- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- November 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- June 2007
- May 2007
- April 2007
Comments (7)
Print
Save/ShareAt Budget Travel, our goal is to write clearly and specifically about the places we go and the people we meet along the way. It's a fun challenge, but a challenge all the same.
We're proud of our work overall. But sometimes, we hear ourselves use language that is dull, vague, or hackneyed. (Heck, nobody's perfect.)
This morning, we thought about some examples of poor writing that have made us groan the most. And then…we decided to put them all together! We hope you'll laugh along with us as you read this clunker. And we hope you'll keep us honest if you ever see stuff like this in the future.
Mad About Molvania!!!
Lutenblag is nestled in the Great Central Valley. This bustling capital of the central European country of Molvania mixes the ancient with the modern. It also boasts many charming eateries. Wash down your tasty fish soup with a brew that's popular with the locals: Blag. After all, this town is a mecca for microbrews.
Stay the night at Hotel Zlad, a hip boutique property (think: Ian Schrager). On the upper floors, you'll find guest rooms featuring modern furniture. From your window, you'll see jaw-dropping views of the OooLaLa Mountains.
Be sure to stop by the hip lounge—situated in the lobby. Club Zlad, as it is called, feels like a lush oasis nestled in this lively metropolis. It offers cozy, comfy couches. The walls sport camel hair.
If you can manage to leave the hotel, stroll through some of the nearby hills. You'll find Sprufkil's Gourmet Hot Dogs, a quaint outpost that is set on a hillside overlooking a breathtaking panorama of sea and sand.
Walk further along the cobblestone road past verdant fields, and you'll find Yuppie's Coffee Shop, an airy, handsome shack tucked into a small forest. Inside, a minimalist aesthetic dominates (think: Ikea's cafeterias). Here, classic details mix with contemporary amenities.
At the end of the day, you'll find Lutenblag can be a home away from home for you if you're a traveler who's weary of the tried and true.
Feel free to add your own pet peeves about travel writing by posting a comment below.
EARLIER
More on Molvania
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
What? No "Land of Contrasts"?
Posted By pam on November 11, 2008, 3:52 PM
Ah yes--That's a good one!
Posted By Sean on November 11, 2008, 4:06 PM
I am a bit sad there was no wonderfully authentic dessert to "save room for," but you can't have everything. Otherwise my breath was truly taken.
Posted By John Rambow on November 11, 2008, 6:46 PM
Thanks for illustrating the obnoxiousness of "mecca" – one of my pet peeves, as a travel writer and instructor. I always wonder how Muslims feel to see their holy site as a "hotspot" metaphor ... especially for activities involving alcohol. It strikes me as disrespectful.
Posted By Amanda on November 11, 2008, 8:01 PM
I thought this was in poor taste, given that you are in midst of an “amateur” competition where you asked your loyal readers to submit travel journals. Here I was, thinking I was having good time writing about travel, and now I find out that some of my material could potentially qualify as “hackneyed” or “dull.” I realize that you started the article referring to your own material, but it is hard not to wonder if some of our “clunkers” were the inspiration as well. I can stomach the vague, dull, hackneyed version much better than the pompous one.
Posted By hmhickox on November 11, 2008, 8:50 PM
Sorry if I offended anyone by mistake. In defense of Budget Travel, we paid our readers to write our entire June issue. The "amateurs" all wrote clearly and with fresh language. We're proud of their work.
And every month, our magazine devotes several pages to the writing of our readers, far more than any other travel magazine. We've repeatedly shown our confidence that people who don't write full-time for a popular audience can still write well. We've found that "amateurs" often write better than those who do it full-time!
Our website is just as proud of our readers. We shine a bright spotlight on our reader's contributions. We put our readers' work on an equal plane with our own. Look around our site for proof.
However, some writing is easier to read and less repetitious than other writing. That's not a controversial point to make! Professionals--meaning, folks who are paid full-time to write--tend to write articles on similar topics in similar ways. They tend to get lazy and overuse certain words and expressions. I should know: I speak from personal experience!
Yet, while I'm guilty of making the mistakes I criticized, I think it's worthwhile to redouble my efforts to do better and to encourage other writers to write clearly, too. I hope that clarifies what I was trying to say. Thanks!
Posted By Sean on November 12, 2008, 9:30 AM
I noticed one cliche was missing: that quaint outpost should really have been perched, not set, on the hillside overlooking the breathtaking blah blah blah. Or nestled, but nestling generally occurs in valleys.
Posted By Marilyn Terrell on November 13, 2008, 11:59 PM