It’s been a while since I wrote about what has been happening with my writing career. Despite my Extreme Holidays Podcast going very well, other aspects of my writing career stalled. 2022 was the year I started sketching an outline for a novel called ‘How to Kill Your Literary Agent’. It was based on a true story: mine.
For many years, Colombia has been labelled as one of the most dangerous countries in the world, fuelled by political unrest and powerful drug cartels. But is this still the case? Last September, I travelled solo to Colombia for five weeks to see if the image lived up to the reality.
My travels took me from Bogota, south to the Tatacoa Desert onto the hidden archeological treasures of San Antonio, before I headed north to the Caribbean coast by the famous coffee regions, UNESCO site trekking areas and some stunning colonial cities such as Popayan. I also made it to the Amazon for five days of adventure and spectacular wildlife and fauna!
This year’s Extreme Holidays Podcast Christmas Appeal is in support of the Juana Flores Vegas. You may recall Juana was a guest on my show in Episode 19: Sailing the World. Juana has done many brave things in her time, not least sailing on the high seas, but now she is facing a new and extreme personal challenge after having been diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer.
I got to know Juana through her wife, the artist, Hannah Scott, who I met in China in 2009. Hannah and I spent a few weeks travelling together through Tibet and since then she has become one of my best friends. Hannah was also a guest on Episode 2: Cycling the World.
Juana and Hannah met in New Zealand in early 2019 whilst both were cycling around the country. Their relationship rapidly grew and they were married in October 2021. However, only a few months later, they received the devastating news about Juana’s diagnosis.
LONGLISTED FOR BRADT GUIDES, NEW TRAVEL WRITER OF THE YEAR COMPETITION 2023
I woke up yesterday morning to the fantastic news that I had been longlisted for the Bradt Guides, New Travel Writer of the Year Competition 2023 in conjunction with Edward Stanford Travel Writing Awards.
Bradt Guides are the world’s leading independent travel publisher. I’ve always loved their guides, so I nearly fell off my chair when I received the news. I’ve also been a close follower of the Edward Stanford awards. Some of my favourite travel writers have been recipients. Stanfords were involved in the judging of the Bradt Guides competition, making another dream of mine come true. I’m crossing every digit that I get to the next round!
I’ve had a challenging time this past year with my work as a writer so this couldn’t come at a better time. I nearly didn’t enter the competition as I wasn’t sure my piece was right and it took a long time to redraft and adapt it. I was also reeling from having partied ways with my literary agent. We weren’t quite right for each other, and it was time to move on. But splitting up from a business relationship isn’t dissimilar to a divorce even in our case where it was amicable. It can take a while to find your feet, rebuild your confidence and get back in the game.
If you are a writer reading this or know someone that is, I can’t stress how important it is to never give up and to keep believing in yourself and your work, even if the odds seem stacked against you.
I’m off for a hot bath, a glass of wine and to plan my next trip!
SEASON 3 OF MY EXTREME HOLIDAYS PODCAST IS RETURNING THIS MONTH!
Season 3 of my Extreme Holidays Podcast is returning shortly. Listen to the YouTube trailer below to find out about more upcoming, exciting and life-changing travel stories! You can also hear about our special Christmas Appeal for Juana Flores Vegas who was my guest on Episode 19 (Sailing the World) and is facing a new and extreme personal challenge after being diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer.
You can also listen to the trailer on the link below. The name of the trailer is: Trailer (Season 3). You can also catch up with all 24 other episodes in the podcast.
If you are enjoying the podcast, tell your friends and family. There’s lots to listen to from extreme travels on motorbikes, cycling journeys, adventures at sea, overland journeys on double-decker buses, extreme detoxes, tales of survival, travelling with babies and children, and extreme travellers forced to live in exile!
Share your Story
If you have a story to tell about your travels, get in touch HERE. I’m also looking for people who have travelled with disabilities.
Yours,
Ruthie x
P.s Don’t forget to like, share and subscribe to my blog, and to follow me on social media!
As I type this, I have literary just arrived at my hotel in Bogota and I’m exhausted! Actually, I’m more than exhausted. I can’t see straight so excuse the short blog.
As an extreme solo traveller, I’m so excited to be back on the road after the pandemic. This is my first long-haul trip since late 2019!