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Writing Opportunities on the Road
by Susan Miles
You don't need to be a travel writer to get a lot of writing
mileage from your summer vacation this year. Whether you write
fiction, nonfiction, are looking for your first sale or your
50th, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you pack your bags
for a well earned break this year.
Check out marketing opportunities. Browsing the magazine stand or the local bookstore at your
holiday destination will reveal some new marketing opportunities.
You will uncover regional newspapers and magazines you won't find
in guideline databases or directories. Besides the usual
souvenirs of T-shirts and books, my suitcase also includes a
handful of regional newspapers and magazines that I can submit
articles and essays to when I return home.
Writing competitions. On a recent trip to Hawaii, while browsing the state's newspapers
over my morning coffee, I came across a number of writing
competitions. I was pleasantly surprised to see that these
competitions were open to all writers (not restricted to local
residents), did not require an entry fee and offered prizes of
substantial value. I had missed the deadline for two
competitions; however there was sufficient contact information to
allow me to follow up with the organizers on my return home and
plan for next year. The information on one competition caught my
eye as it included the winning entries, providing a good chance
to read and learn what makes an award winning entry. I have also
found writing and photography competitions in in-flight
magazines, regional magazines, and local tourist guides.
Ideas for future articles/essays. My vacation can often inspire me with an idea for an article. It
might be an interesting piece of local history, a passing comment
from a fellow traveler, or a quirky observation. These ideas may
not yield an entire piece but be useful as item in an article on
a related theme. For example, I don't think I can write an entire
article about the Hawaiian Christmas tree I saw, decorated with
tropical fish and seashells rather than tinsel and baubles. But
it may be an interesting example for a piece on different ways we
celebrate Christmas throughout the world.
Travel articles for the non-travel writer. Not all travel articles are glossy, photo-packed features of
exotic locations. They can be hints on how to pack, save money,
or simply navigate the airport without losing your luggage or
your mind! The best way to build a file of these ideas is from
your own personal experience and observations. I learned and
confirmed how to make a successful insurance claim when I lost a
camera on one trip and a pair of sunglasses on another. I knew
this hint would make a great travel article when I found myself
repeating this tip to experienced travelers and even tour
providers who were unaware of this simple yet effective approach.
Meet fellow writers. I confess, I don't actually know many writers. Because I live in
a small city in Japan, it's not surprising that my local
community center doesn't have a writers group for me to join. But
my vacations sometimes give me the opportunity to meet and talk
with other writers. Strolling into a bookstore (to check out
those regional newspapers and magazines), I often find
announcements on the notice board for presentations by a local
writer. Even at popular tourist attractions, I have come across
writers conducting book signings who love to talk about their
writing experience with a fellow sufferer!
Develop fiction characters and settings. I need all the help I can get when it comes to writing fiction. I
struggle to find new ways to make my characters act in realistic
and interesting fashions that will engage my readers. What better
way to get ideas for my characters than a bit of good old
fashioned people watching while I am on vacation? Either at the
airport, sitting at an outside cafe or just by the hotel pool, I
have picked up interesting lines of dialogue, mannerisms and
character descriptions to incorporate into my fiction writing.
For example, as I looked out from my hotel balcony one evening
during a beach vacation, I noticed the rocky shorefront with a
short jetty -- the perfect setting for the couple in my latest
love story to "stumble" into each other.
But I'm not going on a vacation this year! You can still make use of these ideas, particularly the first
three, if you are planning on having visitors from out of state
or overseas during the summer. Your guests will love you if you
suggest a simple, inexpensive gift that you would appreciate.
Simply ask your friends to bring you one or two of their local
publications for you to glean marketing opportunities or
competitions from.
So where did I write this article? Waiting for a flight at Inchon
International airport in Seoul, mid-air on a flight between Maui
and The Big Island of Hawaii, and the foyer of the Outrigger Reef
hotel, Oahu!
Copyright © 2003 Susan Miles
Susan Miles (MilesSV "at" bigpond.com)
is a Communication Specialist from Melbourne,
Australia. Susan specializes
in travel, sports, lifestyle, and writing articles for
publications in Canada, the US, and Australia. Her recent
articles on Japan and South Korea have appeared in The Toronto
Star, St Petersburg Times (Florida), GoNomad.com, and Transitions
Abroad.
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