| Did you ever hear of the "golden rule?" The | | | | 5. Join a writing group. You can join writing groups |
| golden rule states to "treat others as you would | | | | online or where you live. Visit and see what's |
| want to be treated." This is great advice for | | | | available. Make sure to check out your local |
| anyone who is about to travel, especially if you're | | | | bookstore because they usually have book clubs |
| visiting a foreign country. | | | | and writing groups. |
| Most travel writers are probably unaware of the | | | | 6. Purchase a couple of travel writing books. L. |
| "golden rules of travel writing." Whether you're an | | | | Peat O'Neil's book See the World, Sell a Story is a |
| aspiring or experienced travel writer, it's good to | | | | fantastic book. It's packed with useful information |
| know and review the golden rules of travel | | | | and you'll find great resources at the end. |
| writing. These rules can help you stay on track | | | | 7. Do not give up! Sometimes success takes time. |
| with your writing. Refer to them at anytime if | | | | Avoid giving up too soon before your dream is |
| you're stuck or need inspiration. | | | | realized. Go with the flow and detach from your |
| Golden Rules | | | | dream. This may sound contradictory from what |
| | | | you're used to doing. If you hold onto something |
| 1. Travel as much as you can. It's not necessary | | | | and try to force it to happen, you can sabotage |
| for you to travel around the world. Travel within | | | | your dream. Take a step back, breathe deep, and |
| your own backyard and discover something new | | | | just write. Visualize yourself being a travel writer |
| and then write about it. Your discoveries will be | | | | but do not become obsessed with it. If you do, |
| interesting to someone, somewhere. | | | | you" put out an energy that reeks of desperation. |
| 2. Write every day. Even if you write for an hour | | | | You'll create situations where you find yourself |
| each day, the point is to write! This is a great | | | | feeling desperate all of the time. This will only |
| way to improve upon your travel writing skills. | | | | hinder your chances of being successful in travel |
| 3. Read publications such as National Geographic | | | | writing. |
| and Travel + Leisure Magazine. If you have a plan | | | | Follow these golden rules and your travel writing |
| to reach a goal of writing for one of these | | | | will be good as gold! Refer back to them as often |
| publications then start by reading them. This is a | | | | as you need to do so. It's important to nurture |
| great way to learn what types of articles are | | | | your travel writing and yourself. Don't be too hard |
| printed. Pay attention to the style and tone of | | | | on yourself. Remember, it's not about the |
| each article. | | | | destination, it's about the journey you take to get |
| 4. Take a travel writing course or two. It will not | | | | there. |
| hurt you to sign up for a travel writing course. | | | | |