Many of us love reading travel magazines, the travel section in news papers or even simply just the travel brochures we occasionally pick up from the shops. We look at the names of the authors, and day dream about being able to get sent away travelling simply to write a 1200 word article and get paid doing just that.
And of course, many people thought my direct in back away from my corporate job to become a travel writer was to be able to travel for free and get paid for it.
What a dream it would be! Unfortunately, there are many myths about travel writers and that is exactly one of them.
Myth #1: All travel writers get commissioned to travel and get paid for it
This will have to be the biggest myth involving travel writing. Travel writers don't all get paid to travel. Most travel writers fund their own travels, and what they write about their trip doesn't necessary get published. Unless simply having our name in print will attract readers, neither the publishers nor the tourism offices will bother offering writers free travels.
Myth #2: Travel writers gets paid a lot for their articles
Freelance travel writers depend on getting their articles accepted and often, payment is upon the editor's discretion. Many small publications cannot afford to pay their writers much and offer an upfront $25-$50 payment for articles. Larger publications may pay per word; however, these will be harder to get in. To really make a living as a travel writer, one must be able to write many articles of different angles based on one destination and hope they all get published.
Myth #3: All a travel writer has to do is to write, and get paid
Once again, travel writers, mostly freelance, need to find publishers on a regular basis to accept their work. Larger publications have a stable of freelance writers as regular contributors, and without getting a foot in this door, we are stuck constantly writing queries and often, we won't hear from the editors until some months later. Magazines and newspapers plan their contents months ahead and it is not just a matter of writing an article now, and get paid tomorrow. Writers may have to wait up to ten months before that cheque comes through the door.
Myth #4: Publications are always looking for new writers
Yes, publications are always looking for new stories, but not necessary from new writers. In fact, editors of large publications are weary of accepting work from new writers because they are often happy with what they've got and are unwilling to consider a new writing style. Therefore, as a new writer, it will take sometime and risks before finding homes for our articles.
Myth #5: Travel writing is just like writing down travel diaries
As much as it does seem easy to write about personal travels, the art of travel writing is more complicated than simply writing down personal travel experiences. Editors often demand fresh ideas, different angles and vibrant descriptions to go with the travel stories and some even have specific style and format a writer must adhere to before submitting their stories. Simply knowing a destination is not enough, a travel writer needs to delve into the destination to find something new and fascinating to write about.
So what's so good about being a travel writer?
Negatives aside, it can be rewarding being a travel writer. We write because we want to share, and to combine a passion for writing and travelling. As much as deadlines and demands can be stressful, trying to find that perfect story pitch can take us to places no common tourists will think of going.
They say writing is a passion and travelling is an obsession. Combine the two is a career perfect for the budding writers.
