Crafting a Compelling Travel Narrative: Tips and Techniques for Aspiring Writers

The travel genre revolves around a journey and the discoveries and encounters made along the way. The central meaning of the travel genre lies in these discoveries and encounters, rather than the destination itself.

Narrative Situations in Travel Stories

The travel genre typically presents two narrative situations: In the first, the characters embark on a journey to escape, seeking adventure, redemption, or freedom from societal norms and laws. However, the journey’s end often brings further suffering or death. In the second narrative situation, the characters may embark on a journey to discover themselves and their identity, driven by a sense of loneliness and alienation and a desire for self-transformation. The protagonist often begins their quest unknowingly, seeking a better life, new social order, or fulfilment.

Modes of Transportation in Travel Narratives

The travel genre encompasses various modes of transportation, including foot, land vehicles, waterborne vehicles, space vehicles, mythical beasts, and portals. The journey should elicit a range of emotions, providing opportunities for escape, hope, optimism, dissatisfaction, and ultimately a sense of freedom (either at the end of the story or a false freedom that is snatched away). As the characters move away from civilisation, they break free from its constraints and discover themselves. Frequent stops and encounters with other characters shape the story, aiding in character development. The events that occur at stopping points or places along the journey shape the story and contribute to the characters’ transformation.

Character Development and Encounters

In any travel story, the characters encounter various obstacles, such as transportation breakdowns and confrontations with locals and law enforcement. The journey serves as a means of self-discovery and transformation, as the protagonist recognises what is missing from their life and makes changes to regain a sense of freedom and hope. As the journey progresses, the protagonist may experience a symbolic death of their old self and a transformative rebirth. Themes explored include loss, hope, adversity, challenge, and the battle between external antagonists and the protagonist’s inner demons.

Travel Genre and Buddy Dynamics

The travel genre is often used to support the buddy genre. In such stories, two characters with contrasting personalities bond throughout a journey, learning to appreciate and rely on each other despite their initial prejudices and differences. One character is typically self-involved, focused on achieving a personal goal, while the other is typically neurotic. The neurotic person’s idiosyncrasies initially cause frustration for their companion, hindering the timely completion of the trip and depleting resources. However, these complications ultimately lead to a deeper understanding and connection between the characters. At the end of the story, the two characters stay together (either literally or metaphorically) or go their separate ways knowing they will always have their time together and the memories they shared along the way on a unique journey.