I attended a presentation on memoir and the speaker said this: “When you write about your own life, you’re also writing about others’ lives.” (Kathryn Tafra of Motif Editing.) You’ll have no doubt met loads of people when you went on your travels. You may have written about them in your journal or scribbled downContinue reading “Using real people’s names in your adventure memoir”
Category Archives: Blog
How to make your dialogue realistic
Great dialogue means your readers hear peoples’ voices, their tone, and their personality. But dialogue doesn’t happen in a vacuum. When you’re recounting conversations you had during your travels, be sure to include what was going on around you. The gestures you made or the actions you took as you talked go a long wayContinue reading “How to make your dialogue realistic”
Will my book be perfect after editing?
Ever read a book and found a typo? Of course you have. Despite all the rounds of editing and revision a book goes through (whether traditionally published or self-published), chances are, some sneaky little error will slip through. Before you leave a bad review or message the author, know that that typo or error isContinue reading “Will my book be perfect after editing? “
There are already so many memoirs about walking this trail – is there space for mine?
I recently saw someone ask this question online: “There are already so many memoirs about walking Te Araroa. Is there even space for mine?”
YES! There is space for your story! It doesn’t matter if you’re writing about Te Araroa or the Pacific Crest Trail or the Camino de Santiago or any other popular trail. There is space for your story.
My favourite writing goofs
Kia ora, Over the years, I’ve picked up all sorts of goofs in my editing work. Here are a few I remember: In each case, something stuck out to me as I read. And because of the type of person I am, I had to go fact-checking. The authors weren’t dummies for making these mistakes.Continue reading “My favourite writing goofs”
Editing lingo: What is a pass and what is a round?
If you’re talking to an editor about getting your manuscript edited, you’ll likely hear us talk about how many rounds of editing we provide and how many passes of your manuscript we’ll do. They’re not the same thing, so knowing the difference will help you understand what you’re getting for your money. What is aContinue reading “Editing lingo: What is a pass and what is a round?”
The effect “before” and “after” have on your travel writing (aka timeline nudges)
Let’s start with an anecdote: When I arrived in the clearing, I set up my tent before putting my sleeping bag inside, then got my stove boiling so I could make a cup of Milo. I went for a walk to collect dry wood after I had warmed up, before lighting a camp fire. There’sContinue reading “The effect “before” and “after” have on your travel writing (aka timeline nudges)”
My digital tools and AI policy
Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Perplexity are ever-evolving. Equally, our ability to turn off features or minimise their use isn’t always straightforward or possible. I know I’m not the only one who finds these features’ intrusion into my daily and professional life unwelcome. I use plenty of digital tools to help meContinue reading “My digital tools and AI policy”
2025 travel and adventure reading round-up
Kia ora, I’m starting 2026 by looking back on 2025. Or at least, I’m looking back on the books I read, and I read a lot! Here’s my one-ish-sentence summary of each, in the order I read them. I want to hear your opinions too, so if you’ve read any of these, reply and letContinue reading “2025 travel and adventure reading round-up”
Busting myths that travel & adventure writers have about editing
Too many new writers let common myths about editing hold them back from working with the very people who can kick their writing up a notch. I’m taking about editors like me. I’m not here to just check your spelling and grammar, and I’m never going to tell you that you’re a bad writer. I’mContinue reading “Busting myths that travel & adventure writers have about editing”