Why I Write

Someone recently asked me why I write. We all have pastimes. I don’t knit or follow sports. I don’t do crossword puzzles. I can’t play cribbage. But I do write. I journal (just for myself) when I’m going through tough personal times. I write poems (to my partner) when I’m in love. I write editorials for neighbors who might benefit from my worldview on political issues (and, therefore, vote the way I do). And as a travel writer, I share travel experiences in hopes that people blessed with the opportunity to explore our world can minimize the expense and maximize the experience by learning from my mistakes rather than their own. Writing is my pastime…and my passion.

Why else do I write? Let me count the metaphors…

Writing unleashes the child in me. It’s how I enthuse. I’m having so much fun in my corner of life, I want others to come out and play. It’s like the wide-eyed innocence of a third-grader during show-and-tell. “Wow, this is neat. Check it out!”

Writing also channels the hunter-gatherer in me. I go out, shoot an idea, bring it home, fillet it, and cook it up to be consumed by people I care about. Sometimes I just want to serve up some tasty intellectual nourishment.

And occasionally, when we are under attack, I need to blow a trumpet from the ramparts with my pen, warning, “All hands on deck!” or “Duck!”

Writing gives expression to the artist in me. Ideas are my palette. The English language, which I have such a respect for, is my brush. And your brain is my canvas. The beauty of my creation is a matter of the way I design and present the ideas.

Writing forces me to gather my thoughts and design them for public consumption. Just like many people enjoy going out on the town, but would never do so without tucking in their shirt and combing their hair, I want to share ideas, but wouldn’t do it without being presentable. I like my ideas to be put together well. (The best book I’ve read on writing well is just that: On Writing Well by William Zinsser.)

So, like the old man whittles, I polish my writing. With each pass, I whittle it into a tighter, more effective piece of communication. Illuminating ideas get lost in the din of shrill discourse dominating our society today. It’s fun to find ways to cut through that din. In the arena of ideas, how well you write determines the strength and sharpness of your sword.

I believe strongly in the value of what I have to say as a travel writer: In Europe, there are two IQs of travelers: those who wait in lines, and those who don’t. If you have less than a month in England, don’t visit both Cambridge and Oxford; see one or the other…and Cambridge is better. I believe that bringing home a broader perspective is the best souvenir. And I believe that there’s too much fear in our society these days, and fear is for people who don’t get out much.

I can share these ideas verbally. But by writing, I amplify my voice. I believe traveling in an efficient and meaningful way is worthwhile, and I want to share these ideas with as many people as possible. In my work, I measure profit in terms of “GTI” ‘ gross trips impacted. By writing well, I increase my GTI. That’s success.

But I also write to make money…so please buy my books. (And happy travels.)

Comments

29 Replies to “Why I Write”

  1. We read your thoughts on Oxford vs. Cambridge many years ago and skipped Oxford and visited Cambridge, which we loved. We returned over the years, and enjoyed it again. Then last time we went to England, we said, we have time, let`s give Oxford a go! And we loved it! Not saying you are wrong maybe Oxford has changed over the years. But it might be a good idea to dust off long-held opinions from time to time to see if they still hold. First time we went to Dublin over twenty years ago, we had a less than wonderful time. But decades later, maybe it, and we, have changed. We look forward to finding out.

  2. I enjoy your writing very much. I spend a lot of time reading you stuff because even if I don`t agree with everything it makes great sense. You have a way of putting thoughts on paper that keeps interest going. I have been following you with travel since the beginning and admire how much you have grown. All the travel info gets better and better every year. My first book on Italy talked about the Lira, and when I look at the new book what a difference. Only down side is I think friends and family get a bit tired of me quoting “Rick Steves”!!!

  3. “But I also write to make money…so please buy my books.” This just made me happy!

  4. And, you write so beautifully Steve! I, too, love writing and the English language (and French, and Spanish…!), and this post was just a wonderfully constructed and expressed piece of heartfelt writing, great topic aside. Thanks for sharing with us :) Also, I appreciate your surprise bits of humour on the website (and TV shows). Tell us more about what you mean by “GTI”…do you mean your impact on the places you visit, or their impact on you? Or perhaps you mean impact of your insights and information on us, your traveling audience? Probably all of the above. Maybe I`ll go read more posts and items on the site where you`ve likely explained this. And yes, we`ve bought many of your books! Keep on traveling, AND writing, Steve. Thanks, as always, for all you do :)

  5. My 11 year-old daughter, Rachel and I LOVE your show and watch it together as aften as possible. She`s also a budding writer, so I printed off this blog entry for her to read. Your show also makes us want to travel someday…and even if I never get to do so, you spur me on to encourage Rachel to take every chance she gets to travel! Maybe she`ll take me along:)

  6. I think Rick has a group of followers who like virtually whatever he does or says or writes. He likes them in turn because they or those they influence buy his product. Being persuasive is a saleable product. Being persuaded is the human condition.

  7. Maybe it is time to try what he writes. This is the rainy time of year that I put our trips together, the journey is as exciting as the trip. When you travel in this manner you have invested time and educated yourself and the trip becomes more of an adventure and a much more solid memory. This year we are not going to Europe and I am having a little withdrawl not anticipating a great trip this spring.

  8. Sorry, but I read this site because I like European travel. I do not care to hear about the writer`s political views and I guarantee that save for a few, core, repeat bloggers who fawn all the time, most people do not care for political commentary of his ilk. Characterizing fear as belonging to only those who don`t travel much, I think it is naive to dismiss the very real threat to European and western culture posed by the failure of multiculturalism. Fear won`t stop me from traveling, but I think it is worse to ignore very real threats, no matter how much they may insult one`s misplaced idealism.

  9. Steve Ricks, it must be great to have so many fans, especially world travelers who admire you so much, even if they have trouble knowing who you are. Keep up the good work, Steve!

  10. Only comments that praise the author are posted on this blog. Anything slightly critical is deleted and anything that points out truths other then what the author believes in are snuffed out. Looks like fear exists all right….fear of opposing opinions being heard.

  11. Ann, sounds like your post shows that you are wrong. I enjoy reading about Rick`s travels as well as his ideas. Hopefully, you travels will make you less fearful of different cultures. If not, at least it will help you understand other cultures.

  12. I whittled down all travel books to the Rick Steve`s series, because he dares to offer opinions about something. This saves me valuble time and money. Also, his books pay for themselves many times over inhotel value, dining value, and safety concerns. I am a big fan of yourtravel books, and yes, I buy them for all my trips. Keep on writing!

  13. Ann, Rick is Rick…I own many of his books, I have used them in London, Paris, Rome and Athens….and all were fun reads and easy to navigate, i don`t always agree with Rick, especially when he writes about the richest culture, the best this-the best that, the best artists etc, this is when I`d like to sit down with Rick and say, let`s talk facts and be fair and balanced..LOL…but that`s what I enjoy about Rick, it`s his website and books he can write anything he wants and see things the way he chooses…it`s all relative…Rick is a gem that stirs my emotions, both positive and negative( at times), but that`s good, it keeps me interested..

  14. The one thing I know for sure is that when I have planned other trips that don`t fall into Europe throught the back door, you are always subject to who knows who and who is someones brother. Recomendations usually go to someone who knows someone. I don`t care how much you love or hate Rick the books are so worth it. These books have saved us thousands or maybe I should say we have traveled twice as much because of the money saved by all the foot work done for me for the price of a $20.00 book. Thanks Rick for all your hard work.

  15. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL PROGRAM ABOUT THE BEST TRAVEL LINE IN EUROPE, EVEN THOUGH IT MAYBE IS MADE MANY YEARS AGO? I ENJOY IT SO MUCH, AND ADMIRE YOUR LIFE STYLE SO MUCH. YOU ARE VERY PROFESSIONAL GENTLEMAN, OH…CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION/ HOW OLD ARE YOU NOW? THANK YOU :-)

  16. Thanks for all you do Rick! I can`t always afford to travel overseas, but your attitude about the world, life and other people, as conveyed in your writings and shows, is inspirational even if I just travel around my own hometown. Thanks! By the way, it would be a lot fun to see more photos of you from the 70s!

  17. Similar to AA, I disagree with Rick about 90% percent of the time and that`s ok. Being an American we have that right to disagree with each other and we are allowed to run our business` and lives as we wish. I still continue to buy Rick Steve`s products because I enjoy his writing, when it comes to travel and I take his political views with a grain of salt. As I`ve always said at least Rick allows people to comment on his posts. The moderators do a great job trying to keep posts within guild lines. Rick shouldn`t be punished for his political views if he produces a quality product. Rick best wishes keep up the great work, no matter how wrong your political views are ;).

  18. I also am a writer, Rick, and I feel badly for many students in today`s public school systems who aren`t taught English grammar. From junior high through high school I spent an hour each day at the blackboard diagramming sentences. I`ve got to get that book about writing that you mentioned. It`s a wonderful language that we speak! Rick, when you get the chance, please visit some of the websites regarding Middle English which I believe you`ll find interesting. The way they spoke English from about 1100 through the 13th Century and prior to the Renaissance, it`s fascinating! Did you know they were actually doing text messaging in the middle ages? I`ve found some writings where the author uses the number 4 as a short way of saying “for”. Just to make sure, I looked up “for” in a Middle English dictionary, and sure enough, “for” was a word back then and was used in the same way we use it today. In another document I found this phrase: Cy4 Luna. Turns out Cy4 is none other than the word “cypher” (cipher in today`s English). Cypher Luna refers to one of the phases in the alchemy wheel. Difficult to explain medieval alchemy symbology here but you`ll find it on the internet. If you can`t, then send me an e-mail and I`ll send you the link. Happy travels in your upcoming trip!

  19. Wonderful post Rick, I also have a passion to write, and even though there are times I reflect more than write, I am now beginning to write consistently and more on the net. The brain is the canvas, haha. Yes, It is good to raise the consciousness of others around us and the world. I enjoy how my writing also brings me to a place of where I was in life..I carry a little notebook with me now again, and it`s during the unexpected moments that I have my most profound thoughts or inspiration to sketch somewhere, and its wonderful. Happy St. Patricks day ~

  20. “I am also a writer and I feel `badly?`, “etc. You don`t touch so well? Not so much time diagramming sentences and more time studying adverbs.

  21. Geeze Louise, Louisa. Sorry for offending you with my lousy English. Guess I was just pressed for time when I wrote that. Nice to know you have so much time on your hands.

  22. Not offended and not so much time on my hands, just sharing your enthusiasm for proper English grammar and usage.

  23. Thank you, Louisa; not a problem and I`m happy that you share my appreciation for the English language. Judith

  24. you are such a true lovely man, in our saying, it is: “go your own way if you regard it`s the right ,let others bad words about it go away”. eventhough there is the saying, but in reality only a few people can do it, it need courage. now you do it very well, devote the interesting for the society, make the world more colourful and warmly, it is a wonderful work! congratulations and thank you so much!

  25. as an artist who is modifying herself and maintaining herself as I age it is a relief to continue to read what you are allowing us as you think through your changing, but still enthusiastic travel experience. I like your notes on the value and effect of ebooks and material. It is thoughtful, but still doesn`t blindly embrace the immediate. I`m a multi time RS traveler who seldom takes a camera and never emails or calls home when I`m away. Mostly because learning to cope and experience was what we did in early overseas days, Peace Corps and what ever. It can be painful and now it often makes me feel very different as my fellow travelers are calling, texting, handling their air travel. Still, there`s something about not recording the moment which allows me to paint my responses and teach my students to use their cameras as only notetakers.

  26. …fear is for people who don`t get out much. I so agree and am a big advocate of travel; been lots of places. The passport map you did is very telling. I also like the idea of a ticket for each American to go somewhere after high school. In addition, as a postcard collector, I prize my collection of travel cards to my family from the late 60`s through present day. I think I have some just like your sample above! I am planning now for Paris, Madrid and hill towns of Italy this fall. It has been 22 years since I went to Europe and wow am I excited! Thank you for your website and blog and all the rest. p.s. I bought your backdoor book through out local pbs fundraiser and am waiting patiently for it to arrive.

  27. Do you ever offer seminars on how to be successful at least as a part time travel writer? I`m presently blogging about the one or two trips a year I get to make on my motorcycle, would enjoy finding ways to sell articles (nd thereby travel more).

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