David Lee Drotar’s journalism and photography focus on nature, environmental and cultural issues and his work has appeared in Northwest Travel & Life, Adirondack Life, Toronto Globe and Mail, Buffalo News, New York Post, Atlanta Journal Constitution, USA Today and many other daily newspapers, magazines and online venues. His Mideast story “Nomadic Voices” appearing in Perceptive Travel was awarded the 2016 Excellence in Journalism Award from the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association. His story on the Greek poet Homer’s tomb was a finalist in the 2021 competition, and “Hitting the Brakes in Western Pennsylvania” received an Honorable Mention in 2022. He received an Honorable Mention in the 2023 Writer’s Digest 93rd Annual Competition for his story about the Explorers’ Route in Quebec.
Drotar is also the author of seven published books including Steep Passages: A World-wide Eco-adventurer Unlocks Nature’s Spiritual Truths. Appearing on camera, he worked with BBC television to produce a segment for the top-rated “Mysteries with Carol Vorderman” series in the UK. The script was adapted from one of his earlier books.
Drotar’s blog of travel stories, The Kubodro Report can be found at https://kubodro.wordpress.com/
What got you into travel journalism?
On a ski trip to northern Vermont, I had snippets of conversation with people on the ski lift. I realized that the ski slope was a metaphor for people in all different stages of life, from pre-school kids to senior citizens. The concept formed to basis for my story, “Steep Passage.”
What’s the most challenging part of being a travel journalist?
The most challenging part is the disappearance of newspapers and magazines, and being ghosted by the few remaining publications.
What is the most rewarding aspect of travel journalism?
I’m all about the story. It’s immensely satisfying to develop a theme, a new literary technique or style.
What is something you wish people knew about travel journalism?
I’ll give two things.
Writers take a lot of time to develop a literary story, as opposed to a listicle of rewritten press release. In the British Columbia bear story, for example, I spent a day researching indigenous words for bears to come up with plausible names for the baby bears.
Although travel is always interesting and greatly rewarding, it is not always easy or glamorous. Schedules are jam packed and run late.
How have your cross-cultural experiences shaped your point of view of the world?
Everyone is making their way in the world, and it’s interesting to see how cultural differences affect those opportunities and choices.
What have you enjoyed most about being a NATJA member?
Meeting the many colleagues who share my love of travel and the written word.