Travel Writing – See the World. Sell the Story

L. Peat O'neil Teaches How to Write and Sell Travel Articles

May 17, 2009

Travel writing skills could be improved with practice and strategy. Learn from a professional writer how to write travel articles and how to sell what is written.

Travel Writing: See the World. Sell the Story by L. Peat O'Neil is a book for people who like to write and travel. Although the book is targeted to travel writers, it will help anyone write descriptive travel copy in a variety of formats (e-mails, personal travel blogs, travel memoirs). The introduction states that the book will help people who enjoy travel writing, turn their hobby into a career. In short, the book, written by a former Washington Post travel writer and a writing instructor, teaches potential travel writers how to write for the travel market.

Organization of the Travel Writing Book

The book begins by introducing would-be writers to the types of travel articles: destination, special interest, journey, round-up, historical or holiday, side trip, outdoors/recreation, news peg, humor/advice, food and travel, personal experience essay. Each category is explained and advice is given for successfully writing in the particular travel writing niche. This book differs from other travel writing books because it actively attempt to teach the art of writing by providing actual lessons. Although it should be read from cover to cover, it is more of a textbook than a book that one would read poolside. Travel Writing discusses how to write, structure and pace, style and tone, fact checking, and photography to accompany articles. Techniques for marketing travel articles, including networking to meet travel editors, entering the travel guidebook market, business of travel writing, and organizing notes are included.

How to Research and Take Notes for Travel Writing

One of the best chapters in the book discusses research, fact checking and organizing notes. Travel writers must be organized to keep up with the contacts, data, and description garnered while writing. O'Neil advises writers to visit the library because it could save time in some cases, rather than sifting through volumes of web pages. Clearly labeling the origin of information in one's notes and managing the various brochures and guidebooks discovered during the trip are key to successful travel writing, O'Neil writes. Writers will also learn how do decide which facts should be included and which should be skipped are also included in O'Neil's book. The book gives examples on how to conduct research before the trip, which could save writers time and stress.

How to Write Travel Articles

Writers are urged to extend themselves beyond the obvious and seek out unusual stories. The travel writing book helps writers organize their thoughts and structure writing by providing mini exercises to practice what has been learned. Travel Writing will help sharpen observation skills, and write solid articles to tell the story, and select the best illustrations for the article. The author also goes into to great detail in explaining how to send photos, digital and print, to editors.

Is the Travel Writing Book Worth the Money?

Travel Writing is a good choice for writers who may not be able to afford a travel writing course, because most writers will benefit from the writing exercises in the book. O'Neil has taught writing in adult education programs. Her book will help any writer, no matter the experience level, improve their writing, organize notes, have a better understanding of what and how to write, and help writers avoid mistakes on the road.

The copyright of the article Travel Writing – See the World. Sell the Story in Travel Writing is owned by Claudine Williams. Permission to republish Travel Writing – See the World. Sell the Story in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.