So you think you've got what it takes to be the our next Travel Writing Scholarship winner? We caught up with Rough Guides writer and mentor Terry Richardson to give us the lowdown on writing from the road.
How did you get your break in travel writing?
I was working in Turkey as an EFL
(English as a Foreign Language) teacher in the mid-1990’s, and in my free time
got involved in waymarking Turkey’s first long distance walking trail, the
Lycian Way. Later, when trying to promote the route at a travel show in
Manchester, I approached the Rough Guides stand and got talking. They were
interested in what I was doing and suggested I write a short test piece. So I
did, and for the next edition of RG Turkey I was on board as an updater.
What is the life of travel writer like?
It’s impossible not to come out with the
clichés here, so here goes. It’s definitely not as glamorous as many people
think, as much of the work, checking out hotels, bus time tables et al, is
fairly routine. It’s also physically very demanding, with research days often
starting soon after sunrise and running through to the late evening – there’s a
lot of foot-slogging to be done. Then there are all the days and weeks tied to
your computer post-research writing it up, and then re-writing bits as the
editing process kicks-in! But the compensations are immense – I love Turkey and
never get bored of travelling around it in the way I still like best – with a
rucksack strapped to my back and using local transport.
How much time do you spend on the road each year? Typically how long do you get to cover
a destination?
It’s very hard to quantify how long I’m
away from my Antalya (on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast) home each year, but I
guess it must be about three months, though that includes time doing my ‘other
job’, leading tours around Turkey’s rich archaeological and historical sites.
And I still keep my hand-in teaching (history) at an international school –
fortunately they are very understanding about my need for flexibility. To
update a chapter of RG Turkey I usually reckon on three weeks in the field. It
also depends on how much writing up I do whilst on the road.
What is the best thing about being a travel writer?
I enjoy the sheer exhilaration and
adventure of being on the road and the chance to go back, time and time again,
to fabulous places such as Istanbul, Troy, Mount Ararat, Lake Van and Ephesus.
Then there’s the freedom of being your own boss - post research I may be tied
to my computer for weeks, but even then, when I need a break, I can just get up
and walk away and come back when I’m in the mood. I love what I do, I try to
craft the best words that I can and yes, I still get a thrill from seeing my
name (and photographs) in print.
What’s the worst?
Having had a ‘safe’ job ie teaching,
just occasionally I shiver at the precariousness of the job – everything is
contracts and you never know when the work might dry-up. It’s also sometime
hard to keep up friendships with people in ‘normal’ jobs, as just as you get to
know someone or form a routine you’re back on the road. You won’t get picked
for the local football team if you’re a travel writer! Nor will you ever be
rich
What kind of talents single out the best travel writers?
A passion for the country or place
you’re writing about is pre-requisite, for me at least. I know Turkey very well
after more than twenty years either travelling or living here, and it never
fails to fascinate me. Perseverance – you’ll need it when you’re visiting the
tenth look-alike hotel of the day, it’s nearly 40 C and you’ve still got a raft
of restaurants to check out that evening. You also have to be very thorough,
checking and cross-checking your facts – travellers rely on all those
addresses, telephone numbers and the like being correct. Having a way with
words is definitely important, but don’t despair if you’re not naturally gifted
- guide-book writing is as much craft as innate talent.
I want your job!
Where should I start?
Good question! I came to travel writing
pretty late in life (mid30’s) and already had many years of experience in my
chosen country under my belt before putting fingers to keyboard. But even if
you’re young, I’d suggest getting to know one country (or even region of a
country) as well as you can, then you have something to ‘sell’ to the likes of
the Rough Guide ie knowledge. Of course you’ll also need to hone your research
and writing skills, be persistent in pursuing your ambitions after the
inevitable rejections and wait for that lucky break.
Ok. Are you ready to start your career in travel writing? Apply now for our 2011 Travel Writing Scholarship.
