Travel Writing Tips 5.

This chapter of O'Neil's book focused on fact checking and research, which are two very important steps in any type of writing.

Here are some tips on how to fact check and research!

1. Get organized!
This should be a no-brainer, but it is very important. If you're not organized, your research will get misplaced somewhere along the way, causing major headaches. O'Neil suggests that if you are doing research online, make sure you have folders on your computer clearly labeled so you can easily go back and find information for your research.

2. Check your facts!
Also, common sense. And, this doesn't just go for travel writing, this is all types of writing. It is important to check facts because you don't want to publish something that isn't 100% accurate. O'Neil uses the example that if you are using a translated travel brochure, the likelihood of error if greater due only to the fact that it was translated. A good rule of thumb to ensure you facts are indeed factual, is to get two sources to verify them.

3. Don't use cliches as facts.
It is very important that you accurately portray the people and places of a country. However, cliches and stereotypes that have been around for years can hinder the ability to do that. When you are in a foreign country, you want to represent the people you come across in a very factual manor. So, O'Neil said that one cliche often read about Asian countries is that they are shrouded in mystery and secrecy and the population values ancestry more than money. This has become a cliche and not accurate of every single country or city in Asia. It is important to avoid using cliches and finding new ways to describe our experiences abroad.

Travel Writing Tips 4

So, in Chapter 5, O'Neil talked about voice and tone in writing. Every writer has a writing voice uniquely theirs, much like their speaking voice. Therefore, it is important to polish up your voice and tone, especially when writing about travels.

What are some things O'Neil suggests?

1. "Put yourself in the reader's place."
This isn't something I have ever really put into consideration before, but it is very useful. When you are writing, if you are able to step back and ask yourself, "is my reader with me? Will this make sense to them?" you are making sure your audience will get your article.

2. Try to write the story as if you were telling it verbally.
In this sense, you are developing your voice to reflect your speaking. You also have the opportunity to be visual. O'Neil suggests that we still need to paint a picture, so to speak, but do it in a way that the reader can actually hear you telling the story. This helps you further develop your voice and really gives you the opportunity to make your writing sound as clear and present as if you were speaking it.

3. "Stretch your imagination."
This is not a concept I usually associate with he concept of the story, not the way in which you write it. Here, O'Neil suggests that you use metaphors and similes, but not cliche ones. She challenges us to come up with our metaphors in order to spice up our voices. She even tell us to "think....(not outside the box) off the map." When we, as writers, are able to develop our own strong voices, it will be easier to get a reader to relate to us and our stories.

Travel Writing Tips Round 3

Hello all!

Let's get down to business. Today's chapter dealt with structure and how to layout your writing. O'Neil had some real gems in this chapter so I won't delay this any further.

1. Show the story like a movie.
There are a million ways to say this, I just liked this phrase. It's all about visualization. It goes beyond painting a picture for your reader. You want them to be able to see everything you are describing in their head. The key to this is detail. Use as much detail as possible. Also, you need to use a lot of action verbs. This does more than illustrates an idea to your reader, it sends them to the location you are writing about.

2. Ground the reader.
This goes hand in hand with #1. You want to transport the reader to your destination. You want them to read this article and walk a mile in your shoes, confident that by the end of the piece, they feel like they were on the ground with you, experiencing everything you experience.

3. Once you understand the structure, you can bend the rules.
This is the best tip, hands down. There is nothing I love more than being told to break the rules when writing. It allows for so much freedom and creativity that it will just let you take your writing to the next level. Basic concepts are very important when trying a type of writing for the first time but, there is nothing better than being able to bring your own flare to the table.

Travel writing tips round 2!

As promised, I am back with another edition of "Travel Writing Tips" from author L. Peat O'Neil.

Today's chapter focused on the travel journal itself, and specifications to make journal writing easier on you. In addition, there were a lot of good writing tips and how to make good entries, so let's dive right in.

1. BACK UP YOUR WORK.
This really should go without saying. No matter what kind of work you are doing, if it is being stored on an electronic, like a laptop, back it up. There needs to be more than one copy stored in different places. For example, if you have an article written on Word, save it on your desktop, email it to yourself, and put it on an external drive. This way, if something happens, you have back up and you don't need to go back to the beginning.

2. The more you write down, the better.
When writing in your journal, make sure to get as many details down as possible. Even if it seems like a small detail to you, jot it down. The clearer the words, the better picture you will be able to articulate through your writing. Use sensory details, they will let the reader experience just what you have experienced in your travels.

3. Go beyond the diary entry.
It is very easy to keep a diary. Self reflection, when no one else is reading it, is not a difficult concept. O'Neil is saying to step out of the self reflection box and go talk to people. Adding characters to your story and a voice that is not your own but offers a more descriptive story with additional layers.

4. Write as soon as it happens.
O'Neil offers this advice to novice travel writers. In order to be able to go back and have a clear memory, there needs to be as much detail written down as possible. The best way to do this, is to take out pen and paper the second something memorable happens. Having to look back on the day could result with some hazy details, which isn't good for your writing.

Travel writing tips

So, I am starting a new segment called "Travel Writing Tips."

I am currently reading Travel Writing: See the world. Sell the story by L. Peat O'Neil. I am only about a chapter in but if you are considering diving into the world of travel writing, I suggest you get this book.

For the next week, I will be giving you my top 3-5 tips from O'Neil every night.

Tonight's tips!

1. Study other travel articles.
This should be a no brainer. In order to be able to successfully start writing about travel, you need to see how it's done. The many different types of travel articles, books, and journals available are almost overwhelming. The good thing is that you have many options. So, just start reading whatever you can get your hands on.

2. Hook your readers.
Once again, obvious. O'Neil was talking about Destination writing specifically but I think the concept applies across the board. If you cannot hook your reader, you don't have readers. There has to be something that interests your reader from the very beginning.

3. If you're not an expert-take the novice approach.
As a writer, I rarely like to talk about things I know nothing about. Rather, I would like to seem like I know what I am talking about. So, for me, this is valuable advice. It's okay not to know everything, and I think embracing that with travel is a good idea. When you can admit you're not an expert, it makes it more honest and relatable for your audience. You and your readers can go from novice to pro together, like a journey.

4. Humor pieces should be checked by a neutral person to make sure nothing come across as offensive.
There is one thing I am certain of in my life, and that is I think I am way funnier than I actually am. I have a very specific sense of humor that not everybody gets. For me, this is vital information for any type of blogger. Humor can work to the benefit of the writer, if it is done properly. You have to be careful when taking the funny route in order not to offend anyone who will be reading your writing.

I hope you have enjoyed this segment of Travel Writing Tips. I will be back this weekend with some more!