Sharon and Jules with mountain vista in Idaho. Photo @Carol Waller
Travel writer and photographer Sharon K. Kurtz, host of Big Blend Radio’s “Wander the World with Sharon” Podcast, turns the microphone around in this conversation with Lisa D. Smith. She shares how a midlife pivot became a travel-writing career, who she would invite to her dream dinner party, and what she will never eat at the table.
Listen to the conversation, and read Sharon’s Success Insider answers below to hear more about life as a travel writer, in her own words. Watch on YouTube below or listen the audio-version on Podbean.
What attributes make you a good fit for travel writing?
Curiosity and attention to detail. I’m comfortable talking to strangers and genuinely interested in how people live. I travel ready to listen and learn — with good walking shoes that have a PhD in wandering.
Who or what inspires you?
A stunning sunrise can take my breath away. But mostly it’s people who persevere beyond all odds, especially women blazing their own trail.
Describe your ideal audience.
People who seek meaning in their journeys, who prefer conversations over crowds and moments over selfies. And they appreciate a story with a well-earned glass of wine.
What personal changes have you had to make to build your career?
I had to learn technology from scratch — photo editing, pitching, formatting, social media. Sometimes I feel twenty years behind, but I figure it out. And I keep learning every day.
What challenges do travel writers go through that readers may not know about?
While everyone else is on vacation, we’re imagining stories, framing shots, and noticing moments others might miss. The work? Back home, it’s turning those adventures into words I’m proud of.
If you could invite any three people (alive or passed on) for a dinner party, who would they be?
Nellie Bly — she circled the globe in 72 days when women weren’t supposed to travel alone. Robin Williams, because I love how his mind works and he makes me laugh. And Annie Oakley — fierce, independent, and from Greenville, Ohio, just like me, though born nearly two centuries earlier.
If you could switch careers for a day (just to learn something new), what would you choose?
Theater set designer. I’m a visual person — just like a photograph, a set shapes a story without words. I love how space, light, and detail can guide emotion and create meaning.
What three destinations or experiences are on your bucket list to do within the next 3-5 years?
What? Just three? A Scandinavian expedition cruise. The Greek Islands. Women-led safari camps in Africa. And yes, there’s a very long list after that.
What is the most important tip you would pass on to someone just getting started in the world of travel writing?
Ask good questions. Find your own voice. Keep pitching, don’t get discouraged, and always sleep on it before submitting.
Sharon K. Kurtz enjoying the Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo.
Learn more about Sharon K. Kurtz on her Big Blend Expert Page. Visit SharonKKurtz.com to see more of her travel writing and photography.
Check out the Wander the World with Sharon Digital Podcast Magazine.
🎧 New episodes of Big Blend Radio’s Wander the World with Sharon Podcast air every first Wednesday at 12pm CST.
