How do you get into travel writing? What makes a good angle? What's it really like? What happens if something goes wrong on the road? Should you just share the good stuff? ABC Radio 666 presenter Lish Fajer asks, and I tell about the good, the bad and the ugly of life as a travel writer. Happy listening! … [Read more...]
Latest – 2016
Want a quick snapshot of what I've been up to already in 2016? There was this story in the Guardian Australia, about the bias experienced by part-time workers. Continuing the theme of working parents, this one on SBS life is helping with the work life juggle, while those who find themselves friendless as a new parent, might enjoy my story on … [Read more...]
LISTEN: Talking life as a travel writer (on The Taleist podcast)
When people find out what I do - which actually, is a bunch of things (I'm a journalist, travel writer, writing coach and copywriter) - nine times out of ten they zero in on travel writing. "What's it like?" "How do you get started?" "What do you write if you hate the place?" While some of the answers take a while to explain (better off … [Read more...]
Advice on working from home and self employment
Struggling with working for yourself/working from home/freelancing? Here are some tips. … [Read more...]
Podcast: Getting into travel writing
Want to know how to get into travel writing? Or what really happens on a travel writing trip? In this podcast featured on Bondi Beach radio's travel program, Wanderlust, I talk about the difference between a holiday and a travel writing trip, the realities of sharing 'talent' and how to get paid to travel. Some great tunes at the top of … [Read more...]
Why I’m pressing pause on the blog
In the last couple of months, I've been faced with an interesting quandary. I've got work coming out my ears. I've got life stuff needing my attention. I've got that "Phew, it's been a busy year" feeling hitting me every second day. We're all good at some things, less good at others. Left unchecked, I'm good at working too much. (Which is to … [Read more...]
What journalism has taught me about simplicity
Ahh, it's a complicated life. Or is it? Well, yes and no. Over the years I've come to the conclusion that it's easy to do something well as a one off. But doing a good job in a sustained way, over months or years, takes a bit more of a strategy. After a while, some of these strategies - or, more simply, ways I get things done - become second … [Read more...]
Nothing to write about? So write nothing.
Last week, I had nothing to say. Okay, not nothing, but nothing I felt was going to add real value to your week. It wasn't that I ditched writing...oh no, there were story deadlines hitting me from every direction. But when it came to the blog, I felt exhausted. Nothing. Nada. Not one little slice of inspiration. So I decided to say … [Read more...]
How to ensure your story idea passes the “So what?” test
I love this anecdote about the proverbial keen young journo. He runs up to his editor saying, "I've got a great story idea." Editor: "So what?" Keen young journo: "Well, people have reported seeing sharks in the ocean just off the local beach." Editor: "So what?" Keen young journo: "Well, the beach was packed and everyone was looking … [Read more...]
When pitching: focussed, not scattergun is key
Hot story idea? Check. Pitch ready to go? Check. Sent to the top ten publications you'd like to see it run in? Noooooo! Stop right there. When you're pitching, you want to target, target, target. At the recent Walkley's journalism conference I was reminded of this by a number of the speakers. Editor of Daily Life, Sarah Oakes said it very … [Read more...]
Why freelancers need friends (and how to find some!)
It's a freelancing paradox. On one hand, if you're self employed, existing friends pop out of the woodwork at all hours of the (traditional) work day. "I'm having a day off, want to hang out?" or "Just heading to the beach with the kids, interested?" Sound familiar? All very nice, but usually those offers involve you reminding your dear friends … [Read more...]
Tips for success from Siimon Reynolds
Looking at Siimon Reynolds' (yes, two i's) list of achievements, it's clear he's a busy guy. A former adman, Reynolds shot into the public eye in the 1980s, when he created the controversial Grim Reaper ads - one of Australia's first HIV education messages. His creative businesses boomed, and he then moved into writing books (five at last count), … [Read more...]