Comments on: The Dumbing Down of Travel Writing

By: greg cole

greg cole — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:53:20 +0000

I once heard a writer asked “why did you write such a long story?” He answered that he didn’t have time to write a short one. I think the point is made that short pieces in the right hands take a lot of time and skill to craft. The longer articles I’ve read on Dans site lose me in the first couple of paragraphs as the writers struggle to drag me in. So I think the longer articles that Dan applauds, such as Bruce T’s, are quite painful, whereas the short and punchy articles are great.

By: Wanderluster

Wanderluster — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:47:05 +0000

I agree with Troy. Lists are NOT travel writing.

However, they do have their place – particularly for newbie travelers looking for info about a specific topic. And there’s nothing wrong with that. My site includes Tips (bulleted lists) and travel writing but most people click on the tips off of the home page because they want bite-sized information and inspiration.

There’s nothing dumbed down about this – it’s just the chopping up of books (or book-like) into material that can be read in small chunks.

By: David Whitley

David Whitley — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 11:21:55 +0000

OK, hands up. I’m one of those writers that ends up churning out the lists (and for the site that Daniel Scott is almost certainly talking about).

Can’t say they’re ever the pieces I’m most proud of, but there is a certain skill in them. It’s the idea that counts, and the ability to link 5/ 10 places by a theme. It’s not in-depth, it’s not ‘proper travel writing’, but it does attract eyeballs. And that’s what websites rely on.

I do think it’s a little snobbish to say that there isn’t a place for such pieces, although I’d personally prefer to read (and write) a proper, well-crafted 1,500 word story.

I think of them as inspiration pieces – they’re for the armchair reader that probably won’t go to one of the world’s wierdest restaurants or most dangerous beaches (etc), but they’re interested in knowing that they exist. They’re not aimed at ‘travellers’. But they do a job for someone who wants something light and interesting to read – and there’s no crime in that.

By: Troy

Troy — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:45:30 +0000

Granted, the lists are popular and do generate traffic, but can they really be called 'travel writing'? How does a mindless post about 10 ways to get the shoes you always wanted into your pack rank with a classic travelogue (print or online). Does the fact that someone actually has to scroll make a travel piece unsellable? I wrote apost about it comparing a recent piece by Christopher Hitchens on a trip to the new Acropolis museum with top 6 pieces, no comparison.

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:48:01 +0000

We’re also going through what I call the “lists vs. content” issue on Indie Travel Podcast. We focus on video and audio shows which generate a strong following, but it is articles that drive social media traffic, especially the stumbleupon crowd which, being tech-savvy, often converts into new listeners.

We’re looking to build a quality travel brand in the long term, focussing on new media publishing. It can be hard to avoid quick wins, especially when advertising budgets are tight, but we’re aiming for consistent quality (and hoping to keep finding it).

By: Sherry Ott

Sherry Ott — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 09:25:56 +0000

Thanks for the truthful commentary. I’m an avid traveler and I have to admit – I’m sick of lists. Unfortunately though as a society people are so busy that they only skim – I call it Hurry Sickness. It’s kind of like reading the cliff notes in a way. So I guess the real challenge is writing good content to really grabe the readers attention. I like to live by the motto – “if you build it, they will come.” Hopefully I can build it really well!

By: Janet McGarry

Janet McGarry — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:16:58 +0000

Hi Stuart – longtime. I’ve printed quite a few writers’ first pieces – hope you guys will all look after me in my old age!!!
The great thing about this and the Thumbrella debate has been that it’s stirred me to search the web more for quality, and I’ll try to put those sites in front of our readers in a future issue…