Things to consider when packing:

• Will this be too heavy for me to carry? If the answer is yes, pull it all out and start again. You will need to be able to carry it.
• Is it securely locked? Even backpacks can take locks, or some airports (eg. in South America) offer a plastic seal service to make sure nobody tampers with your stuff.
• Will it hold? If you’ve bought a cheapie suitcase from Thailand make sure it won’t fall open by taping it up. Many luggage shops sell straps.
• What season/weather am I packing for? If you’re heading somewhere tropical, ditch the fluffy boots.
• Roll tightly. You will be able to fit much more in if you roll clothes up.
• Seal toiletries. Leaking shampoos are to be avoided.
• What will I be able to buy once there? Take into account that while traveling you are likely to shop. Leave room for additional items.
• What am I not allowed to pack? Most airlines have restrictions. Check their website to make sure you won’t have to chuck out anything at the airport.
• Have I packed my own luggage? Don’t let random people pack your packs and don’t offer to transport anything unless you know the person very, very well.
• Does it look like everyone else’s luggage? If the answer is yes, cover it in ribbons, stickers, anything to make it clearly yours.
• Do I really want to carry this? Look at each item long and hard, and be ruthless. Do you really want to carry the Lord of the Rings trilogy (books) around the world with you? Your pet rock?

My First Travel Article

My first travel article was written and published in 2000. It was about my experiences living in Berlin for a year. The ‘hook’ (what made it current and fresh) was the mention of a new Working Holiday Visa introduced in Germany. I wrote the article, emailed it to a random person at a newspaper – probably through their website – and forgot all about it until someone rang me congratulating me on being in the paper.

Since then I’ve had many other travel articles published, from Europe to South America to Asia. Here’s my advice on how to write your own publishable articles.

1. Find a ‘hook’
A hook is something that makes your article current and fresh, like the example above. Has the country or town been in the news for something special lately? Is there an event unique to that area? Did you have an experience unlike any other? Open with that.

2. Write in your own style
Your writing style makes you special. Although you need to keep the tone of the publication in mind that you’re submitting to, don’t ‘disguise’ your natural style. It’ll sound forced and awkward.

3. Don’t stress, just write
Get it all out onto paper/the computer. Tidy later. Don’t fret over each sentence. You’ll never get it done.

4. Don’t recount your itinerary
No one wants to read ‘Then… and then we… and then we…” Start with a strong memory, and link your thoughts, but it doesn’t need to be in chronological order.

5. Make it vivid
When traveling, take detailed notes as you go so you don’t forget your impressions. Look around and get the details down. What was said? What was smelled? What was felt? Take photos of the unexpected: an amusing sign, an unusual meal. The minutiae make up your trip and will make your readers feel like they were there, too.

6. Get your thoughts straight
Before you start communicating, have a think about what you actually want to say. Did you have a wonderful time, or an awful time that ended well, or an unexpected time that was better than you could’ve imagined? Do you want to warn people, encourage people, educate people, entertain people? Figure out your aim first, so it comes through in your writing. Choosing a headline and introduction can help you focus.

7. Talk to locals
Fellow tourists are fun and often have good tips, but if you’re writing a travel article you need to talk to people who can share words of wisdom about their country. Are the locals poor, oppressed, healthy, happy, hard-working? Unless you’re reviewing a resort you’ll need to get out and meet people. It’s also the most interesting part.

8. Balance facts and opinion
Your thoughts alone are unlikely to be enough. What is the history of the area? The population? The culture? Likewise, a geography lesson can be dull. Add your impressions. It’s about finding a balance.

9. End with a bang
End as you hopefully opened: strongly. Don’t trail off with, “So I had a great time and recommend it.” What was your overall impression? Can you link it back to the beginning? I always try and add an event or snippet of conversation that encapsulates the tone covered in the rest of the article.

10. Give to a friend
Get a friend to check and read your article. Chances are, you’re so close to it now you can’t see any obvious oversights or errors. Take feedback into consideration, and certainly word counts, but keep your gut instincts in mind too.

Already written your article? Here are my tips on getting published in print.