Early today I was alerted to a fabulously waspish Tweet from Hanoi-based blogger and journalist Steve Jackson. He said: “Travel writing is second lowest form of writing. The lowest form is travel tips (don’t pack too much – remember to haggle).”
Sigh. Obviously I’m not going to agree with him, as that would damage my fragile ego far too much. But he does have a point – 95% of the time, travel writing is the soft option and getting respect amongst a crowd of hard-bitten investigative journalists or warzone reporters is always going to be an exercise in futility.
But there are at least five less credible ways to be making a living as a journalist. And for the benefit of any hack out there churning out some copy they’re slightly ashamed of as a way of paying the rent, just be grateful that you’re not doing one of the following:
Middle class mum in a weekend supplement
“You’re not going to like this,” gasped The Other Half. “We’re completely out of balsamic vinegar.” Quite the moment for the little darlings to burst in, seemingly having used their new school blazers as Walter Raleigh-style carpets on a marsh…
Ghost-writing The Sun’s News In Briefs
Nicola, 23, from Essex, says: “The complexities of the carbon-trading scheme proposed under the Copenhagen talks led to the formation of antagonistic blocs, and distracted from the core business of binding emissions targets.”
Red carpet reporting
HITS: Natalie Cassidy’s funky take on a Benedictine smock and Jenny Powell’s bold shoulder pad/ cape combo. MISSES: Toyah Willcox turning up in the same dress she wore to the National Opening of a Bag last year and Gina G’s magenta nipple tassles.
Relationship quizzes in women’s magazines
How does he like to show his affection when you have time alone together? A) Fumbling around like a blind man looking for a door handle, B) Licking your arm or C) Standing at an intimate distance from your face and bellowing Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol until you start crying.
Conducting interviews for Nuts and Zoo
Q: So are you proud to be in this week’s list of Britain’s top 100 bums?
A: Of course – it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Well, since being in last week’s list of Britain’s top 100 boobs, anyway.
Q: And do you like, you know, having sex and being rude and stuff?
Tags: journalism, Travel Writing
I’ve never met a travel writer who makes a living out of it. how many can anyone name? I suspect GT might be the world’s only one — if even he does. ravaged bank account.
don’t pack too much – remember to haggle