What kind of writing do you want to do? Novels, poetry, articles? By the way, I saw the Pelican Brief a couple days ago. I like that movie!
From what I know about it, if you want to do any writing it helps to have contacts in that industry. If your current office job puts you in contact with any magazines or newspapers, even if it’s second or third-hand contact, you can start cultivating those relationships. If your boss’s friend knows someone who is an editor, ask your boss for their contact information or even an introduction. Ask people you know if they have any insights for you. Take writing classes and meet the teachers and the other students. Start building up relationships with people who may be able to help you by meeting them, talking to them, and helping them before you ask them about jobs. In the mean time, write articles or short stories and submit them to publications as a freelance writer. If you can get something published, you can use it to build up a portfolio or references. One thing that always interested me is that Neil Gaiman did journalism before he started writing books, because he knew those contacts would help him get published later on.
Basically, it’s a lot like any other kind of networking when you want to change careers. I have no clue how to become a travel writer, though.