So I've spent the majority of the afternoon writing a few sentences. I'm trying to write a query for Travel + Leisure, just to see if I can catch their eye. They say they rarely assign a feature to someone with whom they haven't worked, so I'm going for their "Reports" section, which is approximately 300-word snippets about little finds.
Many queries, I'm told, use the lead of the article for their first sentences. That's what I'm going for here, just so ya know. This is what I have so far. I hate it. Anyone know anything about queries, or just want to help make this punch a bit more?
***
Rarely does a bed and breakfast achieve the perfect balance of intimacy, luxury, and privacy, but the custom-built Horizon Guest House, near Place of Refuge on the Kona Coast of Hawai'i, combines the peacefulness and individual attention of a country inn with the elegant amenities of a top resort.
In early August of this year, I visited this small yet spectacular lodging in Honaunau. It is truly a find, removed 1,100 feet up Mauna Loa from the tourist bustle of the Kailua-Kona district, with an astonishing view, yet only a short drive from the coast's attractions. I would like to write a brief piece outlining its serenity, isolation, and high level of service for the discriminating readers of Travel + Leisure.
Should you take interest in this idea, I can provide the article electronically or via standard mail, and, if desired, include digital photographs.
Thank you for your time and for considering my query.
***
Blah, blah, blah.
Off to write the real Hawai'i stuff, custom-built for youse guys.
Many queries, I'm told, use the lead of the article for their first sentences. That's what I'm going for here, just so ya know. This is what I have so far. I hate it. Anyone know anything about queries, or just want to help make this punch a bit more?
***
Rarely does a bed and breakfast achieve the perfect balance of intimacy, luxury, and privacy, but the custom-built Horizon Guest House, near Place of Refuge on the Kona Coast of Hawai'i, combines the peacefulness and individual attention of a country inn with the elegant amenities of a top resort.
In early August of this year, I visited this small yet spectacular lodging in Honaunau. It is truly a find, removed 1,100 feet up Mauna Loa from the tourist bustle of the Kailua-Kona district, with an astonishing view, yet only a short drive from the coast's attractions. I would like to write a brief piece outlining its serenity, isolation, and high level of service for the discriminating readers of Travel + Leisure.
Should you take interest in this idea, I can provide the article electronically or via standard mail, and, if desired, include digital photographs.
Thank you for your time and for considering my query.
***
Blah, blah, blah.
Off to write the real Hawai'i stuff, custom-built for youse guys.
I have returned triumphant!
Feb. 24th, 2003 02:41 pmWell, alive, anyway.
For those of you who don't know, I just got back from a week's vacation in Banff. For those of you who don't know what that is, no, it has nothing to do with the X-Men. Banff is a Canadian national park in the Rockies, close to Calgary, the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. ('88? '84? Actually, I can't remember.)
I don't really have it in me today to begin recapping, but I will be doing somewhat recappy reports of the trip, informed by the more immediate impressions I wrote in my paper journal while there.
For now, I'm happy to be back East. Yesterday morning, the temperature reading on the rear view mirror of the giant SUV we'd rented read -27 C. (That's, like, 72 in dog years.) Today, for the first time in months, I stepped outside without buttoning my jacket. No evidence remains that the so-called blizzard ever happened. (I don't believe in it.)
So today I'm just chillin' at work, getting over some mild jetlaggy feelings, and feelin' pretty good. Not terribly articulate, but good.
I shall return after some sleep.
For those of you who don't know, I just got back from a week's vacation in Banff. For those of you who don't know what that is, no, it has nothing to do with the X-Men. Banff is a Canadian national park in the Rockies, close to Calgary, the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics. ('88? '84? Actually, I can't remember.)
I don't really have it in me today to begin recapping, but I will be doing somewhat recappy reports of the trip, informed by the more immediate impressions I wrote in my paper journal while there.
For now, I'm happy to be back East. Yesterday morning, the temperature reading on the rear view mirror of the giant SUV we'd rented read -27 C. (That's, like, 72 in dog years.) Today, for the first time in months, I stepped outside without buttoning my jacket. No evidence remains that the so-called blizzard ever happened. (I don't believe in it.)
So today I'm just chillin' at work, getting over some mild jetlaggy feelings, and feelin' pretty good. Not terribly articulate, but good.
I shall return after some sleep.