hi there,
check out my blog Write to Travel which has over 50 interviews with travel writers at all stages of their careers.
from what i can tell, it takes passion, determination, lots of writing, and plenty of knock backs along the way - but if you have a dream, live it.
all the best,
kiwiwriter
It sounds like you're already doing the smart thing--networking and talking to people who not only do the work, but are in charge of the people who do the work.
Be careful what you're "certain" you want to do. I say this not as the world's fastest rising writer, but as a man who knew exactly what it was I wanted to do at the age of 16--and it had nothing to do with writing.
Best of luck!
Thanks very much Kiwiwriter :) Once I get some time I'll check the site out.
I will live life striving to live my dreams, if not pursue them! :)
@ Olivebeard,
I've been told that a lot, that what I plan now most likely will not carry through (because life just doesn't work that way!) But, I think as long as I stay on this path, I might just get it. If opportunities arise, then that's that, but everything is unexpected and we all know that!
I just get so motivated when I think about the future, where I'll be, what kind of stories and ideas I can write about, the photographs I can take.
I really don't know what's in store..but maybe, just maybe, you'll notice an article written by me one day :)
Thank you for the words of wisdom !
Hey there! Cool post and congrats on having the drive at 16 to go after your dreams. I didn't have a clue about anything at 16...still figuring out a lot a decade later!
Anyway, Matador is a great place to start because not only are there many here like you, you'll also find dozens of writers who are a couple years ahead of you, making a career in travel writing happen. I would encourage you to keep networking, reaching out to editors, bloggers, photographers and journalists. The cool thing about the Web is that you can literally track anyone down and get your shot at their attention.
Keep writing and check the Bounty Board often. Pitch us on some ideas! There's a ton you can learn here on your journey to becoming a published travel writer. I'd love to brag that we have a 16 year old prodigy in the community :)
Hey there! Cool post and congrats on having the drive at 16 to go after your dreams. I didn't have a clue about anything at 16...still figuring out a lot a decade later!
Anyway, Matador is a great place to start because not only are there many here like you, you'll also find dozens of writers who are a couple years ahead of you, making a career in travel writing happen. I would encourage you to keep networking, reaching out to editors, bloggers, photographers and journalists. The cool thing about the Web is that you can literally track anyone down and get your shot at their attention.
Keep writing and check the Bounty Board often. Pitch us on some ideas! There's a ton you can learn here on your journey to becoming a published travel writer. I'd love to brag that we have a 16 year old prodigy in the community :)
Thanks so much! Hahaha i've never been called a prodigy before, I am truly honored . (And I do give you permission to brag!) :P
The only reason, I think, that I already "know" what I want to do when I get older is because I tend to be very indecisive...so if I don't start thinking about the future early, I would have to make rash decisions (Like the seniors who procrastinate on college applications) and I don't want to be caught in that trap. So I did a whole deal of research and a lot of thinking. I don't know what the future holds, but I know if I just keep striving for this, it just might happen someday :)
Also, i'm not aiming to become rich or famous--if it happens, it happens. And i'm fine with the travel writer kind of lifestyle. (Yes, I did read that article about the 7 myths of travel writing.)
And thank you very much for the tips, I love this place! I was befriended on the first day by many masters of the trade, and I received such wonderful feedback on my blog post!
Have a wonderful evening, Ross.
Joined: 02-07-08
You guessed it: I am an aspiring travel writer.
I am also only sixteen years old.
(But please, lend me your ears. Let me assure you, I am not like the others!)
I've emailed dozens of travel writers, editors, vagabonds, photographers, and journalists, bookmarked all the sites they sent me, and read more than I can take on what life is like for a travel journalist. But I know reading is not enough. I want to hear something truly insightful from the pros, the masters, the real, hard-working and content travel writers who live and breathe here. I want to hear your stories of when you were in my shoes, dreaming this fantastic dream of traveling the world and writing all about it.
I know this is something I will love to do everyday of my life, with, or without the money. I read an interview with Ross Borden, and he said,
"I would say just simply, pursuing my passion has been the biggest help in shaping my career. I love Monday, week after week, because I’m doing something I’m passionate about and at Matador that means publishing great content as well as trying to make the world a better place, one small community at a time, so that feels great. I used to work in a cubicle making cold calls all day, selling business software to people who didn’t want to talk to me. Needless to say, I hated my job. I took the leap and followed my passion and taking that risk has paid off in spades. I love my job now and I don’t know too many other people who can say that at 26."
Aside from pursuing travel journalism, it is also a goal for me to never become trapped in a cubicle, working many months for a two week vacation. I can truly say that I do not care for the wealth.
So tell me, what did you first do to get where you are now?
Because i'm prepared to do anything.