AWAI Wall of Fame

Tom Schueneman
Age: 48   What is your current occupation? writer, web publisher, sound engineer   What are you studying at AWAI (travel writing, photography, import/export, or all three)? I have studied travel writing, and am now studying photography   What was your first successful article or photo about and where did it appear? My first published travel article appeared in International Living
What are you working on now?
I am working on my ongoing online travel newsletter The Traveler. I've published the newsletter since June of 2001. I've recently been hired as a San Francisco blogger for HotelsbyCity.net, I'm a freelance writer for Suite101.com, and publish my own travel website and blog, two "history blogs", and an environmental website.
What has been your proudest writing, photography, or import/export moment?
There are many proud moments when working on your dreams and passions: When I was voted the one of the best editors for new writers by Writer's Weekly; When I received my first check as a writer; Every time I get up in front of a workshop and talk to a group about travel writing; When an anonymous reader contacts me and tells me how much they've enjoyed an issue of The Traveler or an article I've written. It's hard to nail down one moment. As I progress in this endeavor, I find it ever more challenging and rewarding.
Please give us an example of how your life has changed since becoming a travel writer, photographer, or import-exporter.
Since the start of my career as a travel writer and editor - and now that I am studying photography - I find that I look at the world in a different way. Every time I travel, even if it's just for a few days down the coast for some R&R, I force myself to write about it. And the fact is, it's hard to write about a trip to Palm Springs, for instance, without it sounding pretty boring. I am forced to look at my surroundings in a new way if I hope to come up with anything interesting that anybody would want to read. This only helps me to become a better and more successful writer. Not only am I making money doing what I love, but it just gets better and more interesting as I develop my travel writer's (and photographer's) "eye" on the world.
What success tip would you like to share with your fellow AWAI members?
Stick with it. Lori and her crew offer everything a student needs to find success. I really believe that because not only has it happened to me, I've personally seen it happen with dozens of students. The one thing all these people have had in common is passion, enthusiasm, and drive. Too many people are handed the tools and they don't follow through. Follow your passion, believe in your dreams, and work very hard.
When did you realize you were living the writer’s or photographer’s life?
When I was sitting in my tent on safari in Botswana writing what has come to be one of my most popular travelogues. (My picture here is of me on that very same adventure)
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