As the world has become more interconnected, some people are, not just able to learn more about other places on the other side of the planet, they have an increased chance to actually visit these places. However, because it’s just a visit, which places should be visited first? And the culture is so different, what if you offend someone. That’s a few of the reasons that travel blogs are increasing in number, in addition to the fact that some want to document their experience, whether just for themselves, or for their family. But how should you write one?
One important factor is that, ultimately a travel narrative, is a story, just a personal story. Don George, a travel blogger, suggests sharing your experience as if it were just like any other novel, with a beginning, a middle, and an end (The secret formula for writing a successful travel narrative). He emphasizes the importance about stating what the writer has learned from the journey, and to add “wonder.” A lot of other stories do that too: fictionalized or otherwise. Gemma Bowes explains this as because you want to make your story as interesting and enticing for the readers (Tips for travel writing). She claims that writers should avoid writing about personal mishaps because it doesn’t make the writing interesting, and should instead focus on what the readers might experience themselves.
However, as more people have the chance to travel, more people also have more adventures to write about, and some do, in hopes that their story becomes the next big thing. However, as more stories come out, readers have more of a chance to pick, instead of having just one option. That’s why, before anything else, Wendy Dale’s first two pieces of advice is to avoid travel writing at all costs and try to pick another genre before helping give ideas on how to write a travel narrative (Tips on getting a travel narrative published). She, like the other two writers, puts emphasis on the fact that the writer’s narrative is more than just a story about the experience but how you felt during this experience. This seems to make writers more relatable, like how a writer in a novel must do so that people can like their characters and become a mega-success.
On first glance, travel writing might seem easy, but a lot more goes into it than most think about. A lot of other types of narratives are probably like this too. For example, travel writing kind of reminds me of asylum seekers’ testimonies in Australia. Gillian Whitlock points out that many asylum seekers have to “perform” narratives to fit the expectations of their new country (Whitlock). She argues that only the people who perform the best can gain the coveted goal of refugee status. Similarly, many travel narrative writers have to fit the expectations of this criteria in order to gain recognition and readers. However, maybe there is a chance for change and we can find a new way for travel writing not be so formulaic.
Workcited
Bowes, Gemma et. al. “Tips for travel writing.” theguardian. Web. 24 Jan. 2016
Dale, Wendy. “Tips on Getting a Travel Narrative Published.” Author Wendy Dale. Web. 24 Jan. 2016
George, Don. “The Secret Formula for Writing a Successful Travel Narrative.” Gadling. Web. 24 Jan. 2016
Whitlock, Gillian. “Protection.” We Shall Bear Witness: Life Narratives and Human Rights. Ed Meg Jensen and Margaretta Jolly. Madison: U of Wisconson P, 2014. 80-99. Database Web. 24 Jan. 2016.
