Spit and Shine Tips That Give Your Articles an Extra Edge

“God gives every bird his worm, but he does not throw it into the nest.”

That’s the Swedish Proverb travel writer and editor Jennifer Stevens started her presentation with today.  It’s the last day of The Ultimate Travel Writer’s Workshop here in Chicago and attendees likely feel like they fall into one of two groups:

1. The well-prepared and excited group
2. The well-prepared and scared group

“I know. I know,” she said.  “You’re afraid your articles won’t be good enough…You’re afraid you’ll say the wrong thing to an editor…

You love the idea of being a travel writer, but you never do anything with what you’ve written…”

“But here’s the good news: 80% of success is just showing up.”

Attendees here  now know WAY more than the average wanna-be travel writer.  In fact, they know more than a lot of working, professional travel writers.

Here’s one of Jen’s spit-shine tips to give your articles an extra edge of professional polish:

Get rid of the phrases “there is” and “there are” in your writing.

Example: There is one guilty pleasure remaining.

Better: One guilty pleasure remains.

This will immediately tighten up your language. And it forces you to use a more powerful verb than “is.”

[Editor’s Note:  You don’t have to quit your day-job to become a travel writer (if you don’t want to, that is).  Travel writing is something you can do from home or from your once or twice a year vacation.

Learn more about opportunities to profit from your travels (and even from your own home) in our free online newsletter The Right Way to Travel.]