Meet Brandy Gleason | Travel Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandy Gleason and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandy, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Authenticity is my key to success. My kids told me one time that if I wanted more followers on social, I needed to start doing some relevant dancing or lip-syncing to trending sounds. While their advice is accurate for rapid “growth” (is it really growth when they followed for a laugh and not your content?), I have chosen to stay the course of sharing what makes me smile and happy; the growth is slower but what I create resonates with people who follow me.

What is success in being a travel writer? Personally, it is when I learn that someone saw something I recommended on social media or in my writing, and then they do it and share it with me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a small-town girl who loves her roots. With that in mind, I am always looking for that special nugget in each story. When you drive through a small town you think it is just old buildings with a worn-out story but nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve learned that if you find the right person and sit back and listen, you will hear the real story about some of the things that make the community tick.

I’m a multi-generational writer and creator. I am a mom of 8 kids, Grammy to 5, which means I never run out of things to do (or write about). One day I am hanging with my Heartland Owners Club 50+ friends sipping something by a campfire and the next minute I am at the zoo reliving my early mom years chasing a 3-year-old. I can write… ready to retire items and easily switch to things to do with kids.

I consider myself an accidental writer. I started my blog to keep track of things I was doing with the kids and in a short amount of time I found out people were actually reading what I was writing. I quickly pivoted my writing and started editing my work better. I took my time evolving from a hobby writer and asked lots of questions. I had a friend who shared her tips but one day I finally took the plunge, paid the fee, and joined her writer’s group.

A few lessons I have learned along the way are that it is ok to say no. If a project comes along that doesn’t fit my brand or if my plate is too full at the time, it is ok to say, “I love your idea but I am unable to partner with you right now, can we circle back to this at another time?” When I transitioned from hobby writer to a professional I told myself, “If this ever starts to feel like work I am quitting!” My motto is, “If you do what you love you will never work a day in your life.” It serves me well.

Brandy Gleason is an authentic writer who has a passion for living. Each day she wakes up she sees it as a gift and tries to unwrap it with anticipation. Her blog Gleason Family Adventure is packed with all the things she loves, things to do with her family, the great outdoors, RVing in her Heartland Sundance travel trailer, fantastic places to eat, and stunning places to stay. When she isn’t out trying something new, you will find her reading in a hammock or enjoying time with her family.

Dreams do come true but some take a bit of work, get started on making yours a reality today.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Welcome to Ohio, my little slice of paradise. Start the morning out at La Chatalaine in Dublin, Ohio, sipping strong coffee and eating some partisan food. After breakfast, we will stroll the historic streets of Dublin doing some shopping. Wear comfortable shoes because there is the longest single-tower S-shaped suspension bridge in the world to cross into the trendy Bridge Park area. We will grab some chocolates at Kilwins before heading to a hidden gem, Indian Run Falls. Grab some lunch at North Market after our little hike. In the evening, we will stop at Vaso for drinks and tapas with the best views of the Scioto River from the rooftop lounge.

Next morning, we will grab breakfast at Der Dutchman, home of the best Long Johns in central Ohio. Fill ourselves full from their all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Then we will grab a map to take a tour on the back roads in Union County to see some of the covered bridges and stop at some of the farms that sell local goods.

Saturday mornings are the best because you can grab some homemade treats at The Flour Barn and then hit the Union County Farmer’s Market.

After all, the running around, we will have dinner at Leon’s Garage with live music and then slip over to House of Spirits for one of their house specialty cocktails.

People think Ohio is all cornfields, but they are wrong. I can keep you busy from the shores of Lake Erie all the way down to the mighty banks of the Ohio River.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Sara Broers was the catalyst who took me from a hobby writer to a professional writer.

Website: https://gleasonfamilyadventure.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gleason_family_adventure/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-gleason-cta-64b011134/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gleasonfamilyadventure