As for what point you want to make, I’ll state as a rule of thumb that every successful piece of nonfiction should leave the reader with one provocative thought that he didn’t have before. Not two thoughts, or five — just one.
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If a phrase comes to you easily, look at it with deep suspicion — it’s probably one of the innumerable cliches that have woven their way so tightly into the fabric of travel writing that it takes a special effort not to use them. . . . Strive for fresh words and images. Leave “myriad” and their ilk to the poets. Leave “ilk” to anyone who will take it away.