Comments on: Help Me Write! http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/ Academic insights for the thinking world. Mon, 20 May 2013 14:53:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Kevin J. Hayes http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145541 Kevin J. Hayes Thu, 01 May 2008 11:28:14 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145541 Looking at travel writing as literature, I think we can automatically exclude "10 Best Beaches" and the like. I think we can exclude nearly all advice books. These things are useful for this year's vacation, but 10 or a 100 years from now no one will read them as literature. Are their travel essays being written now that will stand up as literature a 100 years from now? Looking at travel writing as literature, I think we can automatically exclude “10 Best Beaches” and the like. I think we can exclude nearly all advice books. These things are useful for this year’s vacation, but 10 or a 100 years from now no one will read them as literature. Are their travel essays being written now that will stand up as literature a 100 years from now?

]]> By: phyllis ellen funke http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145532 phyllis ellen funke Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:17:23 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145532 Having been a so-called "travel writer," however reluctantly at first, since the late Sixties, I'd surely like to help. But may I suggest there be a clearer definition of "travel"---especially vs. "tourism?" And the underscoring of how recent American travel writing is so very different from travel writing elsewhere. Also, note might be made of today's apparent trends---from the worship of "The 10 Best Beaches" lists to ultra-emphasis in general on chic hype of "in" hotels, nightclubs, etc. rather than a sense of place and its people(s). That said, there's one writer-editor I can think of whose collected works have appeared in book form. But I'd want to contact him first for permission to identify him. He's been "allowed" to write as he sees and feels in the past; I don't know what may constrain him currently. I doubt, though, that he'd refuse to mention rain in Hawaii, or nippiness in Denmark in June---both tiny examples of matters over which I've been censored by publications once of note. Awaiting further word and instructions--- Phyllis (Ellen) Funke Having been a so-called “travel writer,” however reluctantly at first, since the late Sixties, I’d surely like to help. But may I suggest there be a clearer definition of “travel”—especially vs. “tourism?” And the underscoring of how recent American travel writing is so very different from travel writing elsewhere. Also, note might be made of
today’s apparent trends—from the worship of “The 10 Best Beaches” lists to ultra-emphasis in general on chic hype of “in” hotels, nightclubs, etc. rather
than a sense of place and its
people(s). That said, there’s one writer-editor I can think of whose collected works have appeared in book form. But I’d want to contact him first for permission to identify him. He’s been “allowed” to write as he sees and feels in the past; I don’t know what may constrain him currently. I doubt, though, that he’d refuse to mention rain in Hawaii, or nippiness in Denmark in June—both tiny examples of matters over which I’ve been censored by publications once of note.

Awaiting further word and instructions—

Phyllis (Ellen) Funke

]]> By: Help Me Write: What Constitutes Literary Importance? : OUPblog http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145517 Help Me Write: What Constitutes Literary Importance? : OUPblog Tue, 29 Apr 2008 12:56:51 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145517 [...] week I boasted to friends that I had written my first blog. Longtime bloggers may find my sense of accomplishment overblown, but last week’s blog did [...] [...] week I boasted to friends that I had written my first blog. Longtime bloggers may find my sense of accomplishment overblown, but last week’s blog did [...]

]]> By: Kevin J. Hayes http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145427 Kevin J. Hayes Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:10:47 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145427 Hermit Greg and Cassie provide some good comments. I had not thought about Audobon (or about Larry Ziff as a travel writer). I will definitely include William Bartram. Irving and Child are also good suggestions. The problem is that this is a very short book. I do not have room to discuss most authors more than once. I will treat Irving in the short stories chapter ("Rip" and "Sleepy Hollow"). And I mention Child's novel "Hobomok" in Chapter 1. My brother, Brian Hayes (author of the coming of age novel, "A Boy Scout in Holywood"), has recommended Bryson to me as well, but I remain leary. Throughout American literary history, there has been an inverse relationship between popularity and literary quality. Bryson seems too popular. Hermit Greg and Cassie provide some good comments. I had not thought about Audobon (or about Larry Ziff as a travel writer). I will definitely include William Bartram. Irving and Child are also good suggestions. The problem is that this is a very short book. I do not have room to discuss most authors more than once. I will treat Irving in the short stories chapter (“Rip” and “Sleepy Hollow”). And I mention Child’s novel “Hobomok” in Chapter 1.

My brother, Brian Hayes (author of the coming of age novel, “A Boy Scout in Holywood”), has recommended Bryson to me as well, but I remain leary. Throughout American literary history, there has been an inverse relationship between popularity and literary quality. Bryson seems too popular.

]]> By: James http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145377 James Fri, 18 Apr 2008 21:27:04 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145377 I have to weigh in supporting the late, great Hunter S. Thompson. While certainly not a pure travel writer, his narratives really seem authentically of the time and place in which they were written, often in stream-of-consciousness. Influenced by Hemingway, "The Great Shark Hunt" or any of his earlier material would be the best place to start, and "The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved" is a personal favorite. Cheers, and good luck! I have to weigh in supporting the late, great Hunter S. Thompson. While certainly not a pure travel writer, his narratives really seem authentically of the time and place in which they were written, often in stream-of-consciousness. Influenced by Hemingway, “The Great Shark Hunt” or any of his earlier material would be the best place to start, and “The Kentucky Derby is Decadent and Depraved” is a personal favorite. Cheers, and good luck!

]]> By: Cassie http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145311 Cassie Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:58:30 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145311 If you're including more modern travel writers, Bill Bryson is a great one. Some of my favorite books of his are "A Walk in the Woods," "In a Sunburned Country," and "I'm a Stranger Here Myself." All great, entertaining travelogues! If you’re including more modern travel writers, Bill Bryson is a great one. Some of my favorite books of his are “A Walk in the Woods,” “In a Sunburned Country,” and “I’m a Stranger Here Myself.” All great, entertaining travelogues!

]]> By: Rolling Nowhere « Mark Athitakis’ American Fiction Notes http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145306 Rolling Nowhere « Mark Athitakis’ American Fiction Notes Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:56:28 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145306 [...] 15, 2008 · No Comments Kevin J. Hayes could use a little assistance. He’s working on a book titled American Literature: A Very Short Introduction, much of which [...] [...] 15, 2008 · No Comments Kevin J. Hayes could use a little assistance. He’s working on a book titled American Literature: A Very Short Introduction, much of which [...]

]]> By: Rolling Nowhere « Mark Athitakis’ American Fiction Notes http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145305 Rolling Nowhere « Mark Athitakis’ American Fiction Notes Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:53:24 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145305 [...] 15, 2008 · No Comments Kevin J. Hayes could use a little assistance: He’s working on a book titled American Literature: A Very Short Introduction. Much of it [...] [...] 15, 2008 · No Comments Kevin J. Hayes could use a little assistance: He’s working on a book titled American Literature: A Very Short Introduction. Much of it [...]

]]> By: hermit greg http://blog.oup.com/2008/04/travel_writer/#comment-145294 hermit greg Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:02:48 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=1660#comment-145294 Are you intending to include primarily t.w. that was published <em>as</em> t.w.? That would help exclude a lot of excellent journals, for example, such as Audobon's Mississippi journal. Also, do you intend to avoid overlap with other short books such as Larzer Ziff's <em>Return Passages</em>? Otherwise: Bartram, though it may be worth branching out from him; Washington Irving as a t.w. is good; William Wells Brown; L.M. Child wrote some good though perhaps too fluffy magazine pieces... Are you intending to include primarily t.w. that was published as t.w.? That would help exclude a lot of excellent journals, for example, such as Audobon’s Mississippi journal. Also, do you intend to avoid overlap with other short books such as Larzer Ziff’s Return Passages?

Otherwise: Bartram, though it may be worth branching out from him; Washington Irving as a t.w. is good; William Wells Brown; L.M. Child wrote some good though perhaps too fluffy magazine pieces…

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