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Guest Editor SARA WHEELER introduces her pick of poetry and prose on the theme of travel TRAVEL writing has always seemed to me the perfect literary vehicle – a jet-fast Porsche with zero carbon emissions. Within the reassuring structure of the physical journey, the travel writer can ventilate an idea, explore a problem, ponder a conundrum. But my own experience of reading and writing travel literature for 20 years has shown me how difficult it can be to pull off. Many these days like to announce the death of travel writing (‘All the journeys have been done!’). But I was delighted to read so many interesting Travellers’ Tales from Mslexia readers, and to see that the genre is far from dead. What an intrepid lot you are. I enjoyed the selection procedure very much, and I learnt a good deal. But the single most significant factor determining success or failure in a piece reinforced what I already knew. More about this later. First, I will say a few words about the submissions reproduced in this month’s issue. ‘The Lottery of Lava Falls,’ which tops my selection, illustrates the advantages and benefits of choosing to write about one specific incident rather than a whole journey. In her description of a whitewater rafting ride on the Colorado River, the author sustains the narrative drive and keeps up the tension, encapsulating (or so it seemed to me) the thrills, fears and expectations of a whole trip within a single episode. Very nicely done. For the complete essay, and for Sara's full selection of poetry and prose on the theme of travel, read issue 31• Subscribe! |
 Read a story chosen by Sara Wheeler India healed my broken heart by Mary Lowe  |
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For more on SARA WHEELER, go to www.randomhouse.com |
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