In this post, I share my thoughts on writing, travel blogging and my plans for my travel blog, Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust – Travel Writing and Photography.

1) Who or what inspired you to become a writer?

It’s hard to put a finger on what exactly inspired my love of writing – I think, for me, it was just instinctual, like breathing.

Since early childhood, I have always loved writing – so I always knew I was destined to be a writer. Unquestionably, in fact. (Although my dream as a child was to write and publish a novel. But, with time, reality kicked in and I knew I needed a more concrete career plan. 🙂 )

Then, in my teens, I started to really get into photography – especially macro and nature photography. For a while, it was vying for my passion. But photography involved too much technicality (and Maths!).  And I was not interested in that side of things.

After school, I turned back to my first love, writing. I found a Journalism course through CPUT that was well-rounded. It offered a bit of everything: travel, radio, English and of course, social media basics.

And somehow, as soon as I got to the university, I suddenly knew what I needed to specialise in as a writer – and that was travel writing.

2) What made you decide to go into travel blogging specifically?

They say part of being a good writer is knowing what your niche is. But choosing or finding your niche is not always that simple.

For example, in university, I was really strong across different genres and my interests were so widespread. I was keen on sports, film/cinema, societal pieces and more.

For a long time, I couldn’t choose and the journalistic path I chose as a means to an end suddenly started looking like a really tempting career path. Even my lecturers felt I was best suited to that kind of emotion-driven societal writing. Honest, raw and thought-provoking – that was my jam.

But that type of writing takes a lot out of me – mentally and emotionally. I pour so much of myself and my feelings into writing like that. It’s really powerful – but also incredibly draining.

Yet, with travel writing – somehow, it invigorates me. Even if I feel worn out after hours of working on a post – somehow, everything else about me, from my mood to my anxiety, is uplifted and soothed.

I think that’s how you know when you are doing what you really love – it never feels like hard work (even when it seriously is).

So I think it was more a case of realising what my true calling was, what makes me feel most alive and grounded and happy. Not just when I write – but when I research, scheme about or visit new places.

3) What is the biggest misconception about (travel) blogging?

I think it is the whole “oh, you get all these cool things and experiences for free, how fun!” Every time someone says that to me, I want to laugh. Because nothing is ever free as a blogger, content creator or social media influencer.

The time I spend researching and writing? That is not free. The hours it takes to properly travel to and explore places? That is certainly not free – just ask my petrol tank and weary bones after a review. The time I spend promoting things online? Nope, still not free, sorry… (And I don’t even mean the data costs and hefty website renewal fees but there are those too!)

Everything we do as bloggers and content creators requires a lot of time, thought, energy and in many cases, money too. The equipment, the programs, the travel, food and/or accommodation costs… That all costs money and, more often than not – a lot of it.

But I think the greatest ‘expense’ is the time it demands of you. The hours you spend editing, writing, filming, re-editing, updating and promoting… You can’t get that time in your life back and often, I have to prioritise blog posts and content creation over my free time for relaxing, going out and travelling for leisure or even being present with friends and loved ones.

4) Do the sacrifices ever outweigh the benefits as a blogger?

No, absolutely not. At least, not for me personally. I love every minute of blogging – even when it takes so much out of me that my eyes burn from hours staring at screens or when I am worn out from a long, busy day of adventuring.

But there are moments where it certainly feels like you put in so much more than you get out. And that’s okay because that is just how life feels in general sometimes.

Besides, it keeps you humble and hungry. You always feel like you have to prove yourself as a blogger – and it pushes you to constantly be better.

5) What is the blogging community – especially the travel community – like?

Generally, both locally and internationally, we are a very supportive community. There is competition and rivalry between bloggers, sure – but I mainly feel the positive support we extend or the special bonds we form.

I have worked and collaborated with travel bloggers from all over the world and very often, they are my biggest cheerleaders and closest (virtual) friends in life. It’s really special to see the connections we form through our mutual love of travel and/or tourism.

I think especially among other female bloggers, I feel an even greater sense of kinship. As women, we understand the fears and challenges we face as travellers. And we are all about making the world a safer place so that travellers of all genders can explore the world and feel safe and seen.

6) Do you have a process for planning blog content?

I never used to – I would just visit places or discover a new coffee shop or restaurant and blog about it afterwards.

But when I became more serious about blogging (while juggling a full-time job), I realised I needed a more structured content plan.

So nowadays, I generally plan posts or at least topic ideas weeks or months in advance and that really serves me well.

7) Is it hard coming up with new blog- or listicle-post ideas or not so much?

At present, I would say not so much. I draw inspiration from ‘old’ places I have been to or experiences I never had time to write about before but still need to. That helps a lot with fresh content.

But I think my strength is more that I can think of a blog post topic in the most random moments. Like I will be doing the most mundane thing – like folding washing – and suddenly I will be like, “Hey, I could make that into a blog post!” and then I just stop whatever I am doing and quickly jot down the idea and save it for future reference.

8) What is your plan for the future of Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust – Travel Writing and Photography?

My plan is to keep doing what I have always done and that is inspiring others to explore their backyards and see the world around them. In their town, city, province/state or country and yes, in the world at large too.

Although my blog has always been very much Cape Town-centric, a few years ago I expanded that to the Western Cape. And now, I feature international content too so my blog is both locally and internationally relevant and I like that ‘best of both worlds’ feeling. That’s why I thought up the tagline ‘Travel Adventures in the Western Cape, South Africa and Beyond!’

In the past two years (2020-2021), I feel like the blog has grown and matured with me – it has taken on a more ‘adult’ feeling in the sense of thinking more about couple experiences, wedding destinations and even family-friendly offerings.

That’s mainly been influenced by my friends and loved ones who are now married or have kids so as travellers, they look for different things.

So the blog has grown from this student blog into a well-rounded blog that focuses on everything from solo travel to romantic escapes and child-friendly eateries. It’s been a huge shift for me but I love it! 🙂

Growing and Catering to Different Audiences, in Different Life Stages

Now instead of just catering to 20-somethings or uni students, I can reach people in their 30-60s. I love being able to appeal to and help people in all stages of their life and show them that they can still find experiences and places that work for them.

It doesn’t have to always be about what is hip and happening. Because it isn’t realistic for young families to go to some glitzy, lavish fine dining eatery – just as most solo travellers have no interest in child-friendly places or family experiences. So finding a balance and creating different strokes for different folks has been hugely satisfying for me.

I get parents saying to me, “Your post was so helpful; I want to take my kids there now”, as much as I get solo travellers thanking me for creating content that’s helpful to them too.

That is why I decided to create more blog categories on my site because ‘Travel Reviews’ and ‘Photography’ just weren’t cutting it any more.

Long-term Vision for Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust

Long-term, I want to keep creating content that appeals to different people in different life stages – but I also want the content to be more curated and professional.

My writing and blogging style has changed so much since I was 20 and starting out. So now, I am revisiting a lot of my older posts (and even my social pages) and trying to breathe new life and usefulness into them, while also enhancing the writing so the tone is more consistent to my current style. 

It is like seeing old friends for the first time in a while and realising that, as much as things have changed, there’s still the same love and care there. Only now, you’re a bit older and wiser than you were before.

It is a reminder to me as well of how much I have lived through and seen as a blogger, of how far my journey has taken me – and that is special and inspirational. Especially on the days where it feels like I am not making progress or achieving enough through my blog.

9) Would you ever blog full-time as a career?

Yes and no. Yes, if it meant making as much money as I can in a 8-5 day job and feel that same financial stability and job security. But no, if it meant living month to month and not knowing where your next project or paid writing gig is coming from. I cannot handle that kind of stress.

I don’t really see blogging as a feasible career. Even if I get to the point where I have a big following and am really well-known as a blogger.

Most bloggers I know who ‘blog’ full-time, actually freelance write and/or work for other brands and publications. 

The Challenges South African Bloggers Face

I think it is very hard to blog full-time and earn a stable living off it. Especially in SA because we don’t quite have the same exposure and opportunities as bloggers based in Europe or North America. Purely because of our geographical location but also partly because of the recognition bloggers get locally versus internationally.

I think SA companies don’t always understand the value bloggers can bring to their brand(s) and consumers. Either because they have been burnt by bad experiences. Or because they see blogging as a ‘frivolous’ thing we do on the side.

Plus, it’s hard to show the fruits a post or content yields after publication. Because it might take months to fire – and most brands never see the interest those posts generate in the end. Posts that chalk up thousands of views every month or year thereafter.

That is why nowadays, unless brands or PR companies approach me for collaborations or hosted experiences, I just choose what I want to blog about. I don’t really approach them first any more.

It takes the pressure off me. I don’t have to worry if my post on ‘Favourite Wine Pairings’ takes three months before it becomes hot content.

10) Last question: Why did you feel you needed to switch things up and do a branding shoot in 2021?

I think mainly because my brand has matured and changed, like I mentioned earlier. But also because I have changed as a person and the way I travel and blog has changed too.

I think this branding shoot really shows not just the seriousness of my work and blog as a brand – but also the joy and dedication that I put into it.

More importantly, if people are going to trust me with their dreams – I want them to see that this is mine and I put my all into it.

It might be a part-time passion out of necessity – but, since June 2014, my blog has been one of the most important things in my life. Even through all my life changes (first jobs; drastic career moves; moving across the city a few times; and finding myself as a young adult), that has never changed. 🙂 

Photography and HMU Credits:

Professional Branding Photos by: Elana van Zyl Photography

Professional Hair and Makeup by: Minke du Plessis – Professional Hair and Make-up Artist

About the Author

Tamlyn Ryan

Hands-on mum by day, content creator and freelance writer by night, Tamlyn Ryan passionately runs her travel blog, called Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust – Travel Writing and Photography, from her home base of Cape Town, South Africa.

Tamlyn is a hopeless wanderer, equipped with an endless passion for road trips, carefully planned holiday itineraries and, above all else, an innate love for the great outdoors and supporting local tourism.

Her blog caters to solo travellers, families (with and without children), college students and couples.

And now, as a new mum, Tamlyn is travelling around with fresh eyes, seeking even more family-friendly activities and experiences for young and old alike to enjoy!

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