At the Writers Workshop Saturday I learned there are two types of Travel Writing; Story and Service.
Maps are a part of service writing along with photos. Story writing is a narrative in the second person, i.e. "While in Trimont you may enjoy..."
A narrative essay of 600 to 1,000 words is generally what a travel article requires. It will pay a dollar a word, or with some newspapers $200 for one article.
Suggestions on pitching your writing most helpful: Call ahead to find out the person in charge of editing the travel section or find it in the publication's list of contributing editors. Make your letter of introduction short and to the point. Identify yourself and list your accomplishments and sell your writing itself by describing it.
Some publications to try: Sunset, Executive Travel, Msafiri, Delta, Mpls Star Tribune, 32 (a new MN magazine), & Minnesota Monthly.
Read about 10 times as much as you write.
Books to read: River Town by Peter Hessler
Best American Travel Writing (an Anthology)
Guidebooks.
One Day I will Write about this Place by Binyavanga Wainaina
Do some traveling, it increases creativity.
Live in the place you write about is immersion.
Lesson provided by Frank Bures. of Minneapolis.
In creative writing for online audience I learned the speaker was the editor of the Dailey Planet.
He also did a blog on Tumblr.
He recommended Wordpress for new bloggers. Recommended saving your content on a hard drive or disc.
He likes to talk.
He put one of us to sleep.
He was very tolerant of questions.
Your online writing should be unique, show us some interesting personality traits.
Have a good title, use photos in graphics, use your own photos.
Start with a "hub" which is a personal web site to get to know me info or bio with picture of self.
Keep your blog up to date with posts. Be current, comment on current events.
Be reliable, your followers will expect a new post.
Do Find the right length and format that is suitable to you. Do research and find your niche.
Use the online publishing to put yourself out there and obtain name recognition and exposure.
He wrote "Sociology for Dummies" did not read the fine print and has a signed contract in it to watch out for as an English man used it to write a newer version without his permission.
He co- writes a blog called Tangential with two women.
In looking for photos, try flickr.com and you will note whether the pic is shared or not by looking at "creative commons" or some rights reserved.
Always state in your own blog whether you own your content.
State this is mine, I hold the copyright.
You must assert yourself.
You are your own publicist. You have control.
Two places to learn more are: Twin cities Media Alliance and The Loft Literary Center.
This lesson was by Jay Gabler of Minneapolis.
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