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The Right Way to Travel
Edited by Lori Allen in Arlington, VA
January 4, 2008

"No author dislikes to be edited as much as he dislikes not to be published." -- Russell Lynes
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Today:

*** When NOT to sell yourself
*** Why work when you can get paid to play?
*** Practical Writing Prompt of the Week: Write for a Rainy Day
*** Reader Feedback: Shooting Photos Like Mad
*** More Opportunities and Resources for Writers

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** Highly Recommended **

How to Play and Call it "Work"

Directions:

1. Pick a destination -- someplace you've always wanted to go.
2. Snap some photos -- just like you would, anyway.
3. Go to the beach -- we'll call it research.
4. Write a few paragraphs -- in an afternoon.
5. Get a massage -- you deserve it.
6. Cash your check -- could be anywhere from $50-$950.
7. Repeat.

It's that easy... if you know a few simple secrets.

Find them here:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/kp/website

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Get Paid to Travel: Three Simple Keys to Approaching an Editor

Dear Reader,

Approach an editor the wrong way, and you could undermine your success from the get-go. That's what one of your fellow readers threatened to do this week. He wrote in to ask if his "letter of introduction" would put him in an editor's good graces. I wanted to jump through the computer to stop him from shooting himself in the foot.

I sent his letter to Jen Stevens, author of our Ultimate Travel Writer's Program (http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/kp/website). And she sent it back with the following advice for writing letters of introduction and query letters...

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Here's John's note... and you'll find Jen's advice below. I took out a lot of the content because it was just too long. But here it is in summary...

Dear ---------,

Please allow me to briefly introduce myself. My name is John Doe. I am 73 years of age and have operated various businesses (generally as the President of the company) during my career including a multi million dollar, Chicago based wholesale fine paper company, a 220,000 sq. ft. public warehousing business, a 400 acre vineyard and winery in the Napa, Valley, and a towing and auto service company.

In addition to this, I am a retired... [etc. etc...]

I recently decided to drive from my home in Napa, California to Costa Rica. I have no set itinerary. I have to time restraints. I have placed no limits on my investigative abilities and will follow any trail AND WRITE AN ARTICLE ABOUT IT for you if so desired.

For the last two months I have been rebuilding a 1994 Ford Explorer... [etc., etc...]

I will investigate and write about anything you wish from California to Costa Rica. My first article will be based on a comparison of the wines made in the Napa Valley with those made in the Ensenada Area of Baja California. The oldest winery on the North American Continent is in Baja. Did you know that?

Even if your publication does not feature wine articles you might like to receive a copy of this article when finished, so you can judge my writing abilities. I operated my own winery for 25 years. Just send me a reply with a big YES, and you will receive my first article.

Thanks for reading this. -- John

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Here's Jen's advice. Let’s call it...

Get Paid to Travel: Three Simple Keys for Crafting a Letter an Editor Will Read

First, you should NEVER expect an editor to give you your story idea. That's your job. That's what you're paid for (that and putting your idea on paper in a readable way).

John clearly has some good ideas here, but they're hidden in a long and meandering letter. He'd do better to keep close to these guidelines...

Get Paid to Travel Key # 1:

In John's "letter of introduction," he squanders the best real estate he's got -- the first few lines of his note. Instead of front-loading it with an idea the editor will love (and want to pay for), he begins with "Please allow me to briefly introduce myself."

Don't do that.

In all likelihood, the editor really doesn't care who you are. She isn't reading letters like this one because she's trolling for new and interesting friends. She's looking for articles right for her publication. And that's what you want to give her.

Unless your background makes you particularly qualified to write a certain piece, don't waste time talking about it. And even if your background IS important to the article, don't bring it up until later. Sell your idea first. Then sell yourself. Use your qualifications as the clincher.

Get Paid to Travel Key # 2:

Lots of writers want to give their editor a choice because they think the editor will pick the idea he or she likes best.

Resist that urge.

One idea works better than several (or none). Suggest to an editor, within the first two sentences of your letter, one article idea that makes really, really good sense for her readers. An idea that will slide right into a specific spot in her magazine and look good there.

Get Paid to Travel Key # 3:

We discover way down at the bottom of John's note that he does, in fact, have an article idea to offer: "My first article will be based on a comparison of the wines made in the Napa Valley with those made in the Ensenada Area of Baja California. The oldest winery on the North American Continent is in Baja."

There might be something in that if he finds the right audience. Tomorrow, I'll show you how to turn that buried idea into a nicely polished one and how to pitch it to an editor with a query letter that'll surely up his chances of success. Stay tuned.

-- Jen

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By the way, the same sort of "this is how it works in the real world" advice Jen shared here today is exactly the kind of insight we deliver in person at our workshops.

Our next live event is coming up at the end of this month, and if you join us, you'll be in for a lively, fun, and eye-opening few days. The experts at our Ultimate Money-Making Photo Workshop earned their stripes in the real world. And they're gathering in Austin to share with you their insider secrets.

Find out how you can quickly, easily, and enjoyably turn an interest in photography -- even if all you've ever done is take family shots at holiday time or on vacation -- into fast, fun, easy cash. In your spare time. No experience necessary. No kidding.

And when you reserve your place before January 10 -- you can save $300. Here's how: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/austin/

Hope to see you there!

-- Lori

Lori Allen
Director, AWAI's Travel Division

P.S. Know a friend or two who'd enjoy the freedom and independence of a writer's or photographer's life? They, too, can sign up to receive this free e-letter here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/eletter

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PRACTICAL WRITING PROMPT OF THE WEEK

Things don't always go right when you travel. You may drive all the way to the mountain, skis in tow, only to find the lifts closed due to high winds. Or maybe your one chance to head to the top of the Eiffel Tower will be compromised by thick fog. Sometimes your sunny beach dreams turn soggy when a thunder storm rolls in over your favorite island.

Museums close, resorts get crowded, tours over-book.

But don't let unexpected travel conditions get you down. They're the perfect opportunity to seek out alternatives to your original plan... and write a unique article.

This week, think back on a time this happened to you. Where did you go, instead? What did you do for fun? Or, if your vacations have always gone off without a glitch, you can consider your own town. What kinds of things can visitors do for fun on a rainy day? What are the alternatives to the typical tourist pull?

Consider these ideas:

* In a ski town with a shortage of snow... what's the alternative? Could be mountain biking, inner tubing, a great fondue restaurant, or an après-ski spa.

* What are three best indoor activities when it rains in Paris if you've already been to the most popular museums?

* What kinds of cultural things are there to explore on Cozumel when your scuba tour is overbooked?

A piece like this would be great for an in-flight magazine, so long as the airline flies to the destination you're profiling. Or, you could send your story to Travel Post Monthly. You'll find the writer's guidelines here: http://www.travelpostmonthly.com/writers_guidelines/

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** Highly Recommended **

Discover 46 Countries on Six Continents for Under $40...

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From the sites you shouldn't miss...to the things you might unless you know where to look for them: hidden mountain monasteries in Bulgaria, exotic markets in China, raucous nightlife in Brazil, dirt-cheap dinners in Central America, and unspoiled coastlines everywhere...

Sample the best the world has to offer, without the jetlag and airfare tab, today.

http://www.isecureonline.com/Reports/120SWBST/W120H1AI/

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READER FEEDBACK: I've been shooting like mad

"I've been shooting like mad trying to up my skills with your Turn Your Pictures into Cash Program and I must say, it's like having an instructor right there with you breathing tips into your ear each time I take a shot.

"Thanks very much for putting this together - I'm visiting my mom in Florida and there is such a plethora of things to photograph. I keep your notebook open and refer to it often - (it's also a great release for when she's driving me crazy!)... You guys have given me the courage to go beyond AUTO. Thank you so very much - I never dreamed the detail was possible and in focus." -- Ellen Guz

[For more details about the Turn Your Pictures into Cash program, visit: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/ph2/website]

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OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:

* TRY ONE OF THESE AND GET FIVE PHOTO CRITIQUES FREE:
http://www.thephotographerslife.com/puc/5freeonsite

* WRITE OFF YOUR TRAVEL EXPENSES -- LEGALLY: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/tax/letushelp

* BREAK OUT OF THE DAILY GRIND -- BECOME A TRAVEL WRITER:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/sh/website

* IMAGINE -- AND WRITE SUCCESSFUL CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
http://www.publishachildrensbook.com/fr89

* CARRY A PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER IN YOUR POCKET:
http://www.thephotographerslife.com/tip/website

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The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends.

(c) 2008 American Writers & Artists Inc.
245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102
Delray Beach, FL 33483
Phone (561) 278-5557
Fax (561) 278-5929
memberservices@awaionline.com

To LEARN MORE, visit:
http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com
http://www.thephotographerslife.com