Acknowledging that you are a writer takes a bit of time. Especially if you did not have that as your initial career path. Fresh out of journalism school, you can easily tell everyone your mission is writing. When you start as a teacher, then a mom, then a writer, the path is a little bit murkier. At first I would tell others that I am a blogger. Then gradually I have been able to change that to writer, especially as I have been published several times in a magazine. To call myself a “travel writer” might just be a whole other level, but I do believe that is a title I am willing to take on.
I feel privileged to be a part of an online Midwest travel bloggers group. The members in this group have experienced and wisdom – I keep hoping that some of that will rub off on me. When one of the members asked if anyone wanted to participate in a travel blogger writer’s hop, I decided it was a great opportunity. I get the privilege of introducing you to her. She is someone I definitely admire and appreciate as we have similar passions: education and travel!
Jessie Voigts is a mom who loves sharing the world with her daughter. She has a PhD in International Education, and is constantly looking for ways to increase intercultural understanding, especially with kids (it’s never too young to start!). She has lived and worked in Japan and London, and traveled around the world. Jessie is the publisher of Wandering Educators, a travel library for people curious about the world, and Journey to Scotland, a resource for traveling to Scotland. She also founded the Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program. She’s published six books about travel and intercultural learning, with more on the way. You can usually find her family by water – anywhere in the world.
Now back to my own writing process:
What am I working on: This blog definitely seems to have most of my writing attention. I have posted regularly since I started this blog over a year ago. I want to continue to bring the people and places of Nebraska to my readers.
Initially blogging was my focus, not publishing. But now that has changed a bit. I am now a regular contributor for the Lincoln Kids Newspaper, a quarterly guide for area parents. I really enjoy getting to encourage families to get out and explore new area places. I also have been privileged to have several articles published in the L Magazine about people and their contributions to Lincoln. I really hope to continue writing for both publications.
What I want to be working on: I would really like to write for other Nebraska publications as well. That process can take some time and effort. Finding original stories can be daunting. Ultimately some day I want to write children’s historical picture books about Nebraska. So many stories have been untold in my state, and I feel like this would help make Nebraska history more accessible to children.
How does my work differ from others of my genre? I have interacted with many great bloggers from my state, and some I have even met personally. I have not really found anyone with a similar focus of writing about the whole state of Nebraska for families like I am doing. They tend to have a more narrow focus and write about a specific area or other topics. Maybe they are wiser for doing that. 🙂
Why do I write what I do? Honestly I might be breaking the rules for travel writing in that sticking with one specific state can limit your opportunities. But simply put, I really like Nebraska. Other than college, I have lived here all of my life. I love the scenery (yes, even the flat sections), the kindness of people, the hard work ethic and the Huskers. I like telling others about this place that I love. Many people have preconceived notions and limit what Nebraska has to offer. Promoting my state is my mission on this site.
Writing at my other blog, The Sacred Line, is another outlet for me. Here is where I dialogue about being a wife & mom and about my faith which is also quite important to me. I feel like that my Nebraska blog needed to stay on that topic, so my other platform allows me to write about other things that matter to me as well!
How does my writing process work? I do better at focusing in the morning when it is quiet, and mostly everyone else is sleeping. Finishing articles when my children are awake is a bit challenging but has been done. I think my best work happens when I have time to mull the topic over for awhile. To keep up with posting here and with the articles I want to write, I need to keep a schedule. Around here we have started “Writing Wednesdays” as well when I actually do spend specific time working on organizing, networking and planning. Sometimes I even manage to write a bit on those days as well.
Now to introduce you to the other travel writers who will be sharing their own stories in the weeks to come! I feel very honored that each of them agreed to participate. I have had the opportunity to meet three of them, and someday I am determined to go to all of the places that Tonya visits and meet her too. 🙂 These are great people that inspire me to continue traveling well.
Sara Broers is a travel enthusiast that resides in North Central Iowa. Her husband of 27 years and her grown sons support her as she seeks out adventure after adventure. Sara is passionate about family, travel, and any thing to do with the Mid-West, specifically Iowa. She is an Iowa farm girl and loves to share the farm life with anyone that will listen. You can find Sara’s adventures at Travel With Sara. You will find that Sara loves to cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines, enjoys the mountains, will visit a beach anywhere in Florida at the drop of a a hat, and will share anything and everything there is to know about the Mid-West. Through her past 5 1/2 years of blogging and social media, she recently launched her own business, Social Connections, LLC. Sara prides herself on the fact that she is good at helping people find the business connections they long for, through social media and the ever so important face to face connection.
Tonya Prater didn’t set out to become a travel blogger. She simply started her blog as a way to stay in touch with family and friends when her homeschooling family began traveling in their motor home over five years ago. Tonya and her family are no longer full-time RVers, but that doesn’t mean their travel lifestyle,or her blogging, has halted. You’ll find Tonya exploring her home state of Ohio, road tripping through the US and sharing their experiences on The Traveling Praters. With kids that have now graduated, Tonya and her husband are preparing for their soon-to-be new role as empty nesters and look forward to many new travel adventures.
In addition to her own site, Tonya also writes about travel at TravelingMom.com and Blissfully Domestic.
And the last travel writers to participate in this challenge after me is Tim & Lisa Trudell of the “Walking Tourists.”
We love traveling – locally, regionally, nationally and internationally (not as often as we would like). We originally started The Walking Tourist to share our experiences with friends and family. Whether it’s across the world or in our own backyard in Omaha, Nebraska, we love to explore the sites and experiences all around us. Check out more of Lisa and Tim’s travels at The Walking Tourists!
Once all of these writers have posted their personal travel writing inspirations in the next few weeks, I will be posting links to their articles on my Facebook and Twitter pages!
Thanks for including me- It’s fun to get to know other folks that are in the industry.
I agree. Hopefully I get to see you at other travel events in the future!