I like stories that are entertaining, amusing, and tell me something about the human condition. But that doesn't mean it has to be a one of a kind trip that sets some kind of record.
A story that provides a telling insight in a familiar place can be more worthwhile than a story about someone climbing a mountain no one else's climb before.
Thank you! The book is a nonfiction anthropological look into travel and adventure and it examines the question of how society and culture may be inhibiting many of us from incorporating more adventure into our lives, what the role of fear plays, and how we can overcome and benefit from travel and adventure. I tell it through a narrative of my time backpacking the Appalachian Trail and the lessons that that experience offered me.
Okay that will be good. I'm working on a fiction manuscript which is set over a months-long thru-hike. If you ever want a beta reader for your book, let me know!
It's a fictional trail, as the manuscript leans magical realism. But the start of the trail is very AT inspired. The rest of it is based on trails I've hiked over the years in different countries.
But yeah I'm totally free and available to be a beta reader, so just let me know. I'm learning the value of such readers myself!
An Army brat, I have always traveled. It is not traveling that is embedded in my brain as a novelty (9 years in Idaho? Nearly 10 in Orlando?). As a retiree I have returned to my default and now travel full-time. One of the first books I read about travel was The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton—it’s a must read for anyone serious about traveling. And the essay in that book that describes my own endgame? I will eventually travel without going anywhere when this body or mind is more vexed than elevated by physically traveling. Xavier de Maistre’s Journey around My Bedroom, the OG of virtual travel, long before the internet.
I can't speak to adventure writing as a whole, but I am fully committed to writing my own. I try to make it much more than a look-what-I-did account by weaving in philosophical musing and artistic photography from the journey. I think the lessons learned from our adventure experiences are where the value is found, and I really hope to find more of it.
Check out Niki Elle's Substack "Full of Life" for this type of adventure writing!
Totally agree with that Erik! Yeah I’m searching for more of the deeply personal, the philosophical, and artistic expressions of travel and adventure. I will definitely look into this. Thank you for engaging and sharing! Cheers!
I'm happy to learn that I can finally manage my hair in the back country. On a more serious note, I speculate that, thanks to blogs, there is no shortage of current adventure/travel writing. There may be a shortage of adventure/travel reading. However, I think the imbalance is consistent with the overall excess of content compared to demand across all categories.
I like stories that are entertaining, amusing, and tell me something about the human condition. But that doesn't mean it has to be a one of a kind trip that sets some kind of record.
A story that provides a telling insight in a familiar place can be more worthwhile than a story about someone climbing a mountain no one else's climb before.
Love your writing - tell us more about the upcoming book?
Thank you! The book is a nonfiction anthropological look into travel and adventure and it examines the question of how society and culture may be inhibiting many of us from incorporating more adventure into our lives, what the role of fear plays, and how we can overcome and benefit from travel and adventure. I tell it through a narrative of my time backpacking the Appalachian Trail and the lessons that that experience offered me.
Awesome! When will it be available?
Hoping by the end of 2024 or early 2025. ☺️
Okay that will be good. I'm working on a fiction manuscript which is set over a months-long thru-hike. If you ever want a beta reader for your book, let me know!
Oh that would be great! I will keep that in mind. Thank you! And that sounds interesting. Is it a thru-hike of the AT or another long distance trail?
It's a fictional trail, as the manuscript leans magical realism. But the start of the trail is very AT inspired. The rest of it is based on trails I've hiked over the years in different countries.
But yeah I'm totally free and available to be a beta reader, so just let me know. I'm learning the value of such readers myself!
Thank you for this thoughtful post, and a great read.
Thank you! 😊
An Army brat, I have always traveled. It is not traveling that is embedded in my brain as a novelty (9 years in Idaho? Nearly 10 in Orlando?). As a retiree I have returned to my default and now travel full-time. One of the first books I read about travel was The Art of Travel by Alain de Botton—it’s a must read for anyone serious about traveling. And the essay in that book that describes my own endgame? I will eventually travel without going anywhere when this body or mind is more vexed than elevated by physically traveling. Xavier de Maistre’s Journey around My Bedroom, the OG of virtual travel, long before the internet.
Thank you for the recommendations! Will soon be reading these. And thanks for engaging and sharing your thoughts. ☺️
I can't speak to adventure writing as a whole, but I am fully committed to writing my own. I try to make it much more than a look-what-I-did account by weaving in philosophical musing and artistic photography from the journey. I think the lessons learned from our adventure experiences are where the value is found, and I really hope to find more of it.
Check out Niki Elle's Substack "Full of Life" for this type of adventure writing!
Totally agree with that Erik! Yeah I’m searching for more of the deeply personal, the philosophical, and artistic expressions of travel and adventure. I will definitely look into this. Thank you for engaging and sharing! Cheers!
I'm happy to learn that I can finally manage my hair in the back country. On a more serious note, I speculate that, thanks to blogs, there is no shortage of current adventure/travel writing. There may be a shortage of adventure/travel reading. However, I think the imbalance is consistent with the overall excess of content compared to demand across all categories.