Travel writing seems like a dream career. Who doesn’t relish the image of traveling to exotic places, armed with a notepad and camera? Is travel writing a good career for you?
If you want to be a travel writer, the most important thing to do is write. Just because you make your living on the road doesn’t mean you should not write well. Take writing classes and write every day.
As you learn to write, you will also be learning how to interview people and write about them. This is essential as most magazines want articles which give the “feel” for a location. To do this, you must be able to communicate with people in such a way that they feel comfortable with you. Try to learn a foreign language or two.
In order to write well, you must read. If you want to be a travel writer, read everything you can by and about the travel industry. Read brochures, newsletters, travel magazines, travel guides and books. You will get a good idea what travel publishers want. You will also find out important information about a specific travel destination, such as climate, major cities etc. If you want to write about travel, you must have solid knowledge of geography.
As you read, make notes as to what each publication offers. This way, when you have finished your article on Hawaiian beaches, you will have a good idea which publications will accept it. You can also find out about various markets through publications such as Writer’s Market.
If you want to be a travel writer, you must develop a thick skin, especially at the beginning of your career. Writing is a competitive field and travel writing is especially so. Be prepared to receive many rejection letters. These do not necessarily your writing is bad, it may simply mean that the publication does not need your work at this time.
Also be prepared to work a long time before you can make a full-time living as a travel writer. It may be better if you start by writing about a vacation trip you took or about some local areas of interest to tourists. Keep these articles, along with all the other good things you’ve written, in a portfolio you can show to potential employers.
One common question for travel writers is whether they get reimbursed for their travel costs. The answer depends on the circumstances. If the publication has sent you on an assignment, they may pay the expenses for you upfront and reimburse you for incidental costs. If you’ve written your information after the fact and not on assignment, any fees you earn are intended to reimburse your travel expenses.
Travel writing can be a very rewarding career. With luck and perseverance you really can have an adventurous work life.
Ken Morris writes articles primarily for http://www.alicante-spain.com , a web page on the topic of sightseeing around teulada and costa blanca in spain. You might find out more about his abstracts on teulada over at http://www.alicante-spain.com .
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