Whether you have your own travel diary or blog, or are a contributor to a travel news site (ahem), the tips below will help your travel writing flow.
UNSPLASH hannah graceThere’s something about discovering a new place that makes you just want to pick up a camera and snap photos of everything, as to prevent any one thing from slipping the memory. For many, the same goes for documenting through writing, and that’s why so many begin their own blogs or journals when traveling. Travel writing, or writing in general, can be an intimidating feat, reminding some of school and tedious work. Luckily, travel writing is an art of its own, one that’s meant to be shared rather than critiqued. If done well, the writing we do should expand our horizons while stirring our readers’ curiosity. Whether you have your own travel diary or blog, or are a contributor to a travel news site (ahem), the tips below will help your writing flow.
1. Who are you?
Writing about Sao Paolo is a tall, Venti-sized order, and could fill up books. Nothing is worse than being too general. When writing, be true to who you are and the voice that you have. Are you a college student studying in a non-English speaking country, or a fearless traveler who should be featured on Man versus Wild? Depending on your angle, your take on a destination will drastically vary.
2. Find your niche.
Whether you’re a fashionista or the ultimate foodie who won’t stop until you find the world’s freshest sushi, embrace what you do best. Writing about the things you’re interested in and love the most will elicit your best work. Trying to write about everything only blurs your focus—it’s also impossible.
3. Emotions > Information.
People love to read travel writing because of how it makes them feel. The reality is that you are not a historian, but a projector whose aim is to give others a peek of what you’re seeing, even if they’re not physically there with you. Focus less on listing the monuments you visited in Florence, but instead, describe the rush you felt at the top of the Duomo, where you saw the vast rows of red roofed houses against the endless, open sky. You never want to lack direction in your writing, so think about what you want your readers to be feeling, or how you want to remember your own travels.
Side Note: Pictures people! You need these. Nothing compliments good writing and instantly evokes emotions like pictures do. Snap away!
4. Your dad was right, honesty is the best policy.
Travel writing isn’t judged by its ability to follow formats or guidelines like academic work, so don’t try to fluff or sound overly philosophical. The best travel writing is pure, a genuine reflection of our experiences and lesson learned. If you’re honest about your feelings toward a place, you won’t run the risk of being repetitive or conventional.
5. Read!
Your English teachers have always told you this, but guess what? Reading really is the key to better writing. I’m not asking you to cancel your zip line adventure through the rain forest in Costa Rica, but remember to give some time to your books, no matter where you are! Read novels written in the country you’re in for an ever deeper perspective.
Whether you have always been a writer or have just decided to pick up the pen for your travels, remember, travel writing is a gift. The key to good travel writing is more simple than anything, and being honest and generous is a great start.
