Candice Landau
Last Updated on April 26, 2024 by Candice Landau
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Whether you’re diving the beautiful table coral reefs of the Maldives or exploring the bustling street markets of Southeast Asia, every travel and project assignment is packed with potential stories. Capturing these experiences in a detailed and organized way can be a challenge, but this is where maintaining a dedicated log book for each trip or project becomes invaluable.
For starters, buy these pocket notebooks (I bought a box of 36 for just $16). Dedicate one to each trip. Or one to each project or story, for example, breweries in San Diego. I also have a general notebook for “Article Ideas.”
For those assignments I neglected to do this, the articles were not only harder to write but far less vivid than they might otherwise have been. Collect those quotes, draw a quick sketch, log the dive!
And, if you don’t travel far afield, consider doing this for local haunts. For example, dedicate a log book to the breweries you love in your own city. In no time, you’ll have a “bible of beer,” well, at least if you like beer as much as I do. Hefeweizen anyone? Yes, please.
Why keep a log book?
A log book is more than just a diary. It’s a targeted tool for writers, researchers, and enthusiasts to document their observations, interactions, and reflections in real time. Unlike traditional journals, each log book is specific to one trip or project, making it a focused repository of information that you can draw upon when crafting your articles.
Best of all, you’ll have an attractive collection of books you can look back on, especially if you buy the same brand.
What to include in your travel log book
Here’s the beauty of it: your log book, your rules. However, you might consider noting down the following:
- Key experiences and observations: Write about what stands out to you, whether it’s the taste of a local dish, the colors of a sunset, or the challenge of a particularly tricky dive. I can guarantee you won’t remember the precise emotions you felt or the colors you saw a month later.
- Notable interactions: Jot down details about the people you meet. Whether they’re locals, fellow travelers, or experts, these interactions can provide personal angles to your stories. It’s also a really useful way to remember names. Ask the people you’re with the write their own name down in your book. It’s my cheat code to getting names I’ve never heard before right.
- Insights and reflections: How does the experience tie into the broader context of your project or interests? What new perspectives have you gained? What did the dive feel like after the fact?
- Visuals and audio: Keep track of the photos and videos you capture. These not only enhance your articles but also help jog your memory as you write. Plus, it’s great to have a log of them in written form so you can know where to look later. If you’re like me, you’re recording everything on 5 different devices, at least, so this becomes a necessity.
- Make it beautiful: One of the things I’ve yet to do but am considering is purchasing an instant camera so I can take photos as I go and stick them in the log book. You could do the same. You could also buy a portable set of watercolors or watercolor pens to illustrate as you go.
Tailoring your log book
Your log book should suit your style and needs. Some might prefer a minimalist approach, jotting down bullet points and key facts, while others might opt for rich, descriptive passages. The format can also vary—some might use a digital tool for easy integration of photos and audio, while others prefer the tactile feel of pen and paper.
I’m not so good at sticking to anyone structure which is why that’s typically the structure of my books—freeform. They include dive briefings, notes, bullets, quotes, and sometimes journal entries. I prefer to purchase blank notebooks because I also enjoy drawing and want to be able to do so on a blank page, though of course there’s nothing stopping you doing that on lined paper.
Making the most of your log book
When it comes time to write your article, your log book serves as a first draft of sorts. It’s a treasure trove of quotes, facts, and personal insights that can bring authenticity and depth to your writing. The key is consistency: the more detailed your entries, the easier it will be to recall those fleeting moments that make a story truly captivating. And, if you’re truly stuck on the fence for a story, what about sharing the log book pages themselves? I’ve enjoyed reading diaries/logs from other divers. This is a great strategy especially if you are short on time.
In short, if you’re looking for a simple but powerful took that will enrich your travel writing, keep a log book. You’ll ensure no details are too small to remember and no insight it lost to time.
Got a favorite travel log book or strategy for writing about your travels? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment or reach out to me on Instagram @scubascribbles—otherwise, happy adventuring!
