What’s the best part about being a freelance travel writer? It is it being in business for yourself, traveling to every corner of the earth, or making friends in faraway places? No, no, and no… it’s being able to write off all your travel expenses!
Aah… This Is The Life
Imagine sitting back on a poolside chaise lounge, laptop at your side; banana daiquiri in one hand, personal fan in the other—dictating to your laptop about the hardships of having to travel for a living as a freelance writer. Your heart just goes out to that type of individual doesn’t it? You don’t have to have a job writing brochures for the Lindblad Expeditions Travel Company in order to write off your travel on your taxes. If you’re in business for yourself as a freelance writer, travel may well be part of your daily ‘grind’… Poor thing. Of course if you’re going to write off that kind of expense you better be sure that you have something to show for it in the way of work/income. You’re going to have a little bit of difficulty writing off umpteen trips a year if you have nothing to show for it in the way of compensation of one kind or another.
Invest In A Good Camera
Hey if nothing else it’s another tax write off! Seriously though if you’re going to try to sell your freelance travel stories you’re going to want to be sure to accompany them with the best pictures you possibly can. Taking pictures with your cell phone probably won’t cut it, but you never know. A good (it doesn’t have to be great) camera should suffice. A picture can help sell 1000 words after all; any writer knows that. If you’ve got film (or digital memory), a camera, paper and a couple of number two pencils you’re in business. Make your notes while you’re out and about and settle in your luxury resort later to dictate to your laptop at poolside; or on the deck of your cruise ship, poolside.
Yes the life of a freelance travel writer is a grueling one indeed.