Travel Writing: It’s The Journey, Not The Destination
Travel writing is one of the most dynamic endeavors in the field. For the most part, each piece requires you to use a different approach every time, turning out items that are as dynamic and changing as the places you write about.
The best way to approach travel stories is to do it the same way a good vacation usually goes. You get off the plane with a plan, but at the end of the day: the ensuing adventure is more valuable than any specific goal. Of course, we’re assuming you know how to write (or, at bare minimum, use a good writing software to help you), since the alternative kind of hints at disastrous results.
Good travel writing flows in much the same way. The writer starts it with a specific goal, whether that be to find the most beautiful places in India or to uncover the most unique hidden treasures of roadside America. During actual production of the work, however, hitting that target is usually of secondary importance. What will end up drawing readers is your journey towards completing it.
What happened during your quest to fulfill the mission? How did things go? Did you uncover anything that ended up surprising you? The answer to those questions and others like them represent the heart and soul of your travel stories, leaving readers thrilled at the actual journey.