Roy Stevenson from Pitch Travel Write sent out a newsletter the other day with a quiz that tests whether you have what it takes to be a travel writer. Since July, 2007, Roy has had 750 articles published in over 170 different magazines, e-zines, in-flights, newspapers, websites and blogs. His work has been published in regional, national, and international publications and he’s considered to be one of the most prolific travel writers in the U.S.
His quiz consists of thirteen YES or NO questions about important qualities travel writers need to be successful. After each question, Roy included why each item is important to help you analyze your strengths and weaknesses.
Do You Have What It Takes to be a Travel Writer?
Give yourself one point for every YES answer.
When you’ve completed the quiz, check the table below to see how you rate as a travel writer.
1. Are you prepared to read about and research your destination in advance?
This is important because so many travel writers don’t bother doing this crucial step. They don’t have any juicy facts and figures to include in their query letters so editors reject their ideas.
2. Are you prepared to actually write about your travels?
I’ve met so many wannabee travel writers who are in love with the romantic idea of sitting on a white sandy beach, in a hammock, under a palm tree, Mai Tai in hand, with their laptop. But when it comes to grinding out the words, they’re just not into it. (And have you ever tried working on a beach? It’s miserable!)
3. Are you interested in exploring new places?
Seriously, I know travel writers who do not enjoy visiting new places because it puts them out of their comfort zone. Successful travel writers have an insatiable curiosity about other places and don’t freak out when things are “different”.
4. Can you dream up story angles about your destinations?
Editors expect your travel stories to have interesting themes and trending topics. They don’t want to see the same of stuff reheated and served up again. You need an active imagination to “see” new story angles.
5. Are you comfortable marketing yourself and selling your story ideas?
If you can’t sell your stories, you don’t get to write them. When you’re starting out, learning to sell your work is more important than writing.
6. Are you prepared to create query letters and send them out to multiple publications? Daily?
If you don’t send out queries, you won’t get published. The more queries you send out, the more stories you’ll sell.
7. Are you comfortable with wandering off course during your travels to open up new and exciting story ideas and opportunities?
Spontaneous wanderings are often the source of many great story ideas!
8. Do you enjoy meeting new people?
If you don’t enjoy meeting people, you’re definitely in the wrong business. It’s the people that make a place irresistible.
9. Can you stick to a consistent writing routine?
Consistency pays off with freelance writing. Ask any successful writer.
10. Can you see each writing project through from start to finish?
“Stickability” is crucial for success. All sorts of minor hurdles crop up in freelance writing and you need to persist. True journalists see every project through to the end.
11. Are your writing skills solid? Maybe not great, but do you at least have basic mastery of spelling, grammar, syntax, and creative writing?
Contrary to what many beginners believe, it is not the magazine editor’s job to fix your sub-standard writing. If you submit a poorly written article, it will be rejected or you’ll be asked to rewrite it.
You probably won’t get the chance to work with that editor again. Poor writing skills show through in your query letters, too. This explains why many novice travel writers never seem to break through into paying print media.
12. Do you have a camera that can take high-resolution images?
Offering a gallery of high-res images can often clinch the deal with an editor. Some editors won’t accept an article without photos.
13. Do you have the ability and means to travel several times each year?
Experts tell you to start out by writing about local attractions and destinations. This is a good plan, but after a while you’re going to tap out the available attractions and publications your locale has to offer.
An exception is if you’re fortunate enough to live in a major tourist destination like Paris, London, or New York, or some other place with unlimited potential for travel stories.
Take this simple quiz to assess whether you have what it takes to become a #travelwriter. Click To Tweet
How did you do?
1-3 YES answers.
Don’t give up your day job just yet. You need a plan to focus on travel writing if that’s really what you want to do.
4-7 YES answers.
You’re showing promise. What can you work on to improve?
8-13 YES answers.
You’ve got the right stuff! Keep on pitching!
Roy is also launching a new year long coaching program on October 1st – check out the details here. If you’re looking for motivation to get your travel writing career kick-started, this could be just the opportunity you’re looking for.
We’ve also featured Roy in our Author Interview series which showcases travel bloggers and writers who’ve written books.
Thank you very much for the blog! I have recently been trying to up my game in travel writing and this was very helpful
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