http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/tags/cycling Travel Writers Exchange Forum Home » Tag: cycling - Recent Posts en-US Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:52:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/search.php http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/researching-on-wikipedia#post-768 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:43:06 +0000 MetroCity1 768@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Yeah, gotta be careful with Wiki...sometimes it's spot on and sometimes it's not &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif&quot; title=&quot;:)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/researching-on-wikipedia#post-761 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:04:47 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 761@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>I have a different take on Wiki. I say be careful with using the internet. Yes, Wikipedia is slowly becoming more acceptable; however, there have been <strong>MANY</strong> mistakes found on these sites. In fact, Shane, a student from Dublin, Ireland posted a "quote" on a Wiki supposedly from famous French composer Maurice Jarre who died in March. In fact, <strong>newspapers</strong> used the quote that he posted. Guess what? The quote was a BOGUS quote. Shane posted the quote because he was researching "globalization" and its affect on the world. Read the full story <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0506/1224245992919.html">here</a>. </p> <p>When I was working on my Masters degree, we were <strong>cautioned</strong> about "sourcing" anything from Wiki. It's best to gather your resources by researching at libraries and using the internet -- use all resources. Be careful when it comes to using information from the internet. If I find information on the internet, I research it until I am satisfied that the information is accurate. This means going to as many sites as possible and checking in with the library. </p> <p>Good luck! </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/travel-book#post-760 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:54:24 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 760@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>People do love human interest stories. I would make sure the other person involved is "comfortable" with the story line. As you said, "you don't want to embarrass anyone or expose yourself too much." I think as long as your sensitive to others, it will be fine. You may want to think about the following: Who's your target audience? Is your target open-minded, seasoned travelers? Are you targeting all travelers? Only you can determine what will be "too much" for you and your readers. Sounds like a good read. Good luck! </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/travel-book#post-759 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 10:12:40 +0000 Trisha Miller 759@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Hi Andy</p> <p>Wow - I read your other post (about using Wikipedia for research) and thought your book would be very interesting, but this puts it on my "must read" list - I love to read (and hear) stories about how people find true love - it humanizes those we don't know and makes us feel that we know them at least a little bit, and gives everyone hope for the future, so I definitely think you should include it in your book. The fact that earlier in your story you ponder the subject of love and relationships will make the tale of finding love so much more relevant and poignant.</p> <p>I do think you should be open and honest about as much as possible - after all it's human nature for us to be curious, and that will be a very interesting part of your whole story, so we will want to know about it, but the best thing to do is use your own feelings as a guide (and of course those of your new love as well).....when the two of you read your words, do they make you feel like you've revealed too much personal detail? Anything that embarrasses you? Anything that you would NOT want your parents (or maybe children someday?) to read? </p> <p>Only the two of you can decide what is too much exposure. Some people are comfortable with putting it all "out there" for all to see, even the not-so-pretty parts of life, others are much more private. You'll have to balance your comfort level with the bottom line of marketing 101 - if you want your book to sell, it needs to be interesting, and your love story will be of great interest to a wider audience than you'd imagine, especially the more it divulges. You will have to find the right balance of exposing enough to generate interest vs. going so far as to make either of you uncomfortable.</p> <p>Of course if you want anyone to read a few passages for you and give you feedback, I'm your gal! &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_biggrin.gif&quot; title=&quot;:D&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/researching-on-wikipedia#post-758 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 09:58:22 +0000 Trisha Miller 758@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Hi Andy - welcome back! </p> <p>I do think it's fine to use the internet for your research, as long as you're careful which sites you use (I'm sure you will be!). For the most part, Wikipedia is a pretty good source of information, and is considered to be one of the most reliable sites for accuracy. Keep in mind that Wikipedia has several different pages on the country and republic of Georgia, so you may want to search with different terms to find them all and cross-reference between them.</p> <p>I would suggest that you supplement that with a few "official" sites, such as the <a href="https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gg.html">CIA World Fact Book</a> (a very reliable source in my opinion), the A<a href="http://www.afgeorgia.org/about-us/about-georgia.html?gclid=CPyLrN_J85oCFQ3yDAodtlirdw">merican Friends of Georgia</a> (another good site for reliable information), and also that you contact both the <a href="http://embassy.mfa.gov.ge/index.php?sec_id=16&#38;lang_id=ENG">Embassy of Georgia</a> in the US, and the <a href="http://georgia.usembassy.gov/">US Embassy in Georgia</a> for more direction on sources of reliable and accurate information.</p> <p>Good luck with your book! Be sure to drop us a note when it's ready as we'd love to help you promote it......it sounds like it will be an interesting read! </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/researching-on-wikipedia#post-757 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:26:16 +0000 awelch 757@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Hi I'm writing a travel book about a bike ride from England to Georgia as part of a series of books about a roudn the world trip. </p> <p>I came across a lot of interesting threads - history and culture and I've been using the internet to research further into these threads. Mostly to give a little bit of background on a person, place or philosophy. </p> <p>I'm writing in the Republic of Georgia in Tbilisi. I want to write my book to help me to continue to fund my travel. So far I've gone from England to India and Nepal. In October 2010 I want to leave to cross China and tour in America and complete my world tour with my girlfriend.</p> <p>My question is that, because I don't have access to many books here, I'm using the internet for research 100%. Is that advisable and how do I reference the information sources in the book.</p> <p>Thanks</p> <p>Andy Welch </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/travel-book#post-756 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:19:46 +0000 awelch 756@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Hi, I'm writing a travel book about a cycle ride from England to Georgia in the Caucasus. This is my first book of a few travelling around the world. </p> <p>I'm 60,000 words into it at the moment and I want to pose a question. During my trip I discovered my love in Georgia. However, earlier in the trip there is a dialogue where I muse about love and relationship before I met my present partner who I've been with for 1.5 years. </p> <p>How should I tackle the love story so I don't expose myself too much, or embarass anyone?</p> <p>I want to be open about it because it's as strong a storyline as the trials and tribulations of the adventure, the philosophy and the places and cultures I move through.</p> <p>Thanks for you thoughts.</p> <p>Andy Welch<br /> <a href="http://www.ride-earth.org.uk" rel="nofollow">http://www.ride-earth.org.uk</a><br /> Round the world by bike. </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/cycle-ride-from-england-to-india-and-nepal-writing-book#post-593 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:23:31 +0000 Trisha 593@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Hi Andy - I agree with Rebecca - great site! And what a really cool trip.</p> <p>I have only a couple of suggestions...that involve doing a couple of different things with all of the material you have....</p> <p>For example, I don't see why you couldn't use parts and pieces of it for a few different short articles on specific places you traveled through - articles that could be published either as part of a "series" or just as individual pieces by an interested publication - contact a few travel publication editors to see if they would be interested in either a series or an article, and of what length - then you can go from there when you write;</p> <p>There are also tour operators who specialize in India and Nepal, and they might be interested in purchasing some of your photos and articles as content for their own websites and promotions;</p> <p>You could do as Rebecca suggested (her #7) and produce a photo book with short descriptions for the photos rather than stories;</p> <p>You could put it all down on paper chronologically - not worrying about your evolving style of writing - and let an editor take a look at it to give you feedback on what direction to take (never underestimate the value of a good book editor!)</p> <p>Good luck - and whatever you do please let us know - we'd love to feature the results on our site to help you promote it! </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/cycle-ride-from-england-to-india-and-nepal-writing-book#post-588 Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:17:14 +0000 Amandah Blackwell 588@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>I like your website -- great articles!</p> <p>You have a lot of materials so you could take it in different directions. Here are my suggestions:</p> <p>1) I think it's great that your writing style changed. Many people "hold onto" their style. It's good to change it up now and again. With that said you could write a few books from your personal/introspective viewpoint -- write it in a diary/journal format. I think this would give people a "connection" to you and your journey. </p> <p>2) Since your writing style changed, you could also write your books from the retrospective viewpoint. You could begin by telling/showing readers how you began your journey, which was more of an introspective viewpoint. Then tell/show them how your writing style changed. Incorporate your conversations with people and the details of the cities your visited. Bring readers into your story so they feel as if they are sitting next to you partaking in your conversations with the locals. What would they see and smell? What happened in a particular day? </p> <p>You could touch on the politics of each country. You could speak about the culture. How do people dress? Is there high poverty? Is the city busy?</p> <p>3) Do not limit yourself. If you have great material use it in any way, shape, or form. There's a market for everyone.</p> <p>4) Yep! Details fade. I would re-read your information to see if that brings back memories. Sit with your information for some time and let your mind wander. You would be surprised how the memories will come back to you! &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/my-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_mrgreen.gif&quot; title=&quot;:mrgreen:&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> <p>The next time you travel, consider bringing a recorder with you. This way you can record your thoughts as well as write them down.</p> <p>5) You can only decide which experiences to include in your books. Again, I recommend re-reading your information. If you find that you are drawn to particular experiences then focus on them. You'll know which experiences to include by the way your react to them. Perhaps you get a "fluttery" feeling in your gut or you are just bored to tears.</p> <p>6) Have you thought about creating short form videos? You could record some of your experiences and put them on YouTube (incorporate your photos). Check out Trisha's interview with Lisa Lambden from <a href="http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/2009/01/interview-lisa-lambden-travel-channel-academy/">The Travel Channel Academy</a>.</p> <p>7) Since you have a ton of photos, you could create a "picture book" or "coffee table book." What about ethnography? Check out my post on <a href="http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/2009/03/ethnography-can-lead-to-your-best-travel-writing/">ethnography</a>.</p> <p>I hope this helped... </p> http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/topic/cycle-ride-from-england-to-india-and-nepal-writing-book#post-586 Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:19:48 +0000 awelch 586@http://www.travel-writers-exchange.com/Forum/ <p>Hi, I have 7 journals and 22,000 photos from my 15,000km ride from England to Nepal and I want to write it up into 1 or 2 books.</p> <p>I have many sub-stories which make the story more than just a cycle ride like staying in Ashrams in India, attending a Rajput wedding, sleeping in temples and meeting holy men. </p> <p>Some questions:<br /> 1. My writing style changed from the beginning of the journey to now. At first it was more a diary and introspective 'confidence' whereas later on it became much more about the details and conversations and people. What do I do when writing stuff up? How do I deal with this? e.g. Do I re-write it all in one retrospective style or do I present it in diary form so you can see how my style (and I) change along the way.</p> <p>2. I was thinking of using a mind map to organise the story into chapters (if I end up writing it like this where chapters are appropriate). </p> <p>3. What I really want to do is get my story down, warts and all in the most truest and rawest form I can without pulling any punches. </p> <p>4. My memory has possibly faded regarding the details of things at the beginning of the trip... how do I account for this? Any thoughts?</p> <p>5. I want to include the most interesting stories because there is too much material and some of my experiences may be more interesting to me than to the general reader. Tips for achieving this?</p> <p>That's it for now, thanks</p> <p>Andy </p>