Lisa, your article "Not Unplugged: Malta" offers a refreshing perspective on staying connected while traveling. Your candid reflections on balancing digital engagement with immersive experiences in Malta provide valuable insights for modern travelers. Thank you for sharing your thoughtful observations.
Your (once again) excellent writing brings up a conundrum that, as a travel writer, I often struggled with: How (and when) to say, to quote you, “ Because never in my life have I disliked a place as much as I disliked Malta.” We’ve all been to places that we just would never recommend to friends but editors don’t want you saying this. Their reasoning (valid) is “our readers don’t want to read about places you don’t like.” I get it. But at the same time, it would be nice to have some honesty in the writing: These people are racists; the architecture is boring; the food sucks. Sometimes I’ve tried to do that by writing between the lines, but even this was often stripped out of my stories. Yet not every place we visit is the loveliest, most amazing destination in the world. And from my perspective, it would be good if travel writers were at least as honest as restaurant critics (or, okay, as honest as they used to be). If a city sucks, it sucks.
This is the bane of every halfway-decent travel writer (or at least the ones I want to read), isn't it? Publications want positive but the best stories often aren't that. Another benefit of Substack, David. When are you starting yours?
Lisa, your article "Not Unplugged: Malta" offers a refreshing perspective on staying connected while traveling. Your candid reflections on balancing digital engagement with immersive experiences in Malta provide valuable insights for modern travelers. Thank you for sharing your thoughtful observations.
Fascinating post Lisa. I really enjoyed reading your 'Spin the Globe' piece
Thank you, Gina!
One of the best Spin the Globe’s ever.
Derk, in his own words, “bled all over” my piece for him, but I agree he was terrific.
Hmm. Thanks for the kind words but I remember a certain one about Ethiopia that was pretty fantastic...
Insular.
Well, that's a destination crossed off the list. So much to see, so little time. :)
Well, I wouldn’t want to unduly taint anyone’s perspective but…yeah, I think you can do better 😉
I love the honesty and feel inspired to talk/write more about the place and trips I’ve disliked (because that happens!)
Your (once again) excellent writing brings up a conundrum that, as a travel writer, I often struggled with: How (and when) to say, to quote you, “ Because never in my life have I disliked a place as much as I disliked Malta.” We’ve all been to places that we just would never recommend to friends but editors don’t want you saying this. Their reasoning (valid) is “our readers don’t want to read about places you don’t like.” I get it. But at the same time, it would be nice to have some honesty in the writing: These people are racists; the architecture is boring; the food sucks. Sometimes I’ve tried to do that by writing between the lines, but even this was often stripped out of my stories. Yet not every place we visit is the loveliest, most amazing destination in the world. And from my perspective, it would be good if travel writers were at least as honest as restaurant critics (or, okay, as honest as they used to be). If a city sucks, it sucks.
This is the bane of every halfway-decent travel writer (or at least the ones I want to read), isn't it? Publications want positive but the best stories often aren't that. Another benefit of Substack, David. When are you starting yours?
Never. I don’t have the bandwidth. But I appreciate reading yours.
Rats. Because yours is one I would love to read.