| Today, Norm Goldman, Editor of and is excited to | | | | Plantation is definitely a romantic place to make |
| have as our guest, Barbie Perkins-Cooper.Barbie is | | | | the special, romantic times of a wedding |
| a playwright, travel writer, author and an award | | | | spectacular.Park locations including the Waterfront |
| winning screenwriter. Barbie lives in Charleston, | | | | Park, located in downtown Charleston, White Point |
| South Carolina and is an expert on SC as well as | | | | Gardens, Hampton Park, and Washington Park. |
| North Carolina and other geographical areas. Barbie | | | | Waterfront Park provides the scenery of the |
| is also the author of a soon to be published | | | | harbor, and deep in the horizon a view of the |
| Insides' Guide to Asheville, NCGood day Barbie | | | | new bridge previously mentioned. The other parks |
| and thank you for agreeing to participate in our | | | | have breathtaking views serving as a mesmerizing |
| interview.Norm:Please tell our readers a little bit | | | | backdrop, so any of the parks in Charleston, |
| about your personal and professional background. | | | | especially during the spring time, can make a |
| When did your passion for travel writing begin and | | | | beautiful wedding. For additional information about |
| when did you start traveling? What keeps you | | | | park weddings visit HEREThe Citadel If you've |
| going? How do you come up with ideas for what | | | | never visited Charleston and driven by the Citadel, |
| you write? What methods do you use to flesh | | | | you are missing a great picturesque view. |
| out your idea to determine if it's | | | | Summerall Chapel hosts a variety of weddings. |
| salable?Barbie:Thank you Norm. It is a pleasure to | | | | The campus, complete with landscapes, interesting |
| be here and to discuss travel writing. I have been | | | | architecture and military history is beautiful. CLICK |
| a writer since the third grade of elementary | | | | HEREBoone Hall Plantation with the sweeping |
| school. My first science fiction story was published | | | | landscapes, plantation home, and the history |
| many, many years ago, all to the credit of my | | | | attached to Boone Hall Plantation, this is the |
| third grade teacher and father. Of course, like | | | | perfect location to have a traditional Southern |
| most kids, I failed to see the thrill and passion of | | | | wedding, full of charm, heritage, and romance that |
| writing until later in life. In the 1980's I suffered | | | | would make Scarlett and Rhett envious.In the |
| from depression and started writing again. Looking | | | | Charleston community, there are so many |
| back, I discovered I did have a flair for words, so | | | | romantic and beautiful sites it is truly difficult to |
| I joined a writers group giving myself ten years | | | | narrow the locations down to only eight. Since I |
| to achieve something, or I'd only write for fun | | | | love the ocean, I enjoy the beauty of the city at |
| and family letters.In 1994, after writing my first | | | | the Battery, and while walking along the beach. |
| screenplay, I entered a few screenplay | | | | For additional sites to consider, CLICK |
| competitions, after suggestions from my agent, | | | | HERENorm:What does travel mean to you? As a |
| and I was selected as a finalist. My passion for | | | | traveler and fact/story-gatherer, what is your |
| travel writing started in 2003 after attending a | | | | biggest challenge on the road and how do you |
| travel writing workshop hosted by Sharon Spence | | | | overcome these challenges.Barbie:If I had to |
| Lieb. She inspired me so much that I had to put | | | | define travel, I would define it as a thrilling |
| my credentials to the test. Within 24 hours, I had | | | | adventure and exploration about life and people. I |
| my first FAM trip. I have been working as a | | | | find people fascinating. I enjoy watching them, |
| travel writer since October 2003. At first, it was a | | | | their body language, and their zest for life. Almost |
| struggle, but with each decline, I persevered, | | | | everyone has a story to tell and to share.The |
| determined to achieve my goals.Since I write (and | | | | biggest challenge I have while traveling is |
| revise) my goals every January, my goal for | | | | sometimes I am so rushed I don't have enough |
| 2005 was to target guidebook publishers. I | | | | time to get all the ideas completed. These ideas |
| developed a proposal, based on the Charleston, | | | | dance inside my head until I can get them down |
| SC community. Because I was still working | | | | on paper. That is why I always ask for contact |
| full-time at a college, like most writers, my desk | | | | information because I know I'll have additional |
| was stacking high with e-mails and snail mail to | | | | questions when I transcribe the notes.I practice |
| read. I targeted the higher paying markets, at | | | | the idea of following up by sending thank you |
| first.In December 2004, I submitted a query to a | | | | letters within two weeks of my trips, and I try to |
| travel guide site, pitching an idea about Charleston. | | | | point out something significant that happened |
| The editor responded stating she had just finalized | | | | during my trip. Another practice I strive for is to |
| the Charleston guidebook but she liked my style | | | | take photographs plenty of digital photographs! If |
| and wanted me to keep in touch. Flash forward | | | | I have an image as reference, my brain will usually |
| to May of 2005. The clock was ticking as my job | | | | retrieve the information.Norm:Besides writing |
| was downsized and I had no clue what I would do | | | | travel articles, what other writing gigs have you |
| after June 2 when my career in the Corporate | | | | found profitable or rewarding? As a follow up, you |
| World ended. I knew I wanted to write, so I | | | | have written in various genre, which ones do you |
| reread my dusty goals, and those cluttered | | | | prefer, i.e. travel writing, screen writing, |
| e-mails, finding the correspondence with the editor. | | | | etcBarbie:You'll laugh when I share this information! |
| Quickly, I sent her another e-mail, and within | | | | Although I am a travel writer, many of my |
| minutes (or so it seemed) she responded, wanting | | | | credentials are in construction. Since my husband |
| a proposal from me within three days. I wrote | | | | was in construction for many years, I broke into |
| the shortest proposal in history and sent it to | | | | the construction industry, writing stories about |
| her.After a few weeks of negotiations, we | | | | highway roadbeds, tilt wall construction, bridge |
| agreed on the contract and now I am working on | | | | construction, shopping center renovations, John |
| my first guidebook, Insiders' Guide to Asheville, | | | | Deere and Komatsu equipment, and a few stories |
| NC, scheduled for publication in the spring of 2007. | | | | about the construction workers.Although the pay |
| My father lived in Asheville for many years, and I | | | | wasn't well, it was a stepping stone for me to |
| have several friends there, so I felt comfortable | | | | break into magazine and newspaper writing, and |
| writing about the city. After that doorway | | | | the stories were regular, dependable assignments. |
| opened, a few magazines I had targeted | | | | Other genres I've written for include health and |
| previously responded to my queries and now, I | | | | beauty, elder care, business journals, hospitality, |
| am publishing travel stories on a regular basis.The | | | | food, bedding (a recent story about the new |
| things that keep me going are the people, places, | | | | Revive Marriott bed) military venues, and of |
| and things I discover while traveling. I love | | | | course, travel.In 2001, I published a non-fiction |
| meeting the people and discovering the flavor of | | | | memoir titled A Condition of Limbo. I've also |
| the area.On a recent trip to one of the | | | | written seven screenplays, four plays, and I am |
| devastated areas from Hurricane Katrina, I met a | | | | presently writing a memoir titled, Chattahoochee |
| displaced man from New Orleans. Although he had | | | | Child. In October 2005, that story won second |
| relocated, he still had a passion for life. He will be a | | | | place at the South Carolina Writers Workshop |
| character I use in a story. The stories I discover | | | | writer's conference held in Myrtle Beach, SC. |
| at each location inspire me to look deep within to | | | | Lately, most of my time is spent on my |
| discover the actions and characters revealed. Not | | | | guidebook. The deadline for the final project is |
| only is there a character, there is adventure.While | | | | scheduled for June 2006, with the spring 2007 as |
| traveling, you get to try new adventures you | | | | the publication date. I am excited about this |
| never anticipated before. On a trip to Alabama, | | | | project and continue to schedule time to write |
| we visited the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. My | | | | travel stories.Norm:What advice would you give to |
| goal and dream as a teenager was to become a | | | | someone who is considering going into travel |
| famous singer. Unfortunately, I never pursued | | | | writing in order to achieve success?Barbie:My |
| that dream until I stepped into the Alabama Music | | | | friends tease me constantly about writing so |
| Hall of Fame, and there, I was able to record a | | | | much, but as we know, life is a challenge. Life is |
| song while the group cheered me on. My dream | | | | much too short to look back with regret, so |
| was now reality!On a trip to Kentucky, I | | | | every day, I strive to make the most of that |
| interviewed blue grass musicians, coal miners, | | | | day. Writing is something I attempt to schedule |
| male quilt makers, and singers. During each | | | | on a daily basis, although as writers know, life |
| interview, I discovered that regardless who they | | | | does have a way of breaking into the demands |
| were, despite all of the adversities in life, these | | | | of our busy lives. Writers must continue to work |
| people held a passion for life in their hearts, and a | | | | towards their goals and dreams and never give |
| love for their town and artistry. Each time I meet | | | | up. We must persevere with belief and pride for |
| and interview someone, I am inspired with new | | | | what we do.The best advice I would give to a |
| stories to tell. On another trip, I met a mother | | | | writer considering travel writing is to learn all that |
| who was desperate to save her daughter's school | | | | you can learn and to establish your goals every |
| in Kentucky. The more we talked, the more I | | | | January. I am constantly adjusting my goals, but |
| realized this was a story I needed to tell others, | | | | for 2005, my goal was to land a book contract. |
| and I am still sending queries pertaining to her | | | | Following the guidelines I wrote, I achieved that |
| story and the educational plans of Kentucky.The | | | | goal this year by following up with editors. I have |
| methods I use to determine if a story is | | | | a notebook on my desk titled Follow up. I file all |
| marketable are to determine the angle I will use | | | | comments from editors, contacts, etc. in that |
| and I research the markets, answering the | | | | booklet and refer to it at least once a |
| questions:Who is the story targeting to and what | | | | month.Networking is crucial. Last week while on a |
| angle?What markets may I approach?Who cares | | | | press trip I met an editor and now I have an |
| about this story?Resources I use weekly | | | | assignment with her. Networking is the key.If truly |
| are:Writersmarket.comWriter's Guidelines, 4th | | | | interested in travel writing, contact the |
| Edition by Brigitte M. Phillips, Susan D. Klassen, and | | | | Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVB's) introduce |
| Doris HallThe InternetFortunately, after many | | | | yourself along with your credentials and request |
| hurdles, I now have editors approaching me about | | | | consideration to be added to their press list. I |
| story ideas. It's taken me years to accomplish | | | | have made many contacts by doing this. Most of |
| this, but it is exciting to finally have regular | | | | them are most receptive to assisting with story |
| assignments. Nevertheless, I still have a goal of | | | | ideas and they will make suggestions.Another |
| sending five query letters out weekly, and I have | | | | suggestion is to start out slow. I made the |
| an idea spreadsheet that I update with new story | | | | attempt to break into the bigger markets, only to |
| ideas, almost on a weekly basis. I encourage all | | | | discover the majority of them have staff writers |
| writers to write goals down. Build an ideas file, | | | | they use. I write for trade and regional magazines, |
| update on a regular basis, and never give up. | | | | and now I'm writing a guidebook. The most |
| Always remember, one editor's rejection will be | | | | important suggestion I would tell anyone wanting |
| another editor's acceptance. It has certainly | | | | to break into travel writing is to never give up. A |
| happened to me, and each time, I've submitted | | | | writer must keep marketing. Build a web site (or |
| that same query, or an updated version, to | | | | hire someone else to do this for you). I am not a |
| another market.Norm:As you are very familiar | | | | web master, so I use resources that will assist |
| with South Carolina, if you had to choose eight of | | | | me. Carry business cards everywhere, and |
| the most romantic venues for a wedding | | | | introduce yourself as a writer. After all, if you |
| celebration, honeymoon, or romantic getaway, | | | | don't believe in yourself, how can others believe in |
| which ones would you choose and | | | | you?Norm:Is there anything else you wish to |
| why?Barbie:Eight romantic venues in the South | | | | share with us that we have not |
| Carolina area for weddings would be:Any of the | | | | covered?Barbie:Yes, I would like to end this |
| beautiful churches in the downtown area of | | | | interview by saying you must move forward and |
| Charleston are romantic and stunning for | | | | believe in yourself. Whenever a writer receives a |
| weddings. There are so many that it would be | | | | rejection, move on to the next submission. Once, |
| really hard to choose which one, although St. | | | | for a construction magazine, I sent a spec |
| Michael's Episcopal Church is the one that really | | | | assignment, only to discover the editor did not like |
| stands out in my mind.Grace Episcopal Church is | | | | it. He phoned me stating that he was returning it |
| another breathtaking beauty for a wedding. The | | | | because it did not meet his needs. I thanked him |
| architecture, statues, and ceilings are | | | | and moved on, looking for another market. |
| stunning.Sullivan's Island Beach I've seen several | | | | Exactly 24 hours later, I received a phone call |
| beach weddings along the shores of Sullivan's | | | | from the same publication, but a different editor. |
| Island. With the backdrop of the ocean, and the | | | | He stated he needed an invoice to pay me for |
| sand dunes along the shore, the view makes for | | | | the story. I was shocked, stating that only |
| a beautiful setting.Alhambra Hall a garden wedding | | | | yesterday I was told it was being returned. He |
| on the lawn, overlooking the harbor of Charleston | | | | replied that he was the new editor and was |
| and our new signature bridge the Arthur Ravenel, | | | | publishing the story verbatim and he needed an |
| Jr. Bridge. Many of the weddings are held on the | | | | invoice.This is only one example of how we must |
| lawn, decorated with all white chairs draped in | | | | persevere. What is one editor's rejection could be |
| white bows, ribbons, and flowers, lining the | | | | another editor's acceptance. Never give up! Find |
| walkway for the bride. One particular wedding had | | | | your stories while looking for the unique |
| a red and white theme, a red carpet, white chairs | | | | characters. Develop your voice and style. Listen |
| and the bridal attendants dressed in red. This was | | | | to what your editors say, but believe in your |
| an afternoon wedding and was gorgeous. At | | | | talent, passion, and ability to communicate. |
| Alhambra Hall, the reception may be held either | | | | Practice your goals, readjust when necessary, and |
| outside or in the fellowship hall area. This building | | | | make certain you follow up and practice what you |
| was remodeled after Hurricane Hugo and it is a | | | | preach to others.Thanks once again and good luck |
| beautiful, romantic setting for receptions, | | | | with all of your future endeavors.Norm Goldman is |
| weddings, and family reunions. Book it early it | | | | the Editor of the travel site, and the book |
| usually has a long waiting list!Magnolia Gardens | | | | reviewing and author interviewing site Norm is also |
| Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is another | | | | a travel writer and together with his artist wife, |
| dramatic place to hold a wedding, especially during | | | | Lily, this unique couple meld words with art |
| the spring time when the gardens are in full bloom. | | | | focusing on romantic destinations.Norm also offers |
| There is a beautiful white bridge serving as a | | | | an express book review service that you can find |
| backdrop that makes a gorgeous site, also, a | | | | out more about by clicking on: under the heading |
| gazebo. Since the trend in Charleston is to host a | | | | of express review services. |
| wedding outside near the gardens, Magnolia | | | | |