Need to learn to write journey tales that different individuals will need to learn?
You’re in good firm. Yearly, hundreds of writers think about turning their journey tales into actual revealed tales. However right here’s the factor…
Journey writing is generally boring.
It’s as a result of all the opposite writers are penning the identical dusty guidebooks about vacationer traps. You understand the locations, and so do your readers. All the drained descriptions. All the cliche jokes and buildings.
BUT
What if YOUR journey tales may very well be completely different?
Prepared? Let’s go.
Why Most Journey Writing Fails (And How To Keep away from It)
Right here’s a bit secret…
Most journey writers by no means even sit down to write down their story as a result of they already consider their story is doomed to failure. Considering to themselves how magical that sundown in Santorini was or how delectable that avenue meals in Bangkok is will routinely compel readers to buy.
WRONG.
Reality is, the one handiest technique to kill a journey story is to attempt to make it learn like a vacation brochure. No person desires to learn one other “10 Issues To Do In Paris” listicle, not even you.
Journey readers need to really feel that sand between their toes, that mosquito chew on their ankle, they need to scent the fragrance part of that reward store in Turkey that you simply simply HAD to enter.
They need to be there with you getting off the prepare on time after lacking their connecting flight by way of some miracle of journey persistence.
These are the tales that catch.
However there’s one thing else…
Your headline issues greater than you assume.
While you’re selecting a reputation to your story, or your e-book, utilizing an AI e-book title generator may also help you brainstorm compelling titles that seize consideration. We’ll speak extra about this beneath, however consider me, it’s a technique to reap the benefits of.
Discovering Your Distinctive Journey Voice
Right here’s one other soiled little secret about journey writing…
Each different journey author is making an attempt to sound like Anthony Bourdain or Elizabeth Gilbert.
Not going to work.
Journey readers don’t need one other ripoff. They need to expertise YOU.
Ask your self…
- What WEIRD issues do YOU discover once you journey?
- What’s your journey catastrophe story?
- What journey “discoveries” have you ever made that shocked even you?
Good seaside day in Bali? Meh.
That point you bought meals poisoning in Morocco and needed to beg the lodge workers for a rehydration pack till somebody believed you weren’t dying? Wonderful.
Right here’s the deal.
You in all probability have a fairly good concept about what a “humorous” story is. Or a “horny” story. Or an “unique” one. Assume for a minute about how your actual journey moments may play towards these issues.
Particulars, particulars, particulars.
Cease saying the meals was “scrumptious.” Write about how the road vendor’s fingers moved like an previous wizard, simply folding these dumplings into excellent creases, how the chili oil on the desk made your eyes water however you simply couldn’t assist consuming once more.
In line with current publishing knowledge, solely 4% of books surpass 1,000 whole gross sales. Which means you want each benefit you may get.
The Secret Construction That Hooks Readers
Okay, time for one more secret that can remodel journey writing without end…
The very BEST journey tales observe a easy sample that readers simply can’t resist. It’s not about chronological order. It’s not about geographical proximity. It’s a couple of reader’s emotional journey.
Battle. That’s the place you begin. At all times. No person cares that you simply “landed on the airport at 6 AM.” They care that you simply practically missed your flight as a result of Google Maps is severely by no means proper in Cairo.
Layer on these parts:
- Stakes (what might go fallacious – and doubtless will)
- Characters (actual individuals, not token vacationers)
- Transformation (how the journey modifications you)
One thing that the majority journey writers miss…
You wrap up that story the identical method you start it. Readers need reflection. They need perception. They need to know “what occurred subsequent” in a method that issues to them. So give it to them.
No sugar coating your journey misadventures.
Don’t finish the story once you “lastly get house.” Readers need a takeaway. A lesson discovered, a reality held as much as the sunshine, a solution discovered. No less than they need to.
Constructing Tales Round Actual Moments
You understand what’s killing journey writing lately?
Instagram.
Too many writers are so busy making an attempt to stage the right picture they neglect to truly EXPERIENCE something.
Actual journey tales begin in actual moments, and 99% of the time, these moments are fairly messy.
Pew researchers just lately reported 66% of vacationers are extra concerned with journey now than earlier than COVID-19.
Vacationers are hungry for actual experiences, they’re sick of filtered fantasies and so they need genuine journey tales that permit them think about new worlds.
SO GIVE THEM REALITY.
Write about:
- The loneliness of solo journey at 3 AM
- The kindness of strangers who don’t converse your language
- The helplessness you’re feeling when nothing goes in response to plan
Element. Particulars. DETAILS.
Cease being afraid to zoom in on the very particular belongings you seen that turned a journey second into YOUR journey second. Don’t simply say it was humid in Singapore. Write about how humidity made every thing follow your pores and skin in Singapore.
The precise element advised on the proper time can transport a reader to new locations much better than even essentially the most lush adjective-dense description.
Getting Your Journey E book Revealed
Prepare for one more bombshell…
Self-published book titles on Amazon grew by 9% in 2024.
Journey writing is among the most accessible and profitable markets on the market proper now. Right here’s the deal…
Conventional publishers aren’t concerned with your e-book except you’ve received a platform. And by “platform” we imply you have already got:
- Weblog readers
- Social media following
- Revealed items
- Talking gigs
Yup. You’ll be constructing these as you go, one journey story at a time.
Each time you get one among your journey tales revealed on-line, you’ve simply taken yet one more step towards that e-book deal.
And right here’s one other factor to recollect…
Analysis reveals that 69% of vacationers are actively in search of out sustainable journey choices.
If you happen to can tie your tales to sustainable journey or different rising developments resembling transformative journey or off-the-beaten path escapes, publishers pays consideration.
Tying It All Collectively
Journey writing that cuts by way of the litter isn’t about visiting essentially the most unique place, or having the wildest journey.
Journey writing is about…
- Discovering YOUR genuine voice
- Telling tales about actual journey moments, not excellent images
- Writing with emotional depth
- Honoring what your readers actually need
The worldwide journey trade just lately reached $1.5 trillion in 2023.
Vacationers have been looking, even throughout the previous couple of gradual years, for inspiration and tales.
The web has made it really easy for readers to seek out the right guidebook, and by the way in which, readers nonetheless love guidebooks, greater than ever.
Your voice, your distinctive perspective on the locations you journey may very well be what they’re in search of, however provided that you’re courageous sufficient to write down truthfully, messily and authentically.
Go write that true story now.
Final Up to date on October 2, 2025