In a world flooded with globetrotting influencers and endless top 10 lists, is there still a place for meaningful and evocative first-person travel writing?
This post is the antithesis to all those short instagram travel videos I see.
I'm traveling for the next year starting August and I love this perspective "Acknowledge the history, culture and politics of a place." When I was in Vietnam in 2018, while walking around, you would never know that America was at war with the country fifty years prior but reading up on it allowed me to appreciate the country significantly more.
I love travel writing. I also love seeing photographs from across the world. But like all good books, excellent travel writing allows you to make splendid pictures in your mind, that include all the senses.
One of the techniques I teach in my memoir writing classes that is relevant to travel writing is how to use sensory details to slow down significant moments instead of info dumps. For example, when I write about how my experience in the Moroccan hammam rebirthed me as part of my ongoing relationship with water, I will use sensory details to slow the moment down to place the reader in the moment with me.
Yes, I agree. I have been very careful about the words and images I share on social media about my recent Morocco travels. For example, I didn’t participate in any experience of riding on a camel. Our lives (including the wonderful people who shared their crafts with me) are not content. Also, I haven’t been able to name the transformation. So, I don’t talk about it until I am ready.
And I will keep it real with you, I took a LOT of beach photos while in Essaouira. However, there is a difference between content and story or narrative 😊
Yeah, I am trying to figure out where I am as a writer—what non-fiction genre calls me most. Thinking about the class and love that it is only 8 people.
This post is the antithesis to all those short instagram travel videos I see.
I'm traveling for the next year starting August and I love this perspective "Acknowledge the history, culture and politics of a place." When I was in Vietnam in 2018, while walking around, you would never know that America was at war with the country fifty years prior but reading up on it allowed me to appreciate the country significantly more.
Thank you for writing advice.
You’re welcome! Not everything has to be content. Have experiences that are just for you.
I love travel writing. I also love seeing photographs from across the world. But like all good books, excellent travel writing allows you to make splendid pictures in your mind, that include all the senses.
One of the techniques I teach in my memoir writing classes that is relevant to travel writing is how to use sensory details to slow down significant moments instead of info dumps. For example, when I write about how my experience in the Moroccan hammam rebirthed me as part of my ongoing relationship with water, I will use sensory details to slow the moment down to place the reader in the moment with me.
Love this! Honestly, these are all good things to keep in mind even if you’re just talking to friends about your travels.
Yes, I agree. I have been very careful about the words and images I share on social media about my recent Morocco travels. For example, I didn’t participate in any experience of riding on a camel. Our lives (including the wonderful people who shared their crafts with me) are not content. Also, I haven’t been able to name the transformation. So, I don’t talk about it until I am ready.
Thank you for this... Beach pics does not a travel writer make 😄
And I will keep it real with you, I took a LOT of beach photos while in Essaouira. However, there is a difference between content and story or narrative 😊
Thanks for these tips! They make the class seem great!!
Thank you! I’m glad they resonated with you.
Yeah, I am trying to figure out where I am as a writer—what non-fiction genre calls me most. Thinking about the class and love that it is only 8 people.
Write things and pay attention to what calls you. You can figure out the genre later. I would love to have you in the class.