I’m willing to bet that fellow author and good friend Cindy Ladage will cringe when she reads the title to this article. I’d be surprised if she curses under her breath, though. She’s more sophisticated than that.
Yes, Cindy, this will be a tell all. Put down your pen, though. I’m coming clean about me, as well. I came to realize that after our Nashville trip, we BOTH have a support staff. Mine isn’t as convenient as yours, though, and it might be bigger. I know there are more people in mine since you have one person in several positions. I wonder if we haven’t joined each others staff?
This article celebrates the behind the scenes assistance that makes a writer’s work easier. No matter as a novelist or a journalist assistance is greatly appreciated. I tease Cindy that she has a driver, baggage man, camera man, security guard … you get the idea. We place pretentious titles like keygrip, lighting specialists, and such .Of course, Keith Ladage takes on a higher role in production for Traveling Adventures of a Farm Girl. He fact checks and proof reads.
I’m not as advanced as a journalist. I have unknowingly to them, recruited researchers, and photographers. Actually, the photographers do know. They always get credit for their work in an article. With exception to Steve Farmer, my researchers don’t always know they helped me. If you think you are to whom I refer, you’re probably correct! Thank you for the help! Marvin, Mark, Carl, Digger,Jim, Jason, Nathan, the list is endless….
Being a tractor reporter is all about image. The pristine restored tractors I have are due to a first-class crew. I doubt my tractors would all run without help.
Most of the beautiful paint seen is because Doug Edwards of Edwards Tractor Restoration has put in time to make them shine.
Jerry Rawlings had a hand in getting ALL my Shaw Du-alls running. Jerry is my go-to fabricator. I need to mention Steve Farmer again. He’s my mechanic, Kevin and Travis Periman have gotten me out of a bind or two….or five.
I’ll confess that writing a novel isn’t all me. Okay, so I’m the mastermind, but I’ve talked out ideas as I write them. Some writers claim they are only reporting what the voices in their head tell them. Evidently, my voices can talk through other people. Scary!
Judy Snyder originally became my cover artist during the final phase of New Perspectives. We’ve become friends, and she now proofreads before submitting. One more set of eyes helps. The cover for Can’t go Home was also her design.
As far as my support staff goes, Scott and Kathy Rakes hold multiple roles like Keith does for Cindy. Kathy holds a title as my stylist. She is working hard to get my out of bib overalls. Believe it or not, it was my idea for a tie in Nashville, but she gets credit. I even thought to wear one.
Scott does what he does and keeps me grounded. I can’t imagine where I’d be without the Rakes.
I’ve grown my writing from a Facebook group. I’m grateful for the administrative staff I appointed to govern. That sounds so pretentious! Sorry!
Jessica Basford came on to help moderate. I didn’t ask her willingness, but she became an administrator. After a health scare a few years ago, I let her take over as chief. I’m still on staff, but it ain’t my show no more.
Now for a secret…..
I had my pen name my whole entire life! My aunt gave me my pen name before my birth. I’m well known as Rick, but that’s not my “legal” name. Who’d a thought I’d have my pen name 58 years before it appeared on a book cover?
As Paul Harvey would say, “and now…. you know…..the rest of the story”
Antique Iron Media 