You have really struck a chord for me, my eyes are now open, and I will try to stop using all those cliches that I have come to rely on in a tight corner
.-= Bill the family man´s last blog post: What Your Kids Want Most Is Time, Not Money =-.

Travel writing is full of words such as enchanted, beautiful, tranquil, peaceful, calming, azure, breathtaking, etc…A brainstorming session can help writers think of other words to describe their travels.

This post was mentioned on Twitter by theplanetd: RT @travelwriting Choose Your Words Carefully http://ow.ly/16tf5n…

I’m looking forward to this new column. Thanks for adding so much great content to TWE, Trisha!
.-= JoAnna´s last blog post: Visiting the Mayan Ruins | Copan Ruinas, Honduras =-.

The biggest problem tourism faces is from the media, who tend to over-hype small problems and scare tourists away, simply to grab headlines. The H1N1 outbreak is a perfect example – the infection never took hold in the “tourist” destinations in Mexico, and yet if you listened to the media you’d be certain to get it if you traveled there – a very sad development.

I agree with you that writers should be honest, but to also stay focused on their own experience, and not make sweeping [negative] generalizations about a place or service when others may have experienced something much better.

Case in point: I was in Puerto Vallarta in December, and one other guest there was unhappy about everything – she didn’t like the weather, she didn’t like the food, and was unhappy with her room. However I had a great time – my bed was comfortable, the view was terrific, and I loved the food. If she were a travel writer, I’ve no doubt she’d write a damning review of a resort that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s something all travel writers should keep in mind.

I think if a magazine is publishing pieces full of tired, worn-out phrasing that says more about the Editor than the writer, and my guess would be that the publication is on its way out….

I travel extensively and invariably wind up talking to people who are interested in my profession – as travelers and readers of travel publications, the majority of them are sick of hearing about “azure” skies, “turquoise” oceans, and “hidden gems” – to them, that’s a mark of amateurish writing that they immediately discount as being unhelpful.

So in essence I believe the advice is not only useful, but critical if one wants to be taken seriously as a travel writer these days.

Naturally one can write whatever he/she likes on their own travel blog, but the ones I see that attract a sizable and loyal audience are those that are written with humor, insight, and honesty, and nary a cliche in sight.

As we travel a lot in developing countries, I’ve realized more the impact travel writers can have on a place. Tourism-related jobs tend to be prized and better paid than other local jobs and a downturn in tourist numbers can really hurt a community. I’m not advocating that travel writers never write negative reviews or reports on a place – I think writers should be honest. But, just be sure that those feelings are genuine and not there to get a rise or gather attention. People’s jobs may be affected.
.-= Audrey´s last blog post: The Joy of Living Deliberately: 7 Questions =-.