Non-Boring Travel Writing

Unusual angles

Many travellers have written about Paris. Some even regard it as their favourite city. So, if you are going to write about a place, person or process which has been covered many times, you will need an unusual angle.

And in the Cotswolds, Knickerbocker Glory is a strawberry sundae in a long glass. The Pickled Dill delicatessen MUST belong to a person with a sense of humour.

Great Expectations in Los Angeles was the name of a punk style hairdresser.

A mini whizzed past on the Santa Ana freeway. ‘This is a transistorised Cadillac’ read the sticker in the rear window. A sufficient reminder of L.A. freeways and Cadillacs.

Next time you travel, consider carrying a notebook.

To cover all eventualities, when gathering ideas for articles, you should carry a digital camera also capable of recording video, as well as an audio recorder and your notebook (if you have the space, budget, muscles and time).

Consider any differences between what you expected to find or feel and the way things actually are.

backing up the photos on your phone needs to be considered. Otherwise, be selective.

Or split the information gathering roles and share equipment with your travel companions.

This contrast between expectation and reality often provides dramatic conflict within an article. Note distances, prices, specific spellings and unique phrases. Jot down three smells, tastes, sights, sounds and textures that relate to each area.