Edited by Lori Appling in Arlington, VA
September 30, 2006

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." -- Helen Keller

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Today:

• Pretend You’re in an Egg: The Difference between Creative Writing Exercises and Practical How-to Tips
• Practical Writing Prompt
• Your Questions Answered: How to Land More Paying Assignments
• Upcoming Workshops:  Only One Seat Left: Join Us on One of the Most Beautiful Islands in the World
• More Opportunities and Resources for Writers
  
  

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Dear Reader,

“Pretend you’re in an egg…” said Jen Stevens in response to my suggestion that we start including "writing prompts" in our e-letters…

“Pretend you’re in an egg and write about what it feels like," she continued.

“I can't stand writing prompts like that.  When the heck am I ever going to be in an egg?" she said.  “Now, I know there are aspiring fiction writers who eat up exercises like that -- those writing-for-writing's-sake sort of things.

"But I tell you, I don't think those are the sorts of writing prompts that are going to help people looking for a career in travel writing.

“I'm not against this idea entirely, but what our readers need is sound, real-world advice… practical tips they can use for finding good story ideas… unearthing the right publications… acting the part of a seasoned professional… writing truly saleable articles… and editing their own work.

“For starters, why don’t you send me a few examples of article ideas from our members, and I'll use them to show how tweaking an idea -- using just a few easy fundamentals -- can transform something merely average into something truly unique and saleable. That will certainly help them more than having them pretend they’re in an egg.”

Now see… that’s what I like about Jen.  When she teaches travel writing she never teaches theory.  She offers up fundamentals, to be sure. But she does so with the "practical" in mind. And as a result, her advice has a way of lingering in the back of your head until the next time you go to put words on paper... when you can make smart use of it.

So, to find fodder for Jen, I went to the Peer Review section of our website forum and sent her the following note, which one of our readers had posted there (paraphrased here):

I'm heading to France in two weeks… driving with a friend through Provence and down to Valencia, Spain.  We’re two single women in our 50's and neither of us speaks French or Spanish. Which of these story ideas do you like best? 

"Beat the crowds on the Riviera and travel in the fall"
"Best Lunches with a view of the ocean/mountains/etc"
"What's so special about ...each town we visit ... "
"Menton, France - They named the town after me, won't someone buy me a drink! "
"Short reviews on the places we stay."
"Traveling to Europe and feeling secure"
Getting ready for the America's Cup in Valencia. etc, etc. thanks for your contributions.

Can you guess which one of these ideas is the most marketable?  Jen’s opinion might surprise you.  Take a minute now to pick your favorite and tune in tomorrow for Jen’s critique.  Like I said, you might be surprised at which she thinks holds the most potential.

** Interested in getting personalized critiques from Jen about your own ideas and articles?

You can next month. A handful of seats are still available for her Masters Workshop in Colorado Springs. 

Jen is determined to get results at this event.  She told me, “I’ve lined up this great press trip with my contacts at the tourist board and elsewhere in town and secured VIP passes to Colorado Springs attractions for any attendee who wants to stay an extra day or two and take advantage of offerings we don't have time to enjoy together -- like the train ride up to the top of Pikes Peak.

"I've got my good name on the line with my contacts here. They're expecting coverage from this press trip -- as they should -- and I'm committed to making sure they get it. Come hell or high water, I'm going to make sure these attendees get their stuff published. Because I have to live here, and I really don't want to make a mess of the perfectly nice relations I have with those tourism folks."

To turn Jen's determination into your good fortune and be one of the ten writers Jen takes under her wing, click here.

And as always, keep me up-to-speed on your travel-writing or photography success. If you have a story to share, send me a quick note at lori@thetravelwriterslife.com.

Have a great weekend,

-- Lori

Lori Appling
Director, AWAI's Travel Division

P.S. Do you like our new e-letter format? Check out the special departments below and let me know if there’s anything else you’d like to see here.  You can reply to this email or post your thoughts on our reader forums.

P.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 twice weekly here.

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PRACTICAL WRITING PROMPT OF THE WEEK:

Ever had a tough choice to make about a purchase that immediately became easier when you realized you could get a discount?

I found a great pair of shoes in the mall this past weekend but I wasn’t sure I could justify the price.  I went home and looked online and found the same shoes with a much lower price tag….decision made.

Truth is: Everybody likes a good value.  And editors know that. That’s why travel magazines are full of articles about smart ways to travel for less. 

Take some time this weekend to find a bargain travel story near you… and re-read Jen Stevens' article on writing one, here. Promise yourself that you’ll get in touch with your local paper or another small magazine near you and pitch the idea.
I’d like to see you land your next by-line in the next few weeks. And that's not an unreasonable goal…

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READER FEEDBACK: How do I get paid?

Q - “I have been submitting my articles for free and now that I have been published a few times how do I start getting paid?”

A - Most of the publications we feature in our weekly Featured Publications are paying publications, so take a look through our e-letter archives and find one that best fits your article ideas. It’s unlikely that you can go back and ask for money from a publication that expects free articles but there’s nothing stopping you from trying other markets. You might even be able to sell the same articles again if you didn’t sign away all your rights to them.
See our e-letter archives for previously run Featured Publications.  And read issues #8 and #119 for tips on reselling your articles and maximizing your income by being selective with the rights you sell.

 

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS:
ONE MORE SEAT LEFT!

Join us on one of the most beautiful islands in the world this October 15-19, 2006 and let professional photographers Rich Wagner and Alf Meier show you how to shoot and sell top-quality photos.

Click here for details or call toll free (866) 415-1425 or local at (831) 274-2779.

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OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:

* FRIENDLY REMINDER: ONLY A FEW SEATS LEFT -- Jen Stevens is looking for 10 serious readers ready to transform themselves into accomplished, professional travel writers. And you could be one of them.   Register now.  Class begins October 19 in Colorado Springs

* GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED -- Can I take my husband on a free press trip?  How do you cash checks under a pen name?  Is there a conflict of interest in writing about a place your friends/family own?  When is the best time to write your article - while you are traveling or when you get home? Try The Ultimate Travel Writer's Virtual Workshop today.

* TAX SAVINGS EVERY FREELANCER SHOULD TAKE -- Find out where you can save... what the IRS really needs to know... how to make the most of those deductions for travel, meals, entertainment, home office, and more including practical worksheets you can use to make sure you're paying as little as possible to Uncle Sam.  You'll find "The Writer's Tax Guide: A Money-Saving Manual for Travel Writers and Other Freelancers" here.

* RETIRE...AND GET PAID TO TRAVEL -- Get the details and your free report here.

* TURN YOUR PICTURES INTO CASH  -- If you can take a simple picture you could make $200 - $2,000 a week taking snap shots in your own backyard... on your family vacations... or anywhere in the world you care to travel.  You don't need fancy equipment. And you don't need to know a thing about photography to get started.  Here's everything you need to know about this fun and lucrative side-business.