http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/ en-US Copyright 2010 Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:45:14 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/survey_results_whos_your_favor.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/survey_results_whos_your_favor.php The Write Way to Travel Travel Tips Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:45:14 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/female_elephants_travel_togeth.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/female_elephants_travel_togeth.php The Write Way to Travel Travel Tips Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:51:26 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/post_3.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/post_3.php Pre-and Post Trip Research The Write Way to Travel Sun, 17 Oct 2010 08:25:29 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/double_the_perks_when_you_trav.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/double_the_perks_when_you_trav.php The Write Way to Travel Travel Tips Sat, 16 Oct 2010 09:16:26 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/what_it_feels_like_to_get_publ.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/what_it_feels_like_to_get_publ.php The Write Way to Travel Where to Get Published Sat, 09 Oct 2010 11:46:23 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/how_to_get_published_on_your_f.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/10/how_to_get_published_on_your_f.php The Business of Writing The Write Way to Travel Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:46:36 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/09/travel_discounts.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/09/travel_discounts.php The Write Way to Travel Travel Tips Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:22:19 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/reusing_stories.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/reusing_stories.php Article Ideas Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:45:47 -0500 Travel Writing and Spanish Immersion Expedition in Ecuador this February 5-12. As one of just 12 attendees, you’ll learn how to write a saleable article while exploring the colorful, exciting villages of Ecuador. Click here for details and to save your spot: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/tww/feb/ecuador ******************** The Right Way to Travel August 26, 2010 ******************** WHAT TO DO WHEN RUMORS GET IN THE WAY OF REPORTING A STORY By Kyle Wagner in Denver, CO To publish or not to publish? That is the question when it comes to unsubstantiated statements and gossip. But when the information is already publically circulating, the debate becomes whether the rest of the public has a right to know. Rumors rear their ugly heads most obviously and emphatically around election time, when candidates are frantically searching for ways to discredit their opponents – which often leaves journalists scratching their heads about what to do with widespread mud-slinging. There are many other instances, though, where hearsay, local lore, and myths seem to add character, depth, and even an attractively mysterious quality to a story, particularly in the travel realm. In addition, the lack of ancient documentation or gaps in our historical knowledge can mean that trying to sift through the past to work on a story runs us smack into the smack talk of yore. Also, controversy, conjecture, and scientific limitations often collide with religious and cultural beliefs – two good examples would be the Shroud of Turin and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Most journalists and writers for mainstream publications follow the general guidelines for dealing with rumors in stories that are best described by the Poynter Institute, a journalism school in St. Petersburg, Fla., and a respected resource for journalism ethics. In its policy on rumors, Poynter suggests: 1. Seek truth and report it as fully as possible. 2. Act independently. 3. Minimize harm. The main concern with a story based in any part on rumor is that you as a writer may be giving credence to a complete falsehood – and you might give it stronger legs. We all know how quickly information moves in the Internet age, and incorrect information seems to have the cruel capacity to advance at warp speed – not to mention the shelf life of a petrified Twinkie. When it comes to historical figures, the origins of artifacts, and fuzzy timelines, you do have a bit more leeway. As long as you are careful to fully acknowledge the limitations of missing documentation and perform due diligence in investigating the facts, a thoroughly researched story that includes historical rumors sometimes enhances a travel story. Again, adhering to the guidelines will ensure no missteps: 1. Gather as many of the facts around the issue as you can. Offer them point by point, countering and exploring each aspect of the rumor to the best of your ability. Quote legitimate historians and document your findings as well as the findings of experts. 2. Be certain that you are not acting in the interests of any involved party. It’s easy to get caught up in the tales of a local who wants his or her side of the story told, especially if the lore revolves around an ancestor, property with a vested interest in the outcome or a destination that could financially benefit. 3. Remember that your story serves as another historical record. If it does nothing more than perpetuate the rumor, it will not serve posterity. ************************ The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends. It is coming to you because you are either a member of The Ultimate Travel Writer's Program or Turn Your Pictures into Cash, or you have opted to receive information about getting paid to travel from the AWAI Travel Division. (c) 2010 American Writers & Artists Inc. 245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102 Delray Beach, FL 33483 Phone (561) 278-5557 Fax (561) 278-5929 http://www.awaionline.com/contact To LEARN MORE, visit: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com http://www.thephotographerslife.com ]]> http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/write_around_rumors.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/write_around_rumors.php Article Ideas Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:01:37 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/christina.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/christina.php Thu, 19 Aug 2010 15:57:08 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/stolen_clip.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/stolen_clip.php Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:50:26 -0500 Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop-at-Home Package. Hurry -- the price goes up after the workshop ends this Sunday. Reserve your copy here and save BIG. **************************** August 5, 2010 The Right Way to Travel Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop Dispatch #1 **************************** “If you only come away with one thing, come away with this simple tip. It’ll give your photos more ‘pop.’ But more importantly, it’ll make your photos more saleable and desirable to editors and photo buyers.” Hi -- Bonnie Caton, here. It’s the day before our Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop in Santa Monica, California, where I’ll be your official “Workshop Spy.” I’ll be leaking out money-earning tips, travel writing VIP perks, pro tricks, and more for getting started in travel writing and funding your travels by doing something fun. 98% of your photos will improve if you use the Rule of Thirds, Shelly told us today. (More about the Rule of Thirds, here.) But we all have our own style. Your style -- the way you want your photos to look -- is what you should focus on developing. So go ahead and break that rule now and then, she continued. Just be conscious that you’re breaking it. And when you do, do it with purpose. Here are three photos that break the Rule of Thirds with intention. Notice that in each case, the photographer clearly wanted his/her subject to be in the center of the image. Shelly’s going to talk more specifically about what it takes to create a magazine-quality photograph, and teach us a few things she learned on her editorial assignment with Getty Images in Turkey earlier this year, when she speaks on Saturday. And remember -- even if you couldn’t make it to the workshop, we’re recording the whole thing, so you can listen in on all of the meaty tips our pro writers, editors, and other industry experts share over the next three days. Attendees in Santa Monica paid up to $1,697 to get here and hear the experts in person -- and it’s well worth it. But you can get everything attendees get, including hand-outs, PowerPoints, bonus reports, and more (sans the travel expenses) for just $179 when you sign up for the Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop-at-Home Package. The price goes up after midnight this Sunday night, so reserve yours here right now to save big. And stay tuned for more juicy travel writing tips and tidbits from the main workshop tomorrow. *************************** The Right Way to Travel is a FREE newsletter from the American Writers & Artists Inc., available to AWAI members and friends. (c) 2010 American Writers & Artists Inc. 245 NE 4th Ave., Ste 102 Delray Beach, FL 33483 Phone (561) 278-5557 Fax (561) 278-5929 http://www.awaionline.com/contact To LEARN MORE, visit: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com http://www.thephotographerslife.com ]]> http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/rule_thirds.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/08/rule_thirds.php Photo Tips The Write Way to Travel Thu, 05 Aug 2010 15:21:44 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/07/success_scott.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/07/success_scott.php The Write Way to Travel Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:30:52 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/07/success_ginny.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/07/success_ginny.php The Write Way to Travel Sat, 10 Jul 2010 08:51:41 -0500 http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/07/success_maryalice.php http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/2010/07/success_maryalice.php The Write Way to Travel Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:23:37 -0500