When we travel abroad, we are always foreigners to the local inhabitants just as they are foreigners to us. The “foreigner’s” point of view can be very useful for seeing the world around us in a different and original way; particularly, when our writing threatens to fall into a rut of triteness or stereotyping. How can we talk about Rimini [resort on the Adriatic Riviera] beyond Fellini [the Italian director born there], the piadina [a local flatbread] and discotheques? Look for a foreigner who has moved to Rimini and get them to describe the city from their point of view.  You will probably be pleasantly surprised by what they have to say.

Claudio Visentin and Giulia De Dominicis

Do not be tempted to embellish your story or descriptions with frilly words that you would never use in everyday conversation. We can all agree that when the Spanish Steps in Rome are lined with flowers, it is indeed an amazing sight to behold. However, would it really be effective to describe the scene as “a jubilation of flowers with an inebriating scent”? Since you are not the reincarnation of Gabriele D’Annunzio [prominent Italian writer and nationalist figure], choose words that come from your real vocabulary. You will avoid sounding false or trite and your readers will thank you for it.

Claudio Visentin e Giulia De Dominicis

Verbs? You may ask, “Are we back in elementary school?” No, we are still talking about simple, useful writing tips.

First: whenever you can, always use verbs in their active form. The golden rule says to use the passive form only when the subject doing the action is unknown or if the object receiving the action is more important than the agent doing the action.

Second: use verbs more than nouns. They are shorter, stronger and more expressive. They are also more “vital” and describe the action that is happening. For example: notice the difference between “Our departure was set for eight o’clock.” and “We left at eight o’clock.” Or the difference between: “The group’s attention was very high.” and “The group was very attentive.” In the former examples, we have an abstract concept, while in the latter ones we have a live subject carrying out a live action.

It is not obligatory to use one over the other but pay close attention and choose wisely.

Claudio Visentin and Guido Bosticco

Words have sound. Literature is music. We have talked about rhythm but what about melody? You may ask, “What has this got to do with travel writing?” Well, every word has a shape, a length, a flavour and an image attached to it, as well as an abstract form and a sound. We do not attach enough importance to the sounds of words. They serve more then just to create alliterations or other figures of speech that remind us of elementary school. The sounds of words are their very nature. If a word “sounds good” to you, it is because it has harmonic consonance with the rest of the sentence and with yourself. It is very important not to settle for what you already know; try to experiment with new sounds. Imagine a sequence of adjectives that become increasingly stronger (e.g.: it was an intense, acrid, penetrating and unbearable smell) and then imagine reading them aloud while you raise the tone and volume of your voice. Does it “sound good” to you? Then, it will work!

Claudio Visentin and Guido Bosticco