John Meyer Books

Return to Rome AKA So What is a Fictional Travel Memoir Anyway?

I had already toyed with the idea of writing a book. Not a travel book. And not a novel. But something in between. I had read several travel books and was usually left a little… wanting. The authors were often a little pretentious—writing about the unrefined locals they encountered while yearning to return home to their loved ones. And they always leaned towards the puritanical—opting to neglect the nightlife and avoid any libidinous temptation.

And I never fully believed them. They weren’t wandering the world one small step at a time. They often had meticulous itineraries, and arrangements with travel bureaus, and access agreements with embassies, and traveling secretaries, and first class allowances from their publishers.

And they were smarter than me. Their research and encyclopaedic wordplay produced dense descriptions that bordered on the monotonous. Five pages later, and I couldn’t remember what they had just described.

And they just weren’t any fun.

So I wanted to transform the travel book genre. I would still describe locations and monuments, but make them more digestible to the reader. And attach some emotion to the proceedings—by simply adding a fictional story. Create some characters and conflict. Add some humour and drama. Invest in fantasy, if need be. And ensure that the journey is thoroughly possible—without interference from travel bureaus, embassies, governments, silent partners, transcribing accomplices, or family fortunes. You, me, anybody, could embark on this journey. You, me, anybody could have this adventure. I did it on my own dime. I did it in the allotted time. So could you.

However, I didn’t want to call it a novel. That designation might come packed with particular literary promises for you. After all, it’s still about a journey. And it still comes loaded with historical commentary.

And I didn’t want to call it a travel book, because it’s much more than that.

So I call it a “fictional travel memoir.” I think that helps. At least, to me, it sounds more honest.

As noted elsewhere, all the locations are real, all the timelines are legitimate, and all the access is completely open to budget travelers. And while I don’t personally recommend it, if you stick to my street directions, you too can see the highlights of Rome in a day by foot (in abbreviated moments, of course).

And it’s still largely fictional.

So I returned to Italy in 2005 with the basic outline for my book. I had sketched out the main characters. I knew where they were going and where they would end up. And I took notes. And photos. And discovered new things every day. New characters were eventually introduced and the story suitably evolved. And I wore my money belt tightly around my waist during every moment of every day.

For the rest of the story, check out:

https://www.johnmeyerbooks.com/robbed-in-rome/

https://www.johnmeyerbooks.com/write-the-book/