Cheap Flights Flights - A Prolific South Carolina Travel Author and Writer

Barbie Perkins-Cooper, editor of Bookpleasures.com and Sketchandtravel.com is excited to have as our guest, norm Goldman, today.

NC barbie is also the author of a soon to be published Insides' Guide to Asheville, South Carolina and is an expert on SC as well as North Carolina and other geographical areas, barbie lives in Charleston. Author and an award winning screenwriter, travel writer, barbie is a playwright.

Good day Barbie and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.

Norm:

What methods do you use to flesh out your idea to determine if it's salable? How do you come up with ideas for what you write? What keeps you going? When did your passion for travel writing begin and when did you start traveling? Please tell our readers a little bit about your personal and professional background.

Barbie:

Or I'd only write for fun and family letters, so I joined a writers group giving myself ten years to achieve something, i discovered I did have a flair for words, looking back. In the 1980's I suffered from depression and started writing again. I failed to see the thrill and passion of writing until later in life, like most kids, of course. All to the credit of my third grade teacher and father, many years ago, my first science fiction story was published many. I have been a writer since the third grade of elementary school. It is a pleasure to be here and to discuss travel writing. Thank you Norm.

Determined to achieve my goals, i persevered, but with each decline, it was a struggle, at first. I have been working as a travel writer since October 2003. I had my first FAM trip, within 24 hours. She inspired me so much that I had to put my credentials to the test. My passion for travel writing started in 2003 after attending a travel writing workshop hosted by Sharon Spence Lieb. And I was selected as a finalist, after suggestions from my agent, i entered a few screenplay competitions, after writing my first screenplay, in 1994.

At first, i targeted the higher paying markets. My desk was stacking high with e-mails and snail mail to read, like most writers, because I was still working full-time at a college. SC community, based on the Charleston, i developed a proposal. My goal for 2005 was to target guidebook publishers, since I write (and revise) my goals every January.

I wrote the shortest proposal in history and sent it to her. Wanting a proposal from me within three days, and within minutes (or so it seemed) she responded, i sent her another e-mail, quickly. Finding the correspondence with the editor, and those cluttered e-mails, so I reread my dusty goals, i knew I wanted to write. The clock was ticking as my job was downsized and I had no clue what I would do after June 2 when my career in the Corporate World ended. Flash forward to May of 2005. The editor responded stating she had just finalized the Charleston guidebook but she liked my style and wanted me to keep in touch. Pitching an idea about Charleston, i submitted a query to a travel guide site, in December 2004.

I am publishing travel stories on a regular basis, a few magazines I had targeted previously responded to my queries and now, after that doorway opened. So I felt comfortable writing about the city, and I have several friends there, my father lived in Asheville for many years. Scheduled for publication in the spring of 2007, nC, insiders' Guide to Asheville, we agreed on the contract and now I am working on my first guidebook, after a few weeks of negotiations.

I love meeting the people and discovering the flavor of the area. And things I discover while traveling, places, the things that keep me going are the people.

There is adventure, not only is there a character. The stories I discover at each location inspire me to look deep within to discover the actions and characters revealed. He will be a character I use in a story. He still had a passion for life, although he had relocated. I met a displaced man from New Orleans, on a recent trip to one of the devastated areas from Hurricane Katrina.

My dream was now reality! I was able to record a song while the group cheered me on, and there, i never pursued that dream until I stepped into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unfortunately. My goal and dream as a teenager was to become a famous singer. We visited the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, on a trip to Alabama. You get to try new adventures you never anticipated before, while traveling.

And I am still sending queries pertaining to her story and the educational plans of Kentucky, the more I realized this was a story I needed to tell others, the more we talked. I met a mother who was desperate to save her daughter's school in Kentucky, on another trip. I am inspired with new stories to tell, each time I meet and interview someone. And a love for their town and artistry, these people held a passion for life in their hearts, despite all of the adversities in life, i discovered that regardless who they were, during each interview. And singers, male quilt makers, coal miners, i interviewed blue grass musicians, on a trip to Kentucky.

Answering the questions: the methods I use to determine if a story is marketable are to determine the angle I will use and I research the markets,

Who is the story targeting to and what angle?

What markets may I approach?

Who cares about this story?

Resources I use weekly are:

Writersmarket.com

And Doris Hall klassen, Susan D, phillips. 4th Edition by Brigitte M, writer's Guidelines.

The Internet

To another market, or an updated version, i've submitted that same query, and each time, it has certainly happened to me. One editor's rejection will be another editor's acceptance, always remember. And never give up, update on a regular basis, build an ideas file. I encourage all writers to write goals down. Almost on a weekly basis, and I have an idea spreadsheet that I update with new story ideas, i still have a goal of sending five query letters out weekly, nevertheless. But it is exciting to finally have regular assignments, it's taken me years to accomplish this. I now have editors approaching me about story ideas, after many hurdles, fortunately.

Norm:

Which ones would you choose and why, or romantic getaway, honeymoon, if you had to choose eight of the most romantic venues for a wedding celebration, as you are very familiar with South Carolina?

Barbie:

Eight romantic venues in the South Carolina area for weddings would be:

Michael's Episcopal Church is the one that really stands out in my mind. Although St, there are so many that it would be really hard to choose which one. Any of the beautiful churches in the downtown area of Charleston are romantic and stunning for weddings.

And ceilings are stunning, statues, the architecture. Grace Episcopal Church is another breathtaking beauty for a wedding.

The view makes for a beautiful setting, and the sand dunes along the shore, with the backdrop of the ocean. Sullivan's Island Beach I've seen several beach weddings along the shores of Sullivan's Island.

Book it early it usually has a long waiting list! And family reunions, weddings, romantic setting for receptions, this building was remodeled after Hurricane Hugo and it is a beautiful. The reception may be held either outside or in the fellowship hall area, at Alhambra Hall. This was an afternoon wedding and was gorgeous. White chairs and the bridal attendants dressed in red, a red carpet, one particular wedding had a red and white theme. Lining the walkway for the bride, and flowers, ribbons, decorated with all white chairs draped in white bows, many of the weddings are held on the lawn. Bridge. Jr, overlooking the harbor of Charleston and our new signature bridge the Arthur Ravenel, alhambra Hall a garden wedding on the lawn.

Romantic times of a wedding spectacular, magnolia Plantation is definitely a romantic place to make the special, since the trend in Charleston is to host a wedding outside near the gardens. A gazebo, also, there is a beautiful white bridge serving as a backdrop that makes a gorgeous site. Especially during the spring time when the gardens are in full bloom, magnolia Gardens Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is another dramatic place to hold a wedding.

For additional information about park weddings visit HERE Can make a beautiful wedding, especially during the spring time, so any of the parks in Charleston, the other parks have breathtaking views serving as a mesmerizing backdrop. And deep in the horizon a view of the new bridge previously mentioned, waterfront Park provides the scenery of the harbor. And Washington Park, hampton Park, white Point Gardens, located in downtown Charleston, park locations including the Waterfront Park.

CLICK HERE Interesting architecture and military history is beautiful, complete with landscapes, the campus. Summerall Chapel hosts a variety of weddings. You are missing a great picturesque view, the Citadel If you've never visited Charleston and driven by the Citadel.

And romance that would make Scarlett and Rhett envious, heritage, full of charm, this is the perfect location to have a traditional Southern wedding, and the history attached to Boone Hall Plantation, plantation home, boone Hall Plantation with the sweeping landscapes.

CLICK HERE for additional sites to consider, And while walking along the beach, i enjoy the beauty of the city at the Battery, since I love the ocean. There are so many romantic and beautiful sites it is truly difficult to narrow the locations down to only eight, in the Charleston community.

Norm:

What is your biggest challenge on the road and how do you overcome these challenges, as a traveler and fact/story-gatherer. What does travel mean to you?

Barbie:

Almost everyone has a story to tell and to share. And their zest for life, their body language, i enjoy watching them. I find people fascinating. I would define it as a thrilling adventure and exploration about life and people, if I had to define travel.

That is why I always ask for contact information because I know I'll have additional questions when I transcribe the notes. These ideas dance inside my head until I can get them down on paper. The biggest challenge I have while traveling is sometimes I am so rushed I don't have enough time to get all the ideas completed.

My brain will usually retrieve the information, if I have an image as reference. Another practice I strive for is to take photographs plenty of digital photographs! And I try to point out something significant that happened during my trip, i practice the idea of following up by sending thank you letters within two weeks of my trips.

Norm:

Etc screen writing, travel writing, i.e, which ones do you prefer, you have written in various genre, as a follow up. What other writing gigs have you found profitable or rewarding, besides writing travel articles?

Barbie:

And a few stories about the construction workers, john Deere and Komatsu equipment, shopping center renovations, bridge construction, tilt wall construction, writing stories about highway roadbeds, i broke into the construction industry, since my husband was in construction for many years. Many of my credentials are in construction, although I am a travel writer. You'll laugh when I share this information!

Travel, and of course, bedding (a recent story about the new Revive Marriott bed) military venues, food, hospitality, business journals, elder care, other genres I've written for include health and beauty. Dependable assignments, and the stories were regular, it was a stepping stone for me to break into magazine and newspaper writing, although the pay wasn't well.

I am excited about this project and continue to schedule time to write travel stories. With the spring 2007 as the publication date, the deadline for the final project is scheduled for June 2006. Most of my time is spent on my guidebook, lately. SC, that story won second place at the South Carolina Writers Workshop writer's conference held in Myrtle Beach, in October 2005. Chattahoochee Child, and I am presently writing a memoir titled, four plays, i've also written seven screenplays. I published a non-fiction memoir titled A Condition of Limbo, in 2001.

Norm:

What advice would you give to someone who is considering going into travel writing in order to achieve success?

Barbie:

We must persevere with belief and pride for what we do. Writers must continue to work towards their goals and dreams and never give up. Life does have a way of breaking into the demands of our busy lives, although as writers know, writing is something I attempt to schedule on a daily basis. I strive to make the most of that day, so every day, life is much too short to look back with regret. Life is a challenge, but as we know, my friends tease me constantly about writing so much.

In that booklet and refer to it at least once a month. Etc, contacts, i file all comments from editors. I have a notebook on my desk titled Follow up. I achieved that goal this year by following up with editors, following the guidelines I wrote. My goal was to land a book contract, but for 2005, i am constantly adjusting my goals. The best advice I would give to a writer considering travel writing is to learn all that you can learn and to establish your goals every January.

Networking is the key. Last week while on a press trip I met an editor and now I have an assignment with her. Networking is crucial.

Most of them are most receptive to assisting with story ideas and they will make suggestions. I have made many contacts by doing this. Contact the Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVB's) introduce yourself along with your credentials and request consideration to be added to their press list, if truly interested in travel writing.

How can others believe in you, if you don't believe in yourself, after all? And introduce yourself as a writer, carry business cards everywhere. So I use resources that will assist me, i am not a web master. Build a web site (or hire someone else to do this for you). A writer must keep marketing. The most important suggestion I would tell anyone wanting to break into travel writing is to never give up. And now I'm writing a guidebook, i write for trade and regional magazines. Only to discover the majority of them have staff writers they use, i made the attempt to break into the bigger markets. Another suggestion is to start out slow.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to share with us that we have not covered?

Barbie:

He replied that he was the new editor and was publishing the story verbatim and he needed an invoice. Stating that only yesterday I was told it was being returned, i was shocked. He stated he needed an invoice to pay me for the story. But a different editor, i received a phone call from the same publication, exactly 24 hours later. Looking for another market, i thanked him and moved on. He phoned me stating that he was returning it because it did not meet his needs. Only to discover the editor did not like it, i sent a spec assignment, for a construction magazine, once. Move on to the next submission, whenever a writer receives a rejection. I would like to end this interview by saying you must move forward and believe in yourself, yes.

And make certain you follow up and practice what you preach to others, readjust when necessary, practice your goals. And ability to communicate, passion, but believe in your talent, listen to what your editors say. Develop your voice and style. Find your stories while looking for the unique characters. Never give up! What is one editor's rejection could be another editor's acceptance. This is only one example of how we must persevere.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.