Edited by Jennifer Stevens in Chicago, IL.
"Only those that risk going too far
can possibly find out how far they can go."
-- T.S. Eliot
TODAY:
- Master Dog Chef Turns Travel Writer: Here's How and Why
- Belize and Back
- Ever Wanted to Live or Work in France?
- This Week's Featured Travel Publication: America West
- More Opportunities and Resources for Writers
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Dear Reader,
Visiting a destination with a purpose in mind -- when you have a reason to ask questions, snoop around. really get to know a place -- gives your travel more texture and more depth.
I just returned from Belize where I got to swim with sharks, snorkel the second largest barrier reef in the world, enjoy fresh-caught lobster on a sea-side grill for under $10, try corn flavored ice cream, and enjoy a complimentary lunch at the oldest and most historical hotel on the island. (See Eric Taylor's tax guide for freelancers: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/tax/tw4 to find out how I'll deduct most of my expenses from my taxes.)
Of course, I've only just started to put my stories on paper. But I promise to keep you posted on my successes as well as any challenges or obstacles I come across along the way.
In upcoming issues, I'll tell you about some travel tips I found most helpful (like the website www.onebag.com, where I found an ingenious packing technique that made it easy for me to bring only one bag to Belize) . I'll send you the writing tips I'm relying on to polish my articles. and I'll give you the full run-down on how I arranged for discount meals and hotels, came up with story ideas while I was there, and approached editors with my stories when I got home.
That's all still to come. Today I'm including an interview with Micki Voisard below. We met Micki in San Miguel de Allende when she attended our live travel writing workshop back in 2002.
Micki has established herself as an "expert" and had tremendous success getting articles published. I hope her story inspires you to consider writing about the things you feel most passionate about -- whether they're travel-related or not.
Enjoy! And don't forget to keep me up-to-speed on your travel-writing success. If you have a story to share, send me a quick note at lori@thetravelwriterslife.com.
Lori
Director, AWAI's Travel Writer Program
P.S. We're gearing up for our next U.S.-based workshop this November 11-14th. We'll be in San Diego, CA for our last live event of the year. To find out more, visit: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/workshop/bb
P.S.S. Know a friend or two who'd enjoy the freedom and independence of a writer's life? They, too, can sign up to receive this free e-letter weekly at: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/eletter
INTERVIEW WITH MASTER DOG CHEF MICKI VOISARD
LA: Before we get started, why don't you tell us a little about yourself?
MICKI: I'm a Master Dog Chef and have been for over 10 years. I started Dog Chefs of America in 2000 -- a 50's-style diner for dogs where people can buy daily prepared meals for their dog and take Dog Chef Cooking Classes.
I lived in California my whole life but grew tired of the crowded roads and expensive living. So two-and-a-half years ago my husband and I moved to Southern Arizona. We now live 40 miles south of Tucson in Tubac -- "the next Santa Fe." Our Kitchen is on a 17-acre ranch in Amado called the Amado Territory Ranch. It's a destination ranch with two restaurants, a B&B, a bookstore, several artists' studios, plus our Kitchen and Dog Park. You can check it all out at: www.dogchefs.com
LA: You were a published writer before you attended our live travel writing workshop in San Miguel de Allende. Can you tell us a little bit about that and why you decided to take our course?
MICKI: Before the workshop, I had written and self-published two books -- and sold 20,000 copies of each. So I had experience in writing, but you always need to keep current.
I found the travel writing workshop attractive because many other people were going to be there, and I knew it would be unfamiliar territory for most of us. That's always an exciting atmosphere because when we are not on our own turf, we tend to be vulnerable. I think it brings out the real travelers, since life "on the road" can take you out of your comfort zone.
LA: I've heard mixed reviews about self-publishing. What was your experience and would you recommend it to others?
MICKI: Self-publishing is certainly not for everyone. I was capable of doing most of the work on my own and I hired the right people to do everything else. The second book was much easier than the first because I already had the experience.
The hardest part was the marketing. Most first-time books with large publishers are never guaranteed a shelf life of over three or four months. They may only sell 5,000 - 10,000 copies. I odds in self-publishing are much better. Besides, self-publishing is not nearly as strange or looked down upon as it was just five years ago. The Internet helped change that, and so did the concept of Books On Demand.
LA: What else do you write?
MICKI: I write for two magazines on a regular basis and occasionally do a travel piece with my dog Carlos. We check out hotels that have a pet meal service menu and Carlos does the tasting. He's not your regular scarf-it-up dog since he has been raised on natural food. He's quite discriminating in his taste. and my personal sous chef! Making it a "travel" article does not change the rules. I still focus on what the editor wants and what the reader wants from those 2,000 words. Finally, I always leave them "wanting more."
LA: Where do you do most of your writing?
MICKI: Anywhere! Writing is like going to the bathroom, when you gotta go, you gotta go -- when you gotta write, you gotta write!
LA: Would you recommend the course to others?
MICKI: Absolutely! It really doesn't matter if it's travel writing or writing for a health magazine or writing about dogs' health -- the basic ideas are the same. People always want to know what's in it for them. Taking the workshop gives you that understanding about how to identify what the editors want. Knowing that is the key, and the workshop effectively emphasizes that.
It gets you to focus on writing, whatever kind of writing you want to do. It also puts you in the company of people who want similar experiences. Plus it motivates you!
LA: What advice would you give to new students who haven't yet had an article published?
MICKI: What do you know so well that you can talk about it until you are blue in the face?
I'm sure people who know me in town probably hide when they see me coming. They know I will ask about their dog and talk endlessly about what might help them, food- wise. I've seen people hide from me at the grocery store because they feel guilty about what garbage they are buying for themselves or their pets. But that's what you want. You want to be a pain in the butt because that makes you the "expert," and experts get paid well. If anyone has a problem with their dog nutritionally, my name is the only one that comes up!
So know your subject, be willing to look at your subject from outside of the box, and learn what editors are looking for. Then jump in the water -- you'll find the temperature is just right!
LA: Finally -- books, magazine columns, what's next for the Master Dog Chef?
MICKI: I am currently working on creating DVD's of my Dog Chef Cooking Classes. We're also talking with a few major cable networks to do a Dog Chef Cooking Show. Last year we had a production group come and do a documentary on my book Becoming The Chef Your Dog Thinks You Are. The documentary is about how cooking for your dog or really just giving your dog something other than commercial dog food can extend his life and keep both of you from seeing a lot of the vet!
I want to challenge people to eat better and do the same for feeding their pets. I want people to understand that they don't have to worry about disease if they improve the diets of their families and pets.
[Our next Ultimate Travel Writer's Workshop is scheduled for November 11-14, 2004 in San Diego. It's our last live event of the year, and we always sell out. If you're looking for a way to jump-start your travel-writing career, there's no better way to do it. You'll learn all the insider's secrets from working writers and editors and come away with a publishable piece in hand. For details and an Early-Bird Discount: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/workshop/bb]
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THIS WEEK'S FEATURED TRAVEL PUBLICATION
America West is a monthly in-flight publication by Skyword Marketing. Feature articles 1500 to 3000 words that focus on a destination within America West Airlines normal routes (continental US, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada) as well as their "Location, Location, Location" and "Hometown" departments all present opportunities for freelance travel writers. Send queries by snail mail to 4636 E. Elwood St., Suite 5, Phoenix, AZ 85040-1963. Read their complete guidelines at: http://www.skyword.com/edit.html.
OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:
- THE BUSINESS OF WRITING GUIDE: A Practical Guide for Travel Writers (and Other Freelancers) Ready to Turn Words into Profits. Learn how to find the best story ideas and places to publish them.how and when to follow up with an editor.what you need to know about buying rights, contracts, and agreements.how to use syndication to increase your exposure and boost your earnings.and more: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/bizcd
- TRAVELWRITERS UK (www.travelwriters.co.uk) is a British site where travel writers and photographers can post their details. It's used by editors to offer work commissions, and by the travel industry to find participants for press trips. Writers listed range from rising newcomers to established professionals.
- THE AWAI FORUM FOR TRAVEL WRITERS -- You'll find this excellent online resource at: http://www.awaionline.com/forum/. It's a place to get answers to your questions, discuss your story ideas, find readers to review your articles, and stay connected to a community of writers.
- RETIRE THIS YEAR.WRITING -- Imagine a writing job in which you set your own hours, and live wherever you please: at the beach, in the mountains, in an apartment in Paris, London, or Berlin. As a copywriter, you can: http://www.thewriterslife.com/ph/tw89
- If you have what it takes to write a powerful "report" that sells vitamins or alternative health therapies you could make very good money in a specialty field that desperately needs you... that will give you as much work as you can handle... and that routinely pays $8,000 and up - with royalties - for each piece you write? Find out more: http://www.thewriterslife.com/health/tw4
- For These Proprietors, Success Means Grossing $1 Million a Year... Last December, Michael Masterson lead a small group of ambitious AWAI students through a pilot program designed to turn them into savvy direct-response entrepreneurs. The goal? To gross $1 million or more a year. It's working. And now the program is open to all AWAI students. Visit: http://www.agora-inc.com/reports/700SCBMO/W700E130 for details.
The Write Way to Travel is a FREE weekly newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Institute, available to AWAI students and friends.
© 2004 American Writers & Artists Institute
To ADVERTISE in The Write Way to Travel or to send comments, news, research, or story ideas, e-mail Lori Appling at lappling@awaionline.com.
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