Learn the writing in “Travel Writing”

Got a better picture than this?

A breakfast nook at Sonya's Garden, Tagaytay

Of course you do!

But beyond gorgeous photographs snapped every second of your travel, what we’d love to hear is your story on what made the trip memorable and how we, your readers, can have the same experience when we get there.

On November 28, 2009 (Saturday, 9:30am-5pm) at the Ortigas Foundation Library, the Designed by Words Writers’ Workshop will hold “Provisions for a Journey: an Introduction to Travel Writing.”

We’ll spend the whole day learning about the writing part of Travel Writing:

> how to be more observant when you travel
> how to describe what you saw in words that transport you and your reader back to the place
> and bring home a bag of ideas for a travel essay, blog post or even an evocative letter that makes your loved ones really wish that they were here.

The class will focus on workshops and in-class writing so you practice what you learn from the lectures on site. Travel writer Jennilyn Q. Salvador will help us begin the journey with the basics of travel writing. Our guest panelist, poet and editor Carlomar Arcangel Daoana, will serve as our personal guide during the workshop session with his sage advice on what makes your writing work.

To register, email us at dbw.workshops@gmail.com and request for a registration form. All participants are REQUIRED to pre-register and pay the workshop fee on or before November 26. No walk-in or late registration is allowed. Seats are limited  so register early.

For instructions on how to pay the workshop fee, click here. Read what our students have to say about the class here.

DBW alumnus wins writing contest, gets published

Graphic designer Julie Ann Ensomo bagged this week’s “My Favorite Book” contest sponsored by a local newspaper and bookstore.

Julie’s winning piece, “Why Sedaris is not to be read in public,” was published in the November 8, 2009 issue of the Philippine Star (Lifestyle Section, H-2). She narrates how the David Sedaris book, When You are Engulfed in Flames, has left her dangerously close to being arrested while laughing silently and clutching the Sedaris tome on board a three-seater bus.

The Sedaris book review is Julie’s initial and successful foray in writing. She also gets her mug shot published on the newspaper’s website and print version. Though we’re not sure if she’s especially proud of that last fact.

A frequent attendee of the Designed by Words Writers’ Workshop, Julie completed our “Writing the Personal Essay’ and the “Writing Better Descriptions” classes this year.  She comes from a promising batch of writers (her other classmates were Kris and Elvira) who all displayed very distinct writing voices and skill.

Read Julie’s winning entry on the Philippine Star website.

To join the next My Favorite Book contest, read the contest guidelines here.

A Travel Writer’s Life: 10 Questions with Jennilyn Salvador

Travel writer Jennilyn Q. Salvador will lead the Provisions for a Journey: An Introduction to Travel Writing class as lecturer on November 28, 2009 at the Ortigas Foundation Library. To know more about the class, click here.

A seasoned freelance writer and editor, her work has appeared in major publications such as Asian Traveler magazine, Smile in-flight magazine, Manila Bulletin (dining), clickthecity.com and MoneySense magazine. Jennilyn graduated at the top of her class at the Far Eastern University major in Literature. Her experience as a freelance writer and formerly in the editorial staff of various in-flight magazines has taught her the ins and outs of the writing business which she shared with the second batch of the Travel Writing class last October 17.

How did you start out as a travel writer?
Just stumbled upon it by accident, actually.

What do you think are the essential skills of being a travel writer?
Keen sense of details, professionalism and flair with words

What do you love most about traveling?
Discovering new places and meeting interesting people!

What’s your dream vacation like?
Hmmm… That’s a tough question. I guess somewhere with open roads, secluded beaches and great sunny weather.

What would be the first thing you would visit when you get to a place?
I always go for off the beaten destinations or places that are not very popular.

What’s the most interesting pasalubong you brought home?
A little brass bell with carvings from Davao.

Favorite travel memoir
Going Solo by Roald Dahl

Favorite travel magazine, website or writer
I don’t really have a favorite. I get inspired by anything – a fantastic photograph, a well-written article or a travel site with an upbeat and animated lay-out.

Top three things that a travel writer should bring
Just bring along your basic things, don’t forget pen & paper, (recorder or whatever you have) and never leave home without a sense of adventure.

What’s your advice to beginning travel writers?
This may sound like a line from a commercial somewhere, but I’ll still say it: Keep discovering.