Today’s post takes the form of a traditional slideshow, and covers a niggle I’ve had for a while. In the race for readers, hyperbole seems to be in vogue among travel bloggers. While I’m indubitably guilty of random chunks of exaggeration, I am very wary of its presence in my own writing.
I was taught very early on, that my travel experiences are incredible enough to most people, without staining my writing with outlandish statements. These days, I write beneath a spotlight of realism that keeps me in check.
If you find yourself compensating with overstatement, it’s time to take a step back and take a look at your writing in a literal sense, where magic is reduced to the realms and brilliant is brighter than white.
Once you’ve stripped it back, I believe you’ll create room for it to regrow in a less scattered, and sarcastic style.
Blog Writing Tips & Advice
Take a look through my Slideshare, and let me know your thoughts on the featured content.
How was it for you?
It’s (yet) another new feature for TrailofAnts.com, and while I’d love to tell you it will become a regular one, the truth is it will just pop-up every now and then.
As a writer, did you find it useful? Or perhaps you’re a reader, and happy I raised the point? Either way, this travel blog is open to feedback in many forms, not least via the comment thread just below this post so please consider sharing your thoughts.
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I liked the content and the format you put it in. It showed up fine in my feed reader and it loaded quickly. Everyone may copy your awesome format now…
Nice one, Brian. Thanks for the positive feedback. Slideshare is a great piece of free software for converting Keynote or PowerPoint presentations into this type of format (oooh look, I’m a blogger who plugs good things for free!)
Clever… and you’re on to something. We need to invent a few more words!
(Liked the presentation. I might nab the idea too!)
Nab away, [F]oxymoron 🙂
I like the platform too, so I’d like to see a few more around the web.
I can’t stop laughing at your last slide. You crack me up Ant. One day our paths will cross, and we will have a few drinks.
Keep on, keeping it real……..
Thanks Jason, looking forward to that day.
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Brilliant! I found myself nodding at each slide. So can I send a hug through the comments as well?
I wrote something along the same vein a while ago but I’ll email you the link in case you don’t like people spamming your comments 🙂
[Editor: It’s not spam at all, here’s Corinne’s post: Perched, Nestled and Other Hidden Gems]
All hugs well-received, Corrine. Above all, I’m glad I’m not the only one who has thought about this element of our niche.
I was quite hesitant, above all because I felt it could be (wrongly) perceived as slightly negative (which the Blog Gods frown upon, apparently).
Thank you for adding the link, Ant. May the Blog Gods always smile upon you.
haha Nice one Ant!! 🙂 I looked back myself.. and oops! 🙂 But I try not to do ‘the best in the world’ thing. It is just the best in my world. 🙂 Great stuff!
If you can put your hand on your heart and truly believe it’s the best, perhaps it is.
I think the “best” one is among the more understandable; as we all turn to Google to find the “best place to eat in…” or the “best place to watch the…” etc.
Blog writers are responding to demand. Perhaps we should be googling “one of the many good places to eat in…” etc.?
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This is the best blog post I have read today
Short, sweet, and to the point.
Great comment, highly appreciated. Thank you, Edd.
Ant, I like your approach to your writing in both your blog and Tweets.
There is too much glass in my home to start hurling projectiles, so this is my personal view. If you read my Twitter profile (@eurapart) you will find that one of your ten words is covered there. I am glad you didn’t call this your “Top” 10, because I believe this, like “best”, is a much abused word. You claim that you search on Google for “best place to eat in…” the “best place to watch the…” etc. This surprises me, as I would have thought that “cheap” would be the most searched for term. From my experience a travel search including “best” in the criteria, will bring up Tripadvisor either at the top or close to the top of the first page of results or companies that have used SEO to ensure that the term “best” brings up their site address.
I was a Mining Engineer during the first half of my career. I think many travel bloggers would make really proficient Mining Geologists, as they find “gems” everywhere!
I am really stoked to have discovered Slideshare. Thank you!
Yes, “Top” is equally annoying; that is true across a wide range of blog niches. I think it’s almost become a slogan for the platform. In defence, the sentiment of my own post was in a similar vein so I won’t throw stones in glass houses.
With regards “Cheap”, I certainly do search for those terms, but hadn’t mentioned it above because I didn’t want to confuse it with the inclusion of “Cheap” within the slideshow. Not least because the intended meaning was different.
Thanks for your comments John, I’m glad I’ve brought Slideshare out of the woodwork. I’ve been enjoying it for a while but this was my first attempt at creating my own. I found it easiest to create 1024 x 768 jpgs in Photoshop and just drag them in.
Great slideshow, I’ll admit I’m a user of stunning and I know it’s lazy. But I promise to retire that word.
Don’t promise me, promise yourself.
Ant, I really like your new site design and this feature! Great use of the slideshow concept.
Thanks Akila, I’m glad you like the way things are going. I know you’re a long-time reader, I appreciate your support.
sometimes we get carried away with our words and enthusiasm of our stories and forget what we are trying to say. Awesome is my favorite word because of Kungfu Panda
Welcome back, Zablon. You’re right, but I think it’s important for writers to start considering what they’re writing, and channelling that enthusiasm.
Godammit youv’e stolen my thunder with this one Ant! I would say ‘awesome’ is def the my number 1 blog hateword.. The other day I ranted a bit on twitter about seeing such dread mutations as Awesomely and Awesomest, and not just in post copy mind, but in titles and in one case the bleedin’ name of the website!
I was also about to start writing a comment using all of these words, but I see you’ve got that covered as well! Gah! *with added nashing of teeth and wailing*
Great minds, Jools… it seems that quite a few people have been noticing the Rise of the Awesome over the passed year.
But you, well, you could be rightfully described as awesome!
Note to self do not use any of these words when I actually start writing about my travels.
I couldn’t stop laughing because I know I would probably use some of those words when I do start writing about my travels. Oh & here is a hug <>
Thanks Jaime. Good idea to get in good habits early on… we’re all looking forward to reading more from you about your travels etc.
Awesome !
I just could’nt help my self by throwing a cheeky one in there.
But seriously, wicked post, you made my day.
Cheers Man
Cheers Mitt, welcome over to TrailofAnts.com… all forms of wit are welcome.
Hmm. Point of order. Re: No.2. From the Tibetan plateau, I’m prepared to accept that Mount Everest is awesome. From the Nepalese side, it hides itself, so I prefer to think of it as coquettish. Otherwise, nice post…
Great word, Christian. I’ve never seen it from the Nepalese side (other than it being a fuzzy microdot in on the horizon), but as you’ve rightly confirmed from my photo, the Tibetan side is truly awesome. It remains one of the most awe-inspiring views of my life.
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This post was absolutely incredible – probably the best I’ve ever read!
Great approach, Ant. I’m not sure I agree with your distaste for ‘stunning,’ but you’re bang on with the rest of your observations.
Hopefully you’re adjusting to life back in the UK. I’ll be excited to hear what is in store next for you (whenever you figure that out!).
Cheers Matt, I really, really appreciate your kind comments and continued support.
I thought more people might fight the corner for ‘stunning’, but I stand by my condemnation of its overuse. I would possibly use it to describe a beautiful lady; “Jennifer Aniston looked stunning this morning.” But then, I might just say beautiful.
Life in the UK is… getting there 🙂
Nice work, mate. 🙂
However, I’ll add “literally” and all its vile, painful misuses.
Ever time I hear that word, I literally explode.
Nice addition, Mike. I’m definitely guilty of that one (and have within me at least two dozen witty comebacks to prove it).
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Very good post to make us aware about the parts where we exaggerate. I’m sure every blogger is guilty of that, but we’re bloggers, not journalists, so we’re allowed to say these things. Since a blog is personal (in contrast to newspapers), I think it’s good to write down your emotions, which will give the reader a feeling about the atmosphere. It’s not good to only exaggerate, of course. I try to be honest and also say openly, if something was bad, dirty or disappointing. But I also praise, if I really had a great time. I’m not saying I’m objective, but at least I’m true to myself and share what I’ve seen and done and what it meant to me. Reading travel blogs taught me that we’re all trying to have fun and make the best of our trips, but we’re very different and see the same things with very different eyes.
Great comment, full of valid points. I’d raise the point that my slide show wasn’t a slight towards the act of delivering our emotions, more of an awareness campaign about the way that a misuse of language can derail the message.
We see many of the terms and words I’ve mentioned, every single day, and I believe (especially in this age of word-consumption) that there is a danger that we automatically ignore words, and devalue our own message.
For example, we might write: “The food in Paris was unbelievably good, I had the escargot and it was awesome.”
Whereas, my brain computes: “The food in Paris was good, I had the escargot.”
Never shy away from delivering emotive writing, but do be aware that the most powerful words aren’t necessarily the one’s containing the most power.
I think “everyone” else has pretty much covered all the great stuff about this post. So, I just want to add that your posts always make me smile. Thanks Ant 🙂
I know you were being wry, but just for the record “Everyone else” is OK as it refers to a specific set of people (all the previous commenter’s).
So is, “Everyone I went to the restaurant with loved the knickerbocker glory.” It’s the thoughtless sweeping statement of, “Everyone hated it” etc. that I get tired of.
Thanks for the comment, Jenneil — if only to give me a portal for that little rant.
I am glad my post helped in some way. 😛 But, sincerely, it is nice to experience your humor mixed with a lesson. When I visit your blog, I know I will never get bored.
Loved to watch it.
I am trying my hand at a travel blog and hope I am not making the mistakes you mentioned. Would like to read your older posts too
Thanks Pinkali — looking forward to seeing what you come up with. To access my older posts, use the drop down memory in the left hand sidebar called ‘Categories’.
As everyone knows a true expert will choose the best words to create an incredible story loved by millions, dare I say billions? I think it’s fairly unbelievable that you would take such a cheap blow at my awesomeness, unbelievable. harrumph!
Ha! wait did I get them all? I’ve started to notice words that I use too often in my writing and speech and have tried to work on them, which has also caused me to focus on when others use them. Do you get a little cringe when you read these words in others’ blogs, especially when/if overused?
I wouldn’t say I cringe, Cornelius, as I recognise that the vast majority of blog writers are not professional writers. They are writing about a passion, as oppose to having a passion for writing, so it’s a trade off. This SlideShare was a gentle lesson to those people who are learning the basics, or for some, in need of revisiting them.
Using these words isn’t wrong per se, it’s just good practice to avoid slamming them on everything. Not everything is awesome. Not everything is unbelievable. Not everything is the best.
But, you know what, some things really are.
Enjoyed your post, Ant. Sound writing advice, presented in an easily accessible and entertaining manner.
Like you say above, not everything is awesome, unbeliavable and stunning, so save it for the Northern Lights. (Luckily, some things really are 🙂 )
Hey … I learned from a good presentation today!
Wonderful, Zakton, what did you learn?
Fantastic presentation; both entertaining and true! 🙂
Thanks Mary, I’m glad you enjoyed the presso. I enjoyed constructing it for you.
And we’re just off to the bookshop to look for a thesaurus… 🙂
Great decision. But first, take a step back and think about how you would describe it to a blind person. You can lather on the buzzwords later.
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That was AWESOME!
haha.
I loved the “unbelievable” photo.
Thanks Jenny. That’s me in Mamallapuram, near Chennai in south India. There’s a small bustly town, with this huge great big boulder balancing precariously in the middle.
You can see the original shot here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trailofants/2250531316/in/set-72157604603401083/
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I’ve been “studying” travel blogs for about 8 mths now, but this is the first time I’ve read yours………my loss! So lots of concentrated reading behind me, I can truly appreciate this post. How enjoyable to find a blog, where not only is the content interesting, but which is so well written too! You have a new fan, but I can’t follow that link to FB, by the way.
Thanks for your encouraging words. You’ll find many of these words in the archives, I won’t lie, I’m no saint… not only is this blog an accompaniment to my travels, but it also documents my ever-evolving writing style.
Which FB (Facebook) link are you referring to? The one in the left-hand sidebar? Let me know, and I’ll fix it.
Sometimes, we continue bad behaviors simply because we have not been challenged about them. IRL, I tend to be a bit excitable and prone to such hyperbolic meanderings…this post has literally taken me to the woodshed because it is a wake up call for me.
I’m happy it helps, Renee. I’m really pleased that people are taking the intended positives from this post, I half expected to be hung for it. People have really backed it, and I believe it will help improve our writing, and the way readers digest it.
Thanks Ant. An unbelievably awesome and incredibly useful reminder to limit my use of hyperbolic words, a trait I am prone to millions of times a day. Seriously, this will force me to re-examine my use of language in my blog posts and comments. I did cringe when I read the above as I am undeniably guilty on occasion. Good stuff.
Thanks Peter, I’m glad to have helped improve your writing.
I’m guilty too. The slideshow was a great way to deliver the message.
Thanks Leigh, it’s a great platform, I’m looking forward to seeing more SlideShare’s around the web.
I think they’re punchy — more controllable than a video, less bland than a list. Have a dig around SlideShare.com for some great examples (mostly techy or SEO types though to be honest).
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That inhtisg’s perfect for what I need. Thanks!
This post is awesome! 😉
Hahahaha, seriously what a clever post!!!
Thanks Andi, it’s proved to be quite popular.
Very funny and clever article! I love the use of the slideshow!
Thanks Michael — I love the slideshow format. It’s a bit old-school. No fuss, high impact. Let me know if you ever put one out yourself.
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“Simply”, tick.
“…over the moon…”, tick.
“… magnificence!”, tick.
BOOOOOOOM!
Round two?
thanks for the reminder that not everything is awesome and i probably have not had the best coffee ever !!
Good… but do note, it could be the best coffee “in your opinion”. Therefore you’re quantifying that it’s the best coffee YOU have ever had.
Thanks Ant, i was a little overwhelmed by the english language (native is dutch): thought i was too sober caused by the fact i nearly died in Nepal years ago.
Aloha Ant, Well thought out concise list of words that are like a virus in our language. Will try to avoid and I’ll wager it will make me pause and write with more clarity
That was the BEST slide show I’ve seen done by an EXPERT on travel. Thanks a MILLION Ant!
Fair calls!
Very funny and clever article!
http://www.toptentop.com/travel/top-ten-best-honeymoon-destinations/
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