Travel Writing Resources

Just as with any other job, a travel writer needs resources, or tools, for getting the job done. Thanks to the Internet, there are numerous travel writing resources available. Whether working to become a travel writer or already an established travel writer, reading tips and ideas from other travel writers is key to improving your travel writing.

Our friends at TransitionsAbroad have put together a short list of essential travel writing resources. Enjoy!

GuidebookWriters.com is a UK-based site offering promotion services and sharing of tips and info among guidebook writers.
www.guidebookwriters.com.

The Insider Secrets of Freelance Travel Writing
Become a successful travel writer using this sites home study travel writing courses. The result is gaining the knowledge needed to become a paid travel writer.

Travel Writers' News is aimed at San Francisco Bay area travel writers, but a lot of great info for everyone here.

Travel Info Exchange is the place for travel writing advice from professional travel writer Tom Brosnihan.

TravelWriters.com is mostly a site set up to sell various services to travel writers and travel PR people.

TravelWriter Market Letter is a monthly newsletter that provides writing guidelines, news from the travel publishing world, and press trip listings. Annual subscription required.

Say it Like a Travel Writer

A travel writer has the skill to describe a sight in an interesting and often funny way. In other words, a travel writer can turn a sentence and get your attention. If you want to become a travel writer, learn from the best travel writers and study not only what they say but, more importantly, how they say it.

One of the best travel writers out there is PJ O'Rourke. Here are some quotes from various PJ O'Rourke travel books published by Picador (www.bugbog.com):

Cockfighting has always been my idea of a great sport - two armed entrées battling to see who'll be dinner.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1989), Holidays in Hell. London (Picador),

In Western Australia they don't even know how to make that vital piece of sailing-boat equipment, the gin and tonic. O'Rourke, P.J. (1989), Holidays in Hell. London (Picador).

The interesting thing about staring down a gun barrel is how small the hole is where the bullet comes out, yet what a big difference it would make in your social schedule. O'Rourke, P.J. (1989), Holidays in Hell. (Picador)

Traffic was like a bad dog. It wasn't important to look both ways when crossing the street; it was important to not show fear.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1994), All the trouble in the world. (Picador)

Asian music sounds as if a truck full of wind chimes collided with a stack of empty oil drums during a birdcall contest.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1994), All the trouble in the world. (Picador)

In Japan people drive on the left. In China people drive on the right. In Vietnam it doesn't matter.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1994), All the trouble in the world. (Picador)

Of course the humans in Haiti have hope. They hope to leave.
O'Rourke, P.J. (1994), All the trouble in the world. (Picador)

Travel Writing Reading

As mentioned in previous posts, one key to becoming a travel writer is to read and study the travel writing styles of another travel writer. Every travel writer is unique, and by reading a great deal of travel writing, you will be better able to tone your travel writing into publishable material and thus be on your way to becoming a travel writer.

To get you started on your travel writing reading, check out this list of recommended travel writing books from Salon.com.

Happy reading!

A Travel Writer...Words to Write By

A travel writer always has a point.

A travel writer writes a travel story, not a travel diary. Nobody cares about you, per se. We want to know about the place.

A travel writer always proofs everything, over and over and over again.

A travel writer is first a reader of everything, then a writer.

A travel writer knows when to laugh, especially at themself.

A travel writer meets deadlines like it's a religion.

A travel writer is a student and a teacher.

A travel writer practices writing daily.