An Interview...with freelance writer Sheila Hudson

A dream assignment for freelance writer Sheila Hudson would be covering the Maui Writer's Conference, including private interviews with Stephen King and J.K. Rowling.

"Two of my passions (in) a place they don't call paradise for nothing!" she says, adding that King and Rowling are the experts when it comes to writing for public consumption. "I believe they know more about writing…than most of us ever will."

Not that Sheila's a novice. She has been publishing articles, essays and other works since the early 1990s, covering a wide variety of topics. She has written destination and travel-related articles for Athens Magazine, Points North and even the Chicken Soup for the Soul and Chocolate for a Woman's Soul series. Currently, she writes a monthly column called "Sunday Drive" for the Athens Banner-Herald, which features day-trip destinations in Georgia and the surrounding states. She has lots of advice for those who'd like to combine their love for travel with their writing.

What are the key elements of a travel article?


"Travel writing requires brevity and using every word to its max," Sheila explains. "Editors like sidebars. (There) you can recap items like admission costs, website, phone numbers…any pertinent information for the traveler." You can save your word count for the body of the article, and she says like all good writing, you need great beginnings and endings, clean text and clear language.

"The hardest thing, I believe, is coming up with a fresh approach," she admits, "especially in the beginnings and endings." But these are key in drawing the reader in and making sure he is satisfied when he finishes reading.

Photos are a plus when approaching an editor about a story. "Not all publications insist on pictures; some provide their own." But what's a travel article without pretty pictures?

"Sometimes the subject will furnish pictures, or scan some for you or give you a memory stick. Many times (photos) are available at the website." Of course, you can always take them yourself. Sheila's husband Tim is often her photographer.



Is it expensive to write travel articles?

Sheila advises careful planning when pitching a travel article to hold down the expense. Some publications will reimburse expenses with proper receipts, but always ask when you get pitch the assignment. Of course, most expenses are also tax deductible so that's another reason collect to and save all receipts.

"It may be possible to combine research for the travel article with research on another writing project," she points out. "A large part of my travels are part of another bigger project" or are combined with personal trips or vacations. You're already going…can you earn some money while your there? She published a personal essay on her trip to Normandy in multiple publications.

How does she come up with her ideas and destinations?

Sheila subscribes to online publications and different travel magazines, especially regional travel (for her newspaper column). "I get suggestions from friends and family," she says, adding that occasionally an editor will have an event or location they want covered.

Also different magazines need different types of articles. "Local or regional magazines need fresh slants on regular subjects" like vacations destinations and events. Airline publications seek articles related to traveling as well as features on special restaurants or unique places of business or points of interest, while newspapers look for travel news as well as all of the topics above to fill their daily pages.


"Many of my stories in the (Chocolate and Chicken Soup books) are intertwined with travels (and traveling). Travel writing morphs into all forms."

So keep your mind open and a notebook handy. She also advises that freelancers, especially those starting out, be willing to take the assignments no one else wants.

"Keep at it. Do an excellent job, and turn it in early," she says. "That creates an 'in' with the editor and he/she will keep you in mind for bigger and better (assignments)."

To learn more about Sheila, visit her website.