The secrets of Travel writing

Dear Lisa,

How are you? Are you already packing for your next trip? It must be really exciting to go backpacking in Asia. Which countries are you planning to visit? I know you will start in Malaysia, but I suppose you’re not going to spend all three months in one country. Are you not scared to go all by yourself? I would completely freak out, because of the scary stories that backpackers get robed and things like that. Besides I don’t think my mother would let me go, you know how she can make a big fuss of things.

In your last letter you told me you want to write a travel story when you are in Asia. I think that is a very good idea, because you are an excellent writer so why wouldn’t you give it a try. I read an interesting article called ‘The secrets of Travel writing’ by Peter Moore. There are some helpful tips in it if you want to become a travel writer, such as successful travel books are inspirational. Another good advice is that you have to write your story like you are telling it to a friend in the pub.

The third tip is that you have put a good dialogue in your story. Many people think that travel writing is about describing people and places. It will be easier to do this in a dialogue and it will give your story a more professional look. I am sure you are creative enough to make them up, but according to Peter Moore you’ll be surprised by the interesting things that people say.

The last tip I want to share with you is that you shouldn’t put too many details in your story, because it will make it very boring to read. If you spend five hours in a bus we don’t have to know how many birds and traffic lights you have seen during that specific trip, because we don’t care.

Don’t forget to scribble away all your amazing experiences. I am really looking forward to read your travel story. Enjoy your trip!

Love,
Julia