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