisure, Time Out New York, and the Los Angeles Times.

Did he fabricate any of those pieces? Will anyone check? Most importantly, will anyone care?

The reality is that travel writing isn’t considered “real journalism” by the powers that be, and Kohnstamm knows it. So what ended Jayson Blair’s career could instead see Thomas Kohnstamm laughing all the way to the bank.

A Million Little Lies

Laughing all the way to the bank…and then his chair.

What about the book? Early reviews describe it as a funny and hard-hitting read that chronicles Kohnstamm’s boozing and womanizing in Brazil, while also exposing the ugly underbelly of the guidebook writing world.

But am I going to be the only one reading it with a whole shaker worth of salt? The man is a self-admitted plagiarizer and fraud. Isn’t it a safe assumption that some of his “wacky misadventures” and encounters with beautiful Brazilenas are figments of his imagination?

Again, that all-important question: Will anyone care?

Travel writing in newspaper form may not be considered hard journalism, but on the other side of things, travel writing in book form has always been closely related to memoir. And it’s clear that readers care about the honesty of their memoirists, as James Frey learned in 2006.

After the folks at The Smoking Gun cut his memoir of drug addiction, A Million Little Pieces, into, well, a million little pieces, Frey was dumped by his publisher and, most famously, confronted by Oprah Winfrey on national TV. Still, he’s an author on the rebound, with a new book – carefully labeled a “novel” rather than a “memoir” – due out this summer.

Will Kohnstamm’s admissions mean his book gets a careful going-over from The Smoking Gun, or even from a lone critic with time on his hands? Probably not.

It was the scale of Frey’s “embellishments”, and the emotional connection millions of readers had made with the subject matter of his book that led to the backlash. No one is going to feel hurt or betrayed if it turns out that Kohnstamm has tossed back a few fictional shots of rum, or “embellished” the size of some hot Brazilian chick’s tatas.

Things Get Personal

So if newspaper editors don’t care, and readers don’t care, you might be asking yourself: Why am I so worked up about this?

Let’s go back to those first thoughts of mine, when I came across that original Gadling post. After the four-letter words, the exclamation marks, and the “Why? WHY?” came this:

“Hey asshole! If you didn’t think the Colombia gig paid well enough to make it worthy of your time, why not pass on the assignment and let some poor struggling writer sitting in her tiny apartment waiting for a break take it on?”

Kohnstamm has done several things at once here:

1. seriously undermined the credibility of an enormous publishing house that – in my opinion, anyway – does some pretty good work in the world
2. re-proven in the minds of many editors that travel writers as a group are not to be taken seriously – and hey, guess what, it doesn’t benefit any of us in the long run to be considered a bunch of plagiarizing hacks
3. taken opportunities away from other young writers who might have actually been willing to do the job they were paid for
4. and done it all deliberately, in the name of his own self-enrichment. Nice guy, right?

What We Can Do

You might be thinking: Eva, aren’t you just playing his game by writing him up like this?

Well, yes and no. I won’t be buying his book, and I hope you won’t either. Read it in one of those comfy chairs at Borders if you must, but please, for the love of journalistic ethics, don’t spend a cent on it.

Furthermore, if you’d like to politely suggest to Kohnstamm’s book publisher that you don’t think much of them employing a lying, plagiarizing, self-congratulatory hack, you can email his publicist at jsones@randomhouse.com.

You can also contact Kohnstamm directly via his website.

I’ll also be keeping an eye on the response to the book as it comes out, and if I see many reviews running without a mention of Kohnstamm’s status as a guidebook con-man, I’d be happy to post the relevant editors’ email addresses in the comments section below this post for follow-up.

C’mon, Brave New Travelers. Let’s prove there IS such a thing as “bad” publicity!

If you’re not seething yet, try Aaron Hotfelder’s 5 Reasons To Be Outraged By The Lonely Planet Fraud.

For a more intellectual and far-ranging take on travel writing, memoir, and “truth”, check out Tom Bissell’s excellent World Hum essay, Truth in Oxiana.

Is Kohnstamm’s carefully timed confession a harmless publicity stunt or a shameful outrage? Please leave a comment below!

Read the editor’s follow-up to this post:

The Real Story Behind the Thomas Kohnstamm Affair

Photo by Matthew Antonino

Blogs grant unparalleled potential for spontaneity and interaction to writers everywhere – a virtual printing press, under your fingertips.

But with this new podium comes one of the less desirable traits of mass media: scrutiny from a faceless mob.

With greater potential to bare your soul comes the greater danger of getting pecked to death by the peanut gallery.

Samuel Butler once said “…it is the duty of schools and colleges to abate (genius) by setting genius-traps in its way.”

If the sheltering structure of the academy is now decentralized, where are those genius traps hidden these days?

Kurt Vonnegut tells the story of a talented English student who wrote an exceptional short story that her professor compared to work by Chekhov and Mark Twain, two masters of the genre.

Is such lofty comparison a compliment – or a curse? Vonnegut has some harsh words for the professor:

“Thank you, you son-of-a-bitch, you’ve put this student in competition with one of the greatest writers who ever lived. And so the young lady will give up as being up against Chekhov, being up against Mark Twain, being up against me.”

Vonnegut’s story demonstrates the risk every artist invites when they create, not to mention the tremendous responsibility of a teacher-as-mentor.

Do we, as member-critics of the Internet, share a similar responsibility to nurture talent without criticizing too harshly or making unfair comparisons?

In Defense of Max

Consider a recent case, notable for how easily a worst-case scenario can come crashing down.

19-year-old Max Gogarty, son of travel writer Paul Gogarty, has just landed an opportunity most writers would sell their parents for: a feature travel column in the UK’s Guardian newspaper.

Whether Max got the gig through nepotism or hustle won’t matter if he can spark some interest. It’s sink-or-swim time – a lot of pressure to succeed.

The result: Max bombed. Hard.

The commentary took on a life of its own – admittedly funny, but relentlessly cruel. British derision is similar to being sealed in a pit of rabid chainsaws. It didn’t take the mob long to tear Max into little bloody pieces.

I didn’t relate to Max’s debut article, but my heart goes out to the poor guy. It’s one thing to be shouted down, quite another to be a young writer mercilessly skewered.

Thanks to the miracle of Internet, this kid has to get up in the morning and wonder where to start again. Most people don’t do that until they’re forty.

Quality Control?

Screenshot of Max’s blog post.

The quality of Max’s article itself is an issue separate from the pounding he got. If he meant to capture the naïve excitement of a kid on his first solo trip into Asia, he surely did that, if nothing else.

Would I read his blog? Maybe. I might enjoy reading as an amateur sheds his assumptive materialistic nonsense and wakes up to the world outside.

Would others read also? Possibly, if they’re looking for a fellow newbie with whom to connect. He’s just a kid. We’re not talking Vonnegut here.

If someone’s at fault, it’s not Max. Nor the British, whose surliness makes me happy to be American.

Blame rightly rests with the editors. Max shouldn’t have been put in that spot without preface as a novice traveler. It’s unfair to kick a beginner around.

Someone’s shortsightedness fed this kid to the lions, basically stacking a beginner next to Joyce. Publicly.

Whither Quality?

How, then, do we promote quality in writing? Credit where credit’s due.

Hemingway was a brilliant writer, well-traveled and multi-faceted. But I part ways with his glorification of war. I appreciate Jackson Pollack’s aesthetic, but admiration for his personal life would be a long time coming.

The list of faults could continue, until all the heroes are burned down and there is no true beauty left to appreciate.

The constant bickering in the blogosphere is no quest for quality – it’s a headhunt for failings. We’re all princes walking with porn stars, and at the end of the day there isn’t much difference between the two.

Despite foibles and illness, sometimes bloggers discover something brilliant to share. We should honor each contribution fairly, without nitpicking.

It’s been said criticism is a lesser form of intelligence; I think any intelligence used wantonly becomes its lesser.

Truth is a Brick

Truth is like a brick: it can be used to build or destroy, and the emphasis in “brutal honesty” tends to be on “brutal.” Tearing down is easier than building up, but thoughtless destruction becomes boring after a while, and leaves the landscape barren.

The artist’s heart is invisible to the medium – an essence we’re often blind to when we should be more aware. Each of us has experiences that are truly our own; learning to polish these ideas until they shine is what art (and life) is all about.

Vonnegut offered this advice:

“What I tell people is there is no trade anymore of writing, of storytelling, but you engage in it anyway…. It’s not a way to make a living. It’s a way to make your soul grow, to see who you are and where you are. I was in the Chemistry department and didn’t know my writing was crap. So I went on writing anyway because I enjoyed it so much.”

It doesn’t matter what he writes next. The gutsiest thing Max could do right now is to pick up his pen again, and box his own weight.

Questions to the Community:

Does anyone feel like they’ve been railed on unfairly for their writing? How did you handle it? What’s your advice for someone who’s taking heat? Do you believe we have the responsibility to moderate ourselves?

Editor’s Introduction – Tim Patterson: I’m typing on the deck of a hostel in a little Uruguayan surf town called Punta del Diablo.

I hope you’ll find similar inspiration in these quotes. Without further ado…

The 50 Most Inspiring Travel Quotes Of All Time

1. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

2. “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine

3. “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

4. “The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson

5. “All the pathos and irony of leaving one’s youth behind is thus implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered, and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.” – Paul Fussell

6. “Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac

7. “He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb

8. “People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes

9. “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck

10. “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang

11. “Your true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of his liberty-his excessive freedom. He accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure.” – Aldous Huxley

12. “All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson

13. “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

14. “Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese

15. “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

16″A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” – Moslih Eddin Saadi

17. “When we get out of the glass bottle of our ego and when we escape like the squirrels in the cage of our personality and get into the forest again, we shall shiver with cold and fright. But things will happen to us so that we don’t know ourselves. Cool, unlying life will rush in.” – D. H. Lawrence

18. “To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” – Freya Stark

19. “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

20. “Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – Miriam Beard

21. “All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – Martin Buber

22. “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru

23. “Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going.” – Paul Theroux

24. “To my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.” – Bill Bryson

25. “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

26. “Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.” – Robert Frost

27. “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

28. “There is no moment of delight in any pilgrimage like the beginning of it.” – Charles Dudley Warner

29. “A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving.” – Lao Tzu

30. “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.” – James Michener

31. “The journey not the arrival matters.” – T. S. Eliot

32. “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill

33. “I have found out that there ain’t no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.” – Mark Twain

34. “Once you have traveled, the voyage never ends, but is played out over and over again in the quiestest chambers. The mind can never break off from the journey.” – Pat Conroy

35. “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien

36. “Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” – Benjamin Disraeli

37. “Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou

38. “Too often travel, instead of broadening the mind, merely lengthens the conversation.” – Elizabeth Drew

39. “Wandering re-establishes the original harmony which once existed between man and the universe”……Anatole France

40. “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca

41. “What you’ve done becomes the judge of what you’re going to do – especially in other people’s minds. When you’re traveling, you are what you are right there and then. People don’t have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.” – William Least Heat Moon

42. “I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.” – Lillian Smith

43. “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – Aldous Huxley

44. “Travel does what good novelists also do to the life of everyday, placing it like a picture in a frame or a gem in its setting, so that the intrinsic qualities are made more clear. Travel does this with the very stuff that everyday life is made of, giving to it the sharp contour and meaning of art.” – Freya Stark

45. “The first condition of understanding a foreign country is to smell it.” – Rudyard Kipling

46. “Travel is glamorous only in retrospect.” – Paul Theroux

47. “The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” – G. K. Chesterton

48. “When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” – Clifton Fadiman

49. “A wise traveler never despises his own country.” – Carlo Goldoni

50. “Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.” – Mark Jenkins

What quotes did we miss? Which one was your favorite? Please leave a comment below!

More recently he has become a sort of Indiana Jones for the Gen-X set (his current book is on the search for Jesus Christ’s foreskin which, up until 1983, was allegedly preserved in the Italian hill-town of Calcata).

While Farley’s website is a voyeur’s dream (it holds most of his articles for your reading enjoyment), it still begs enough questions to last a keg of Pilsner Urquell. Recently, we were able to ask David a few of those questions (sadly minus the beer).

BNT: So, how goes the quest for the Holy Foreskin?

I’m trying to remain mum about it until the book comes out in Spring 2009, which isn’t easy because I love talking about Jesus’ foreskin (and, really, who doesn’t?)

But for now I’ll say that the quest for the Holy Foreskin is complete. If you want to take that as an answer to the question of whether or not I actually found the Holy Foreskin, you’re certainly welcome to.

BNT: You didn’t set out to be a writer; what made you take up the written road?

I wish I could say I was one of those kids who had some intrinsic desire to be a writer from an early age-writing books with crayons when I was five years old, and so on-but my childhood fantasies were mostly occupied by rescuing Princess Leia, hitting a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium and becoming a rock star (in that order, thankfully).

When I lived in Prague, in my mid-20s, I had a lot of unique and bizarre experiences (such as watching a pig get slaughtered in the Czech hinterlands and living with a varnish-sniffing addict whose only English was the lyrics to classic rock songs) and I’d often think: if I were a writer, this would make a great story.

When I did start writing a couple years later, those were some of the first stories I tried to write.

So it turns out, I did have these subconscious desires to write-in my case, about my travel experiences-but it didn’t emerge until I was in my mid-20s or so.

BNT: What hooked you into traveling?

I grew up in a Los Angeles suburb called Simi Valley. Though it was just over the hill from Los Angeles County and the San Fernando Valley, the town of had little by way of “worldliness.”

There were two Chinese restaurants (one of which was called ‘The Chinaman,’ by the way); one bookstore (if you don’t include the two Christian bookstores), and one Japanese restaurant. This was a town of 100,000 people on the periphery of America’s second largest and, perhaps, most culturally diverse city.

I never really fit in with the center-right-wing, mono-cultural aesthetic that seemed to pervade everything in Simi Valley. So, I vowed to flee as soon as possible, which I did. In college I took a trip to Europe with one of my professors and I became enraptured about seeing the rest of the world.

I think because the suburbs were so sterile and so aesthetically redundant, I developed a passion for putting myself in environments that were antipodal to where I grew up. I didn’t know that I wanted to be a travel writer at the time, but this was when I vowed to create a life for myself that involved as much travel and as little routine as possible.

BNT: One of your first travel articles is on eloping in Rome. Was it everything you expected it to be, or did you miss Kool and the Gang and the open bar?

I do love an open bar (as many of my friends will attest) and who doesn’t love Kool and the Gang? But every time I go to a wedding, I think about how glad I am that we took off to Rome to get married. Nothing against the traditional wedding, but there’s just so much pressure and stress.

Eloping to Rome seemed more adventurous and romantic anyway.

BNT: Your arsenal of articles is centered mainly on the Czech Republic (and Italy). With the help of Traveler’s Tales Prague, do you find yourself pigeonholed as The Prague Guy?

“Arsenal of articles.” I like that. One strategy I’ve tried in terms of getting travel assignments has been having a beat-pick a place you know well and focus on it.

Get some pieces published and/or write or edit a collection of travel essays on the place and, in theory, you become an authority. So when you pitch an article on the place, you won’t have to do much convincing that you’re the perfect person to write it.

I had a fair amount of articles on the Czech Republic published before the book came out and in the run up to the book’s publication, I sent out a bunch of article pitches on all things Czech, certain I’d be able to ride the book’s coat tails to a few high-profile assignments. No one bit.

After the book’s release failed to help get me any assignments, I decided that Prague and I needed some space.

BNT: Has Prague lost any of its luster for you with the flood of tourists? What do you think will be the new Prague?

Prague was also flooded with tourists when I lived there in the mid to late ‘90s too, but most of the travelers were European. It was odd how an EU entry suddenly made the place “safe” for the Rick Steves set to venture to the “East.”

Before a few years ago, I think a lot of people had this idea that on the other side of the old Iron Curtain you’d still see people queuing for bread and the toilets would have cardboard for toilet paper.

As for the “new Prague,” it was, is, and always will be the village of New Prague, Minnesota.

BNT: What was it like working with your wife on Traveler’s Tales: Prague? Have you collaborated on anything else since?

Curiously enough, the collaboration didn’t result in many fights. None actually. We agreed unanimously on the stories we thought were the best fit for the book.

We haven’t collaborated on anything since, as we’re both working on our own book projects. When we first met, we came up with this idea of putting together an anthology of stories about getting caught masturbating and calling it Doesn’t Anyone Knock Anymore? (a reference to the “getting caught” scene in Fast Times at Ridgemont High.)

But when we realized that all the stories would be very short-and, in general, quite similar to each other-the project lost some of its excitement.

BNT: How do you find time to work in between traveling? Does splitting your time between Calcata and New York help or hurt matters?

In terms of freelance writing, it’s really the best of both worlds. New York is a great place to be because most of the magazines are based here and you end up meeting a lot of editors and other writers at parties and media events or through friends.

Being in Italy for an extended period of time is beneficial: you’re already there, so a publication doesn’t have to pay for you to fly there and, because you’re there, you appear as an “insider,” thus making you an attractive candidate to get an Italy-based assignment.

Also, if you’re living there, you’re much more in tune with what’s going on, so coming up with good angles for articles is much easier. In terms of being “in between” assignments, I pay the rent by teaching travel writing (at New York University) and working as an editor and a restaurant critic at a foodie site called Gayot.com.

BNT: Even as a travel writer, do you ever feel American Tourist Guilt? Or do you tend to be able to blend in with your surroundings?

People seem to dress a particular way when they’re on vacation. But I think we get a lot more respect if we dress up while on the road. For that reason, I dress the same way when I’m on the road as I do in New York.

Besides that, I don’t want to be pegged as an American since we’re hated around the world more than ever these days. So if not wanting to be recognized right away as American is “American tourist guilt” then I’ve got it.

Whenever I’m in, say, Rome I’m always astounded at how unprepared many Americans are for what they’re seeing. They have little sense of history for what came before 1776 and therefore have a hard time putting things into historical context.

I’m totally generalizing here, but I think we’re a lot less educated on history, culture, arts, and geography than our European counterparts. Just ask Miss Teen South Carolina.

Our education system is an international embarrassment. I didn’t know anything about the outside world when I got out of high school. I think this is one of the reasons why in my own writing, I’m always trying to put things into a historical context, hoping that someone will read something I write and be both entertained and enlightened by it.

BNT: How do you feel about the digital age-and the plethora of online travel magazines-and its impact (or lack thereof) on the traditional print journalism?

I think the growing popularity of online travel magazines is great. They’re starting to get more and more respect.

It’s really, really hard to break in to the print travel mags, which mostly have a strong emphasis on service-oriented articles.

Most people get into travel writing for

• 1) the romantic lure of jetting off somewhere to write about it, and
• 2) to write more personal travel essay-type pieces. The online travel mags allow writers to have more of a literary bent without having to appease advertisers.

WorldHum, PerceptiveTravel, and, of course, Brave New Traveler are just a few of the many travel websites that are leading the way.

BNT: Finally (and the most important question), care to elaborate on your amazing dancing skills? Is an interpretive foreskin ballet on the horizon?

You’ll have to come out to New York and see for yourself. Tim Patterson-your Brave New Traveler colleague and a great writer and all around super guy-recently made me the poster boy for “The Walking Party” type of travel writer.

So I’ve got a lot to live up to.

For more David Farley, visit his website.

Olivia Giovetti has lived in and explored the better part of Europe on a bohemian budget. Freelance travel writing seemed like the next obvious step and her publishers include EuroCheapo, Paper Magazine, and Classic FM. A former New Yorker, she now lives in Los Angeles.

I will always be learning about how to become a better travel journalist.

I’m no expert, but one of the great things about journalism is that there are no experts; the best travel journalists are curious, engaged people who are always ready to learn something new.

In this guide I’ll try to impart some of the lessons I’ve learned (functional and philosophical) in reporting internationally over the past year, in hopes that I can help demystify how a feature article actually gets found, reported, written and produced.

How to find a story

Paying attention to the news is the best tip I can offer. Most of our stories have come from leads I’ve found in the news sources I follow.

Another good avenue is NGOs (non-governmental organizations or nonprofits) in the region/country you’re covering. They usually have their ear to the ground and know what the most current issues are.

Also, be sure to always keep your ears open, even in social situations. Many of the stories I’ve written emerged from casual conversations with people at parties, bus-stops, etc.

Shaping your Story

Again, NGOs are the best place to start. I usually do a general search for NGOs working on the issue I hope to cover and start making phone calls from there. Nonprofits are very open to media attention and eager to give you background information and additional contacts.

When I decide on a topic, I always do general searches to find out what has already been covered and how, and try to shape my story to address what has been overlooked or ignored. The best way to get noticed, even in saturated markets, is write your story from a fresh angle.

Basic Tools

You’ll need a notebook and pen, an audio recorder of some kind, and a photographer. I’ve found that reporting with another person who can act as a note taker and extra set of ears is very useful.

Most importantly you need to bring curiosity, engagement, and flexibility to your interviews-if you’re interested and passionate about your subject, the people you’re interviewing will be too.

It’s also important to let the story change when appropriate. Almost no story I’ve embarked on turned out as I’d originally expected. Don’t force your agenda if it isn’t working–be ready to let the story tell itself.

Look for a Main Character

Once you’ve obtained background information and know your basic thesis, look for a main character whose experience can personalize the issue or destination. Start asking your contacts if they know of people who can offer firsthand accounts.

In my experience, personal testimony is what drives your narrative, attracts your audience, and makes a story intimate and engaging. Also, look for an event (a festival or event, for example) that helps make your article timely and relevant and can work as a scene setter.

Find Experts and Opposing Voices

Look for people (through internet searches and independent research) who can speak as “objective experts” or even as opposing voices.

I believe that “experts” should never be weighted more heavily in your story than firsthand accounts and experiences, but I also believe that the depth and texture of a story is improved when people recognized as “knowledgeable in the field” offer some perspective.

An opposing voice (if appropriate) is important as it challenges your readers and encourages dialogue.

A Few tips for Interviews

Don’t be afraid to relentlessly revisit a question or topic that you feel hasn’t been properly addressed by the interviewee. Sometimes people need time to warm up to you or to a topic, or will respond better if your question is worded differently. Keep trying.

Continue taking notes even after the interview is officially over. People can say the most revealing or intimate things when they feel that they’re out of the “hot seat.”

Another great question is “Why do you care about this issue?” This can be an effective way to get a strong and emotional quote about why the topic you’re covering is so important.

You can also ask for the turning point in a story, the moment when everything changed or catalyzed. This can help you shape the narrative of your story as well.

Be Fearless and Confident

Be confident and people will respond in kind. Remember that even if you’re new to this you’re a writer all the same.

Call yourself a writer and act professionally. Don’t apologize for a lack of experience and never say, “I’ve never done this before.” You’ll be amazed how many opportunities open to you once you start calling yourself a travel journalist.

This article was adapted from journalistic tips offered to writers for the Common Language Project.

What are your tips for writing feature articles? Share in the comments!

Sarah Stuteville writes for The Common Language Project – dedicated to developing and implementing innovative approaches to international journalism by focusing on positive, inclusive and humane reporting of stories ignored by the mainstream media.

The only job better than being a travel writer, is being a travel writer on your own television show. That’s the dream attained by Julia Dimon and Robin Esrock, with the debut of their new series Word Travels: The Truth Behind the Byline.

We’d previously featured an interview with Robin where he defined his style of travel as “modern gonzo.” Julia is herself an accomplished travel writer, who has contributed to BNT in the past.

So of course, when the opportunity arose to interview them both in my hometown of Vancouver, I leapt at the chance. I ask them a variety of questions, including:

• What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
• What’s been the most surreal experience working on Word Travels?
• What is your best piece of advice for new travelers?
• Do travelers have a responsibility to help the communities they visit?
• With all your time on the road, how do you stay excited about travel?

Enjoy the interview! And be sure to catch their show Word Travels on OLN.

Ian MacKenzie is editor of Brave New Traveler. Aside from writing, he spends his time exploring the fundamental nature of existence and wishing he did more backpacking.

Kindle is Amazon’s new portable reading device; it’s smaller and lighter than a book and it holds over 200 titles.

Other companies have launched similar, relatively unsuccessful products in the past but Kindle’s connection to bookselling giant Amazon is making people wonder whether this could be the device that actually redefines how we read.

At work we’ve all been considering Kindle’s implications for publishing, but none of us can personally imagine this new gadget replacing the tactile delight of curling up in our favorite chairs with a good book.

It’s not just that I’m fond of bound and printed pages as physical objects. I’m also partial to reading books in the bath, where I can only imagine dropping Kindle in the water would be a much more traumatic experience than dropping, say, The Devil Wears Prada.

But it’s more than that; books are attached to my memories. When I look through my wooden bookcases, I remember where and when I read a particular book and a whole scene from my past rushes by in a photographic snap.

In Search Of The Perfect Backpacking Book

I was thinking about this relationship to books and where Kindle might fit into my world when I found myself remembering the two years I spent backpacking around three continents.

This was right before I took a 9-5 job and had to worry about things like the future of reading.

As I was preparing for this trip, the biggest packing dilemma I faced was figuring out which book to stuff into an already overflowing backpack that was no bigger than the luggage most people take for a weekend jaunt in the countryside.

In my own mind I was packing THE book, the only book I would be able to read in the coming months. Should I bring War and Peace? Or maybe Finnegans Wake? These were the only ones that might actually take me two years to finish.

Having just graduated with a B.A. in English, I was also intent on choosing a text that would accomplish the following goals:

• show all the eccentric expat intellectuals I was bound to meet on the road that I was smart and interesting
• entertain me after multiple readings
• and be light enough so that I wouldn’t need to see a chiropractor for the rest of my life when I returned home.

It was clear that War and Peace and Finnegans Wake were far too heavy (and I also had serious doubts that I would actually enjoy reading them) so I eventually settled on Gulliver’s Travels. It struck me as serious but enjoyable reading and definitely a fitting choice given the adventures I hoped to experience.

“Hey, Wanna Trade?”

Recalling the days I spent contemplating this decision made me think that maybe the mobile library of Kindle would have a place in my backpack – if I ever took off for an extended period of time again. But then I remembered my actual reading experiences abroad.

On my third night in a hostel in Ireland someone asked me if I wanted to trade Gulliver’s Travels for a water-logged copy of The Hill Bachelors. Its pages were swollen and soft and it looked dark and mysterious which is exactly how I was feeling about Galway at that very moment.

I had arrived alone and wet and had been wandering around the city for days now by myself. I was too unsure of my surroundings to either make friends or comfortably eat a meal alone.

My initial excitement was starting to give way to loneliness, so I was relieved when this stranger approached the bottom bunk where I was pretending to read Swift (but really contemplating going back home to a familiar bed and existence).

I needed to interact with someone. But trade?

I tentatively handed over my book. It felt wrong to let a boy whose name I didn’t even know walk away with my story – with what I had come to think of as the definitive book that would accompany me during my journey through the world.

But once I let go of it I felt liberated.

After the trade we started chatting about where we were from and what we were doing in Ireland and a few hours later I was having dinner and drinks with him and his friends.

A Global Community Of Readers

That night I discovered that in the world of backpacking the static rules of ownership no longer applied. This was only the beginning of many suspensions of the realities I lived by back home.

Texts were being traded at breakneck speed, moving from hand-to-dirty-hand as we devoured them on long bus rides through the Outback and cold nights in the Andes.

Hostels, backpacker friendly tour offices, and even restaurants had revolving bookshelves where you were encouraged to leave one or two of your books in exchange for one of theirs.

But this wasn’t where the real action was happening. It was all about book-swaps between travelers.

Here trading provided an easy segue-way into conversations and friendships. Books were a particular type of currency in the land of the transients – like a clean t-shirt or knowing which tour operators would rip you off.

Books were judged not only on content, but also on weight and popularity.

One Grisham title could get you two or three books in exchange in Australia, the same with Allende in South America. Michael Moore’s books were always floating around. Children’s books in Spanish were a hit in Argentina, where many of us struggled to learn the language.

I once got stuck with a Judy Blume book for three weeks (don’t get my wrong, I’m a huge Superfudge fan) until I ran into a middle-aged German man who shouted “Yudi Blume, Yudi Blume” and thrust a worn copy of something in his native language at me.

We backpackers created our own bestseller list and the competition was fierce. I read books I had always wanted to read and ones that I never knew existed.

The Traveling Life Of Books

On my last day in Sydney, I traded The Lovely Bones for Not Without My Daughter.

I opened my new used book’s first page. In it, someone had written “Auckland, New Zealand” and below that someone else had put “Milford, New Zealand.” The entries went on and on through New Zealand, Bali, and Australia, working their way down the first blank page and over onto the title page.

The whole geographic history of the book was there. It was like the text itself had transformed into a traveler.

Just then I couldn’t think of anything more depressing than putting it on a bookshelf and letting it sit there untouched year after year.

I read the book on the plane to JFK. Before I handed to it off to a harried-looking young woman extricating her massive backpack from the conveyor belt, I scribbled “New York City” in it. And then I sent it off into the world feeling like I had left some piece of myself in its pages.

Some part of me would travel to far-flung cities long after I was back in the routine of my settled life.

I realized that while I was traveling the whole dynamic of reading had changed for me-the book now owned a piece of me and not the other way around.

It was just one of many shifts in perspective.

So even while Kindle provides easy (and light) access to a wealth of books – I would have missed out on a whole serendipitous experience which was, for me at least, a big part of the adventure.

What do you think? Will digital reading eventually replace paper books? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Rachel Friedman’s travel writing has been published in Get Lost Magazine, The Arizona Republic, and Clever Magazine. She works in publishing and is currently writing a book about backpacking-a kind of Motorcycle Diaries meets Devil Wears Prada-minus all the expensive clothes.

Travel writers are a weird bunch of people who tend to think too much.

They travel and write to make a living (or a vague approximation of one), but sometimes it seems as if they don’t enjoy either activity.

They write fact, they write fiction and sometimes they write both in the same paragraph. They consistently come up with the most creative and original excuses for missed deadlines in the entire publishing industry.

What types of people are drawn to travel writing? What types of people succeed? As I contemplate an extended foray into the profession and look for role models, I wonder – who are these people?

I’ve come up with 6 possible types of travel writers:

The Intrepid Monk

Many of the truly great travel writers are loners, monastic personalities who speak softly and carry a very big notebook. Pico Iyer is a classic example. One of the very best active travel writers, Iyer is a teetotaler who lives simply and anonymously in a Japanese suburb and does much of his writing in an actual monastery.

Iyer’s writing is precise, lyrical and permeated with heartfelt personal emotion, but as a person, he is most comfortable blending into the crowd.

The intrepid monks of travel writing don’t spend all their time scribbling quietly at the back table of tea shops. They are, after all, intrepid. They take risks.

They venture far from the guidebook page. They are unconventional and unassuming, and though they write from a personal perspective, their personality is unobtrusive enough to never get in the way of the story, and the deeper themes of place, culture and interconnection that give weight and meaning to their prose.

The Epic Adventurer

These guys (and ladies) always up the ante. They may be good writers, but their writing is always secondary to the sheer audacity and creativity of their next adventure. The covers of their books often feature themselves – clinging to the edge of a cliff, or gripping an oar in the face of an Arctic storm, lips locked in an expression of grim determination and masochistic delight.

The unique angle, or hook, of their stories often involves some sort of stunt, an added layer of difficulty that has nothing to do with the territory they traverse. Across The Yukon, a title might read…By Tricycle!

If Epic Adventurers also happen to be excellent writers, like Mark Jenkins or Rory Stewart, their work can easily become a classic of the genre. Otherwise, no matter how far they push the limit, their literary careers rarely last longer than the initial rush of adrenaline.

The Naked Introvert

Naked introverts spend an inordinate amount of time fretting about their constipation, and then write about it in excruciating detail. They are funny, honest and extremely self-deprecating.

Naked introverts are especially well-suited to writing about travel because travelers are bumbling fools, and naked introverts are most entertaining when they find themselves in awkward and uncertain situations.

David Sedaris is the archetypal naked introvert, and I can’t think of another writer whose byline I’m more excited to find.

The Walking Party

Walking parties don’t query editors – they invite them out for beer, which turns into Tropical Karaoke Night, which turns into shots of tequila to greet the dawn. The next week the walking party e-mails the editor a story with “Cheers!” in the subject line.

The editor, having gotten over her hangover, can only remember that she had a great time and figures she must have signed off on the story. When the story is published the walking party invites the editor out to celebrate, and the cycle repeats itself.

Walking parties are fun to hang out with. They network naturally, and like to leave inside jokes on editors’ facebook walls. David Farley is one walking party I’ve been lucky enough to meet.

He’s writing a book about his quest to find the missing foreskin of Jesus Christ. See – you just laughed, didn’t you. That’s how walking parties work.

The Public Relations Professional

The PR Pro is seldom a good writer. She doesn’t need to know how to write. She has contacts with half the tourism professionals in the state of Florida. She knows how to play the publicity game.

She has a stock of exactly 8 adjectives with which to describe a new beach resort, but rarely bothers to use more than 3 of them. She is highly organized, has never heard of Alexandra David-Neel, and probably makes more money than any other category of travel writer.

The Guidebook Writer

Guidebook writers actually fall into two categories: the expert and the fool. The expert knows the territory he covers like the back of his hand. He may even be writing the entire guidebook, and he’s capable of doing a great job.

After a few editions though, jaded by a lack of royalties and the monotony of the work, the expert gets lazy. He doesn’t bother to fact check or visit properties he reviewed five years ago. Finally, he stops returning his editor’s e-mails, at which point the editor hands the ball off to…the fool.

The fool is young, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. He or she is probably intelligent, especially if working for Let’s Go Guides, and is absolutely thrilled to be on assignment as a professional travel writer.

The thrill lasts until the eager young writer gets off the plane and realizes he doesn’t speak the language, doesn’t have a clue about the culture and needs to turn in an exhaustively researched compendium by the end of the month.

At which point the fool checks into a youth hostel, crawls into the top bunk, pulls the sheets over his head and emerges only to throw himself on the mercy of the unfortunate English speaker at the Tourism Information Office.

Which type of travel writer do you enjoy reading? Which one is most like you?

BNT contributing editor Tim Patterson travels with a sleeping bag and pup tent strapped to the back of his folding bicycle. His articles and travel guides have appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, Get Lost Magazine, Tales Of Asia and Traverse Magazine. Check out his personal site Rucksack Wanderer.

Reading is a great form of entertainment and inspiration. However, for aspiring travel writers, it also serves as a necessary tool to learning the craft of writing. Books become your teachers, and who better to learn from than the legends of literature?

Who better to guide you through the streets of Paris and teach you how to make your words sing than Hemingway? What better way to learn how to recreate the details of a train ride than Paul Theroux?

Though your aching back may come to despise you for loading your rucksack with travelogues, your mind will thank you. Here is a list of 50 recommended books to choose from for your next travel adventure.

1. Death in the Afternoon by Ernest Hemingway

A necessary piece for those traveling through Spain, most especially for those planning on watching a bullfight. It’s an enviable work of journalistic skill that studies the art of bullfighting and its meaning within Spanish culture.

2. The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux

Paul Theroux’s “Great Railway Bazaar” captures the spontaneous pleasures of travel. Rich in observation and detail, this book is best read during solitary moments on a train. The route takes place from London’s Victoria Station to Asia and finally through the Trans-Siberian express. Capturing the idiosyncracies of train travel, the circumstances Theroux finds himself in, as well as the characters he encounters are a comical portrayal of life on the road.

3. Finding George Orwell in Burma by Emma Larkin

One of the most in-depths books on Burma to date. The book is simultaneously a political analysis on Burma, a literary study of George Orwell’s work, and an intoxicating travelogue.

4. When We Were Orphans by Kazou Ishiguro

This mystery novel will take you to the depths of Shanghai in the 1900’s and London in the 1930’s, as esteemed detective Christopher Banks searches for his parents, who had disappeared when he was a child. It is a startling look at loss, ambition, and the power of memory.

5. Four Corners: Into the Heart of New Guinea-One Woman’s Solo Journey by Kira Salak

An inspiring read for women travelers, as Kira Salak proves that gender is not a barrier for a life of risk and adventure. It is both a story of survival and a personal reflection on a life lived without borders.

6. On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Often touted as the launching pad for vagabonders, wherein the purpose of life is to simply “live.” It’s an iconic book that has fueled the imagination of several generations of readers. A piece of pure voltage as the characters traipse their way through America in search of enlightenment. A bible for those “on the road” in search of meaning and adventure.

7. Into the Wild by John Krakauer

John Krakauer’s study of Chris McCandles short life will shake you to the core. It’s a story of a young man who decides to give up all his worldly possessions and head towards the Alaskan wilderness. Aptly changing his name to “Alexander Supertramp,” McCandles’ unwavering dedication to the journey is both awe-inspiring and ultimately heartbreaking.

8. Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: A Novel by Dai Sijie

Written like a fable or a tale, this book is a comical, yet touching account of life during the Cultural Revolution in China. Light in its delivery but profound in meaning, it serves as a reminder regarding the importance of intellectual freedom.

9. The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Although this book is often looked down upon by the “literarati,” it is an exciting read, especially for those planning on making a trip to the Louvre museum in Paris. Not only interesting for conspiracy fans but also a passion to read for art lovers. It is guaranteed that you will see art in a different light.

10. Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie

At midnight, on August 15, 1957, one thousand and one children are born possessing supernatural powers. With them, like the country, the burden of freedom weighs heavily. Not only is it a stunning work of magical realism, it’s a historical view of the hopes, dreams, and passions of post-colonial India.

11. America Is in the Heart by Carlos Bulosan

Written by Carlos Bulosan, the first Filipino to be published in the United States of America, it is the story of his migrant experiences in the so-called ‘land of plenty’ in the 1930’s. The book is about his journey through the American landscape and discusses life as an exile, dislocation, racism, and poverty.

12. Balkan Ghosts: A Journey Through History by Robert D. Kaplan

Kaplan’s ‘Balkan Ghosts: A Journey through History’ is not only a travelogue, but a political analysis of the past and present struggles within the region. He not only provides an interesting account of the Balkan peoples, but also gives insight to the roots and effects of hatred and terrorism.

13. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

The story revolves around the character of Christopher Marlow and his journey through the Congo. An important and timeless piece, especially for post-colonial studies, it poses questions on the concept of ‘civilization,’ the inner-struggle between good and evil, and colonialism.

14. Video Night in Kathmandu: And Other Reports from the Not-So-Far East by Pico Iyer

‘Video Night in Kathmandu’ is a collection of essays set in Asia from Pico Iyer, one of the most prolific of contemporary travel writers, which aims to dissect the the cross-cultural relationships between East and the West.

15. The Castle by Franz Kafka

A great piece for any traveler that has felt completely lost and alienated in a strange new city. It is an eerie novel of disambiguation as the character by the name of ‘K’ arrives as a land surveyor in an unamed village and seeks to gain entry into the castle but his path is blocked by mysterious authority figures and indifferent locals.

16. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

The character of “Pi” (Piscine Molitor Patel), a young boy from Pondicherry whose father is a zookeeper, is shipwrecked in the Pacific Ocean for 227 days. With him in the life raft are various animals, the most intriguing of which is the Bengal tiger who becomes Pi’s only friend, as well as enemy. A shocking and absorbing story that examines religion, spirituality, and the psychological effects of traumatic experiences.

17. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera

A great book for those planning on traveling through the former Czechoslovakia, or even those simply seeking artistic and philosophical insight. A novel about love, desire, and the struggle between logic and emotions; it follows the lives of artists during the invasion of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact Allies in the country.

18. The Portrait of a Lady by Henry James

An absorbing masterpiece by Henry James that emphasizes the differences between America and Europe. It is the confrontation of the New World versus the Old World, where the character of the American Isabel Archer travels to Europe to find her destiny. The novel is about the search and loss of freedom and a grand overview of an American in Europe during the Victorian era.

19. The Dark Room by Rachel Seiffert

“The Dark Room” is a profound novel that recounts the events of 20th century Germany through the lives and struggles of three characters all connected by their love-hate relationship with the city of Berlin.

20. The Tale of Murasaki: A Novel by Liza Dalby

Written in the form of a diary, the book is a display of Dalby’s skill for imagination and recreating Japanese literary history. It captures the essence of Murasaki Shikibu, who wrote “The Tale of Genji” and is full of philosophical and cultural insight.

21. The Call of the Wild by Jack London

A great adventure story told through the eyes of Buck, a domesticated dog who returns to his primal nature in order to survive the harsh landscape of the Yukon. Though expressed through experiences of an animal, it is a timeless tale of tapping into the savage instincts that lay buried within all of us.

22. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thomson

A cult novel that is an account of Thomson’s drug-infused, paranoia ridden journey to Las Vegas in order to fulfill an assignment for Rolling Stone Magazine. Not only is “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” wildly entertaining as a novel, a travelogue, and a biography, but is an important study on the idea of the “American Dream.”

23. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway’s “A Moveable Feast” is his memories, observations and experiences of living in Paris during the 1920’s as part of the “Lost Generation” of America writers and artists. It is an essential piece for those who dream of living abroad or are in the midst of piecing toghether their expatriate lives.

24. Lord of the Flies by William S. Golding

“The Lord of the Flies” tells the story of a group of British schoolboys marooned in an island and have to learn to fend for themselves. In their efforts, they create their own democracy which goes awry as violence and chaos ensues. Set in the midst of World War II, it is an allegorical tale of a society without authority and the loss of innocence.

25. Dubliners by James Joyce

“Dubliners” is Joyce’s portrayal of Ireland’s middle-class in the 20th century told through a collection of 15 stories. Written during the wake of the Irish nationalist movement, the pieces reflect the people’s search for identity and the struggles of everyday life.

26. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Though mostly popular due to the Disney cartoon classic, the book is a collection of stories set in India. The book is not only interesting for children, but for adults as well, as it details the different customs and traditions in India, as well as a criticism of British colonial powers.

27. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry

An inspiring novella for those searching for a sense of meaning and purpose. Though largely viewed as a children’s book, “The Little Prince” is about an aviator who lands in the Sahara desert and comes to meet an alien in the form of a boy who teaches him the value of seeing the world through the eyes of an innocent.

28. Maximum City Maximum City by Suketu Mehta

“Maximum City” is Mehta’s account of returning to the India he had left behind as a child when his family migrated to New York. The author paints a picture of modern Bombay and the complexities of living between two opposing cultures.

29. In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin

One of the most creative and entertaining travelogues to date, “In Patagonia” is Chatwin’s account of trying to reconstruct the legendary adventures of his grandmother’s uncle through South America. This book, in its literary depths, historical accounts, and adventurous undertakings, set the standard for travel writing.

30. Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

For anyone who has aspired to start afresh and ‘build a new home,’ so to speak , “Under the Tuscan Sun” is a rich and deeply moving account of her efforts to restore a villa in Italy. It is a memoir that reminds us of the sensual pleasures of food, life, and the importance of making a leap of faith.

31. Seven Years in Tibet by Heinrich Harrer

A breathtaking true story of Austrian adventurer Heinrich Harrer and Peter Aufschnaiter escape to Tibet after being imprisoned in India by the British during World War II. An insightful novel that gives an insiders account of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan way of life, that is rarely seen by outsiders.

32. Going Solo by Roald Dahl

“Going Solo” is Roald Dahl’s biography and is an account of his life as a pilot in North Africa during World War II. Not unlike his captivating children’s books, this book is rife with exciting adventures, interesting encounters, and laugh-out-loud humor.

33. I Dreamed of Africa by Kuki Gallman

Kuki Gallman’s memoir of her life in Africa is simultaneously inspiring and heart-wrenching. In the wake of a tragedy that occured in her homeland in Italy, Kuki moves to Africa with her family and lover and is about overcoming and embracing the challenges of living in a world so different than her own.

34. The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific by J. Maarten Troost

“The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific” is J. Maarten Troost’s hilarous yet discerning account of living in Tarawa for two-years. The novel touches on the romantic image of “Paradise” we often attach to island living and the sad realities that need to be acknowledged.

35. Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Marie Rilke

“Letters to a Young Poet” is a collection of letters between Rainer Marie Rilke to an aspiring young poet by the name of Franz Xaver Kappus. Not only is it inspiring to read while on the road, but also a necessary piece for those of us searching and striving to live an authentic life.

36. The Living City by Frank Lloyd Wright

For architecture buffs or those that enjoy reveling in a bustling metropolis, Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of a Utopian city is an enthralling look into his views on society, urbanization, and freedom.

37. Gravity’s Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon

This masterpiece by Thomas Pynchon raises the bar for what any would-be-author would aspire to create. A postmodern epic set during the end of the 2nd World War where its protagonist, Tyrone Slothrope search for German V-2 rockets is linked with the pattern (specifically, constellation) he created to keep track of the women he has slept with. Although a difficult read, its complexity, subplots, and confusion are allegories to the challenges of the modern world.

38. The Beach by Alex Garland

After the movie of the same title came out, hoards of adventurous backpackers made their way to Thailand in search of snake blood and hidden maps. However, the book is more exciting than the film version as it highlights the travelers quest for the unknown, yet also reveals the pitfalls of exploitation travel.

39. The Size of the World: Once Around Without Leaving the Ground by Jeff Greenwald

“The Size of the World” by Jeff Greenwald is an inspiring book for travelers searching for creative ways to explore the world. It begins with Greenwald’s goal to travel the globe without leaving the ground, and before he begins his journey he posts a query in the personals section of a newspaper to find a female travel companion. Thus, the story is not only an adventurous chronicle of the 9-months spent traveling by buses, trains and boats, but also a hilarious account of the women who respond to his ad.

40. Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles

A dramatic piece of literature set in Morocco, where the desert becomes an untamed character in itself. Set in the 20th Century, the characters of Kit and Port Moresby are a married couple from New York who travel to North Africa in the hopes of re-igniting the passion in their marriage, however they must learn to battle the elements, circumstances, and sense of dislocation brought on by the “sheltering sky.”

41. Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne

“Around the World in 80 Days” by Jules Verne set the stage for the future of adventure seekers everywhere. A classic novel that begins with Londoner Phileas Fogg, who makes a £20,000 bet with his friends that he can circle the globe in 80 days with his French valet Passerpout.

42. The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron

Written in the form of a diary, Byron’s “Road to Oxiana” is a moving account of his travels through Persia and Afghanistan. Each page never fails to entertain, as Robert Byron’s skill in painting an image of his personal experiences, opinions and encounters to the reader.

43. Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

“Travels with Charley” is Steinbeck’s account of his journey through America during the 1960’s with his best friend, Charley the dog. His prowess as a writer is unchallenged, as he weaves together his observations of modern America and highlights the value of surrendering oneself to the journey.

44. The Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain

Published in 1869, it is Twain’s travel story through Europe and the Holy Land via a pleasure cruise. A pleasure to read, not only for Mark Twain’s clever observations, but also because it highlights the relationship between the Americans and Europeans during the 19th century and how each viewed their place in the world.

45. The Book Bag by W. Somerset Maugham

An intriguing and entertaining collection of short stories by W. Somerset Maugham that include pieces set in Asia, Europe and the Americas. The tales will shock, captivate and amuse the reader as Maugham pulls the “skeletons out of the closet” of his seemingly conservative, ‘civilized’ characters.

46. The Summing Up by W. Somerset Maugham

“The Summing Up” by W. Somerset Maugham is a must-read for any aspiring writer. Maugham emphasizes that the book is not his autobiography but are his reflections on the the craft of writing and the importance of travel, literature and philosophy.

47. The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

A novel that teaches the lessons of love as the character of Kitty, a shallow and confused socialite marries the passionate bacteriologist Walter Fane who she later cheats on with the Charles Townsend. When Walter Fane discovers her infidelity he takes her on assignment with him to China. Not only is the book about discovering the meaning of love, forgiveness and compassion, but also paints a vivid picture of China during the 20th century

48. Collected Poems 1947-1997 by Allen Ginsberg

What better way to walk the uncommon path than through the works of Beat poet, Allen Ginsberg. The voice he creates through his poems calls out for spiritual liberation and passionate causes.

49. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

An exciting read, especially for those planning on traveling by train; Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” will have you on the edge of your seat as esteemed detective, Hercule Poirot tries to solve the case.

50. Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman

Whitman’s collection of poems in “Leaves of Grass” creates an image of America, the horror of war, and the nature of man through his raw and sensual verses.

What books would you add to the list? Leave your picks in the comments!

It all began with a volcanic eruption. Caught in a storm of ashen rain and almost walking into the ocean, Michaela Lola realized at the tender age of eight that life was meant to be an adventure. Her escapades include riding the midnight train to Marrakesh, partying with the katoys in Thailand and sampling insects in China.

I was working on my fourth glass of complimentary champagne and talking to Matthew Polly, a faculty member and author of the travel/kung fu memoir, American Shaolin.

“Playboy!” I was saying, waving my glass for emphasis. “I don’t think I could even go into a store and buy a Playboy, let alone aspire to write for them someday.”

The problem I was trying to explain was this: ever since I had started seriously thinking about trying to make it as a travel writer, I had noticed that a lot of the best travel narratives out there were being published by men’s magazines like GQ, Esquire, Men’s Journal, and yes, even Playboy.

The magazine my idols were writing for, the one I should logically hope to write for someday, was kept under plastic on the top shelf at my local newsstand, right below the security camera.

“I counted up all the entries in all seven editions of the Best American Travel Writing,” I continued, “and then I counted up all the other magazines that all those authors had written for. I made charts! Graphs!”

Matthew Polly, who has himself written for both Playboy and Esquire, looked impressed. Or possibly weirded out. “I mean, does Playboy even publish articles written by women?”

“Sure,” he said calmly. “If your story’s good enough.”

Hearing him say that made me feel a little better about my future in the industry. But it didn’t answer the question that had first occurred to me when I noticed that one of the Best American anthologies had more selections from Men’s Journal than from all the big-name travel glossies combined.

The Plot Thickens

Why is so much of the best travel writing today running in men’s magazines? And conversely, why do women’s magazines abstain almost entirely from running quality travel narratives, sticking instead to “charticles” about beaches and fake tanner?

I emailed several well-known travel writers to find out.

At first I thought the connection between the big-name men’s mags and travel writing must be the popularity of adventure travel – the traditional domain of your stereotypical rugged outdoorsman, though of course that’s starting to change.

Jim Benning, co-editor of World Hum and a freelancer for publications like Outside, National Geographic Traveler and National Geographic Adventure, agrees that extreme outdoor travel is part of the equation:

“Men like to think of themselves as the adventurer-explorer types, even if they spend most of their time in cubicles,” Benning told me. “It gets at that Hemingway archetype that’s still strong in North America today. Men no longer go through rites of passage rituals as they did centuries ago, but I think men still have a need to test themselves in the world, and travel and adventure is one of the ways men do that today.”

That made a lot of sense. But I was still wondering about all those travel narratives I’d encountered in GQ or Esquire that had nothing to do heli-skiing or canyon-running or dog-sledding or mountain-climbing.

What was driving the editors of men’s magazines to run these long, first-person narratives? Why didn’t the staffers at Elle or Glamour do the same?

And for that matter, what was stopping women’s magazines from running something comparable to the adventure stuff, using stereotypically “feminine” subjects?

The Edge of the Abyss

There was a tiny voice in my head the whole time I was thinking about this question.

The voice was saying, “Stop! Stop while you’re ahead! If you’re not careful you’re going to find out that none of your female peers want anything to do with thoughtful, intellectually-stimulating narratives about far-away places.”

Deep down, I was a bit afraid that the average Esquire reader was simply more engaged with the world than the average Glamour reader.

Thankfully, though, my interviewees all dismissed the idea. Tom Bissell, whose stories have appeared in Esquire, Men’s Health and Men’s Journal, and whose resume was one of the first to get me thinking about the question, suggested publishing tradition was more to blame than readership preferences.

“I would imagine that if a magazine such as O or Elle published a gritty travel piece about Burma, many of their readers would respond favorably. I think that men’s magazines publish such pieces more reflexively has a lot to do with the traditions behind magazines aimed at men, which are about an entirely different sort of wish-fulfillment than magazines traditionally aimed at women. In other words, we’re working within an eighty-year-old paradigm and don’t appear fully to realize it.”

Matthew Polly agreed that there was a different dynamic at work.

“I think women’s magazines tend to trade in envy rather than desire,” he told me when I contacted him for a (sober) follow-up to our conversation at Book Passage. And he suggested that the serious content in men’s mags was partly required to balance out the smut:

“To justify buying a soft-core porn magazine, a Playboy reader needed a couple of serious articles by serious authors in every issue. GQ & Esquire really are the same, just with more clothing. Women’s magazines are not really as racy.”

The Cold Hard Facts

Just to be sure that my fears were unfounded, I did a bit of poking around on the web and came up with some demographic numbers: Outside’s female readership is 33%, while 55% of The New Yorker’s readers are women. Travel and Leisure’s female readers clock in at 52%, and Budget Travel’s readership is the highest of all, at 66%.

So clearly, there are plenty of women out there who are interested in travel, and in longer, intellectual magazine articles. I was relieved, but I still didn’t have an answer to my question.

It was David Farley, a travel writer who has contributed to both Playboy and GQ, who got me thinking about male and female spending habits.

He noted that women buy more books (and presumably, magazines) than men. But, he suggested, different magazines serve different purposes for their female readers: “Magazines like The New Yorker, which is a general magazine and read (I suspect) by as many women as men help fill the void for interesting travel narratives that women’s magazines don’t supply.”

Polly agreed, suggesting that there is a difference in the way men and women consume magazines:

“Men read magazines in far fewer numbers and less frequently, but when they do they want to feel like it was really worth their time. So men’s magazines have a smaller, more selective market, kinda like HBO. Whereas women’s magazines are more like network TV, because the audience is bigger and less critical. I watch women on airplanes and they will have half-a-dozen magazines that they flip through quickly. A man will have one.”

I pondered Farley’s suggestion about subject-specific female reading habits, combined with Polly’s (extremely accurate) observation about the number of magazines women go through on your average flight. Was that the answer?

Personal Reflection

I decided to conduct an unscientific survey of one woman’s magazine readership: my own. I knocked the dust off the stack of magazines that have accumulated next to my bed in the year since I moved in, and counted them up.

My dearly departed Jane led the pack with seven issues, while In Style, The New Yorker, Glamour, Vanity Fair, and The Walrus had two each. Rounding out the pile were single issues of Outside, National Geographic Traveler, Cosmopolitan, Harpers, The Atlantic, People, Travel and Leisure, Vogue, Outpost, and Elle.

Quite the mixed bag. The GQs and Esquires of the world cover everything from gadgets and girls to books, politics, and travel. But their female equivalents, the Glamours and In Styles, really don’t get much beyond hair, make-up and clothes – hence my varied magazine collection.

Maybe, just maybe, when women want to read about travel, we buy travel magazines.

When we want to read about the arts and current affairs, we buy intellectually-oriented generalist publications. And when we really just want to read about shoes, handbags, and Nine Ways To Blow His Mind, we buy women’s magazines.

Can it really be that simple? I don’t have all the answers, but whatever the reason it looks like I’ll have to come to terms with men’s magazines if I want to make it in this business.

If anyone gives me trouble when I’m perusing that plastic-wrapped top shelf, I’ll just have to tell them: it’s for the articles.

Why do you think there’s never quality travel writing in women’s magazines?

Eva Holland is a historical researcher and freelance writer based in Ottawa, Canada. She is a blogger for World Hum and for Rolf Potts’ Vagablogging, and her travel writing has appeared in The Ottawa Citizen, The Edmonton Journal, and Matador Travel.

Through writing, I was able to live decently for six months in Buenos Aires, one of the most magnificent (and chaotic) cities in the world. I found new websites and magazines to write for every few weeks, and my writing assignments defined my experience there.

For instance, one blog needed a writer to describe the restaurants and cafes in the city. So I spent a few weeks just absorbing the atmospheres of dining and drinking establishments, talking to the waiters and customers, and learning about the histories of each place.

In the process, I met some interesting people and discovered fantastic places I never knew existed. Your writing career can be whatever you want, if you only use your imagination. Here are some practical tips on how to make it as a freelance writer abroad:

1. Define Your Style

There are many kinds of freelance writing gigs, and you have to determine which ones are best suited to your style and interests. Get started by keeping a daily journal for a week or two.

Are you writing about memorable people, checking out interesting restaurants, attending theater and art shows, or doing volunteer work? No matter where you find your attention focusing, that subject is probably something that someone, somewhere will find interesting, and want to read about.

The next step is to find places to publish your work.

2. Research The Online Writing Market

Start by seeing what’s already out there. Look on Craig’s List in the writing gigs section, and you are sure to see some opportunities for freelance writers. Send writing samples, along with a letter explaining what kind of writing you want to do and how much money you hope to earn.

Some website publishers will pay you by the word, others will pay by article. Think about the local economy when you are negotiating your price. For example, you can ask for more money from websites or magazines published in Europe than you can from those based in South America.

3. Scout The Local Blog Scene

Next, get on the Internet and search for all the blogs in your language that pertain to the place where you are living or traveling. Even if these sites don’t announce their need for writers, they may be interested in hiring you to do some work.

Try e-mailing the editor with your credentials and a few writing samples. Tell the blog owners who you are and why you’d be a valuable contributor to their site. They need to see you as an investment, because most of these people are making money from their blogs. You need to explain how you’ll bring more visitors and advertisers to the site.

4. Network! Create Connections For Yourself

Whenever you are out and about, tell people you are interested in writing, and pass out a business card. Flickr makes cute ones that you can personalize. Don’t be too aggressive, but in a friendly way, tell people you are a good writer looking for work. Then get their contact information, and follow up a few days later. Over coffee, see if you can work out some sort of a contract, or a steady stream of freelance work.

5. Look Out For Traps

Not every website is a legitimate gold mine; in fact, some website owners are making a ton of money off Google ads while you are scraping by, hoping that you’ll pick up a few crumbs by contributing. You can often recognize these sites because they post want-ads for writers all over every Craig’s List Writing section. These sites are looking for hundreds of writers, so they probably don’t care very much about content, which means they are usually not a good way to get your writing career off the ground.

Also, a lot of online magazines will boast that you will get exposure by contributing, but they won’t pay you. If you are working hard to produce unique articles, you deserve to get paid, period.

Another trap is assignments without guaranteed payment. Some magazine or site owners might vaguely ask for submissions, without being specific, and then tell you the finished product is not good enough, so you won’t get paid for it. This isn’t fair to you, so unless you’re shooting for a big publication, make sure you have some sort of specific assignment or guarantee before you devote time to an article.

6. Always Move Forward

If you continually develop your writing skills and create more business for yourself, your writing career could really take you somewhere.

Start reading everything you can, and be inspired by your favorite writers. Meet other writers whenever you get the chance, and find out how they got into their careers. Take classes on writing, or just read biographies of your favorite writers.

Be inspired, and constantly try new things with your writing. Enjoy what you do, and it will always be refreshingly new. This enthusiasm is what makes writing excellent, not just mediocre.

Good luck and happy writing!

Any essential travel writing tips of your own? Please share in the comments!

Book Passage was a blast.

After four full days of workshops and discussion panels, and four late nights of informal schmoozing, I came away with some great advice, some new friends, and a serious cumulative hangover.

Here are 9 tips I picked up about writing and selling travel stories.

1. Is Your Destination Mature Or Immature?

According to San Francisco Chronicle travel editor John Flinn, “mature” destinations – places that readers will already know a lot about, like Paris, or Cancun – require a narrower focus or a more unusual angle.

“Immature” destinations, on the other hand – Papua New Guinea, say, or Nunavut – can be covered more broadly. Decide which category your destination falls into, and plan your research or structure your story accordingly.

2. Don’t Be A Gusher

From South Florida Sun-Sentinel travel editor Thomas Swick’s Ten Sins of Travel Writing: #5 is Travel Stories That Gush.

“Bad writers pick up on all the predictable things and, in hopes of elevating them to a grander status, write noisily about them. Good writers notice the unexpected things and present them calmly, without fuss.”

3. It’s About The Place, Not Your Trip

Founding San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle travel editor Georgia Hesse suggested minimizing your presence in a story by writing a draft in the first person without using the word “I”.

John Flinn offered a similar exercise, telling us to try writing a first draft in the third person, then identify the key points and insert first person anecdotes to illustrate them.

4. The Name Is Bond…

A gripping travel story is like a James Bond movie.

One approach is to think of your lead and your nutgraf – the subsequent paragraph that tells the reader the basics of the situation – as following the same structure as a Bond flick,

Plunge the reader into a dramatic opening sequence (think 007 skiing down a mountain firing over his shoulder at baddies in a helicopter) and then cut to M’s office to explain what the baddies wanted and how Bond is going to foil them.

John Flinn shared this one with us, but I believe he credited it to adventure writer extraordinaire Tim Cahill.

5. Start With Newspapers (And Online)

The faculty all agreed that newspapers (and online) are the place to start for beginning writers.

Several editors noted that spelling their names correctly is a good first step towards getting published; others suggested endearing yourself by matching your accompanying “If You Go” information to the paper’s existing format.

John Flinn added that good photos can be the difference between a sale and a rejection – but no “neutron-bomb” photos, he said, referring to carefully composed cityscapes that are seemingly devoid of life.

6. With Magazines, Start Out Small

Front-of-book stories, the short bits and pieces generally found at the beginning of a magazine, are the place to start.

Larry Bleiberg of Coastal Living pointed out that “charticles” are a popular trend these days: stories where the information is arranged in a table or other visual display rather than in full sentences and paragraphs. Think “Hot Sauces Around the World” or “Top 5 Sake-tinis in San Francisco”.

This stuff is not for the literary travel essayists and purists among us, but – so they tell me – it works.

7. “Riga is the new Prague!”

John Flinn suggested that there are a few angles or stories that most papers are always in the market for: “______ on the cheap”, “______ is the new _____” or, “Sure, _____ used to suck, but now…”

He added that editors love to have a number thrown into the title: 7 Cheap Sleeps in NYC, 1000 Things to See Before You Die, or even 9 Things I Learned at Book Passage.

8. Enchant Your Audience

Another tip from Thomas Swick’s Ten Sins of Travel Writing: #10 Stories That Fail To Enchant.

“So few travel stories convey any sense of the wonder of travel. They are dry compilations of information relieved, so their authors think, by “cute” leads of unbearable triteness.

Yet a travel story, in the right hands, can have the narrative flow of a short story, the substance of a history lesson, the discursiveness of an essay, and the elegance of poetry.”

9. Be Prepared!

Finally, just like a boy scout, always be prepared.

Two unbreakable travel rules from Georgia Hesse: Go to the bathroom whenever you see one, and never leave home without a good corkscrew.

Eva Holland is a historical researcher and freelance writer based in Ottawa, Canada. She is a blogger for World Hum and for Rolf Potts’ Vagablogging, and her travel writing has appeared in The Ottawa Citizen, The Edmonton Journal, and Matador Travel.

Were these tips helpful? Leave a comment below!

Too often though, beginning travel writers focus exclusively on one character (the narrator), with little effort made at capturing others’ voices.

For example, a beginning writer will describe a place, say a pueblo in Mexico, then add a brief dialogue:

“Hola,” said the man. “How are you?”
“Muy bien,” I said.

And that’s it. The writer will go back to describing his or her adventures.

The #1 easiest way to improve your travel writing is to pay attention to the way your characters sound and try to capture their individual voices. In other words, make the effort to write strong dialogue.

Dialogue Serves Multiple Functions

In the example of shallow dialogue above, the conversation served only a single function, which was to advance the story through an exchange, an interaction. Good dialogue, besides advancing the story, always performs secondary functions.

Here are a few possibilities.

Tell Backstory

“What happened?”
“Nothing,” she says. “Not a goddamn thing. Story of my life. Meet a guy at a bar and carry him home so he can pass out on my bed.”

–Jay McInerny, Bright Lights, Big City>

In this case the dialogue not only reveals the immediate backstory of what happened the night before-the narrator got drunk and passed out-but gives a glimpse of the extended backstory – “Story of my life” – of one of the characters.

Portray Action

Example 1. A doctor is examining the narrator’s wounds:

“Fragments of enemy trench-mortar shell. Now I’ll probe for some of this…Does that sting? Good, that’s nothing to how it will feel later. The pain hasn’t started yet. Bring him a glass of brandy…”

–Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms

Example 2. The Narrator is trying to get his little brother Toph to get ready:

“Toph, let’s go.”
“Where?”
“To the hospital.”
“Why”
“For a checkup.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Do I have to go?”
“Yes.”
“Why? I can stay with Beth.”
“Beth’s coming with.”
“I can stay alone.”
“No, you can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because you can’t.”
“But why?”
“Jesus, Toph, get up here!”
“Okay.”

–Dave Eggers, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius

Provide description / information

“What did the ordinary houses look like?”
“Like this house-built from mud, but the rooms were very small and crowded, and many of them were multistoried, perhaps because they were built on such a steep cliff. . . ”

–Rory Stewart, The Places in Between

Express Emotion:

“What’s so goddamned funny?” Austin said to the snug little subcontinental. “Why’s my bad luck a source of such goddamned amusement to you?”

–Richard Ford, “The Womanizer”

Bring It All Together

Notice how in a single bit of dialogue it’s possible to perform ALL of the secondary functions simultaneously:

Patti said, “You don’t care if I take vitamins. That’s the point. You don’t care about anything. The windshield wiper quit this afternoon in the rain. I almost had a wreck. I came this close.”

–Raymond Carver, “Vitamins”

In this case we have emotion expressed, information / backstory given, and the last bit, “I came this close,” portrays action.

Practice, Practice, Pratice

Although it’s easy to begin adding layers to your dialogue, to truly do it well you have to go beyond simply writing and begin to change your listening habits as you travel.

Eavesdrop in cafes, restaurants and public buses. Notice the way people speak, the way they hide or express their emotions. Notice the things they do as they speak as well. What is their body language?

We’ll explore how to begin utilizing those elements-the actions around the dialogue-in the next edition of Literary Techniques For Travel Writers.

David Miller has published nonfiction, fiction, and poetry in a variety of newspapers, alternative weeklies, and literary magazines including Mountain Gazette, Boulder Weekly, 34th Parallel, and Poetica. He is also Editor of Matador Travel.

Did you miss David Miller’s last travel writing article? Check out “2 Powerful Techniques To Illuminate Your Travel Writing”.

The beginning writer, however, usually tends to focus on one thing at a time.

Here are two techniques that will add depth and layering to your travel narrative.

1. Object Correlative

One of the simplest but most powerful techniques to layer descriptions, narration, and characters’ emotions, is called the object correlative.

The idea is that instead of simply stating how a character feels or thinks, the writer suggests it, using a correlation between an object and the way a character observes or acts upon it.

• Example 1 (Basic) “I felt lonely.”
• Example 2 (Object Correlative) “I’d go out to the harbor around dusk and look at the ships tied to their moorings.”

The first example-”I felt lonely”-only works on one level, telling how the character feels. The second example-if placed within the proper context-works on at least two levels, suggesting how the character feels while seamlessly continuing the narration of the story.

One of the most noted examples of all time is the “bacon fat” scene in Hemingway’s story “Soldier’s Home.”

Harold Krebs, a young soldier back in Kansas after being wounded in WWI, is unable to return to work, to his mother’s ideal of “a normal life.” Now he must endure her questioning at the breakfast table:

“I’ve worried about you too much, Harold,” his mother went on. “I know the temptations you must have been exposed to. I know how weak men are. I know what your own dear grandfather, my own father, told us about the Civil War and I have prayed for you. I pray for you all day long, Harold.”

Krebs looked at the bacon fat hardening on his plate.

In your reading, begin noting whenever a writer uses an objective correlative to express a character’s feelings. When applying it to travel writing, a good starting point is to remember a scene and note what comes to mind first.

Was it a certain music that was playing? A feature of the landscape? Keep in mind that the most effective objects are universal, things that everyone can picture and relate to immediately.

Experiment with whatever thing you want to use, trying different ways to correlate the object to your central character’s thoughts and emotions. As with any new technique it will probably come out stilted and forced at first, but will flow naturally with practice.

2. The Minor Character As Mirror

Similar to the object correlative, the way a main character interacts with a minor character can also be utilized like a mirror – reflecting emotions while driving the narrative forward.

Here is an example from Arthur Miller’s memoir Timebends. Arthur has just met an old acquaintance while getting a haircut. Note how, like an object correlative, the actions of the barber (the minor character) are used to suggest the multiple emotions that the main character feels:

“I’ll come by again,” I said, with the foreboding that I would not because nothing was left of any life between us, or that if I did she would not be here. She nodded and seemed to know this too, and walked to the door and into the dark street at the end of another day. The barber, finishing up, slipped off my semi-shroud and shook the hair off into the floor, saying nothing. He had caught her coolness, the disturbance I had brought her.

As before, look for places where writers use a minor character to help illustrate a main character’s emotions. Then experiment with the technique in your own writing.

Using a minor character as a mirror can be especially useful in travel writing, which is so often rich with minor characters-people on the streets, fishermen, merchants, fellow travelers, etc.

When the writer fails to incorporate these people into the emotional context of the story, they often become like scenery, or cardboard cutouts-and thus the story loses its verisimilitude.

Look for more of David Miller’s tips in the next edition of Literary Techniques For Travel Writers.

Photos by Ryan Libre and Nick Cowley

David Miller has published nonfiction, fiction, and poetry in a variety of newspapers, alternative weeklies, and literary magazines including Mountain Gazette, Boulder Weekly, 34th Parallel, and Poetica. He is also Editor of Matador Travel.

It’s frustrating because the fate of your writing career is in the hands of a seemingly fickle editor who has his or her own tastes when it comes to the written word.

No doubt they have spent the better part of the day sifting through the mountain of submissions known as “the slush pile.”

They are probably mildly distracted, perhaps nursing a case of the common cold or daydreaming about the chicken dinner that awaits them at home.

Once it reaches the editor’s desk, the fate of your article is beyond your control. What can you do?

Work on that which is under your control: your craft. Because it’s also a rule that good writing will eventually get noticed.

The Road To Better Writing

What is good writing? Many “experts” will be happy to listen to themselves dish out advice. Many books promise to train you to pen nothing less than literary magic.

However, writing is a very personal endeavor. Another person’s ideas cannot make you a complete writer.

You might learn ways that change your approach to your work, but the personal element, the You, is still the biggest influence on your words.

According to William Zinsser, one of the better teachers of writing around, the personal element is indispensable.

“Writing is an act of ego, and you might as well admit it. Use its energy to keep yourself going.”

“Ego” is no less than a swear word in many circles, but I think Zinsser is right. The mere fact that you are writing to share your experiences and your ideas with others proves this point.

No matter how hard you try, your view of the destinations you visit is going to be different that everyone else’s. And you are going to convey those ideas in a unique way, no matter how hard you try not to. So the first piece of advice for aspiring travels writers: be yourself and trust the way you see things.

This doesn’t mean that the best writing is unedited, stream of thought. (Not many want to read that kind of writing). Zinsser points out that the trust of self is an “attitude.”

It is a way to approach the craft of writing. It is not a substitute for craft.

Of Pen And Paper

So what is “craft?”

It is the ability to communicate through the written word. In terms of travel writing, it might mean communicating a sense of place or the feeling of experience.

However, words are an imperfect medium. How can they be used to communicate the visual and visceral? My man Zinsser has an answer: simplicity.

Instead of trying to force images into your readers’ minds with adjectives and oh-so-clever wordplay, strive for straightforwardness. After all, you are trying to communicate something, not show everyone that you can use a thesaurus.

Craft is stripping away the superfluous from your work so that what is left is as concise as possible.

Don’t Stop Writing

So how do you get better at it? My personal advice: Write.

Setting up a blog these days is easier than brushing your teeth. There are ready-made travel communities that offer blog hosting. Others will see your writing and perhaps you’ll start earning feedback.

You can even ask other readers what they think about your writing style, the content, etc. I’ve found that some readers are happy to oblige you with some constructive criticisms.

Send In Your Work

Submit, too. A writing teacher of mine once compared the process of submitting articles to initiating a conversation with a stranger.

Sure, you’ll get rejected. Perhaps even embarrassed. But occasionally, an editor will take some time to let you know why your work wasn’t accepted.

Take this as constructive criticism, no matter what the tone of the advice is. This “conversation” with editors, if taken in the right way, can help you to hone your craft.

Take Notes

Some writers take notes while actually on the road. Others wait until they have returned to their guesthouse for the day. Others wait until the trip is over.

Once again, it is a matter of personal taste. Of course, you don’t want to forget any of the details you might want to include in a story.

At the same time, if a place did not find a place in your memory, is it really worth writing about?

Read Others

Finally, read great travel writers. You can learn a lot from taking the time to pick through a Pico Iyer essay or a chapter of a Norman Lewis book.

Their style may be different than yours, but perhaps you can garner something from the way they are able to communicate the feel of a given place so vividly.

Josh Lew has spent the better part of the last decade abroad. He pays his way by writing about travel and teaching English. When not traveling, he lives in world’s most non-exotic place: Minnesota.

As editor of this magazine, I often receive submissions that fall into the travel narrative category.

This is everything from “My Trip To Ireland” to “Explore Sunny Greece” type travelogues and reviews.

Some of these submissions are quite good, while some are forgettable. But neither are the type of articles I publish here at Brave New Traveler.

Instead, we opt for the news, views, and editorial type articles that discuss the nature of travel – and everything that comes along with it.

Inevitably, this means I must reject many of the hopeful writers that send in their work. Luckily, there are a plethora of other travel magazines that ARE interested in these types of travel writing.

I’ve collected the first 50 travel magazines that I’ve discovered in this handy list.

Feel free to bookmark it, add to delicious or digg it, or forward to your travel writing friends to help spread the word. Enjoy!

1. Tales of Asia
2. Intrepid Travel
3. Dreamscapes
4. Granta
5. Escape Artist
6. Get Lost
7. Outpost
8. Outside
9. Travel Africa
10. The Travel Junkie
11. Explore
12. 21st Century Adventures
13. Culture Connect
14. Glimpse Abroad
15. Tango Diva
16. Pology
17. Student Traveler
18. The Travel Magazine
19. Perceptive Travel
20. Transitions Abroad
21. Travel Magazine UK
22. Lovetripper
23. Inside Out Travel
24. Travel Mag
25. Go World Travel
26. Meander
27. Travel Lady
28. Restless Me
29. Cultural Survival
30. Literary Traveler
31. Stellar Magazine
32. Far Flung
33. Travel World
34. In The Know Traveler
35. Journey Woman
36. Verge
37. Latitudes
38. Common Language Project
39. Destination Elsewhere
40. Third World Traveler
41. Backpacker
42. Wend Magazine
43. Cognoscenti
44. Greatest Escapes
45. Hackwriters
46. National Geographic Traveler
47. RoadJunky
48. So Go Now
49. Travel Classics
50. Travel With A Challenge
51. Traveling Stories
52. Matador Travel
53. Roadtrip Magazine
54. World Hum
55. In Travel Magazine
56. Wave Journey
57. Backpacker Essentials
58. Go Nomad

Do you know anymore that aren’t on the list? Put a link in the comments and I’ll add it above.

While browsing around Youtube I came across this great video tutorial from Lee LeFever of TWINF and the previous RSS tutorial, who put this together last November near their end of their own year long adventure.

Lee walks you through the essentials you’ll need, such as a digital camera and a laptop, along with the various websites he used to publish his online travel journal, like Flickr, Drupal, and Bryght.

This option for a self-managed travel blog is for the tech-savvy, as it requires a certain amount of web knowledge and initiative to learn how it all works. If you’d rather keep your travel blog with a travel community instead, here are 5 good reasons.

The life of a travel writer is framed with romantic notions of wandering the globe, notebook in hand, jotting down experiences and interviews in exotic locations.

Every day is filled with uncertainty. Work itself is an adventure. And the best part? You get paid to do it.

Traditionally, you’d send your work to a print magazine or newspaper. But over the past few years, online travel magazines have arisen to offer quality writing with an audience not limited to any geographic location.

Having edited and published close to a hundred travel articles myself, I’ve noticed a number of tips for new writers to catch an editor’s eye.

Do Read The Magazine First

Since you’re planning on getting published in a specific travel magazine, doesn’t it make sense to actually read it first? Carefully study a few of their most prominent articles and you’ll get a feel for the tone and types of travel angles they prefer.

Some magazines want gritty narratives told in the first-person from the streets, while others publish light, witty descriptions of hotels and restaurants. Narrowing the scope of travel magazine that you actually want to see your writing in saves you from unexplained rejections later on.

Don’t Use Fancy HTML Emails

The worst thing you can do is pick an unreadable font, colourful headlines, or meaningless icons. Not only can complex HTML screw up when it displays on the other end, many heavy email users turn off HTML features completely. Rather than wasting time on a visual masterpiece, instead use plain, easy to read text, and concentrate on crafting your intriguing query.

Do Write A Compelling Pitch

When writing your story pitch, imagine yourself in the shoes of the editor. Why should they choose your writing over the fountain of submissions they likely receive every day?

Skip flattery and fluff, and instead outline your experiences and expertise. How will you bring your story and characters to glorious life? Do you bring a refreshing angle to an over-saturated destination or topic?

Be sure to highlight your previously published articles (if any) and what distinguishes you from other writers. Think of how your story would help the magazine reach more readers, and entice the editor to follow up with you.

Don’t Send A Generic Letter

This happens to me all the time. I receive a pitch addressed to no one in particular that outlines why I should be interested in publishing their article that obviously would not fit with the Brave New Traveler theme – obvious to anyone who had spent more than 2 minutes on the site.

Sometimes I wonder if these misguided authors (or more likely, marketers) just see the word “travel” and assume all magazines print the same stuff. Editors can spot a generic letter a mile away.

In reality, every publication is different, and each pitch should be unique and specific enough to reflect that.

Don’t Forget To Spellcheck

Frequent (and minor) spelling errors are immediate red flags that often result in instant rejection. After all, if you can’t spellcheck your own pitch, how accurate are the details in your travel article?

Other offences include sentences that lack grammatical coherence, and too much emphasis on your own abilities, rather than how your story will benefit the travel magazine’s readers.

Do Address The Most Appropriate Editor

Online travel magazines are still a fairly new phenomenon, meaning many of them are edited by one or two editors. Their email or contact form are rarely more than a few clicks from the homepage.

If you’re pitching a large online travel magazine, it’s possible they may have multiple editors that handle different departments. Sleuthing your way to the appropriate editor in this situation can be a little more difficult – so pick the most appropriate to your topic.

If you’re still unsure, just address the Editor In Chief. Use their name whenever possible with the prefix Mr. or Ms. I’ve never known another editor who was offended by formality, though the opposite is certainly true.

Another tactic pointed out by Don George is to address an editor who also writes and profess how much you enjoyed their most recent piece. At the very list, you’ll get their attention.

Don’t Send Your Story To More Than One Magazine

In print magazines, this tradition is vital, and excrutiatingly slow for a writer. You send off your manuscript, and the days turn to weeks as you wait for a reply. The urge to pitch multiple magazines is tempting, though if your story is accepted by two editors, the fallout just isn’t worth it.

Thankfully, online travel magazines are generally quicker in their turnaround. I try to answer all pitches within a week, letting the writer take their piece elsewhere if it doesn’t fit here. Keep in mind, pitching different stories from the same trip is fine – it’s the identical submissions which will have you burning bridges.

Do Send a Followup

If you haven’t heard from the online travel editor a few weeks after sending your pitch, by all means, send another email asking if they’d had a chance to read it. As long as you’re polite and friendly, you’ll likely get an answer.

It’s possible your first pitch was lost in cracks of cyberspace. But the truth is usually that editors are simply too busy and haven’t had the time to respond.

Don’t Harass The Editor

A few years ago I received a pitch from a writer that was fairly generic, but the story sounded intriguing, so I kept them in the pile. A few days later I received another email from the same writer that was little more than, “Have you read my story yet?” That’s it. They didn’t even take the time to sign their name. Rest assured, I didn’t bother replying.

Do Learn How To Deal With Rejection

An inevitability of every writer is that one day, they must face the cold, clammy face of rejection. And it’s usually not because your travel writing sucks. It could be the magazine isn’t looking for your angle, or they’ve published too many similar stories, or the article is too long/too short…the list is endless.

Everyone gets rejected. The best thing you can do is give your story a moment of silence, then move on. Try to pitch it somewhere else with more resolve. If still no one bites, try writing a brand new article.

Don’t Wallow In Self Pity

The first rejection letter is hard. The 30th can be the nail in the coffin. You may feel the urge to curse the world and proclaim you’re giving up travel writing forever. Which may not necessarily be a bad thing. After all, it’s good to periodically re-evaluate your skills.

I’ve long realized that I will never be a professional surfer, a rock star, or an astronaut, and I’ve come to terms with that. It’s possible you may not be cut out for travel writing. Then again, you may just need more practice. Decide whether to toss away the quill forever or concentrate on making yourself better.

Do Define Success On Your Own Terms

Are you in travel writing because you “kinda” like writing and travel and you put the two together? Or is your daily routine dedicated towards that one nirvanic moment when you behold your byline in print (or in this case, on screen) for the first time?

It could be you just want to prove to yourself that you can get published in an online travel magazine. It could be a stepping stone to that first novel, or a fond memory when you’re older and have since moved on to other occupations.

The only truth is that everyone writes for different reasons — don’t let anyone tell you what constitutes success. You’ll know when you get there.

Ian MacKenzie is editor of Brave New Traveler, and co-founder of the blogging community TravelBlogger. Aside from writing, he spends his time exploring the fundamental nature of existence and wishing he did more backpacking.

Do you have any more submission tips for new travel writers? Share in the comments!

It could be a powerpoint presentation, testimonial, brochure, or in our case, a travel article.

The part that caught my eye was at the end of his post, where he urges you to skip the beginning and leap right into the middle of your story:

Pick things up with the action already in full swing, preferably at a dramatic or tantalizing moment, and let things unfold from there. When you open strong, people will generally read more supporting detail than otherwise, which allows you room to properly establish your point.

This technique has been around for centuries. Don George in the Lonely Planet Guide to Travel Writing called it “in medias res” which is Latin for “into the middle of things.”

Typically, the characters, setting, and conflict are introduced through a series of flashbacks or through characters slowly revealing past events to each other. You’ve seen it many times before – think Pulp Fiction or the television series Lost.

Kathy Sierra also wrote an excellent post on this topic on her blog Creating Passionate Users:

Start where the action begins! What happens if you remove the first 10 minutes of your presentations? What happens if you remove the first chapter? Or the first page, paragraph, whatever?

Yes, this means dropping the user straight in to the fray without all the necessary context, but if the start is compelling enough, they won’t care, at least not yet. They’ll stick with you long enough to let the context emerge, just in time, as the “story” goes along.

So how do you go about using this technique in your travel writing? On my trip to Thailand last year, I found myself staring at a blank screen in a stifling internet cafe more than once. I wanted to leap right into the action, start with a bang, highlighting the most compelling experiences of my trip so far…but it was hard.

No doubt you’ve been in the same position. A trick I learned to help me overcome writer’s block was first sticking with the traditional way – at the beginning. While your prose won’t be riveting quite yet, I find it helps to get the creative juices flowing in the right direction.

By the time you hit your stride, you’ll be knee deep into your travel blog or article.

Then comes the easy part. Scroll back to the start and cut out the first few paragraphs. Be ruthless.

You can even go back and try it with some of your previous articles. While it may seem abrupt to chop off the context, you’d be surprised at how much more effective your travel writing will grab readers.

A word of caution: too little context can still be a danger.

If your readers are halfway through your travel post or article and they’re still wondering the what, where, when and how of your story, you’re in trouble of losing their interest.

Try to strike that perfect balance between tossing the reader into the middle of the action and allowing them the ability to get their bearings before burrowing too deep.

While mastering “in medias res” isn’t something you’ll achieve overnight, stick with it and you’ll set your travel writing apart from the rest.

Ian MacKenzie is editor of Brave New Traveler, and co-founder of the blogging community TravelBlogger. Aside from writing, he spends his time exploring the fundamental nature of existence and wishing he did more backpacking.

Have you experimented with this technique already? Share in the comments!

Journalism is a creative job. Despite all the professors who told me articles were a fixed formula plugged up with simple facts and despite the avalanche of clichéd crap that passes for most mainstream journalism, I stand by that statement.

Like any creative profession, you use your perception to re-interpret the world around you. You try to engage an audience with ideas and issues-you create something meaningful from all the incoherent information and noise out there.

But here’s the catch: good journalism is dependent on a total stranger’s cooperation and participation.

At the heart of this issue is the interview. The finished product may be a piece of writing that you craft, but the material a result of the interviews you conduct.

And while sources vary-some people know exactly what they want to say while others love to make you sweat for a basic quote-how you conduct the interview has more to do with the outcome than anything.

It’s odd that so much emphasis is put on teaching journalists how to write an article when that skill is useless without also teaching journalists how to develop strong interview techniques.

In an effort to help other aspiring reporters develop this crucial skill-I brought together some of my colleagues and journalist friends to ask them what interview tips they think are most helpful:

#1 – Find a good location

Avoid Starbucks! It’s often easiest to suggest a centrally located corporate coffee shop but if there is any way you can interview in a place that has some relevance to the story or your subject you’ll have much greater success.

Not only because you’ll gain a further sense of context, people are often more comfortable (and open) when they’re in a familiar place or what feels like “their territory.”

Ask to meet at your subject’s house, work, or the location of an incident relevant to the story. Even meeting at the interviewee’s favorite restaurant is more interesting than a Starbucks.

#2 – Prepare Your Goals Ahead

Know what questions you’re going to ask and why you’re going to ask them.

Heading to an interview with a sense of what you want to get out of it (a colorful re-enactment of an event, an on-the-record opinion on the issue you’re covering, general background, etc.) is critical to conducting a successful interview.

You should already be thinking about what you want your piece to look like and what you need from this interview to get your article closer to that end result.

#3 – Write down your questions

Be sure and bring prepared questions with you. I usually go into an interview with twice as many questions than I expect to ask. The security of knowing that I’m not going to get stuck helps my confidence and you never know what question will get you the information you’re really looking for.

#4 – Work on your flow

This is probably the most challenging, but also the most important interview skill you can develop.

You want to strike a balance between a conversation (which helps make your subject feel comfortable and aids candor) and getting the job done. As your subject is answering your question, be thinking about what you’ll ask next and why.

The flow of questions needs to seem natural and conversational, don’t spin your subject off on a completely different topic just because that’s the next question on your list-think about segue’s and transitions.

This way your subject doesn’t feel forced to give you sound bites and may open up a little (particularly important for anyone working on an audio piece where you may need blocks of the raw interview).

#5 – Think about the medium

Interviewing techniques defiantly vary for different mediums. If you’re interviewing for audio or video you want to ask two part questions which encourages subjects to talk for longer blocks of time.

Conversely, when you’re interviewing for print, try and break questions up so you can get shorter and more concise answers (easier for taking notes and for quoting later). You can be more conversational with interviews for print, you can say “yeah,” and “uh-huh,” etc.

Not doing this is one of the biggest challenges when you’re interviewing for audio. Nodding and smiling accomplishes the same sort of conversational encouragement and keeps your tape clean.

Another great trick for audio interviews is to have your subject re-enact the story. It makes for good sound and helps you avoid having too much of your own narration later on.

#6 – Bring a buddy

I find having a second person as a note taker and extra set of ears can be very useful.

If you don’t think another person will overwhelm or distract your subject (I find that is pretty rare) it can be a lifesaver to have that second set of notes to check your quotes and information.

#7 – Avoid Obsessing

While good notes and recording are very important, you can do yourself a disservice by obsessing about recording every little detail of what your subject says.

As you’re interviewing you should be able to discern the gems from the chatter-focus on the quotes and info you know you’re going to use and make sure you get that right!

#8 – Be a little annoying

Don’t be afraid to relentlessly revisit a question or topic that you feel hasn’t been properly addressed by the interviewee. Sometimes people need time to warm up to you or a topic, or will respond better if your question is worded differently. Keep trying.

#9 – Be a little sneaky

Continue taking notes even after the interview is officially over. Sometimes people say the most revealing or intimate things when they feel that they’re out of the “hot seat.” If they don’t say “off the record,” it’s all game.

#10 – Empower them

A great question to ask if you don’t fully understand the perspective of your interviewee is “what is your ideal solution/resolution?” Obviously this only works in certain circumstances, but when appropriate it can help clarify a person’s point of view or opinion.

#11 – Work them up

Another great question is “Why do you care about this issue?” This can be an effective way to get a strong and emotional quote about why the topic you’re covering is so important.

You can also ask for the turning point in a story, the moment when everything changed or catalyzed. This can help you shape the narrative of your story as well.

#12 – Endure awkward silences

I know this is totally counterintuitive. My instinct is to keep chattering and asking questions to keep people feeling comfortable, but sometimes, especially when you’re dealing with sensitive subjects, you need to shut up and wait.

Ask your question, let them give you the rehearsed and generic answer, then sit there quietly and see what comes next. You’d be amazed how often this technique yields powerful results.

#13 – Ask for what you need

Seriously, sometimes interviewees are frustrating not because they’re trying to bust your chops but just don’t understand what you want from them.

I find that many interview subjects get a kick out of having you “pull back the curtain” a little and tell them about your process.

You can say, “Listen, I really need a quote from you encapsulating your feelings on this issue,” or “I really need you to walk me through the chronology of this,” or even, “I really need you to take me to a location that is relevant to this issue so I can set a scene.”

For the most part people want to be helpful and you just need to tell them how they can.

***

As you gain more experience interviewing, you’ll hone your own techniques. Your personality as an interviewer also plays a huge role in how you develop your approach.

In the meantime use these hints to help you mine the information you need to get down to the creative business of crafting a great piece of journalism.

Sarah Stuteville writes for The Common Language Project – dedicated to developing and implementing innovative approaches to international journalism by focusing on positive, inclusive and humane reporting of stories ignored by the mainstream media.

Any other journalist techniques you’ve found effective for interviews?

So you’ve started a travel blog.

Fantastic.

Chances are, you’ve also emailed your blog URL to your friends and family, in the hopes of sharing your experiences while you wander the globe for a few weeks, a few months, or if you’re lucky enough, a few years.

Your family and friends are big fans of your blog. Of course they are. But perhaps you wish…just a little bit…that you had more readers.

You wish your visitor counter was a little bit higher every time you visit an internet cafe to post your latest dispatch. You hope for a few appreciative emails in your inbox, from strangers who stumbled onto your blog and were compelled to keep reading.

Sadly, those unsolicited fans never seem to emerge. What could be wrong?

The Problem With Too Much Information

For starters, the blogosphere is expanding faster everyday, which equals an exponential amount of other bloggers competing for eyeballs and attention.

If you’re part of a travel blogs community, you’re generally guaranteed a bit of traffic from other members surfing the latest updates. If you’re travel blogging on your own platform, perhaps you’re getting the visitors, but they never stick around long enough to read more than a single post.

Brian Clark, the prolific writer behind Copyblogger, wrote a valuable post last year called “10 Sure-Fire Headline Formulas That Work.”

He believes your headline is the most important aspect of any blog entry, even more important than the content of the post itself. After all, in an information over-loaded world, you only have once chance to grab a reader by the throat and hurl them into your words.

A quick scan of a local travel blogs community revealed the following headlines:

• Surfing the West-Coast
• More ruins in San Ignacio
• Pack up and Travel to Auckland
• Arrived in Bangkok

Ouch. Not much there to pique my curiousity. I’m betting most readers would rather pass than delve deeper when confronted with such bland declarations, never to return.

To stem the tide of headline mediocrity, I’ve taken the liberty of applying Brian’s surefire formula to attempt a few travel blog headlines that scream out for attention.

Or at the very least, entice the reader of things to come.

1. Pose A Question

Whenever someone is asked an open-ended question, it’s human nature to desire the answer. Call it the need for closure. There’s no other alternative but to read on and find the answer.

• Will Mexico City Ever Be The Same?
• Why Are Europeans The Best Kissers?
• Who Decided Insects Were A Delicacy?

2. Offer A Secret

Sharing insider knowledge about a specific destination is exactly what travel blogging is all about. After falling for a suit scam in Bangkok, you can bet I would have clicked on the first of these headlines:

• The Secret To Avoiding Bangkok Scams
• The Secret To Finding Cheap Hostels In Paris
• The Secret To Stunning Travel Photos

3. Make a statement or exclamation

While nothing in life is black or white, a definitive statement begs to be rebutted. Nobody thinks exactly the same way, which is why readers will enjoy reading your take and forming their own opinion.

• Greatest. Banana Pancakes. Ever.
• Phnom Penh: Paris of the East
• Never Trust An Overly Helpful Local

4. How To

Everyone wants to know how to do something better. The ‘How To’ post is the most magnetic way for getting readers to dive further into your travel blog. Even if the reader has no intention of ever using their newfound knowledge, they’re glad to have picked it up.

• How To Become An Australian Surf Bum In 2 Weeks
• How Not To Bargain In Istanbul
• How To Survive A Train Ride From Hell

5. Make A List

There’s something about lists. Maybe it’s the promise of definitive information, arranged artfully in easily digestible chunks that compels us to read further. Whatever the reason, they work.

• 8 Ways To Order Indian Food In Goa
• 10 Reasons You Must Ride An Elephant At Least Once
• 5 Things You’ll Never Hear From A Buddhist Monk

So there you have it.

Five ways to energize your travel blog headlines and score dedicated readers. But remember, while the headline is the most important part of any compelling blog entry, you have to follow it up with a bang.

(And yes, I did use one of these techniques for this very post. I’m sneaky like that).

Ian MacKenzie is editor of Brave New Traveler, and co-founder of the blogging community TravelBlogger. Aside from writing, he spends his time exploring the fundamental nature of existence and wishing he did more backpacking.

Any other headline techniques you use for your travel blog? Please share in the comments!

Becoming a travel writer is pretty easy – you just need to travel and write – but becoming a paid travel writer is another matter altogether. As a travel writer who currently doesn’t make any money from writing about travelling, I’m in no position to give out advice on the latter… but when did that ever stop anyone?

I reckon the best way to become a travel writer is to become one. As with all jobs, people are only going to pay you to write if you are already writing and being published, so it’s the good old chicken and egg story again. It all boils down to contacts, hard work, and a healthy dose of luck.

1. The first thing to do is to write.

Writing is the best way to improve your craft, and is pretty much the only way to go unless you’ve been born with irritatingly precocious skills.

You don’t have to go travelling to write, but you do have to be disciplined; there are millions of writers out there who never get beyond the stage of keeping a travel diary, and pretty much everyone thinks their own writing is brilliant… but there aren’t many successful travel writers, and the reason is that we all improve, bit my bit, and slowly, by actually writing.

If you write regularly for six months, then you’ll notice the improvement yourself, and by then you’ll be more motivated to keep on writing. If you’re travelling and you want to develop your skills, you might like to try the following:

2. Try to write regularly

When the world is fascinating and there’s always something to do, writing regularly can be a bit of a pain, but you’ll never regret it. At the very least you’ll end up with a memento of your trip that you can read when you get back, and if you do make it as a travel writer, you’ll end up with a book full of research notes that you can convert into articles.

3. Try to write about everything you see.

Initially you’ll end up writing about things that look different to home, and possibly things that look the same. But by writing about these things you’ll start to develop your descriptive skills, and before you know it you’ll begin to spot more things, and will start to look at things from a writer’s perspective.

A good writer can write a side of A4 about a washing machine and make it interesting, but it takes time to develop this sort of skill, and writing about everything you can possibly think of is a good way to start.

4. Get some other people to read what you’ve written.

On the road people are pretty likely to be complimentary, but ask them to be honest; even though criticism hurts, it is the only way to improve. If you don’t know what your readers think, how can you appeal to them?

5. Whatever happens, write because you enjoy it.

For travel writing to work it needs to be written by someone with some kind of spark, be it a sense of humour, a love for the area they’re writing about, or even a hatred for what they see… it doesn’t matter, as long as the spark is there.

If you try writing and simply can’t stand it, then what you write will suffer, but this isn’t a reason to stop, it’s a reason to continue to develop your writing skills so you can write about what you feel. But if there’s no feeling to start with, that’s a considerable hurdle! Just do it! You can’t become a travel writer without travelling and writing, after all.

6. When you’re ready, get published

When you’ve written some articles you’re proud of, send them to travel magazines, newspapers with travel supplements (the weekend papers are good), or even free magazines that are available to travellers (in the UK there’s a good one called TNT, and I’m sure other countries have an equivalent).

Getting something published is the first milestone – then you can use those published articles to try to get more work – so be prepared to publish your first few articles for nothing, or for a pittance, just to get some published work in your portfolio. A large part of getting a break is down to luck, but if you don’t send people your writing, it obviously won’t get published.

It might help to publish some of your stuff on the Web, so it can act as a portfolio of your work. Don’t publish everything, though, as most publishers aren’t interested in articles that have already been published elsewhere, and that includes anything that’s already appeared on the Web.

But above all, don’t lose hope, because if you give up, you’ll never become a successful travel writer. If you’re a good writer, and you believe in yourself, then the chances are higher that you’ll get a break. It just takes time, luck and perseverance.

And Finally…

Here’s a quote that I think sums up my approach to travel writing rather well. I thought I’d share it with you. From Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals (aff) by Robert M Pirsig:

‘Are you retired?’

‘I’m a writer,’ he said.

‘What do you write about?’

‘Travelling mostly, I guess,’ he said. ‘I go places and see things and think about what I see and then I write about that. There are lots of writers who do that.’

‘You mean you would write about what we’re seeing right now?’

‘Sure.’

‘Why would anyone want to write about this? Nothing is happening.’

‘There’s always something happening,’ he said.

What are some other travel writing tips you’ve found helpful? Please share them in the comments.

There’s some pretty powerful propaganda out there romanticizing my profession.

Whether it’s Blood Diamond’s Jennifer Connelly scooping the dirt on an evil civil war, dodging bullets and out flirting African militiamen only long enough to fall in love with Leonardo DiCaprio and pull down the greedy international diamond cabal —

or the stoic portrayal of Edward R. Murrow exposing the free-speech hating Senator McCarthy as America watched on the evening news in last year’s Good Night and Good Luck, I can understand why some of my idealistic peers might want to pursue a career in journalism.

I did.

But after my first year as a full-time journalist for The Common Language Project, an online multimedia magazine covering domestic and international social justice issues, I feel it would be unfair not to start by trying to dissuade you.

I know: what sounds better than a career exploring the world, challenging power, championing rights, indulging your curiosity, and writing about it? At least once a week I describe my job to someone new and their reply is something like “Ooooh, international journalist! How exciting! I would love to have your job.”

Ironically, the first thing to understand, future journalists, is how infrequently it actually qualifies as a “job” (in the money for services sense of the word).

I can only speak to those of you who are considering devoting yourselves to freelance or independent journalism. (I’ve hear rumors that there is still a scattering of jobs in mainstream news outlets that serve up regular paychecks to a chosen few).

By far the majority of journalists I meet are like me, underpaid and wild-eyed, trying to claw their way to the next grant or random payout from a piece that was finally picked up. Often these same journalists must work multiple jobs because they write for independent sources that can only fantasize of paying more than a token amount to their contributors.

The thing about not getting paid much is you have to work your ass off. And I’m not talking about tromping-through-African-jungles and outsmarting-devious-bad-guys hard work either.

I’m talking about tedious stuff like internet research, cold calls, and scripted interviews with self-important bureaucrats. Most of my time is spent waiting for people who don’t want to talk to me to call back before I wear out their voicemails.

Of course, with any given story there are the days you spend actually traveling to some new place, interviewing a truly fascinating or courageous person, and “getting the scoop”. I’m just warning you, those days can feel awful few and far between, and I’ve yet to meet anyone that faintly resembles Mr. DiCaprio while on the job.

Now that you understand that you’ll work hard and get paid little, let’s revisit the “glory and admiration” you’re supposed to receive.

For every occasional movie that comes out weakly reminding Americans that journalists are the watchdogs of our democracy, there is a flurry of (sadly well-deserved) jabs at how corrupt, sleazy and bought-out the media is. Just last week I was introduced to someone as, “Sarah, she’s a journalist, but don’t worry she’s nice.”

Enthusiastically sharing their disdain for cheap saccharine journalists is pointless. Tutoring them in the finer distinctions between People Magazine and Mother Jones, or graphing media consolidation in the for-profit world of news and information, often earns blank stares.

Seems no matter how you try to define yourself, you’re eternally the “exploitive TV journalist” shoving a microphone up the nose of a defenseless victim or throwing soft-ball questions to a deceitful politician so as not to offend the advertisers.

Just about a year ago, my professor said it pretty succinctly in the final hour of my final class in my final quarter as a media studies major: “Don’t get into this profession if you need people to like you-it’s in opposition of what you’re out there to do.”

OK, I concede that I was asked to write this piece in response to the question, “How do I break into journalism?” and you may notice that I’ve avoided favored the more abstract and rambling Why? Instead of the pragmatic How.

In fact, the How is surprisingly simple (and unfortunately also a corporate slogan): Just do it.

As I mentioned above, if you want experience, really all that’s required is a willingness to go out there and teach yourself. Find a story or subject that interests you and start reporting. If you have a notepad and pen, an audio recorder, a camera, and a genuine curiosity, you’re outfitted.

As for a place to publish, the advent of online journalism has provided countless independent outlets for aspiring journalists, many that are more than happy to help people new to the field shape and develop stories.

I was first published by The Indy Media Center, an online media collective that has offices in American cities and worldwide.

Other online publications abound. A few to start with (specifically travel writing websites and sites that publish international stories) are:

World Peace Emerging, World Hum, GlimpseAbroad, World Changing, World Pulse Magazine

For folks interested in audio there is The Public Radio Exchange or Big Shed. And it’s always worth a try at your local National Public Radio affiliate.

A good place for video is Witness, Paper Tiger, and of course YouTube.

Now back to the Why.

It seems mean spirited that I would spend so much time outlining all of the reasons not to become a journalist, mention a few links if you haven’t been convinced to throw in the towel and leave it at that.

But I’m sure that anyone asking how to become an independent journalist is already afflicted by a passion for this job. This is a career that changes everyday and keeps you constantly engaged with the world, as well as a contributing to what has been called “the first draft of history.”

Maybe you’ve even had the experience of pulling a story from the chaos, shaping it into a narrative and hurling it back to the public in the hope of making an impact.

In short, you probably already know the Why.

Any aspiring journalist reading this is used to hearing that this is a hard profession to break into, that it’s underpaid and underappreciated. I still hear that all the time. But if you’ve been bitten by journalism you’re not going to be discouraged by me or anyone else.

If, like me, you can’t think of anything else you’d rather do you’ll jump right in. I did.

PS. Of course, I think the best way to break into multimedia journalism or travel writing is to write for The Common Language Project. Contact me at commonlanguageproject@gmail.com to find out how.

Sarah Stuteville writes for The Common Language Project – dedicated to developing and implementing innovative approaches to international journalism by focusing on positive, inclusive and humane reporting of stories ignored by the mainstream media.

For months now, I’ve been traveling the blogophere seeking out the interesting, the obscure, the obscene from the world of travel bloggers.

Good lord, there’s a lot of us out there. Seeing so many blogs, it’s natural that I’ve developed a marked preference for certain characteristics.

Even though I have absolutely no editorial “cred” other than my reading habits, I’m going to scribble a brief rundown of what catches my eye and what makes me click away.

There’s truckloads of text out there on how to write about travel, but hey, what’s stopping me from adding to it? These are my opinions only (I have plenty of those!) so take it for what it’s worth, my two cents, etc.

Make it physically readable, for starters.

I can’t read pink text on a yellow background, for example. And sometimes, wow, there is so much going on that I can barely find the text. Which leads me to…

Minimize the design toys, please.

Everyone wants a custom blog, but if you don’t really know what you’re doing, you just end up with noise. There are plenty of perfectly acceptable templates to use, it’s not a crime to use them, especially if you’re a good writer. I want to read you, not hire you as a designer.

Reading itineraries is really boring, unless they’re mine.

I skip right over blogs that list where the writer went without telling me anything about what happened there. These things get hidden in entries – first we went to the Museum, then the park, then we took the subway back to the old part of the city…. Meh. Doesn’t tell me anything. What did you do, see, eat there?

Turns out I do want to see a picture of you, who knew?

I love the surprise of seeing that some big dude in a Hawaiian shirt and a silly hat is writng culturally sensitive stories about visiting holy sites. Or some hard core outdoor climber is a woman of a “certain age.”

Speaking of pictures, bring ‘em.

It’s nice when there are thumbnails in the posts, or a single photo up top, and then, after reading, I can click through to an album. I don’t care for it when people use a linear blog format for photoblogs, however, there are better ways to present photos only. If you’re keeping a photoblog, use a tool that’s designed for it, not one that’s designed for text.

Negativity can be okay as long as it’s not cultural imperialism.

“Oh my god, I ate the most disgusting thing ever!” is all right as long as it’s followed by a description of what the thing was and how it’s a local specialty and how you had the nerve to try it. Props to you for being adventurous. Just don’t diss the locals, man.

Too much introspection?

“I was thinking about my friends back home and how they were so not having this experience that was totally changing me and everything is different now…” Click. Next please. I get that travel can equal huge transformation, but I’d much rather read about how that transformation is being experienced.

Is that too woo woo to make sense? Maybe. Maybe you get what I mean. Ditto for irony and uber-coolness. What’s the point in traveling if you’re going to spend too much time inside your own head instead of what’s happening in front of you?

Gimme the details!

I absolutely want to read about how the waiter looked like he was wearing his Grandmother’s wig, that his hair could so not have been real, or how the train station smelled of cigarettes and pee and oddly, roses. Good travel writing doesn’t miss the little things hovering in the corners in the background.

Take me with you.

This is difficult to define and quantify, but good travel writing makes the reader feel like they’re on the trip too. Put me in the car, on the bus, next to you on the plane. I really want to be there, so take me with you. No, seriously, take me with you. I can be ready to go in, like, 20 minutes.

What are some other criteria that make a great travel blog? Are there any amazing travel blogs you’re following right now?

One of the perks of working for a travel blogging community, is that you get to read a lot of travel blogs.

I’ve read all types: short, long, personal, experimental. You name it.

And with my experience wading through these digital archives of one trip after another, a single glaring difference emerges, separating the compelling journals from the humdrum ones.

Last time in this series, I wrote about the importance of starting your journal with bang — an opening that grabs your read and propels them to the next paragraph.

Now I’m going to discuss the most common mistake new travel bloggers make afterwards.

Take this first example:

“We arrived at Heathrow airport and made our way through customs and then the baggage claim. We left the airport and grabbed a cab, then drove to our hostel in downtown London. It was a pretty nice day, wasn’t sunny, but it wasn’t raining either. After we got to the hotel we ditched our bags and went out for some food. I couldn’t believe how expensive it was! Anyway, after lunch we walked around the city, and checked out Big Ben (the giant clock) and Buckingham Palace.”

What did you think? It’s okay, reads well, certainly nothing special. Chances are, it probably sounds a lot like the majority of your friends’ travel journals.

Now read this version:

“We hailed a cab from the airport and rode into the city. Overhead, the sky was bleak, hinting at rain. The driver didn’t speak much, though he stole occasional glances at us in the rearview mirror, as if to ensure we wouldn’t disappear from the cab without paying.

Through the window, I watched the other drivers hunched over their steering wheels, hurtling along the highway, enveloped in their own personal worlds. At a stoplight I stared at an elderly woman idling beside us in a brown Lincoln. She seemed to notice my gaze and turned her head. I took a chance, smiled and waved at her. She scowled and drove off as the light changed.

Welcome to England, I thought.”

Which version do you prefer? They read like completely different stories, from two different writers that potentially had a very similar experience. And this reveals the biggest mistake committed by new travel bloggers:

They try and cover it all.

New travel bloggers (understandably) want to share their stories with their friends and family back home, and so they pound out a travel journal that includes: their flight, what they had to eat on the flight, the films on the plane, collecting their bags in the airport, getting to their hostel, walking around the city, all the different sites they saw, what did had for dinner that night, and so on.

Perhaps your travel blog isn’t quite that thorough, but you get the idea. I committed this exact mistake on my first trip to Europe in 2000, over and over again. It took a lot of reading (and a lot of practice) before realizing that it’s not important to capture everything.

The trick is to pick certain moments that stick out of your trip, and expand on them instead.

Don George, author of Lonely Planet’s Guide To Travel Writing (aff) calls this “The Accordian Theory of Time.”

“What you have to do is edit your reality. You have to think about all the pertinent experiences in your trip and then you have to choose those very few…that embody and illuminate the main points you want to make about your journey.”

Write about a conversation you had with a talkative local. Write about a single night out to the club that opened your mind. Write about a hike through the jungle that was the most bug-infested, sweat stained, and exhilarating experience of your life.

Then stop.

And next time your write, pick another moment (or two) that characterizes your trip since you last surfaced, and share that with your friends and family.

After all, it’s far better to leave your fans wanting more, then inundate them with every last detail.

What do you think makes a great travel blog? Do you know any other travel writing tips that you’ve found helpful in developing your writing?

What’s the difference between a boring travel journal and a killer one? Usually, you can tell within the first few sentences.

Consider the following:

“So we arrived early in the morning in Cusco with about three days to acclimatize prior to our five day trek to Machu Picchu. The airport is pretty small with the typical assortment of travel agents, tour operators and taxi drivers all vying for your attention.

We got our bags (lucky for me, often mine seem to go MIA) and managed to find a taxi driver who didn’t look to intimidating and who actually spoke English somewhat and headed into Cusco, only about a 10-15 minute drive.”

Granted, it’s grammatically correct and flows at a even pace. You learn how the travelers arrived in the airport, how they got their bags and hailed a taxi, then headed on their way.

Does it provide the basic information about the writer’s experience? Yes. Does it reach out and grab you by the throat, pique your curiosity and compel you to read further? Hardly.

Pam in How To Make Me Read Your Travel Blog explains why:

“Reading itineraries is really boring, unless they’re mine. I skip right over blogs that list where the writer went without telling me anything about happened there. These things get hidden in entries – first we went to the Museum, then the park, then we took the subway back to the old part of the city…. Meh. Doesn’t tell me anything.”

Itineraries are the notes you create for yourself to either plan where you’re going or to remember where you came from. They are useful. But they are extremely boring to read, even if you’re family and friends won’t tell you.

Many travel blog writers can get by with their photographs to supplement their bland prose. That is fine, especially if you’re simply writing for yourself and don’t care about crafting gripping dispatches for any sort of audience.

But for the rest of the amateur travel writers looking to improve, there are a number of techniques you can use to pull your readers in and banish the bland to the digital trash bin.

1. Share a touching anecdote

Instead of talking about the initial flight itself (or ferry, train ride, etc) , share your experience of being on the flight with your companions, or even memories of past/similar situations.

“Every time I take a long flight with my father, he always says the same thing. When daylight retreats, he pokes my arm and says: “We’re chasing the sun kid!” Yes. A dad joke. And I’m not going to catch the light on this three hour flight back to Beijing, but it makes me smile just the same.” (from 1 More Wong In China)

2. Fanatically describe your setting

Often it’s the details that make the difference. Open your travel dispatch with a description of a particular location you discovered on your trip, and how it made you feel, both physically and emotionally. Who cares how you got their initially? Those details can come later, if at all.

“Sitting silently in the temple I am lifted to a higher consciousness, floating somewhere above western state of mind. Yellow light shimmers hypnotically off the black still water of the holy pool where the leper was healed 1000 years before.

Echoes of soft Punjabi scripture and the soothing hum of pilgrim’s mantras lift me away from myself into a religious fog. The warm Indian night wraps me in a silky cocoon absolving all thought and anxiety from my mind. Peace and bliss resonate.” (from Eager Bros)

3. Use interesting dialogue

Whenever I was stuck with a blank computer screen or pad of paper, I tried to remember specific conversations I had throughout the past few days.

Whether it was the words of a particularly charismatic street vendor, or the indignant declarations of my companions, chances are you can recall a gem that lends itself to a strong opening.

“Never again,” are Karen’s words as we step out of the mini-bus into the main street of the tiny backpackers town of Vang Viang. The driver, smiling jovially, climbs onto the vehicle’s roof and hands us our bags. “Really?” I ask. “I didn’t think the ride was that bad.”

Five hours earlier we’d set out from Louang Prabang, the mini-bus precariously hugging the high mountain curves that wound through village after modest village, dodging cyclists, large-eyed children, and the occasional farmer busy thrashing stalks of some plant against the pot-holed pavement.” (from Cheating Death in Vang Viang)

So there you have it, three techniques to invigorate your travel journal openings right now.

Again, I want to differentiate between those travelers who are interested in simply jotting down where they went, and those travel writers who are eager to develop their craft.

The opening of your travel dispatches is the most important place to entice the reader to stay a while longer, to accompany you along your journey, and to ultimately share in your experience.

The trick is to forgo the general in favour of the details. Open with an anecdote, a provocative setting, or a memorable conversation, and watch your readers stick with you until the end.

Or at least the next paragraph.

This week I’ve been pondering the different ways to maintain an online travel blog (or travel journal, whatever you like to call it). You basically have two options: joining a travel community website or building it under your own dedicated domain, and there are pros and cons for each.

For starters, I’ll tackle the reasons to keep your travel blog with a community. (Disclaimer: I am one of the creators of TravelBlogger so feel free to accuse me of bias – but truthfully I don’t mind which site you may join, as long as it’s right for you). So without further ado…

1. All The Technical Setup Is Already Done

With travel community websites, generally all of the geek work is already done. Most sites will allow you to post your travel journals with a few clicks of a button, as well as upload your travel photos and optimize them for the web on the fly. You don’t have to fiddle with HTML, CSS, or even mess with the design at all. And of course, if you run into any problems, you have their technical support nerds only an email away.

2. Get Inspired For Your Next Trip

For most of us that haven’t manage to become career travelers, we have long expanses of time between each trip. This could be a few weeks, a few months, or even a few years. We could be focusing more on our “career” then our wanderlust, which is an understandable reality when the bills begin to pile up. That said, keeping your travel journal with a travel community allows you to feed off the wanderlust of others. You can read up on their adventures, devour their photos of places you never knew existed, and work up an appetite that reminds you of the joy of traveling — so you get back on the road sooner.

3. Meet Other Travelers

Arrive in Moscow with no friends and little more than your backpack? Staying in a hostel where no one speaks your language? Fear not, a quick trip online to your travel community could reveal a few potential travel mates already in the area or arriving shortly. Or perhaps you have plenty of friends on the road already and just want to exchange travel stories with like-minded wanderers or even find a potential romantic interest. A travel community provides ample opportunity to meet new faces, (and new companions) without the stigma attached to traditional dating websites.

4. Get More Exposure

So you spent hours crafting your masterpiece of a travel journal entry, throw it online, and are waiting for National Geographic to come begging to republish it in their next issue? Sadly, a familiar scenario for most isolated travel journals is that no one (beyond friends and family) can find it. Keeping your journal and profile with an online travel community means your dispatches from the road are much more likely to get read, passed around, bookmarked, and adored by others. (Though National Geographic is still a stretch…)

5. Stay Connected With Travel Friends

Relationships on the road are much different than the equivalent back home. You can wander into Rome by late afternoon, shake hands with the other hostellers in your room while you dump your pack, head out on a pub crawl with your new friends that evening, and be inseparably bonded through shared hangovers the next morning. But alas, these hyper sped up friendships come to an end ever sooner. They catch a bus on their route, while you wave goodbye from the seat of a train going the opposite direction.

Sure, you could trade emails and hope to keep in touch. Yet the reality is you’re off to meet new friends and new horizons. Instead, consider inviting them to your travel community, where they can sign up their own profiles and link them with yours. At anytime, you can keep track of their travels, comment on their journals and photos, and generally stay in touch in a less demanding way.

Well there you have it, 5 good reasons to start your travel blog with a travel community. In a future entry, I’ll provide 5 reasons to ditch the community and keep your travel journal under its own domain, with its own design and style.

Do you know any other great reasons to join a travel community? By all means, share them in the comments below.