Comments on: Life on the Road http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/ spy into my little life Tue, 16 Mar 2010 13:23:46 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Donna http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20276 Donna Sat, 23 Aug 2008 21:39:45 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20276 Thanks Kristin, for reminding me of what I've been missing, both good and bad, during the past 16 months--I've been editing travel pieces as opposed to doing the writing and traveling--and for helping put into perspective for others the life of a travel writer. It used to piss me off when one of my friends would say, "Oh, have fun on your vacation," right before I was to head off on assignment again. This, from a hypocritical musician who used to get annoyed when people thought all he did was party while on tour gigs. It's not vacation. You are constantly taking notes and photos, meeting with officials and hospitality industry executives, and need to be on top of the business and economy and coming up with smart questions all the time. You have little free time. You then have to stay up late after an exhausting 12 or 14 hour day and type up your notes and start drafting your articles because very likely you have a deadline waiting for you as soon as you return home. Also, if you're a freelancer, you're always worried about and trying to secure the next gig because opportunities are dwindling, along with pay rates. (I realize my company is part of the problem too--online travel site; low rates.) You're also eating a ton and can't necessarily stick to a good workout routine. (I've gained 20+ pounds since becoming a travel writer full-time.) Still, I agree with those who may be jealous--it's the best job I've ever had and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I spent 15 years in better paying (but dull) corporate gigs before changing careers to journalism nearly 10 years ago. Am much happier now. I moved to a full-time editing position last year so I could make a decent living for a while before going back on the road, which I'm planning for next year. As for kids, it's possible, but difficult if really traveling full-time. I chose not to. (Having a fiance who doesn't like children made that decision easier.) Plus I love to travel too much, it's in my blood. When I'm on the road is really the only time I'm truly happy. Thanks Kristin, for reminding me of what I’ve been missing, both good and bad, during the past 16 months–I’ve been editing travel pieces as opposed to doing the writing and traveling–and for helping put into perspective for others the life of a travel writer. It used to piss me off when one of my friends would say, “Oh, have fun on your vacation,” right before I was to head off on assignment again. This, from a hypocritical musician who used to get annoyed when people thought all he did was party while on tour gigs.

It’s not vacation. You are constantly taking notes and photos, meeting with officials and hospitality industry executives, and need to be on top of the business and economy and coming up with smart questions all the time. You have little free time. You then have to stay up late after an exhausting 12 or 14 hour day and type up your notes and start drafting your articles because very likely you have a deadline waiting for you as soon as you return home. Also, if you’re a freelancer, you’re always worried about and trying to secure the next gig because opportunities are dwindling, along with pay rates. (I realize my company is part of the problem too–online travel site; low rates.) You’re also eating a ton and can’t necessarily stick to a good workout routine. (I’ve gained 20+ pounds since becoming a travel writer full-time.)

Still, I agree with those who may be jealous–it’s the best job I’ve ever had and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I spent 15 years in better paying (but dull) corporate gigs before changing careers to journalism nearly 10 years ago. Am much happier now. I moved to a full-time editing position last year so I could make a decent living for a while before going back on the road, which I’m planning for next year. As for kids, it’s possible, but difficult if really traveling full-time. I chose not to. (Having a fiance who doesn’t like children made that decision easier.) Plus I love to travel too much, it’s in my blood. When I’m on the road is really the only time I’m truly happy.

]]> By: Camels & Chocolate http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20264 Camels & Chocolate Sat, 23 Aug 2008 01:20:19 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20264 Hi Margie! Of course, you are totally right: Potentially, I could have a child, cut back at first and continue my career at a later date (still not sure if I'm cut out to be a mother, though). I hope I didn't offend any mommies out there, I simply meant I couldn't keep it up as a full-time gig, as it's too taxing and I do spend more than a normal 40 hours a week working and most of my time is on the road. And it would be hard to take a child along with me on assignments, too (aside from the whole baby-on-a-plane thing), as it's a lot of running from place to place. There are plenty of people, like the blogger you mentioned, who do travel writing as sort of a side supplemental income, but it's probably 80% of my salary (I also work for People mag, and do the occasional piece for Glamour, Real Simple, etc.). It would be pretty hard to keep up my work load with a child around, although it would be necessary as I wouldn't be able to support a baby without my income! Catch-22 right there, for ya. But I appreciate all the links--I'm heading over to check them out! Hi Margie! Of course, you are totally right: Potentially, I could have a child, cut back at first and continue my career at a later date (still not sure if I’m cut out to be a mother, though). I hope I didn’t offend any mommies out there, I simply meant I couldn’t keep it up as a full-time gig, as it’s too taxing and I do spend more than a normal 40 hours a week working and most of my time is on the road. And it would be hard to take a child along with me on assignments, too (aside from the whole baby-on-a-plane thing), as it’s a lot of running from place to place. There are plenty of people, like the blogger you mentioned, who do travel writing as sort of a side supplemental income, but it’s probably 80% of my salary (I also work for People mag, and do the occasional piece for Glamour, Real Simple, etc.). It would be pretty hard to keep up my work load with a child around, although it would be necessary as I wouldn’t be able to support a baby without my income! Catch-22 right there, for ya. But I appreciate all the links–I’m heading over to check them out!

]]> By: Margie http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20263 Margie Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:28:35 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20263 Great post and photos! As much fun as it can be to travel, I think most of us have experienced the not-so-glamorous parts, like un-planned for weather, airline delays, and getting sick (even if it's only a run-of-the-mill cold) in a strange place. And if you're alone, thinking someone else you know (husband, parent, child, friend) would really love this! But when I read that last sentence, I thought, <i>not so!</i> Chicken-and-Cheese (http://www.mychickencheese.com/) keeps pimping her column at Travel Muse (http://www.travelmuse.com/sections/the-back-page), and she just had baby #2. Granted the travel-writing stint isn't paying her bills full time (although she has other paid writing gigs by the sound of it)--but a lot of us cut back on the full time work when the kids are little, dabble a bit to stay current, and go back to full time when the kids are older. Dawn Friedman of This Woman's Work (http://www.thiswomanswork.com/) is another mom who's gotten paid to travel and write about it. Granted, Dawn mostly stays home and gets paid to write about other things. But it's definitely possible to have a long-term career as a travel writer and be a parent -- if you want to! And while traveling on airlines with babies can be a challenge, not ALL babies have a rough time of it. You just have to know your child, know what it takes to keep him/her happy and comfortable, what times of days (and night) to avoid, etc. The more a kid travels, the easier it usually gets (or perhaps the more experienced and better prepared the parent gets!). Great post and photos! As much fun as it can be to travel, I think most of us have experienced the not-so-glamorous parts, like un-planned for weather, airline delays, and getting sick (even if it’s only a run-of-the-mill cold) in a strange place.

And if you’re alone, thinking someone else you know (husband, parent, child, friend) would really love this!

But when I read that last sentence, I thought, not so! Chicken-and-Cheese (http://www.mychickencheese.com/) keeps pimping her column at Travel Muse (http://www.travelmuse.com/sections/the-back-page), and she just had baby #2. Granted the travel-writing stint isn’t paying her bills full time (although she has other paid writing gigs by the sound of it)–but a lot of us cut back on the full time work when the kids are little, dabble a bit to stay current, and go back to full time when the kids are older.

Dawn Friedman of This Woman’s Work (http://www.thiswomanswork.com/) is another mom who’s gotten paid to travel and write about it. Granted, Dawn mostly stays home and gets paid to write about other things. But it’s definitely possible to have a long-term career as a travel writer and be a parent — if you want to!

And while traveling on airlines with babies can be a challenge, not ALL babies have a rough time of it. You just have to know your child, know what it takes to keep him/her happy and comfortable, what times of days (and night) to avoid, etc. The more a kid travels, the easier it usually gets (or perhaps the more experienced and better prepared the parent gets!).

]]> By: Angella http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20262 Angella Fri, 22 Aug 2008 20:24:50 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20262 This. Was. AWESOME. I loved the whole thing, Kristin. Since we are new friends it is great to hear more about what you do. I loved the lawyer analogy. Am a a Chartered Accountant (Takes seven years to get that), and I have gotten emails from people who think I have it good and wonder if I think they could get in on it. Get a degree and get back to me. This. Was. AWESOME. I loved the whole thing, Kristin. Since we are new friends it is great to hear more about what you do.

I loved the lawyer analogy. Am a a Chartered Accountant (Takes seven years to get that), and I have gotten emails from people who think I have it good and wonder if I think they could get in on it.

Get a degree and get back to me.

]]> By: Nothing But Bonfires http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20261 Nothing But Bonfires Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:09:23 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20261 You hit on it perfectly -- it's the going ALONE that makes a trip to The Most Beautiful Place on Earth go from OMGGGGGGGGGG to.....oh. This is why travel writers have to work in teams! Well, that and having someone else to hold the camera while you take a holdout picture. You hit on it perfectly — it’s the going ALONE that makes a trip to The Most Beautiful Place on Earth go from OMGGGGGGGGGG to…..oh. This is why travel writers have to work in teams! Well, that and having someone else to hold the camera while you take a holdout picture.

]]> By: Sensibly Sassy http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20259 Sensibly Sassy Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:36:36 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20259 Thanks for the great perspective on what you do. I think a lot of people (me included) think travel writing must be all gumdrops and rainbows-which I am sure it is a lot. But I never really thought of being out there on your own-how exciting but at the same time humbling. Great post. Thanks for the great perspective on what you do. I think a lot of people (me included) think travel writing must be all gumdrops and rainbows-which I am sure it is a lot. But I never really thought of being out there on your own-how exciting but at the same time humbling. Great post.

]]> By: rosalicious http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20258 rosalicious Fri, 22 Aug 2008 15:01:57 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20258 Um, yeah. Still jealous! :) But - I know, travel is exhausting enough even when you aren't working. Gorgeous photos! Um, yeah. Still jealous! :)

But – I know, travel is exhausting enough even when you aren’t working.

Gorgeous photos!

]]> By: ali http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20256 ali Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:37:22 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20256 you really have the best job. seriously. also? the best dresses. i'm totally stealing that one! you really have the best job. seriously.

also? the best dresses. i’m totally stealing that one!

]]> By: Moose http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20255 Moose Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:45:24 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20255 When you're 87, you can look back on these pictures and think about what an amazing life you had. Then you can bang your cane on the floor and demand chocolate pudding. When you’re 87, you can look back on these pictures and think about what an amazing life you had. Then you can bang your cane on the floor and demand chocolate pudding.

]]> By: merrymishaps http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/2008/08/21/life-on-the-road/comment-page-1/#comment-20254 merrymishaps Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:30:02 +0000 http://secret-agent-josephine.com/blog/?p=1087#comment-20254 Wow, those pictures are amazing! You get to experience so much, but I'd never think your job is easy! Wow, those pictures are amazing!
You get to experience so much, but I’d never think your job is easy!

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