In this episode, Scottish travel writer Jamie Lafferty discusses why travel writing is anything but "leisurely" work, how coming from a working class background shaped the trajectory of his career and the stories he chooses to write, why he loves to interview “upper class” people, and how a trip to cover every prefecture in Japan after the 2011 tsunami shifted the way he thought about his work and the impact it could have.

From Working-Class Glasgow to the New York Times: Interview With Jamie Lafferty

Most conversations on the Travel Writing Podcast look, in one way or another, at the professional world of writing, travel, and publication.

But not everything worth writing is meant to be read. And the value of your writing cannot be accurately determined by the fickle media ecosystem.

Sometimes, you write for yourself. To explore an idea. To purge an emotion. To confront a truth. To document a transformation. And yes, sometimes those lines blur.

Valley Haggard is an expert in guiding writers to look inside, not outside, and summon the courage to confront the deeper challenges of confidence and self-worth that dog so many writers, from beginners all the way to published authors.

Valley joins the travel writing podcast to share her journey - through pain, addiction, and healing - and her advice to writers struggling with the internal aspect of the craft. She will be leading the Writer's Workshop in East Africa, facilitated by the Global Livingston Institute, and we look forward to publishing many of the resulting stories in Intrepid Times.

Valley Haggard on Why Your Writing Matters - Even When No One is Reading

Back Home Again

The Travel Writing Podcast by Intrepid Times is the go-to podcast for wanderers, writers, and passionate travelers. Every other Friday, we share new episodes that include everything from in-depth interviews with renowned travel writers, conversations centered on sharing tips and tricks for your own travel writing, and behind-the-scenes insight into our most popular travel stories. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Valley Haggard on Why Your Writing Matters - Even When No One is Reading

The Travel Writing Podcast

Related tracks