Making dreams reality
Patrick Forsyth finds a source of inspiration and advice
I came across a mine of information recently and it impressed me sufficiently to give it some space here. I attended the spring gathering of the Society of Women Writers & Journalists. It was a pleasant occasion and a prizegiving for three of their recent competitions, but there was also a speaker: Solange Hando, a lady whose travel writing has graced the pages of a wide range of magazines for many years. No one listening would have had any doubt of her enthusiasm for her chosen field of writing. She made both the life it gave her and the process of actually writing and submitting work seem highly attractive. This was well illustrated by her stories of incidents along the way, from minor ones – a small diversion to visit a leper colony in Vietnam – to her being invited to attend the coronation of the King of Bhutan. She also mentioned (as you do and should!) her book, Be a travel writer, live your dreams, sell your features, and I subsequently read it and am pleased to draw it to the attention of readers of this column.