There are plenty of skills I believe any diving journalist or travel writer require to be be successful, but none of them are as important as the character traits your loved ones need.
You see, writing is not a team sport, and unlike diving, you can't really do it with your partner. I'm very fortunate to have taken my wife on some of my assignments, but once I'm home, it's just me, in my "cave," (my wife's name for our office) lots of bits of paper with my notes on and the computer. I can be hidden away for hours, emerging only to grab a coffee and mumble something about being, "almost there," before going back into the "cave" for a few more hours.
I try and involve my wife, and you know, she's brilliant at helping me proof read. It's a ritual we go through, she helps me get the commas, sentence length, order and phrases just right before I send it off. She tells me what doesn't work and why, she's my very own sub editor.
I wish I could involve her more, but as writing really is just you and your computer, I can't.
It's all worth it when we see the article appear in the pages of DIVER magazine, especially if it was an assignment my wife joined me for (more about tackling this issue ethically and appropriately another time).
So, if I can, please indulge me while I say, "thanks" to my wife for all the support she has given me while I write my articles and "geek" around on my blog. She possesses the greatest of virtues needed by a writer's partner, those of patience and understanding.
If you are thinking of embarking on a hobby-career as a travel writer or diving journalist / photojournalist, make sure your loved ones are aware of how much time you will need to spend on your own. And think about it, is this something you are going to enjoy? it's not all glam trips abroad you know.
Keep writing... (and don't forget to include your loved ones when you can)
Brendan
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