Travel Writing - 8 Story Angles Travel Writers Write Travel Articles From

One of the challenges of successful travel writing is to find a story angle to write from. The angle is the perspective from which a story is written. How to travel around Europe by train versus Bill Bryson’s Walk in the Woods for example are travel stories that not only have different subject matter they are also written from different angles. One is a travel advice piece while the other is a humorous travel memoir based on a personal experience of a journey undertaken.

There are many angles to write travel articles from. Most beginner travel writers typically write travel destination articles. Travel destination articles are informational travel stories about a particular travel location such as how to get there, what to take, what to see and so on. Travel destination stories can often be very long and provide a challenge to beginner travel writers to condense the story into manageable proportions. In many ways the unwieldy destination piece provides a good reason to find a different angle to pitch your travel writing from.

The angle of a travel article helps travel writers stay focussed and ensures that only such information that is relevant to the piece is presented. Below is a summary of some of the most common angles travel writers employ.

1. Travel Destination Story
   Travel Destination Stories are accounts of a travel destination designed to give the reader a strong impression about a particular place. A destination story might include highlights of the travel destination, details of events of special interest, the atmosphere and color of the place, something about the people and their character, any special difficulties and so on
2. Advice Story for Travellers
   Advice stories about travel draw from the travel writer's experience. Travel advice stories let readers know about the advantages or disadvantages of a particular place, various ways to travel, and so on. The pros and cons of travelling by train rather than car would be a typical example of this kind of travel story angle. Travel advice stories might also come in the form of travel tips and are popular with readers.
3. Humorous Travel Story
   Bill Bryson has made a living out of writing humorous travel stories. Some of the worst travel experiences can become some of the best travel stories. What went wrong can in fact make a better travel story than what went right when given this kind of treatment.
4. Personal Experience Travel Story
   The personal experience travel story is another very popular angle that travel writers use. First hand accounts that are quirky and offbeat can be very readable. To write a good personal experience travel story use a conversational style and make sure what you are writing about is interesting to others not just you.
5. Historical or Nostaglic Travel Story
   Travel writers of historical stories write about a history or event that is unique to a particular place. Comparing and contrasting is often used to link a story about an old building or famous battle for instance and to highlight what is different with the passage of time. Also keep in mind that if a travel destination is associated with a famous person that relationship provides a good basis for a travel article.
6. Issue or Bandwagon Travel Story
   Writing about an issue from a tourism perspective is another travel writing angle available to travel writers. In these day of ecotourism there are plenty of opportunities for the beginner travel writer to write about the effects of tourism on the environment. For example if you know that the native penguin population is being stressed by too many visitors to the area seize the opportunity to write about it. This will help raise awareness of the issue, promote change and protect wildlife plus you are likely to get paid for the privilege.
7. Getting There Travel Story
   If getting from A to B is interesting write about it. Travel writers often write about the journey itself rather than the destination. A story about an elephant ride in Northern Thailand or a camel trek across the desert is likely to be well received by readers who are contemplating making a similar journey.
8. Roundup Travel Story
   Roundup travel stories provide an overview about a particular travel destination or aspect of that destination. If you are writing about a well known place a roundup piece such as the top 10 restaurants in London is likely to hook readers more than a long general destination article because it targets readers who are specifically looking for that travel information. Start by writing about your own travel experience first in order to make your travel roundup story more personal before opening up your account to the more general travel stories from other travel writers.

Whatever angle you adopt make sure you write travel stories that are interesting and focussed. Avoid the strictly chronological account of a tour you took. While your anecdotal rambings may be interesting to you others may not find them so. Travel writing is a skill that needs to be honed. If you want to learn more about travel writing sign up for a travel writing course or general writing course near you or online.

There are many untold story opportunities for the travel writer. Don’t get lulled into thinking you need to visit some exotic location to find interesting stories about travel. There are plenty of local stories at your backdoor if you choose to open your eyes. Remember wherever you are you are overseas to most of the rest of the world.