Q&A with Travel Writer Nancy Brown

Our travel writer and blogger friend Nancy Brown is with us today as our featured travel writer. Nancy lives on the West Coast with her family and writes the “What a Trip” travel column for the Contra Costa Times Lamorinda Sun and she is a Travel Editor at Uptake.

Thank you for taking the time to be with us today, Nancy. Let’s hear all about you…

1. Every writer specializes in something – what is your forte?

I’m lucky to live in Northern California, and as such, I travel to Carmel, Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and San Francisco on a regular basis. I specialize in writing about my own backyard. My “What a Trip” newspaper column is focused on high-end, adventure and luxury travel.

2. How did you get started writing?

Looking back on my childhood journals, it seems I’ve always enjoyed sharing my adventures. I was co-editor of my high school newspaper and my first internship was at our local Contra Costa Times newspaper. A degree in Journalism from the University of Oregon seemed the logical next step. After many years in the PR field, I hopped the media fence to become a travel writer.

3. How old are your kids and how often do you travel with them?

Evan is 13 and Kendall is 16. We always take a trip during Spring break and one or two trips in the summer. It’s more difficult to travel as a family with teenagers due to sports and summer job commitments.

4. How do you find traveling with teenagers different than when they were little?

When the kids were little my husband and I selected our travel destinations. Now they want to have a say in the location and they both want to bring a friend along. As my husband is from Oregon, we’ve been taking the kids to Sunriver, Oregon every summer. We rent a house, bring the dog, bikes and friends. We look like the Clampett clan from the Beverly Hillbillies.

In our house, travel with teens means travel without mom or dad. This summer, our daughter was fortunate to travel to the Galapagos Islands with her high school biology class. She paid her share of the trip from her lifeguarding job. They also go on mission trips with our church.

5. What is your biggest challenge in being a travel writer?

For me, the challenge is balancing family life with work. While the kids are more independent, they still look to me to keep the house running. Everyone seems to miss family meals when I’m traveling a week or 10 days. Another challenge is from a financial perspective. Most travel writers will tell you, “don’t quit your day job” and it’s true. The travel writing business is a tough way to make a living. Fortunately, I have a supportive husband and I work in the public relations food and wine industry, as well. I feel very fortunate that I’m able to combine my writing career with my passion for travel.

Thanks for the interview. I look forward to meeting all of you.

We look forward to meeting you in person, too. Happy Travels!