The Right Stuff

Well, the trip is over and all that's left is the memories and the reflections.

So I wonder, as I look back on my slogging while blogging, what does it take to be a travel writer? What does it take to wax poetic about the road you travel? How can I be creative and concise, witty and wise, amusing and insightful all at the same time while also having the time to see the sights and socialize with my travelling companions?

For me it wasn't easy. I think that there might be snatches of creativity amongst the mundane masses of each of my blogs; but to describe them as a witty and insightful retelling of my travels would be giving me far more credit that I deserve.

For me, creativity is spontaneous; as I'm walking along the beach in my head I begin to wax poetic about the sea, surf and sand; but by the time I get back to the hotel room, the poetry is gone. I think on my next trip I need to carry a little notebook, everywhere I go, I'll carry pen and paper and then, when inspiration strikes, I'll be ready to take notes.

Looking back, my blogs seem like lengthy epics spanning several days of activities, episodic epics. Next time, I'll make the time to blog daily, even if I can't post it. I need to find quiet time each day to write up my reflections - travelling alone would allow me to do that, but I feel travelling alone I would miss out on the shared experiences aspect of the trip.

I think another component of a good travel writer is to be prepared, know the area I'm travelling to and know the main sights and some of the interesting facts of the area. That way my blogs could be more informative.

Maybe I ask too much of myself, being untrained in the art of journalism and unpracticed in the realm of blogging, maybe ultimately, my last missing skill is simply time; time and experience writing.

With any luck I'll have many more trips, many more opportunities to wax poetic on the wonders of the world.