Martha56
Member
I've been thinking about my travel writing lately. How relevant is it? Does anyone care what I write about? What stories can we tell that will matter and help the world?
I like to write relevant pieces and not "fluff" travel pieces. I don't know. I think I'm becoming disillusioned with my writing. I want to make a difference in the world not tell them where they can get a cheap room and all-you-can-eat buffet. Sigh...
Hi Martha
What is "making a difference" to you? How exactly is it that you want to help the world?
I think you need to start by defining what you want your writing to accomplish, and what you want people to take away from your writing.
Before you get too settled into your opinion that telling people where to get a cheap room or find an all-you-can-eat buffet is somehow not important, consider that there are a lot of travelers that need that information, or else they would not be able to (afford to) travel. A lot of travelers seek out that type of information through guidebooks and online resources.
That doesn't necessarily mean that you have to write that type of content. You should write what you find fulfilling.
It may be that writing about travel isn't going to work for you - you may decide that to "help the world" you would rather write about human rights abuses, or poverty in America, or some other subject that you find personally gratifying.
But keep in mind that it ALL matters to someone. Find ways to encourage conversation through your writing.....that will give you an idea of whether or not you're making a difference.
Martha,
Your writing will matter to someone, somewhere. I agree with Trisha that people are interested in information like where to find a cheap hotel and where to find cheap eats. Evaluate why you are writing. When you write, you are writing for an audience because there's an unfulfilled need they have.
It's great to be a passionate writer. How will your writing make a difference in the world? What are you trying to accomplish? Shed light on travel and the environmental impact it could have on the planet? Shed light on natural disaster areas? Inform people are the political situation of a country? Only you can answer these questions.
TravGirl
Member
Hi Martha
Sorry I'm a little late to this party - have been really focused lately on writing my book, working, and taking more writing courses so I've been negligent in posting in the forum here.....but it sounds like you are getting burned out on your niche, which might be a sign that it's time to think about changing your niche.
It goes back to what I think is the one most important lesson I've learned here at TWE - to pick a niche that you're passionate about. It sounds like you are not passionate about whatever you're currently writing about, but you really want to be. I get that.
I know that both Trisha and Rebecca are right - loads of travelers want to know about those subjects that you feel are just fluff, but if you really feel that way then you're in the wrong niche. So change it! 
Just like people leave their jobs every day to go do something more fulfilling - you can totally change your niche and write about whatever makes you feel like your words ARE making a difference.
Maybe you need to take a sabbatical. Get on the road and expand your horizons a bit. Maybe then you'll discover where your path leads.
Good luck!
You must log in to post.
