Travel writers have been known for going on grand adventures to exotic places to find their next story or book. But that’s not the only way to find a story. Tim Hannigan, an award-winning author and travel journalist, decided to try something different and planned a journey walking east to west across Cornwall, the English county where he was born and raised, and where he currently lives. The Granite Kingdom recounts that journey and engages in a cultural and history inquiry into the myths, legends, and stereotypes that have defined Cornwall for centuries.
I recently spoke with Tim about his new book, as well as his previously published book The Travel Writing Tribe. We talked about why both inside and outside voices are needed in travel writing, the ethical issues around writing about those you meet while traveling, how to find balance with a sense of belatedness, when the second person can be a great tool for writers, and more.
We don’t often get to speak with travel writing scholars, so this conversation was a treat!
Listen to the interview here:
(You can also listen on Spotify and iTunes.)
The Granite Kingdom: A Cornish Journey is available now. If you’re in the US, you can pick up a copy here. If you’re in the UK, you can grab your copy here. For international purchases, find your copy here. You can also discover more of Tim’s work on his website and pick up The Travel Writing Tribe here.
