Comments on: So You Wanna Be a Travel Writer?

By: Bunny Sunday

Bunny Sunday — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:57:28 +0000

THANK-YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
I was just complaining yesterday about how much it SUCKS being a freelance writer but I had to quickly follow it up with “but I shouldn’t complain because I work from home” because the person I was complaining to (who has a 9-5 office job) looked like they wanted to kill me. I love writing so much and I could never work in an office again, but it’s like, “Hello? No benefits, no pension, no company-provided insurance. Plus, it’s pretty lonely.”

It’s just such a relief to see in print what I think all the time. I’m 24 right now. I’m still learning how to write and I might not even make it as a writer. If I do make it, it might not be for another 20 years.

I totally agree with the college part. I have a university degree in English (useless!) so I decided to go to college for journalism. I didn’t even last a semester. It was a total waste of time and money. I could have taught the classes.

We do what we do because we love it, not because we’re lucky or because it’s easy… certainly not for the money.

By: there’s no straight path to awesomeness « russian ramblings

there’s no straight path to awesomeness « russian ramblings — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:09:57 +0000

[...] Kristin Luna of Camels and Chocolate – she has this great post on her site titled, “So You Wanna Be a Travel Writer?” which basically turned into an “if you can hack it – try it, but don’t [...]

By: Kristy Holds Forth » Blog Archive » I couldn’t have said it better myself…

Sun, 02 Jan 2011 14:02:37 +0000

[...] you, Kristin, for this blog post, which so succinctly explains why, after five years as a freelancer, I just can’t take it [...]

By: edj

edj — Fri, 21 May 2010 13:29:54 +0000

Thanks. I found this encouraging. As a writer whose lifestyle involves lots of travel as it is, I’ve been trying to break into the market myself and have been inordinately discouraged by the lack of response to my queries. Rejection, yes, but being ignored? So much more painful! You’ve inspired me to get off my butt and keep trying.

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 10 May 2010 07:56:37 +0000

Thank you so much for posting this, Kristin! So inspiring and is really pushing me to work my ass off so that I can be like you one day!

By: Cherrye at My Bella Vita

Cherrye at My Bella Vita — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:12:25 +0000

What a nice first post for me to “stumble upon.” I agree with many things you said, but I, too, like to take classes, even though I’ve been in a “dud” myself. I’m just glad we have so many options on the Internet and so many experienced travel writers sharing their stories.

By: Wandering Carol

Wandering Carol — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:48:03 +0000

A thoughtful insightful post. But, as a travel writer and columnist, I have my own take on a couple of things. Taking a course really did help me start out, and it’s the workshop you mention at Book Passages that got me started. Also, I never saw any reason to start small. I think it’s more important to start where you think you’ll fit in. I jumped right in with the San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Post. Starting so big so fast had it’s own problems, though, because I really didn’t know what I was doing, just with the nuts and bolts of it all, but as you say, you learn by doing.

By: Best of the web – Roaming Tales: Travel links for 28 September | Roaming Tales

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:48:46 +0000

[...] writing. Kristin Luna dishes the dirt on becoming a travel writer on her blog Camels and Chocolate and John Hooper muses on the blurred lines between truth and [...]

By: Lesley

Lesley — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 22:51:35 +0000

Thanks so much for this post. I’m attempting to launch a freelance career from Mexico City, and it’s oh-so-lonely (and frustrating!) at times. Alternately feel like I have no idea what I’m doing, and wonder whether I’m not doing *enough*, and just who the hell are these people who are successful at this, anyway? Is there some kind of magic formula that I haven’t found yet? Well, now I’ve read your post and it turns out that my instincts are right: I’ve just got to keep working hard and persevere. And paper my walls with the rejection letters. I really needed this today. Thank you again!

By: Rynn

Rynn — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 00:56:26 +0000

Great post, very honest and inspirational. Your “tell it like it is” approach is refreshing and should be required reading for anyone considering freelance writing – travel or otherwise. Thank you and well done!