Interview with the winner of the ITTP sponsored “Spot” award at the Travel writing Workshop in Chennai.
Meet Kalpana Sunder, the winner of the “India Today Travel Plus” best “Spot” Award
Kalpana Sunder is a Japanese language specialist based in Chennai, where teaches the nuances of the Japanese language to kids and stressed out techies. She loves chaat, children, yoga and travel and is an established travel writer having been published by The Hindu Metro plus, Hindustan Times Café, New Indian express, Mumbai Mirror and magazines like New Woman and India Today Travel Plus.
Congratulation on winning the Best “Spot” award for your writing sample and the India Today Travel Plus book at the Travel Writing Workshop in Chennai. Tell us a bit about yourself
I am a Japanese Language specialist and I teach and interpret as a freelancer. I also teach Creative writing in English to young learners. I have always been passionate about writing and travel and have kept travel journals on my trips. I live in Chennai, with my entrepreneur husband and two teenaged children.
How long have you been writing travel articles?
Almost two years.
Why did you choose to attend a travel writing workshop?
My passion for travel and writing and the fact that I was self-taught with no formal training in travel writing. I thought this would be a good chance to learn the ‘nuts and bolts’ of travel writing.
Tell us more about your experience at the Chillibreeze travel writing workshop
The trainer, David Juman was excellent and gave us valuable inputs and writing exercises. It was also a great opportunity to network with local writers.
Is travel writing becoming increasingly popular in India as a career? Why?
Well, a lot of travel writing is being outsourced to India, so that’s a great opportunity. Also a lot more Indians travel in India and abroad and often pen down their experiences. However converting this in to a commercial proposition is a different ball game!
What are your thoughts about “armchair travel writing” or in other words travel writing without actually traveling?
I consider travel an intense personal experience filled with the magic of looking beyond the ordinary. So travel writing without actually traveling strikes me as ’dishonest’. However researched articles on destinations are different, where the writer does not pretend to have gone there.
Do you personally prefer writing travelogues (in the first person) or feature travel articles (with tips for travelers)? Why?
A travelogue, as it’s more personal, and involves my creativity.
Is there a difference between the style of writing when you write travel content for an Indian reader vs. a global reader?
Generally, the global reader has traveled more (in recent times, the Indian traveler could measure up) so I would attempt a more sophisticated style.
There are so many travel guides and travel magazines nowadays. Do you prefer any particular style and why?
I am a travel junkie. So I enjoy all travel writing. But of course, I enjoy the humorous style of travel writing the most- where the writer can laugh at himself and his experiences without offending any sentiments!
What is the best feedback you received about your travel writing skills?
When someone read my piece on Bali, and told me that he was actually transported there and lived my experience!
Do you have any tips for budding travel writers in India?
Write a lot, travel more ( even if it is trips near your hometown) and don’t give up in the face of rejection!
Check out some of the hottest talents in the field of writing and editing!
Related Links
Discussion Forums for Writers
Promote Yourself
Career Tips on Writing and Publishing
Get feedback on your writing and editing skills
Related posts:
- Advertising Professional Turned Freelance Writer Judy Balan
- Freelance Journalist and Teacher Deepti Menon
- Travel Writing Workshop Chennai Report
- Language Assessment Test
- The Writers Division of Chillibreeze Solutions Presents a Travel Writing Workshop in Chennai
Comments:
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Hello,
read Kalpana Sunder’s super piece on Aihole in Hindustan Times Mumbai. Pl convey my appreciation. Like to touchbase with her to explore publishing some of her future work.
sanjeev
mumbai
{ 1 trackback }