Comments on: So You Wanna Be a Travel Writer?

By: Cherrye at My Bella Vita

Cherrye at My Bella Vita — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:12:25 +0000

What a nice first post for me to “stumble upon.” I agree with many things you said, but I, too, like to take classes, even though I’ve been in a “dud” myself. I’m just glad we have so many options on the Internet and so many experienced travel writers sharing their stories.

By: Wandering Carol

Wandering Carol — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:48:03 +0000

A thoughtful insightful post. But, as a travel writer and columnist, I have my own take on a couple of things. Taking a course really did help me start out, and it’s the workshop you mention at Book Passages that got me started. Also, I never saw any reason to start small. I think it’s more important to start where you think you’ll fit in. I jumped right in with the San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Post. Starting so big so fast had it’s own problems, though, because I really didn’t know what I was doing, just with the nuts and bolts of it all, but as you say, you learn by doing.

By: Best of the web – Roaming Tales: Travel links for 28 September | Roaming Tales

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:48:46 +0000

[...] writing. Kristin Luna dishes the dirt on becoming a travel writer on her blog Camels and Chocolate and John Hooper muses on the blurred lines between truth and [...]

By: Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:51:35 +0000

Thanks so much for this post. I’m attempting to launch a freelance career from Mexico City, and it’s oh-so-lonely (and frustrating!) at times. Alternately feel like I have no idea what I’m doing, and wonder whether I’m not doing *enough*, and just who the hell are these people who are successful at this, anyway? Is there some kind of magic formula that I haven’t found yet? Well, now I’ve read your post and it turns out that my instincts are right: I’ve just got to keep working hard and persevere. And paper my walls with the rejection letters. I really needed this today. Thank you again!

By: Rynn

Rynn — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:56:26 +0000

Great post, very honest and inspirational. Your “tell it like it is” approach is refreshing and should be required reading for anyone considering freelance writing – travel or otherwise. Thank you and well done!

By: Louise Ralph

Louise Ralph — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:05:56 +0000

Oh yes, being ‘lucky’. My sister told me I was ’so lucky’ I was writing for a living – doing what I love. Aaagh. What does ‘luck’ have to do with it? Being ‘in the right place at the right time’ means you’ve usually been putting yourself out there for so long, trying to hang in there when you want to (or feel like you should) give up – and creating ‘wallpaper opportunities’ with those rejection letters!

I’ve read Seth Godin’s The Dip quite a few times, and it’s got me through those black moments… http://sethgodin.typepad.com/the_dip/

As for travel writing, I agree with Sarah (comment 1). I can’t even read most travel articles… so when you find a travel writer who does it well, it’s magic.

By: Sharlene

Sharlene — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:15:32 +0000

Thank you for the reality, the advice, and the inspiration. Yes, I do want to be a travel writer and I am prepared to work my butt off for it. Do you have any tips on how to write a pitch? I am still unsure how that entire process works.

By: Heather on her travels

Heather on her travels — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:42:09 +0000

Guess I’d better stick to the day job and have some fun with the blog and the travelling – that way if it turns into a moneyspinner long term I’ll be pleasantly surprised, but if not I won’t be worrying about the mortgage.

By: jen laceda

jen laceda — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 04:44:49 +0000

Hey K,
Thanks for dousing me with a bit of a reality check. It’s posts like these that seem harsh at first, but are truly helpful to the reader / dreamer. You just motivated my depressed, anxiety-laden ass to get off the couch and stop sulking. It’s time to roll up my sleeves!
xoxo,
Jen

By: travel writing « the art of moi

travel writing « the art of moi — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 02:49:53 +0000

[...] September 20, 2009 by slidinginsideways Lou’s thinking of taking it up, so I thought I’d link to this most excellent post at Camels & Chocolate. [...]