A Prolific South Carolina Travel Author and Writer

Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of Bookpleasures. com and Sketchandtravel. com is excited to have as our guest, Barbie Perkins-Cooper.
Barbie is a playwright, travel writer, author and an award successful screenwriter. Barbie lives in Charleston, South Carolina and is an expert on SC as well as North Carolina and various other geographical areas. Barbie is also the author of a soon to be published Insides' Guide to be able to Asheville, NC
Good day Barbie and thank you for agreeing to participate in our interview.
Norm:
Please tell our readers a little bit about your personal not to mention professional background. When did your enthusiasm for travel writing begin and when did you start traveling? What keeps you going? How do you come up with ideas for what an individual write? What methods do you use to flesh out your idea to determine if it's salable?
Barbie:
Thank you Norm. It is a pleasure to be here and to focus on travel writing. I happen to be a writer since the 3rd grade of elementary school. My first science fiction story was published a large number of, many years ago, all to the credit of my last grade teacher and grandfather. Of course, like the majority of kids, I failed to see the thrill and dream of writing until afterwards in life. In the 1980's I suffered from depression and started posting again. Looking back, I discovered I did have a good flair for words, so i joined a writers group giving myself ten years to achieve something, or I'd only write with regard to fun and family numbers.
In 1994, after writing my first screenplay, I entered a few screenplay competitions, after suggestions from my agent, and I was selected as a finalist. My passion for travel writing started in 2003 after attending a good travel writing workshop hosted by Sharon Spence Lieb. She inspired me so much that I had to place my credentials to any test. Within 24 hours, I had my very first FAM trip. I happen to be working as a holiday writer since October 2003. At first, it was a have a problem, but with each decline, I persevered, determined to achieve my goals.
Since We write (and revise) my personal goals every January, my goal for 2005 was to target guidebook publishers. I developed a proposal, based about the Charleston, SC community. Because I was still working full-time at a college, like most writers, my desk was stacking higher with e-mails and snail mail to read. I targeted the greater paying markets, at very first.
In December 2004, I submitted a query to a travel guide site, pitching an idea about Charleston. The editor responded showing she had just selected the Charleston guidebook but she liked my form and wanted me to keep in touch. Flash forward to May of 2005. The clock was ticking mainly because my job was downsized and I had no clue what I would do after June a couple of when my career within the Corporate World ended. I knew I wanted to write, so We reread my dusty pursuits, and those cluttered e-mails, finding the correspondence with the manager. Quickly, I sent the woman's another e-mail, and within minutes (or so it seemed) she responded, wanting a proposal from me personally within three days. I wrote the shortest proposal in history and sent it towards her.
After a few weeks of negotiations, we agreed on the contract and now I'm working on my first guidebook, Insiders' Guide to Asheville, NC, scheduled for publication in the spring of 2007. My father lived in Asheville for many years, and I have a number of friends there, so I felt comfortable writing about the city. After which doorway opened, a few magazines I had targeted previously responded to my queries and now, I am publishing travel stories on a regular basis.
The things that keep me going are the people, places, and things I discover while traveling. I love meeting the people and discovering the flavor from the area.
On a recent trip to one of the devastated areas from Storm Katrina, I met the displaced man from Different Orleans. Although he had relocated, he still had a passion for life. He will be a character I personally use in a story. The stories I find at each location inspire me to look deep within to find the actions and characters uncovered. Not only is truth be told there a character, there is actually adventure.
While traveling, you get to try new adventures you never anticipated before. On a trip to Alabama, we visited the Alabama Music Community hall of Fame. My goal and dream as a teenager was to become a famous singer. Unfortunately, I never pursued which dream until I stepped into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and there, I was able to record a song while the group cheered me regarding. My dream was now reality!
On a trip to Kentucky, I interviewed blue grass musicians, coal miners, male quilt makers, and singers. During each interview, I discovered that regardless who they were, despite all of any adversities in life, these people held a passion for life in their hearts, and a love for their the area and artistry. Each period I meet and employment interview someone, I am inspired with new stories to tell. On another trip, I met a mother who was desperate to save the dog daughter's school in Kentucky. The more we talked, the more I realized this was a story I needed to tell others, and I am still sending queries pertaining to her story and this educational plans of Kentucky.
The methods I use to determine if a story is marketable are to determine the angle I will utilize and I research this markets, answering the queries:
Who is the adventure targeting to and whatever angle?
What markets might I approach?
Who cares about this story?
Resources I use weekly are:
Writersmarket. com
Writer's Guidelines, 4th Edition by Brigitte M. Phillips, Susan D. Klassen, and Doris Hall
The Web
Fortunately, after many obstacles, I now have editors approaching me about scenario ideas. It's taken me years to accomplish this, but it is remarkable to finally have routine assignments. Nevertheless, I still have a goal of sending your five query letters out once a week, and I have a concept spreadsheet that I renovate with new story concepts, almost on a every week basis. I encourage all writers to write goals down. Build an ideas file, update on a regular basis, and never give together. Always remember, one editor's rejection will be another editor's acceptance. It has certainly happened to all of us, and each time, I've submitted that same issue, or an updated version, to another market.
Norm:
As you are very acquainted with South Carolina, if you had to choose eight of the most romantic venues for being married celebration, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, which ones would you choose and why?
Barbie:
Eight romantic venues in the South Carolina area for weddings will be:
Any of the beautiful churches in the downtown area of Charleston are generally romantic and stunning regarding weddings. There are so many that it would be really hard to choose what sort, although St. Michael's Episcopal Church is the one that really stands out during my mind.
Grace Episcopal Church is another breathtaking beauty for a wedding. The architecture, statues, and ceilings are spectacular.
Sullivan's Island Beach I've seen several beach weddings along the shores of Sullivan's Area. With the backdrop from the ocean, and the sand dunes along the shore, the view makes for a beautiful setting.
Alhambra Hall a garden wedding on the lawn, overlooking the harbor of Charleston and much of our new signature bridge typically the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge. Many of the weddings are held on the lawn, decorated with just about all white chairs draped during white bows, ribbons, and flowers, lining the walkway for the bride. One particular wedding had a red not to mention white theme, a red carpet, white chairs and the bridal attendants dressed through red. This was an afternoon wedding and was fabulous. At Alhambra Hall, the reception may be held either outside or in the fellowship hall area. This building was newly designed after Hurricane Hugo and it is a beautiful, romantic setting for receptions, weddings, and family reunions. Book it early it usually has a long waiting list!
Magnolia Gardens Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is another dramatic place to hold a wedding, especially during the spring time when the gardens have been in full bloom. There is really a beautiful white bridge serving as a backdrop that makes a lovely site, also, a gazebo. Since the trend in Charleston is to host a wedding outside near the gardens, Magnolia Plantation is definitely a romantic place to get the special, romantic times of a wedding spectacular.
Park locations including the Waterfront Park, located within downtown Charleston, White Point Gardens, Hampton Park, and Washington Park. Waterfront Park provides the scenery of the possess, and deep in any horizon a view of the new bridge previously mentioned. The other parks contain breathtaking views serving as a mesmerizing backdrop, so any of the parks in Charleston, especially during the spring time, can make a beautiful wedding. For additional information about park weddings visit here
The Citadel If you have never visited Charleston and driven by the Citadel, you are missing a great picturesque view. Summerall Chapel hosts a variety of weddings. The campus, complete with landscapes, interesting architecture as well as military history is amazing. CLICK HERE
Boone Hall Plantation with the sweeping landscapes, plantation home, and the history mounted on Boone Hall Plantation, this is the perfect location to have a traditional Southern wedding, full of charm, heritage, and romance that would make Scarlett and Rhett green with envy.
In the Charleston community, there are so a large number of romantic and beautiful sites it's truly difficult to narrow the locations down to only eight. Since I love the ocean, I enjoy the beauty of the city in the Battery, and while walking along the beach. For additional sites to consider, CLICK HERE
Norm:
What does travel mean to you? As a traveler as well as fact/story-gatherer, what is your biggest challenge on the road and how do an individual overcome these challenges.
Barbie:
If i had to define travelling, I would define it as a thrilling adventure and exploration about life the ones. I find people fascinating. I enjoy watching all of them, their body language, and their zest for life. Almost everyone has a story to tell and to express.
The biggest challenge I have while traveling is sometimes I'm so rushed I do not own enough time to get the whole set of ideas completed. These ideas dance indoors my head until I can get them down on paper. That is why I always ask for contact information because Actually, i know I'll have additional questions lake transcribe the notes.
I practice the idea of following up by sending thank you letters within two weeks of my trips, and I try to point out something significant that happened during my trip. Another practice I strive for is to take photographs plenty of digital photographs! If I have an image as useful resource, my brain will usually retrieve the information.
Norm:
Besides writing journey articles, what other writing gigs have you found profitable or pleasing? As a follow together, you have written in various genre, which ones do you prefer, i. e. travel writing, screen writing, etc
Barbie:
You'll laugh when i share this information! Although I am a travel writer, many of my credentials are on construction. Since my husband was in construction for many years, I broke into the actual construction industry, writing stories about highway roadbeds, tilt wall construction, bridge construction, shopping center renovations, John Deere and Komatsu equipment, and several stories about the build workers.
Although the pay wasn't well, it was a stepping stone for me to break into mag and newspaper writing, and the stories were regular, dependable assignments. Other genres I've written for include health and beauty, elder care, business journals, hospitality, food, bedding (a recent story about the new Revive Marriott bed) navy venues, and of program, travel.
In 2001, I published a non-fiction memoir titled A condition of Limbo. I've also written seven screenplays, four plays, and I am presently writing a memoir termed, Chattahoochee Child. In October 2005, that story won second place at the South Carolina Writers Company writer's conference held in Myrtle Beach, SC. Lately, most of my time is spent on my guidebook. The deadline for the final project is reserved for June 2006, with the spring 2007 as the actual publication date. I am excited about this project and still schedule time to produce travel stories.
Norm:
What advice would you share with someone who is considering starting travel writing in order to achieve success?
Barbie:
My friends tease me constantly about writing so much, but as we comprehend, life is a struggle. Life is much too short to appear back with regret, so every day, I strive to make the most of that day. Writing is something As i attempt to schedule on a daily basis, although as writers know, life does have a means of breaking into the demands in our busy lives. Writers must continue to work towards their goals and dreams and not give up. We must persevere through belief and pride for what we do.
The best advice I'd give to a article writer considering travel writing may be to learn all that you can learn and to establish your goals every Present cards. I am constantly modifying my goals, but with regard to 2005, my goal had been to land a reserve contract. Following the recommendations I wrote, I achieved that goal this year by following up utilizing editors. I have a note pad on my desk titled Follow up. I file all comments from editors, contacts, etc. in that booklet together with refer to it at least once a month.
Networking is crucial. Last week while on a press trip I met an editor and today I have an project with her. Networking is the key.
If truly interested in travel writing, contact the Convention not to mention Visitors Bureaus (CVB's) introduce yourself along with your credentials and request consideration to be added to their advertising list. I have made many contacts by doing this. Most of them are actually most receptive to aiding with story ideas and they will make suggestions.
Another suggestion is to start out slow. I made the attempt to break into the more prominent markets, only to discover the majority of them have staff writers many use. I write with regard to trade and regional catalogues, and now I'm authoring a guidebook. The most significant suggestion I would tell anyone attempting to break into travel writing may be to never give up. A writer must keep advertising. Build a web webpage (or hire someone else to do this for you). I am not a web master, so I use resources that will assist me. Carry business credit cards everywhere, and introduce yourself as a writer. After all, if you don't believe in yourself, how can others believe in one?
Norm:
Is there anything else you wish to share with us which we have not covered?
Barbie:
Yes, I would like to absolve this interview by saying you ought to move forward and have faith in yourself. Whenever a writer receives a rejection, move on to the next submission. Once, for a construction magazine, I sent a spec assignment, only to discover the editor didn't like it. He phoned me stating that he was returning it because it did not meet the needs. I thanked him and moved on, looking for another marketplace. Exactly 24 hours later on, I received a phone call from the same journal, but a different editor. He stated he needed an invoice to pay me for the account. I was shocked, stating that only the other day I was told it was being returned. He replied that he was the new manager and was publishing the particular story verbatim and this individual needed an invoice.
This is only one example of how we must persevere. What is one editor's rejection could be another editor's acceptance. Never give up! Find your stories while looking for the unique characters. Develop your voice and design. Listen to what ones own editors say, but believe in your talent, passion, and ability to communicate. Practice your objectives, readjust when necessary, and make certain you follow up and practice that which you preach to others.
Thanks once again together with good luck with all of your future endeavors.