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