“No endeavor to write a travel book is ever lost, since it gives you a useful perspective on (and intensified attention to) the reality of the travel experience itself. When embraced mindfully, the real-time experience of a journey is invariably its truest reward.” –Rolf Potts
In this episode of Deviate, Rolf touches on nine lessons from attempting to write a (never finished) van-life vagabonding memoir at age 23, including:
On Pilgrims in a Sliding World (1:00)
Lesson #1: No work is lost (and “failure” has lessons to teach)
On the author as a character (6:30)
Lesson #2: “Show, don’t tell” is still good narrative advice
On depicting other people (14:30)
Lesson #3: Travel books require reporting (not just recollecting)
On recounting dialogues (22:30)
Lesson #4: Be true to what was said (but make sure it serves a broader purpose)
On veering from the truth (32:30)
Lesson #5: The truth tends to work better than whatever you might make up
On depicting places (39:30)
Lesson #6: “Telling details” are better than broad generalizations about a place
On neurotic young-manhood (48:30)
Lesson #7: Balance narrative analysis with narrative vulnerability
The seeds of Vagabonding (1:01:30)
Lesson #8: Over time, we write our way into what we have to say
The journey was the point (1:06:30)
Lesson #9: In the end, taking the journey counts for more than writing it
Books mentioned:
- The Geto Boys, by Rolf Potts (2016 book)
- Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts (2003 book)
- The Anxiety of Influence, by Harold Bloom (1973 book)
- On the Road, by Jack Kerouac (1957 book)
- The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger (1951 book)
- Epic of Gilgamesh (12th century BCE Mesopotamian epic)
- Don Quixote, by Miguel de Cervantes (17th century novel)
- The Travels of Sir John Mandeville (14th century travelogue)
- True History, by Lucian of Samosata (2nd century novella)
- Three Cups of Tea, by Greg Mortenson (21st century memoir)
- Marco Polo Didn't Go There, by Rolf Potts (2008 book)
- Labels: A Mediterranean Journal, by Evelyn Waugh (1930 book)
Essays, poems, and short stories mentioned
Places and events mentioned
Other links:
The Deviate theme music comes from the title track of Cedar Van Tassel’s 2017 album Lumber.
Note: We don’t host a “comments” section, but we’re happy to hear your questions and insights via email, at deviate@rolfpotts.com.
