I occasionally get emails from college-aged students who write to say, “Hey, I want to be a travel writer like you! How do I do that?” And I wish the answer were simple. It’s not like you can just get a degree in adventure writing and launch a successful freelance career. It takes time, connections, perseverance, and a bit of luck. Being able to write helps, too. (But honestly, being professional and responsible and responding to editors’ emails in a timely manner, filing stories by your deadline, and fact checking your work might matter more than your raw writing talent. Just saying.)

My best advice to those aspiring writers is to read and write a ton. Pick up any magazine you can find and read it cover to cover, start paying attention to bylines and read what your favorite writers are putting out there. Don’t be afraid to reach out to those writers and ask them for an informational phone call about how they got there. Landing a job or internship at a publication will get you a toe in the door. Then you’ve got to start pitching. Make connections with editors (via email, trade shows, or however you can) and start sending them good, timely, well written story ideas. You will be ignored and rejected. That’s part of the job. Eventually, you will get an assignment. It may not pay much at first (but hopefully it pays something! Don’t work for free) but eventually, you can make a living doing what you love. I am proof of that.

Anyway, my friend Ben Hitch wrote a story on how I got here for CultureLines.com. Give it a read if you’ve got a few minutes.