Ever wished you could share your travel experiences with the world through artfully constructed, smooth and entertaining writing? Have you ever wanted to set minds free with tales of foreign adventure? It might be easier than you think. Here are some travel writing tips from top travel blogger Zoë Dawes, aka The Quirky Traveller.

“I determined to keep an account of the voyage and to write down punctually everything we performed or saw from day to day…” Christopher Columbus wrote this in his ‘Diary of the First Voyage’ to the Americas in 1492. Travel writing has been around since we first decided to set off exploring the world, wanting to record our adventures, sounds, images and feelings along the way.

There’s never been a better time to write than today. As well as the traditional method of pen and paper we now have technology to aid our creative efforts.  With the PC, netbook, iPad, smart phone, digital camera etc we can capture not only our ideas but also our pictures in an instant (batteries permitting!)  Although it is more difficult to get into print for money, publishing has become easier with the boom in self-publishing and blogging.  So, there’s no excuse not to write…

Ah, but maybe there is.  In fact, most writers I know, myself included, can find any excuse NOT to write. Here are Quirky Traveller’s Top 10 Excuses for NOT Writing.

1. I’m not good enough
2. It’s too late/I’m too old
3. I don’t have time
4. I don’t know what to write about
5. I can’t afford to
6. I’ll do it later/when I retire
7. I’m waiting for inspiration
8. There’s too much competition
9. I haven’t travelled enough
10. I don’t know how

What we often don’t add to that list is –“I’m scared” or “I don’t want to.” Well, the good news is if you really do want to write, you will, however much you tell yourself you can’t or won’t.  Why? Because in the end, you won’t be able NOT to … but you may need a bit of help along the way.  So here are some ideas to help you get started.

1.    I’m not good enough Find your own voice. Think about the writing that you enjoy. Humorous? Descriptive? Lyrical? Informative?  Maybe that is a style you can aspire to but with your own twist.

2.    It’s too late/I’m too old You’re NEVER too old to be creative. Think Grandma Moses! Just give it a go. Age, maturity, experience – call it what you will, all help to produce fascinating writing.

3.    I don’t have time Well, that’s probably the oldest procrastination in the book … you don’t need much time to do a bit.  Tell yourself you’re only going to take 10 minutes – and see what happens…

4.    I don’t know what to write about A classic piece of writing advice bears repetition here – write about what you know. You may want to recollect a favourite holiday, a local sight of interest, a festival you’ve been to…

5.    I can’t afford to It’s true that you may not make any money at all from your writing so don’t pack in your job just yet. However, many writers have a paid job and write in their spare time.

6.    I’ll do it later/when I retire Hmmm, yes, that’s all very well, but what if you got knocked down by a bus and you’re breathing your last and you think, “ I never did give it go” – how would you feel? Tomorrow DOES come, and so do regrets.  JDI – JUST DO IT…

7.    I’m waiting for inspiration Write ANYTHING to cover that blank page … you can always delete/throw it away but it will get you used to the simple process of writing.  Most writers are seldom inspired most of the time.

8.    There’s too much competition See #1 – don’t try to compete with anyone. Writing’s not a team sport. Being creative comes from inside and there’s plenty of room for voices of all kinds.

9.    I haven’t travelled enough Some of the best writing is about the most ordinary places, people, sights. Choose somewhere nearby – maybe it’s the local park, the view from the bedroom, the station. Write about it as if you were selling it to a first time visitor.  Travel brochure writers can do it – so can you!

10.    I don’t know how Learn from others. Go on a writing course, a workshop, have 1-1 coaching, ask people who’ve done it – how they do it.

So, what’s your excuse now? Go on, give it a go – you know you want to … As that wonderful travel writer Mark Twain said:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you did NOT do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore… Dream… Discover…”

Zoë Dawes, aka The Quirky Traveller, is a writer and ‘Britain’s Best Travel Blogger 2011’. She writes regularly for a number of online travel businesses and runs Travel Writing Workshops throughout the year.  Her next event is being held at Leighton Hall in Lancashire on October 8th – see her website The Quirky Traveller for details.

Related posts:

1. The results are in! Here’s December’s travel writing competition winner!
2. Announcing our first travel writing competition winner!
3. My World First travel writing competition update

This entry was posted on Monday, September 26th, 2011 at 1:27 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.