Award-winning travel writer, public speaker and international tour guide Dave Fox started travelling the world at age seven and has been writing about his experiences ever since. Recently, the second edition of his first book, Getting Lost: Mishaps of an Accidental Nomad, was published by Inkwater Press.

When we travel, things go wrong. And this Dave certainly proves in Getting Lost: Mishaps of An Accidental Nomad , a truly hilarious collection of unique travel stories. I read in curious anticipation and can’t stop smiling as I turn the pages.

The book covers 30 years of Dave’s mishaps and travel experiences abroad, from the strict British school lunch procedure, his acting debut as a gnome and how to look manly despite wearing tights, to somewhat wild exchange student days in Norway, finding peace in a volcano on Iceland, how to get off a bus in Turkey, and escaping machine-gun-toting cops in Greece.

“It’s often the things we didn’t realize we were looking for, because we didn’t even know that existed when we first set out our journey, that end up creating our best stories. Journeys end, but stories stay with us.”

Earlier in 2008, Inkwater Press also published Dave Fox’s second book, Globejotting: How to Write Extraordinary Travel Journals (and still have time to enjoy your trip!). In this informative and humorous book, Dave teaches you how to become a real travel journaling pro. He mixes clever exercises, his own diaries from around the world - including an hilarious account of a 90-minute sauna experience in Helsinki, Finland - and funny illustrations. A terrific read, whether you journal to remember your trips, for personal growth, to share your experiences with friends and family, or as a step toward getting a byline.

You will learn how to capture your travel experiences and bring destinations to life, break free from conventional journaling styles, how to journal efficiently, the concept of “speed journaling”, and why you shouldn’t write about everything that happens. Dave also talks about motivation, the “inner” versus the “outer” journey, themes to write about, and a super smart way to get away from your inner censor and find your true voice.

For more information, visit Dave’s humor website www.davethefox.com, or his travel journaling website, www.traveljournaling.com.

When we travel, things don’t always go as planned. Have you ever experienced miserable mishaps or disasters abroad? Then, write down your story and participate in the fun travel essay contest by Inkwater Press and Dave Fox, author of Getting Lost: Mishaps of an Accidental Nomad and Globejotting: How to Write Extraordinary Travel Journals (and still have time to enjoy your trip!). They are looking for your most terrible (and amusing) travel tales.

You can win a signed copy of both Dave’s books and a backpack with “secret” travel essentials. The winning essay will be featured on Dave Fox’s popular travel websites www.traveljournaling.com and www.davesbook.com.

Need to improve your writing skills? Buy a copy of Getting Lost to get some useful tips!

Visit www.inkwaterpress.com/gettinglost for more details or to enter the contest.

Entry deadline is September 18, 2008.

Tell your story (in 900 words or less) and you can win:

1. A backpack of travel essentials from Dave Fox, including helpful items as caffeinated soap for combating jetlag, a Point It picture dictionary to aid in everyday global communications, and the ever-popular Blist-O-Ban Adventure Medical Kit for those whose feet are unaccustomed to extensive world travels.

2. A signed copy of both Dave’s new books; Getting Lost: Mishaps of and Accidental Nomad and Globejotting: How to Write Extraordinary Travel Journals (and still have time to enjoy your trip!)

3. Publication of your winning entry on Dave’s popular travel and humor websites: www.davethefox.com and www.davesbooks.com.

Contest Rules:

All entries must be a true, first person account of a humorous incident or set of circumstances that took place while the author was travelling.

Essays may be submitted online at www.inkwaterpress.com/gettinglost. Stories must be limited to 900 words, and submitted by September 15, 2008. Only one entry per person will be considered; all entries become the property of Inkwater Press, and may be used for promotional purposes online or in print. The winner will be chosen by Dave Fox and notified by November 1, 2008.

Good Luck!

Travel Rants recently announced they will create a downloadable leaflet in association with the Foreign, Commonwealth Office, and the Know Before You Go campaign, to raise awareness of safe travel.

Now they need YOUR best travel tips.

What would you want other travelers to know before booking that next city weekend break or leaving for a two-month trip to Thailand? What have you learnt from your travels? How can we make traveling safer?

Simply submit your travel tips to Darran with your full name, and web address (if you have one).

The best travel tips will be featured in the leaflet and distributed to as many places as possible. A plus point, if your travel tips are chosen, they will link to your website!

Read more about the project at Lets help each other travel safely this summer

Are you an aspiring writer or photographer? Do yourself a favour and check out the recently launched website of Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia. Until June 30, 2008, writers and photographers can win various prices by submitting their travel stories, photography and videos. Luckily, the contest is open to people all over the world and there is no geographical restrictions.  

Three top submissions, one for story, one for photography, and one for video, will be selected each month. The story and photography entry may be published in an upcoming issue of Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia. Also, the editors of Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia will award a price to their favourite entry among the three finalists.   

For further information, visit http://yourtravelandleisure.com  

More about Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia:

November 20, 2007, American Express Publishing Corporation president and CEO Ed Kelly announced the sixth international edition of the world’s leading travel magazine, Travel+Leisure in Southeast Asia. Published by Bangkok-based Media Transasia, the magazine debuted in December 2007 and is distributed in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Macau, Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos.

 ”A burgeoning market is emerging in Southeast Asia with smart and sophisticated consumers who want an editorial product about up-and-coming luxury travel destinations,” said Kelly. “We are pleased to provide Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia to guide this passionate group through their future travel experiences.”

Apart from Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia that joined Travel+Leisure South Asia, American Express Publishing expanded with 20 foreign editions including Travel+Leisure China, Travel+Leisure Australia, Travel+Leisure Mexico, Travel+Leisure Turkey, Departures Japan, Departures Russia, several editions of Departures Europe, and Food & Wine China.

We all know what a cliché is, but everyone might not know what count as a cliché. Therefore I wrote down all the clichés I could think of.

Have I have missed any? Just let me know and I will add it to the list.

Writing clichés

A dime a dozen

Acid test

Artistic license

At loose ends

Better late than never

Brought back to reality

Black as pitch

Blind as a bat

Bolt from the blue

Bright idea

Busy as a bee

Busy as a beaver

Cat’s meow

Climb the ladder to success

Cloud nine

Cool as a cucumber

Cool, calm and collected

Crack of dawn

Cross your fingers

Cruel twist of fate

Crushing blow

Cry over spilt milk

Dead as a doornail

Dog-eat-dog world

Don’t count your chickens

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Dreaded clichés

Easier said than done

Easy as a pie

Every inch of the way

Feathered friends

Face the music

Flash in the pan

Flat as a pancake

Flushing money down the drain

Gentle as a lamb

Go at it tooth and nail

Good time was had by all

Happy as a lark

Head over heels

Heart sings

Heavy as lead

Home is where the heart is

Horns of a dilemma

Hour of need

In the blink of an eye

Keep a stiff upper lip

Ladder of success

Last but not least

Leave no stone unturned

Meaningful dialogue

Money doesn’t grow on trees

Moving experience

Needle in a haystack

Open-and-shut case

Pain in the ass

Penny for your thoughts

Point with pride

Pretty as a picture

Put it in a nutshell

Quick as a flash

Rat race

Ripe old age

Ruled the roast

Sad but true

Sadder but wiser

Search high and low

Seeing dollar signs

Set the world on fire

Sick as a dog

Sigh of relief

Skeletons in the closet

Smart as a whip

Sneaking suspicion

Spread like wildfire

Straight as an arrow

Swimming with the sharks

Strong as an ox

Take the bull by the horns

Thin as a rail

Through thick and thin

Time is money

Tired but happy

To coin a phrase

To make/cut a long story short

Tongue tied

Trial and error

Tried and true

Turn back time

Under the weather

Wear your heart on your sleave

White as a sheet

Wise as an owl

Work like a dog

Worth its weight in gold

Travel writing clichés

A city/country of contrasts

All with a price tag to match

Authentically/typically

Breath taking vistas

Brit of alright

Bustling market place

Bustling markets

Castles nestling on the hillside

Clear-blue water

Colourful markets

Crystal clear lakes

Culture vulture

Discerning travelers

Eastern Promises

Explore every avenue

For adrenalin junkies

For a fraction of the price you’d pay at home

Friendly locals

Golden beaches

Green and pleasant land

Hidden gem

Jagged ridges

Kaleidoscopes of colours

Lands of contrasts

Lively nightlife

Majestic mountains

More than just X

Off the beaten track

Old towns with cobbled streets

Panoramic views

Party till dawn

Picture-postcard cottages

Picturesque villages

Quaint chateaux perched on hillsides

Quaint villages

Quirky designer shops

Rich in history

Seething masses of humanity

Simple peasants

Sleepy backwaters

Snow-capped mountains

Souk it and see

Spa treatments to die for

Swing when you’re winning (on travel articles on golf)

‘Take a bite out of the Big Apple’ when visiting New York

Towering monuments

Tower of strength

Turkish delight

There’s something for everyone

Vibrant culture

One of the best things with writing is that you can write from anywhere, at any time. Sometimes, as tonight, I find myself sitting with my writing projects after midnight, being able to write more effectively than during any other time of the day. For some reason the words flow easier for me at night. In the morning, around 7am to 10am, is also good since I’m usually a morning person and have more energy to write after a relaxing yoga pass.  

When I’m at home I normally work at my desk, sometimes on the bed because it’s more comfy, in the summer I love sitting outside on the balcony, in the garden, in a nearby park or at a nice open-air café in town. Usually it’s easier to write while listening to music - soul, hiphop, pop, rock, jazz, classical… it all depends on my mood.  

During the cold autumn and winter months, I often bring my laptop to some cosy café - write for hours, sipping on a cappuccino. I mean, I used to… now when I’ve finally gotten over my coffee addiction I’ll have to choose a hot chocolate, juice or smoothie.  

When the inspiration hits or a new idea pops into my head, I take notes wherever I am and whatever the time is. For some reason it often happens at airport lounges, while waiting at the gate, on flights, at train stations, on the bus, or while sitting in the back seat of a car. Airports are my favourite though. It’s something about the atmosphere… so many people at the same place, going to all these different destinations across the world. In airports, I also love to eavesdrop on conversations. Don’t tell anyone I wrote that.

Another favourite writing location is hotel rooms because each room has its own special character and creates different emotions. Sitting in a small room without any windows at a budget hotel in Bloomsbury, looking out over Hyde Park from a Park Lane hotel, or listening to opera at Blakes obviously generate distinct feelings that affect how I write.   

Almost forgot the beach. A sunny day on the beach is a great time to get some writing done. And since my favourite sound is the sound of the ocean, that’s just perfect.

Working in different environments gives you new perspectives and ideas. Guess that’s one of the reasons I love travelling.

If I could choose any place where I’d like to write for a few hours, it would be on a boat with the ocean in front of me.     

What many people seem to forget is that no matter where you live, people visit. Even if you haven’t even been outside your hometown, you can break into travel writing.

First, research the markets. Major newspapers and glossy magazines are difficult to break into with no or little experience. Start small to build up a portfolio and save the “tougher” publications for later. Your local newspaper is probably the easiest one to approach since they often have more space for freelance writers.

Think about the town or city you live in. Every place generally has something that attracts visitors. People living on the countryside might need to do a more thorough research. Brainstorm; find something you would feel passionate writing about. Are there any popular events or festivals where you live? Any famous sights or attractions? Perhaps your local restaurant serve an unusual or delicious specialty? Or if you live in a town surrounded by vineyards, write an article on where to savour local wine and attend wine tastings.

Quotes are a perfect way to make your travel story fresh and original. Say you go with the wine angle. Then, contact a wine expert for a short interview. You can easily find an expert through The Premiere Online Experts Directory.

If you have no idea what to write about, contact your nearest tourist office for free tips and brochures. Most tourist offices have specific media pages on their website where you can find story ideas. Keep in mind that a destination is not a story. Find a unique and interesting angle.

Last, study published travel writers’ work to get a feeling for how to mix facts with history and personal observations. Inspiration is great because it gives you your own voice, but imitation is not. Trust your own writing ability and keep going until you get there.