A reminder that our winter of frigid discontent will shortly thaw into al fresco summer days is a writing workshop aboard a traditional wooden sailing ship, or gulet. This is a working cruise in September with travel writer Larry Habeggar. It is a new, upbeat version of the leisure cruise known as the Blue Voyage that had its origins in Bodrum.
The idea of finding your personal muse or, for existing writers, polishing up your writing skills, was test-launched on a 2006 cruise in Turkey. This year from Sept. 20 to 28, they set sail again with space for 10 to 12 people. The itinerary will be finalized by participants, the gulet captain and prevailing winds and weather. Some stay on after the cruise to enjoy Bodrum or tour other areas of Turkey.
Bodrum is the inspirational departure point for the cruise, but the practical side is provided by the phenomenal literary skills, marketing tips, and creative energy that Larry Habeggar brings to the (ad)venture. In one-on-one sessions and writing assignments, Larry assesses each “pupil” and shares his knowledge on constructing and crafting a marketable travel story, Web log (blog), book or memoir. It is about adding value to creativity. Participants learn how to approach publishers and glean valuable details about writing as a vocation, not just a hobby.
Of course, it won’t be all sweat and tears. The cruise brochure advises you to bring a bathing suit, a notebook and a pen as minimum props. Realistically, many will bring laptops, voice recorders and digital cameras to chronicle their experiences. The tour promises the camaraderie, sea air and great food that are hallmarks of the Blue Cruise.
Responsible for the logistics of the cruise is Robin Sparks, a globetrotter and writer from San Francisco who has found her Shangri-la in İstanbul. “After 10 years of searching the globe for a home, I am home in Turkey and writing a book about my global search,” she said.
Asked about the Blue Voyage workshop, Robin had this to say: “I will be going along and wouldn’t miss this for the world. After my travels in 23 countries, a Blue Voyage is still my favorite experience. It refreshes my soul and makes me fall in love with Turkey all over again.”
It is hard not to be overwhelmed by Turkey. It blows most people away with its impact and intensity. Bodrum is a magical decoy that gives talent a head start. After all, the tragi-romantic legend of Bodrum began with a flesh and blood, non-fiction author, Cevat Şakir Kabaağaçlı. He really was the Fisherman of Halicarnassus and persona who immortalized the Blue Voyage. His muse was Bodrum and its pristine coasts, so this is the ideal bespoke anchorage for setting out on a voyage of inspiration and creative awakening.
Wired for inspirationAnother writer who discovered the muse in Turkey was Tony Buzan, a phenomenally popular guru on unleashing intellect and the brain father of Mindmap (www.mind-map.com). He once confined himself to a gulet (eat your heart out!), cruising the Mediterranean coast between Bodrum and Kaş: He formulated his mind-enhancing cognitive theories with breezes and salt spray skimming the decks and Turkish “vistas” as prime motivators.
Who is Larry Habeggar?
Larry Habeggar doesn’t fit the stereotype of a travel writer. Not just because he actually earns a living from it, but, after clocking up over three decades of travel journalism and writing experience, Larry has morphed into a universal travel force. He is at once an authoritative literary leader, a writer, motivator and innovator who still has time to share his skills as a teacher and lecturer and to run dynamic literary workshops. He is best known for a series of travel books, “Travelers’ Tales,” which grabbed a Lowell Thomas literary award. Larry organizes virtual book tours and Web casts. He lectures on cultural and political issues that impact on tourism and global travel. And he supports literary awards to encourage new writers. In an interview, he cited Paul Theroux’s “Great Railway Bazaar” and Peter Matthiessan’s “The Snow Leopard” as exploration classics that aided and abetted his own wanderlust. Larry lives in San Francisco’s historic Telegraph Hill district with his wife and two daughters. More details and information about the workshop cruise are at www.larryhabeggar.com
In İstanbul contact Robin Sparks at robin@robinsparks.com Tel.: (538) 596 4447
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