Saturdays, Sept. 17-Nov. 12, 2011; 11am-2pm
Conducted with Langara College of Vancouver, Canada
Learn the essentials of travel writing while exploring Vancouver with journalist Remy Scalza (seen in New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, etc). This course is aimed at aspiring travel writers who want a hands-on introduction to the craft. Classroom sessions alternate with short field trips to unique destinations around the city, including a chef-led tour of Granville Island Market and a Chinese tea ceremony in Chinatown. Expect a fun, rigorous introduction to researching, writing and selling travel stories.
Program Highlights
5 classroom intensives on the craft + business of travel writing
3 hands-on field trips to sites in and around Vancouver where students gather material for their own stories
Coaching and feedback on writing and selling travel stories
Students will have the opportunity to publish their work on InsideVancouver: Vancouver’s top-Google-ranked blog
Details:
- Dates: Saturdays, Sept. 17-Nov. 12 (No class Thanksgiving Weekend, Oct. 8); 11am-2pm
- Location: Langara College (100 W. 49th Ave, Vancouver, BC) Map it
- Prerequisites: None
- Fee: $389
- What’s included: Eight-week course; All admission and tour fees for field trips
- How to register: Visit the Langara College website or call 604-323-5322 (The course ID is TRAV 1011)
About the instructor: Remy Scalza is an award-winning travel journalist featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic Traveler, Vancouver Magazine and other outlets. His approach is hands-on and grounded in years of professional experience. He has a master’s in journalism from the University of North Carolina.
Detailed Course Agenda
Classroom Session 1: Planning, Research and Interviewing – Research approaches: Planned vs. Unplanned * Pooling ideas and developing a research plan * Identifying target audience * Fact-gathering strategies: note-taking, photos, voice recording, impression gathering * The fly-on-the-wall vs. the active interviewer * Interviewing basics
Field trip 1: Granville Island Market – Meet at Granville Island Public Market* Two-hour behind-the-scenes tour of the market led by a chef from Edible B.C. * Practice fact-gathering strategies: note-taking, photos, voice recording * Practice interviewing * Debriefing over lunch
Classroom Session 2: Basic Storytelling Decisions – Story formats (blog, lists, news, narrative) * Selecting person and tone for your story * Choosing an angle and thematic continuity * What is a topical hook and why is it important? * Understanding the lede * Nut graph explained
Field trip 2: Chinatown – Meet at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden for one-hour behind-the-scenes tour * Proceed to Chinese Tea Shop for 30-minute presentation by master tea sommelier Daniel Lui * Practice fact-gathering strategies: note-taking, photos, voice recording * Practice interviewing * Debriefing over dim sum at Jade Seafood
Classroom Session 3: Introducing Narrative Elements – Narrative arc: tension, climax and resolution * Alternate story structures: multiple storylines; the narrative loop * Developing characters * The conclusion: wrapping up and avoiding cliché * Revision strategies and copyediting
Field trip 3: Richmond’s “Highway to Heaven” – Meet at the International Buddhist Society in Richmond for guided tour of one of B.C.’s largest temples * Proceed to nearby Gurusikh Temple for 30-minute guided tour * Practice fact-gathering strategies: note-taking, photos, voice recording * Practice interviewing * Debriefing over vegetarian lunch at the Gurusikh Temple
Classroom Session 4: Business of Travel Writing in a Nutshell – Analysis of different parts of travel magazine and newspaper section * Brainstorming session: local, national and international print and online outlets for publication * How to identify editors and track down contact information * What is a pitch? * Pitching template * Reality check: Should I try to publish? * Publishing alternatives: Suite 101; Examiner.com; Local blogs * To blog or not to blog?: Wordpress.com and other options
Classroom Session 5: Workshopping Stories – Students present their travel stories to the class * Constructive criticism and tips for revision from peers and teacher * What now? How to take your writing farther
To register: Visit the Langara College website or call 604-323-5322 (The course ID is TRAV 1011)
