Here it is. A perfect synopsis of travel writing by none other than the highly- regarded Thomas Swick. This guy is known as the guru. It’s wonderful to read his perspective and to recognize myself in it.

This, this article, is the Truth of travel writing. The addiction of email. The constant hope for a response from an editor, and instead, the endless silence until suddenly they need an edit…NOW. 

It’s an on again, off again, endless chicken-tapping-for-the-pellet-reward experience.  Once a day I figure I should just forget it.

But then. There’s the possibility of a great trip if I can just place the article…uh huh. 

I believe this is not much different than most addictions. I’m thinking there needs to be a twelve-step program for travel writers.

First, we would start with acknowledging that we are powerless when faced with the non-responsive editor.

We’d then realize we should write anyway.

In spite of the markets or non-existent markets.

In spite of ourselves.

Maybe after that we could all go out for a drink.

 http://oxfordameric an.org/articles/ 2009/jun/ 08/hard-times/