Anonymous asked 7 years ago
They say that introduction is very important to attract the reader and make him to go through the whole story. This should also be harmonious . Pll.suggest some ways.
Nicholas Staff answered 7 years ago
1. Share a touching anecdote
Instead of talking about the initial flight itself (or ferry, train ride, etc) , share your experience of being on the flight with your companions, or even memories of past/similar situations.
“Every time I take a long flight with my father, he always says the same thing. When daylight retreats, he pokes my arm and says: “We’re chasing the sun kid!” Yes. A dad joke. And I’m not going to catch the light on this three hour flight back to Beijing, but it makes me smile just the same.” (from 1 More Wong In China)
2. Fanatically describe your setting
Often it’s the details that make the difference. Open your travel dispatch with a description of a particular location you discovered on your trip, and how it made you feel, both physically and emotionally. Who cares how you got their initially? Those details can come later, if at all.
“Sitting silently in the temple I am lifted to a higher consciousness, floating somewhere above western state of mind. Yellow light shimmers hypnotically off the black still water of the holy pool where the leper was healed 1000 years before.
Echoes of soft Punjabi scripture and the soothing hum of pilgrim’s mantras lift me away from myself into a religious fog. The warm Indian night wraps me in a silky cocoon absolving all thought and anxiety from my mind. Peace and bliss resonate.” (from Eager Bros)
3. Use interesting dialogue
Whenever I was stuck with a blank computer screen or pad of paper, I tried to remember specific conversations I had throughout the past few days.
Whether it was the words of a particularly charismatic street vendor, or the indignant declarations of my companions, chances are you can recall a gem that lends itself to a strong opening.
“Never again,” are Karen’s words as we step out of the mini-bus into the main street of the tiny backpackers town of Vang Viang. The driver, smiling jovially, climbs onto the vehicle’s roof and hands us our bags. “Really?” I ask. “I didn’t think the ride was that bad.”
Five hours earlier we’d set out from Louang Prabang, the mini-bus precariously hugging the high mountain curves that wound through village after modest village, dodging cyclists, large-eyed children, and the occasional farmer busy thrashing stalks of some plant against the pot-holed pavement.” (from Cheating Death in Vang Viang)
So there you have it, three techniques to invigorate your travel journal openings right now.
Again, I want to differentiate between those travelers who are interested in simply jotting down where they went, and those travel writers who are eager to develop their craft.
The opening of your travel dispatches is the most important place to entice the reader to stay a while longer, to accompany you along your journey, and to ultimately share in your experience.
The trick is to forgo the general in favour of the details. Open with an anecdote, a provocative setting, or a memorable conversation, and watch your readers stick with you until the end.
Or at least the next paragraph.
1. Share a touching anecdote
Instead of talking about the initial flight itself (or ferry, train ride, etc) , share your experience of being on the flight with your companions, or even memories of past/similar situations.
“Every time I take a long flight with my father, he always says the same thing. When daylight retreats, he pokes my arm and says: “We’re chasing the sun kid!” Yes. A dad joke. And I’m not going to catch the light on this three hour flight back to Beijing, but it makes me smile just the same.” (from 1 More Wong In China)
2. Fanatically describe your setting
Often it’s the details that make the difference. Open your travel dispatch with a description of a particular location you discovered on your trip, and how it made you feel, both physically and emotionally. Who cares how you got their initially? Those details can come later, if at all.
“Sitting silently in the temple I am lifted to a higher consciousness, floating somewhere above western state of mind. Yellow light shimmers hypnotically off the black still water of the holy pool where the leper was healed 1000 years before.
Echoes of soft Punjabi scripture and the soothing hum of pilgrim’s mantras lift me away from myself into a religious fog. The warm Indian night wraps me in a silky cocoon absolving all thought and anxiety from my mind. Peace and bliss resonate.” (from Eager Bros)
3. Use interesting dialogue
Whenever I was stuck with a blank computer screen or pad of paper, I tried to remember specific conversations I had throughout the past few days.
Whether it was the words of a particularly charismatic street vendor, or the indignant declarations of my companions, chances are you can recall a gem that lends itself to a strong opening.
“Never again,” are Karen’s words as we step out of the mini-bus into the main street of the tiny backpackers town of Vang Viang. The driver, smiling jovially, climbs onto the vehicle’s roof and hands us our bags. “Really?” I ask. “I didn’t think the ride was that bad.”
Five hours earlier we’d set out from Louang Prabang, the mini-bus precariously hugging the high mountain curves that wound through village after modest village, dodging cyclists, large-eyed children, and the occasional farmer busy thrashing stalks of some plant against the pot-holed pavement.” (from Cheating Death in Vang Viang)
So there you have it, three techniques to invigorate your travel journal openings right now.
Again, I want to differentiate between those travelers who are interested in simply jotting down where they went, and those travel writers who are eager to develop their craft.
The opening of your travel dispatches is the most important place to entice the reader to stay a while longer, to accompany you along your journey, and to ultimately share in your experience.
The trick is to forgo the general in favour of the details. Open with an anecdote, a provocative setting, or a memorable conversation, and watch your readers stick with you until the end.
Or at least the next paragraph.