Taylor Bennett is a dandelion-wishing, world-traveling lover of books, words, and stories. Based in the PNW, she dreams of seeing the world and writing stories set in unique locations.

Although she dreams of traveling to many different places, her favorite destination thus far (aside from her charming hometown in Oregon) is Lahaina, Hawaii. Her love for this tropical hamlet led her to write about it, hence her debut YA novel, Porch Swing Girl, the first in a series of books set in Hawaii.

Have you ever read a book and wanted more than anything to visit its setting? I know many of us dream about stepping into the pages of a book and finding ourselves in Narnia, Middle Earth, or Hogwarts. Even stories with real-life settings, like Anne of Green Gables, can instill in us a desire to see those places for ourselves. In books like these, the setting becomes as much a part of the story as the characters and plot, and the books become that much more real to us because of it.

We, too, can do this in our own writing. By learning a few special tips and tricks, we can describe settings in a way that draws readers in and makes them feel as if they’re a part of the story themselves. But first, we must learn to write like a travel blogger.

Ever since my aunt bought me a thick guidebook to the island of Maui in anticipation of my first trip to the island when I was twelve, I’ve been captivated by travel writing. Blog posts, brochures, guidebooks…they all hold a certain quality that draws me in and makes me want to read them. It’s not just because I have a permanent case of wanderlust that I enjoy these writings but also because of the writing style itself.

The goal of every good travel writers is to describe unique and incredible locations in such a way that people feel compelled to visit. Even more than that, the goal of most travel bloggers is to paint such a beautiful, holistic picture of the location that readers truly “get” why it is such a special place.

These are all techniques that we, as writers, could stand to incorporate into our own books. After all, in doing so, we’ll be developing settings and descriptions that bring our books that much closer to works by Lewis, Tolkien, and the like. But how to start?

Tip #1: Use Pictures!

If you’ve ever checked out a travel blog or destination guidebook, chances are you found not only writing but also pictures. A LOT of pictures. Unfortunately, unless you’re writing a picture book, most books on the market today rely purely on their cover art in order to convey the mood of the story. That isn’t to say, however, that you can’t use photos to your advantage as an author.

As you begin to brainstorm your setting, search online (Pinterest and Instagram are my go-to’s) for images that reflect not only the location but also the mood of your story. By creating a board full of photos on either platform, you’re creating a ready-made setting. Then, when it comes time to write, all you need to do is visit your board, find a picture that reflects the setting, and write that description into your scene.

Plus, when it’s finally time to share your story with the world, you’ll have a fun bonus surprise for your readers—they’ll LOVE this little “sneak peek” into your creative process.

Tip #2: Schedule a Visit

When writing about a real-life place, it’s likely that some in-person “research” will be necessary. (Sometimes this will go under the code word “vacation”, which I wholeheartedly approve of!) If you can, spend a few days or a week wandering around your chosen setting. Soak in the local flavor, take tons of pictures, and journal about your experiences—maybe even write a “travel blog” post of your own! Practice putting words on the page that describe the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes all around you.

If you’re writing about a fictional setting, get as close to it as you possibly can. Writing about a kingdom trapped in an eternal winter? Spend the day in the mountains after a snowstorm. If your story is about an urban, post-apocalyptic society, take a trip into the city and take notes on modern, cutting-edge architecture.

No matter what kind of stories we write, our settings can come to life when we take care to make them realistic and keep them fleshed out with detail.

Tip #3: Read Travel Blogs

It may sound weird, but it works. The more you read about real-life settings and immerse yourself in the style of travel writing, the more natural writing passages of scintillating description will become. Remember that guidebook from my aunt? I read it time and time again, both before and after my trip, until the author’s writing style naturally integrated itself into my own writing style. Years later, when I sat down to write my Hawaii-set debut novel, Porch Swing Girl, writing jaw-droppingly beautiful descriptions felt like second nature!

If you’re writing about a real-life place, this can be incredibly helpful, as these blogs or guidebooks offer eyewitness accounts of a location’s natural (and urban) beauty. Make sure to check out articles on the “little things” too, like local foods, trends, slang, and customs.

What setting did you choose for your current WIP? How can writing like a travel blogger help you bring it to life?