Colby Lee Burke passion for writing has seen him become one of the most sought professional travel writers. The Portland native attended the University of Oregon and obtained a degree in English. His works have been featured in a variety of media establishments, including online publications, print magazines and periodicals. One of the works that catapulted him to the limelight was a story about the Yosemite National Park. The story was published in a prominent national magazine and shared widely by nature bloggers, conservationists and online readers. Colby’s writing specialty is centered on culture, art, nature and architecture.

From the Victorian age to Neoclassical and Modernist style, Colby’s love for architecture lies in the belief that architecture is a license for creativity. Colby’s interest in nature writing was borne out of respect and awe for Mother Nature. He believes nature is inescapable, whichever way you look at it. His writings on arts and culture are designed to educate, inspire and tell stories about people and places. In the efforts to inspire young writers in his hometown, Colby has established a learning resource dedicated to writers. Up-and-coming writers can use the platform to share stories, books and get the much needed exposure fromColby’s mentorship.

Colby Lee Burke Hilton Head resident has also visited many places around the world for both leisure and business. His favorite holiday destinations include Scotland and Florence, Italy. In the US, Colby spends most of his time between Portland, OR and Charleston, SC. Aside from spending time in the resort town of Hilton Head in Charleston; Colby has a home in the port city overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. At a more personal level, Colby enjoys listening to music and reading. He recently ventured into fiction and non-fiction writing to further explore his creative writing skills and knack for mystery solving. His yet to be titled novel will be unveiled sometime in 2019.

What do you do?

I am a travel writer who enjoys what I do. I get to travel and write about the different cultures and locations I get to visit.

How long have you been in business?

Slightly more than 10 years. I got into the act while in college. Now that I am a professional writer, I want to join the ranks of distinguished travel writers who have carved a niche for them themselves.

Are there any unique challenges in your industry?

Sure, there a couple of challenges writers, both budding and seasoned professionals face in the line of work. These include living on the road and the never ending task of polishing words to fit the matrix.

What’s your perspective about the industry? Is it growing, contracting or stagnated?

The travel writing industry is ever hot. I say this because there are many careers that depend on niche writers. Besides travel writing, you can blog for a magazine, write online reviews or become a technical document writer and so on.

How does technology impact your company?

Technology has revolutionized virtually every facet of writing. For the most part, writers have evolved from using pen and paper to using smartphones, tablets, and laptops to write notes. In my travel writing cubbyhole, technology has made it easy to access and process information. The huge volumes of information and resources have in turn enhanced creativity and improved the quality of research.

Have you ever been to Miami?

With its World-class beaches, wild nature and the trappings of a foodie paradise, Miami or the magic city as it is fondly known is a place like nowhere. I have visited the city a couple of times to experience the magic.

What part of Miami?

I have been to downtown Miami, the Design District, South Beach, and the nearby Everglades. Miami has warm weather and plenty of sunshine, which makes it a perfect place to visit year round. At the Everglades, I experienced the wilderness adventure and developed a whole new perspective.

Did you visit any particular locations, including eateries?

One particular restaurant in downtown Miami stood out. This was the Tuyo Restaurant that serves greatdesserts and cozy American meals.

Would you come back?

I sure would.

Was it a business or pleasure trip?

My last trip in June was for pleasure. However, it is worth noting that travel writing is something you cando almost anywhere. For this reason, I always have something going on.

Where do you see your business or yourself in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years, I want to start food tours and establish a resource center for travel writers and reader Meetups. My desire to go on food tours is largely a component of cultural exploration. In the meantime, I will continue to share the stories of my adventures on my blog and social media platforms.