So You Want to be a Travel Writer?

Ever dreamed about being a travel writer?  Perhaps you imagine yourself tapping away at your laptop on a beach, the ocean gently lapping at the shore in front of you while the cool breeze ruffles your hair?  In reality, few people are ready to sacrifice the creature comforts that a permanent home offers in order to make travel writing their full time job.  Those that do will quickly tell you that your fantasy is not the way that they spend their average day!

Travel writers often spend hours in airports, are forced to look for the cheapest budget transport and hotels, and have to struggle with the technological limitations of wherever they are in the world.  Freelancers have the luxury of deciding their own travel schedules without the security of a guaranteed paycheck, but at the other end of the spectrum contracted writers may find themselves rushing from place to place, desperately trying to meet deadlines without actually getting a chance to do or see all of the things that they would like.

That's not to say that travel writing isn't something you should add to your portfolio.  Quite the contrary!  I rarely take a trip that isn't subsidized in part by my writing about it, and I love to share my experiences.  There is plenty of work to be had travel writing if you have a flair, although the pay rates are unlikely to make you rich! 

If you have toyed with the idea of travel writing,  here are some sites that you should check out:

That Traveling Couple  I want to live the life that this couple have! At least for a few months of the year.  Read about Elysia and Andrew's adventures around the world.

Matador Travel Network One of the largest travel writing communities online, Matador has a range of niche travel sites covering nightlife to sustainable travel and volunteering abroad.  Read their vast selection of articles or browse traveler blogs.  If you have never done any travel writing then starting and maintaining a high quality blog on Matador can help you to build a portfolio and get your foot in the door.  Check out their assignments board for any topics that you could write about.  

The Traveling Writer  You might have guessed that I am a huge fan of Alexis, as I have mentioned her a couple of times on this blog.  A great travel writer who keeps her blog up to date with great writing advice.

The New York Times Travel Section If you are serious about being a travel writer, look to the travel section of the New York times to see some great examples of travel writing.  Pay attention to what writers focus on, how they describe the detail, and how much of a backstory they give to a place.  It all adds to atmosphere.

Written Road  A great site full of travel writing jobs and advice.

Transitions Abroad:  Seven Myths of Being a Travel Writer  In this article published travel author Tim Leffel puts idealists straight on some of the common myths surrounding travel writing.