Maybe its crazy to confess being two faced. My pronouncement isn’t derogatory, Writing wise, my having two faces isn’t always good.
Let me explain, I’m not just pursuing the craft as a novelist. Claiming to be a journalist might be throwing too broad a loop. My writing/blogging in that field is somewhat specialized. My name is somewhat recognized in the antique tractor community. I’ve been writing tractor related pieces since 2009, so recognition has been a long time coming.
A journalist? I can’t really answer that I am. I’m more a historical researcher focusing primarily on agricultural mechanics. Anyone that knows me wouldn’t find that long pretentious title fitting. Simply put, I’m a tractor fanatic. That does fit. My musing in my blog Antique Iron Media, does not only cover history. I celebrate agriculture. My articles inform, but I’m by no means, technical. My favorite articles are more human interest related.
My notoriety doesn’t only come from my word smithing abilities. Another fancy title I can use is Curator. My passion extends to owning tractors. Believe me I can see the silliness in my collection. I own eight antique garden tractors and two antique farm tractors. I don’t garden nor do I have a farm. I have the logistic ability to bring and display tractors anywhere in the continental US. Believe it or not I’m not the only crazy person to collect tractors. My collection is small compared to others.
A collector’s recognition can come from the pieces acquired. I have been blessed to purchase a particular brand that isn’t very common. Until recently, I didn’t know about Shaw Du-all Tractors. I made up for not knowing, I now have five. I admit I like sharing the same name as the Kansas inventor. I haven’t determined if we’re related.
So as a writer, the two different interests work for me. I’ve developed the ability to switch back and forth. If I’m not feeling creative enough to be a novelist, I work on researching interests in tractor topics to share. I may not be focused, but I’m at least writing.
The worlds can cohabitate, and they can collide. Tractor events and book festivals are pretty similar. Lawn chairs, sun canopy, and other simple accessories have dual use. I have sold a book or two at a tractor event, but have yet to sell a tractor at a book fair. Tractors collections aren’t normally intended for sale. However, my show experience helped me adapt to peddling books. I know what to expect. When book fairs and tractor events conflict, choices have to be made.
My branding was created for dual use. As a beginning author, a logo wasn’t really necessary. The author’s name is his brand. I created a business card brand after years of being a tractor blogger. Recently Judy Snyder helped recreate the current logo I use. It may be confusing as an author, but for me, dual purpose works.
Last summer, I was recruited to write for a magazine. I was hesitant, not sure I needed another editor to frustrate and annoy. The new publisher did win me over. I’m not staff and I still have my independence. My first article wasn’t my debut. I had submitted an article six years before and got the cover. I’m not sure what won me the opportunity. The tractor attracted attention, but many of my online readership alerted the magazine publisher to me. It doesn’t matter, it’s another writing opportunity
Rick Shaw
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