Thread: Travel writing

Hi, I'm new to this site and would really appreciate any advice I could get on my work-in-progress. I have been writing about my trips over to the USA (from the UK) for about five years now (on and off), mainly for my own ammusement. Over the last few weeks I have started a blog page to 'spread the word' a bit further afield and would love some creative critisism on how I could maybe improve my writing style. Anyone willing to cast a critical eye over some of my work? I would of course return the favour! Thanks for listening to my plea!!

I'd be interested in reading some of your work. I'm not exactly a "travel writer" as I write fiction, but travel is a theme in my work. I'd just be interested in reading about your travels but could offer some critique as well. Link me the blog?

Hello starseed, thanks very much. My blog address is steve taylors travels etc Any feedback is more than welcome, good or bad!! Thanks again. I'll have a look at your work tonight when we get the kids to bed!

Hello starseed, thanks very much. My blog address is steve taylors travels etc Any feedback will be more than welcome, good or bad! Much appreciated, thanks again.

Hey there... Since you have a lot of writing I'll read the blog one chapter at a time, starting with the introduction. It will probably take me a few days so I'll just try for one a day...for now, there were just a few things I noticed....

-If we are talking perfect grammar... a lot of times you said "Me and so and so..." when I think it's correct to say "So and so and I". It would make it read smoother and more professionally to change that. It's a little thing I always catch myself doing as well.

-I noticed this sentence: "Growing up watching these shows on British TV in the 70s and 80s, gives your impression of America as a land of scandal and murder on every street corner"... I wasn't sure about the "gives your impression"... sounds a bit weird to me. Then again you guys talk different over there, lol. Myself, I'd probably write that sentence like: "Growing up watching these shows on British TV in the 70's and 80's, I was given the impression that America is a land of scandal, with murders on every street corner..."

I'm not sure if you want a critique of the whole thing or not. If you want I can just post the whole blog here and give it a critique with what I would personally change. Or if you're just looking for an overview of the subject matter that works too.

Now...

All that said, I enjoyed reading. It was funny. Especially funny thinking about how television could give on a view of a particular place, as I've thought quite a bit about how incredibly stupid America must look if one were viewing life here through television alone, lol. After watching television I'm amazed you had any desire to visit America at all. But I'm glad you did. A lot of my British friends hate America and say they have no desire to come here. They are disgusted by our government and what not, which I don't blame them for, but they are missing out on a lot of the natural beauty that is here.

The bit about the world series was funny as well. I've never actually thought about that before. It's fitting of the American mentality, lol.

Also this is random but I love that you said "get in amongst it" lol... I had a British friend who always said that and I thought it was so cute. I've never heard any American say it. I ended up stealing that line and now one of my characters in my novel says it.

-I see you visited North Carolina at some point which is awesome. I live here. Can't wait to read about your experience here! I've traveled a fair bit myself and this is my absolute favorite place on earth thus far. I originally am from California but after traveling around western north carolina for a bit I knew I was not going back to the west coast. This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. I live in a cabin in the mountains here now.

I'll read your next blog about NY tomorrow.

Hi starseed. Wow! would you really be prepared to read my work and even be my critique? I would appreciate that so much. I have been thinking about taking my writing a bit more serious for a little while now and to have someone (other than family or friends) to advise and correct me would be a huge boost.

Ooops, dont know what happened there! As I was saying starseed, I would really appreciate your help and advice. On the grammar issue; I always tend to fall into the trap of writing as if i'm talking to someone, when of course if I get it right when writing then it will read a lot clearer and smoother. I must work harder on that! Dont worry, American television didnt deter me at all, I wrote that section as a fun example of my desire to visit the USA! I have a lot more to write about my three trips to the US, my blog page is just going to be a sort of 'example' of what I have to offer. I will be posting more on the blog, but I am already working on new drafts of everything I have written so far. I'm sorry to say that I have not yet visited North Carolina yet, starseed, that was just mentioned as a place that I would likely find just as interesting as anywhere else in the US! Like I said, I would really love to have your help and advice, (and dont worry, I wouldnt expect replies from you every day or anything like that!) so if you are willing then that would be great. Thanks again and hope to 'see y'all again real soon'!!!

Hey there, sorry for vanishing for a few days. I'll read the next of your blogs later tonight, promise!

Hey there. Just finished reading the blog about the empire state building. No critiques really that I noticed. It was good; felt like I was there!

Thanks starseed. Keep the compliments coming!!

I just read the statue one... my only critique is that I'm pretty sure "fore warned" is one word; forewarned... (it's near the beginning of the blog)

Sounds cool. I've never been to NYC.