A prolific author and South Carolina travel writer

Today, Goldman, director of Bookpleasures.com Sketchandtravel.com and is excited to have Norm as our guests, Barbie Perkins-Cooper.

Barbie is a playwright, travel writer, author and award-winning writer. Barbie lives in Charleston, South Carolina and is an expert of SC and North Carolina and other regions. Barbie is also the author of the Guide for an inner life published shortly 'in Asheville, NC will be

Barbie Hello and thank you for your consent to participateour interview.

Normal:

Please tell our readers something about your personal and professional background. When you have your passion for travel writing, and when did you start traveling? What's stopping you? How did you come up with ideas for what you write? What methods to use meat from your idea to determine if it is negotiable?

Barbie:

Thanks Norm. It 's a pleasure to be here and to travel to discuss writing. I'm a writer since the third class, asPrimary school. My first science fiction story had many, many years has published all the merit of my third grade teacher and father. Of course, like most children, I could not see the emotion and passion of writing until later in life. In 1980, I suffered from depression and began to write again. Looking back, I discovered a talent for words, so I joined a group of writers to give me ten years to achieve something, or just for fun I wrote the letters and the family.

In 1994,after writing my first script, I added a couple of screenplay contests, as suggested by my agent and I was selected as a finalist. My passion for travel writing in 2003, after visiting a travel writing workshop organized by Sharon Spence Lieb started. She inspired me so much that I put my credentials to the test. Within 24 hours I had my first trip FAM. I worked as a travel writer since October 2003. At first it was a struggle, but every fall, I insisteddetermined to achieve my goals.

Since I (and revise) my goals every year in January, writing my goal for 2005 has published guides goal. I have developed a proposal based on the Charleston, SC community. Since I was still working full time at a university, like most writers, my desk was full of emails and mail read. I pay more for the market, at first.

In December 2004 I submitted an application for a site tour guide, pitching the idea of Charleston. L 'Editor responded by saying he had only completed the Charleston tour guide, but he liked my style and I wanted to stay in touch. Flash forward to May 2005. The clock was ticking like my job was downsized and I had no idea what I would do after June 2, when my career in the corporate world over. I knew I wanted to write, so dusty, I read my goals, and the overloaded e-mail correspondence related to the editor. I immediately sent her another e-mail, and within minutes (or so it seemed) issaid he wanted a proposal from me within three days. I wrote the shortest in the history of the proposal and sent it to her.

After several weeks of negotiations, we agreed on the contract and now I'm working on my first guide, Insiders' Guide to Asheville, NC, scheduled for publication in spring 2007. My father has lived in Asheville for many years and I have friends there, so I felt comfortable writing about the city. Then the door opened, a couple of magazines I had specificallypreviously responded to my questions and now I'm publishing travel stories on a regular basis.

The things that keep me going are the people, places and things that I discover during the journey. I like to meet people and discover the flavors of the region.

In a recent trip to one of the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, I met a man displaced from New Orleans. Even if you moved, had a passion for life. He is a character that will be a story. StoriesExplore anywhere inspire me to see, to discover the facts and figures revealed deep. It is not just a character, there are adventures.

During the journey, visit to try new adventures has never previously expected. During a trip to Alabama, we visited the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. It was my goal and dream as a teenager, a famous singer. Unfortunately, I never pursued the dream until it came into Alabama Music Hall of Fame, and I was a recordSongs, while the group fired at me. My dream had come true!

During a trip to Kentucky, I interviewed bluegrass musicians, miners, manufacturers of quilts and male vocalist. For each interview, I discovered that regardless of who they were, despite all the adversities of life, instead of these people's passion for life in their hearts, and a love for their city and art. Whenever I meet someone and talk, I am inspired to tell new stories. On another trip, I met a mother who wasDesperate to save his daughter to school in Kentucky. The more we talked, the more I realized this was a story that I needed to tell others, and I continue to send requests with regard to their lesson plans and history of Kentucky.

The methods used to determine whether a story is marketable, is the angle that I use and I find market research, answering questions:

Who is the story of the targeting and what angle?

Which markets can I contact?

Who cares about theseHistory?

Resources that I use every week are:

Writersmarket.com

Writer's Guidelines, 4th Edition by Brigitte M. Phillips, Susan D. classes, and Doris Hall

The Internet

Fortunately, after many obstacles, have now come to my editor on story ideas. It took me years to reach this goal, but it's exciting to finally have a regular job. However, I still have a goal of sending letters to five times a week, and I have a spreadsheet idea that I update with newIdeas for stories, almost on a weekly basis. I urge all writers to write goals. Create a file of ideas to update regularly and never give up. Always remember, an editor of opposition is the approval of another editor. It certainly happened to me, and every time I imagine that the same query, or an updated version in a different market.

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As you are very familiar with South Carolina, if you had to pick eight of the most romantic places for a wedding,Honeymoon or a romantic short, which would you choose and why?

Barbie:

Eight romantic places in the region of South Carolina for weddings would be:

Each of the beautiful churches in downtown Charleston are breathtaking and romantic weddings. There are so many that it is really hard to pick one, that although St. Michael's Episcopal Church is the one that really stands out in my head.

Grace Episcopal Church is another breathtaking beauty for aWedding. L ', statues, architecture and the ceiling are stunning.

Sullivan's Beach Iceland Iceland I have seen several weddings beach along the coast of Sullivan. together with the background of the sea and the sand dunes on the coast, makes the eye for a beautiful backdrop.

Alhambra Hall is a garden wedding on the lawn overlooking the harbor of Charleston and our new signature bridge the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge. Many of the weddings held on the lawn, furnished with allwhite chairs draped with white bows, ribbons and flowers, feeding the catwalk for the bride. One particular wedding had a theme of red and white, a red carpet, chairs and white workers bride dressed in red. This was an afternoon wedding and was wonderful. At Alhambra Hall, where the inclusion of one or outside the community hall in the area instead. This building was rebuilt after Hurricane Hugo and is a beautiful, romantic setting for wedding receptions and family celebrations. Book earlyUsually has a long waiting list!

Magnolia Gardens Magnolia Plantation and Gardens is another place to take a dramatic marriage, especially during spring when the gardens are in full bloom. This is a beautiful white bridge as a backdrop that makes a nice place, even a pavilion. Since the trend is in Charleston for a wedding reception outside near the gardens of Magnolia Plantation is definitely a romantic place to make special time for a romantic weddingspectacular.

Park locations, including the Waterfront Park in downtown Charleston, White Point Gardens, Hampton Park, Washington Park. Waterfront Park provides the backdrop of the harbor, and deep in the horizon, in view of the new bridge mentioned above. The other parks offer a stunning view, charming as a background, so that each of the parks in Charleston, especially in the spring can make a good marriage. For more information about weddings parkVisit HERE

The citadel If you have never visited Charleston, and guided by the Citadel, you are missing a wonderful panoramic view. Summerall Chapel hosts a variety of weddings. The campus, complete with scenery, interesting architecture and military history is beautiful. CLICK HERE

Boone Hall Plantation to the vast countryside, home plantation, and the history attached to Boone Hall Plantation, this is the perfect place to enjoy a traditional wedding in the South, are full of charm,Heritage and romance do that Scarlett and Rhett would be envious.

In the city of Charleston, there are often many beautiful and romantic, it's really hard to narrow the location down to only eight. Since I love the sea, I like the beauty of the city, on drums, and a walk along the beach. For more sites to check, CLICK HERE

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What does it mean for you to travel? As a / bin traveler history and in fact, what is your greatest challengethe road and how do these challenges.

Barbie:

When I was traveling with a view, I would define as a human adventure and exploration of life and death. I find it fascinating people. I like to watch, their body language and their joie de vivre. Almost everyone has a story to tell and share.

The biggest challenge I had during the journey is sometimes so courses have not had enough time to complete all the ideas. These ideas in my head danceI can get on paper. So, I'm always asking for contact information, because I think I have more questions when I transcribe the notes.

I practice the idea of follow-up with thank you letters within two weeks of my travels, and try to remember that something important has happened during my trip. Another practice I strive for photography is to take digital photos! If I have a reference image, my brain usually getInformation.

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In addition to writing travel articles, what other concerts, writing that they have found profitable or rewarding? As a follow-up, there are different kinds, which we prefer, ie Leave Travel writing screen writing, etc.

Barbie:

You will laugh when I share this information! Although I am a travel writer, many of my credentials in construction. Since my husband was in construction for many years, I broke in the construction industry, writing storiesof highway construction, tilt wall construction, bridge construction, renovations mall, John Deere and Komatsu machines, and some stories about the construction workers.

Although the pay was not good, was a springboard for me in magazines and newspapers are breaking, and the stories were regular task. Other genres that I have written are health care and beauty care for the elderly, business magazines, hospitality, food, beds (in a recent article on the newRevive bed from Marriott) military positions, and of course the trip.

In 2001 I published a non-fiction memoirs with the title of a sort of limbo. I also have seven scripts, written four comedies, and I am currently writing a memoir entitled child Chattahoochee. In October 2005 the story won second place in the South Carolina Writers Workshop Conference in Myrtle Beach SC writer. Lately, most of my time is spent on travel guide. The deadline for the final draft is scheduled forJune 2006 to the spring of 2007 as the date of publication. I am excited about this project and continue to write travel stories of the times.

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What advice would you think that somebody, for me to give in travel literature, is to achieve success?

Barbie:

My friends tease me constantly to write so much, but as we know, life is a challenge. Life is too short to look back with regret, then every day I strive to make the most of that day.Writing is something to prove what I know on a daily basis program, even if, as a writer, if life has a way of breaking into the demands of our busy lives. Writers need to keep working toward their goals and dreams and never give up. We must work with conviction and pride in what we do, wait.

The best advice I would give consideration travel writer, writing, and you can learn everything to make your learning objectives of each year in January. I'm always setting my goals, but for the year 2005, myThe goal was to land a book contract. Under the guidelines, I wrote that I target in this year through the follow-up with the editors. I have a notebook on my desk titled follow-up. The files of all the comments of editors, contacts, etc in this number and they call at least once a month.

The network is important. Last week during a press trip, I met a publisher, and now I have a problem with it. Networking is the key.

If you really want to write about travel, tourism and conventionOffices (CVB's) do with your account and account request, be included on their mailing list. I have many contacts by selecting them. Most of them are more likely to assist with story ideas and make suggestions.

Another suggestion is to start slowly. I made an attempt to penetrate the major markets, only to discover that most of their staff writers are using. I write for magazines and regional level, and now I'm writing a travel guide.The most important suggestion is that he who wants to tell paused travel writing, never give up. A writer must keep marketing. Create (or you hire someone to do it for you) a website. I'm not a web master, so I use the resources that will help me. bring business cards and present themselves as writers everywhere. After all, unless you believe in yourself, how can others believe in you?

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Is there something you want to share with us that we do notcovered?

Barbie:

Yes, I like to be the end of this interview by saying you have to go ahead and believe. When a writer receives a rejection presentation, go to the next. Once, for a construction magazine, I sent a specific assignment, only to find that the preparation does not like. He called me back saying that it should not be alone. I thanked him and walked on, looking for another market. Exactly 24 hours later I received a call fromsame publication, but a different editor. He said he needed a bill to pay me for the story. I was shocked, saying it was only yesterday I was told that was returned. He replied that he was the new editor and the publication of the story literally and needed a bill.

This is just one example of how we must persevere. What is an editor who may refuse to approve another publisher. Never give up! Find your story in search of unique characters. Develop your voiceand style. Listen to what your writers say, but trust your talent, passion and ability to communicate. Make your goals, if necessary, and be sure to follow and put into practice what you preach to others.

Thanks again and good luck with all your future endeavors.