Trucking for real

[Tobin S.]

The rejection of one of my stories from a trade magazine got me thinking. You guys know me and my little stories about trucking. When I started writing about trucking here I went into the technical aspects of the job. I told you guys about fifth wheels, jake brakes, log book regulations, reefer trailers, scaling out a load, etc. Then I realized that stuff probably wasn't too interesting to anyone who doesn't want to be a trucker. So I started writing about the trucking lifestyle and all of the interesting people I've met out there on the road as well as the situations I've gotten into. You guys seemed to like that better.

Not long after I became a trucker I started to notice a movement among the trucking companies, trade magazines, and truck stops to "clean up" the trucking industry's image. They basically said they had a PR problem and it was because of us filthy, dirty, rotten, stinking, miserable excuse for human beings truck drivers. Let me tell you something. I have driven for 5 different companies in my 12 year career and they have all at some point expected me to violate the law to get the job done. Large well known carriers and little shit-kicker companies the same. I used to play ball. Now I don't.

The trucking companies would like us truckers to behave as "professionals." I've found that what that basically means to them is that they want you to be a company man. I can think of harsher terms, but you get the idea. Sure, I'll operate my truck safely and be nice to the customers. I need a pay check just like anyone else. But I am not going to let myself get fucked over to make the fat cats look good.

I've got a feeling I'm not going to get anywhere sending my stories to trucking magazines, no matter how good they might be.

[RebelOne]

1. Read my post in your other thread about the rejection slip.

Keep submitting. It won't happen overnight, but you will eventually be published.

[Tobin S.]

4. Thanks RebelOne

I guess I've got a little bit of the sour grapes. I looked at last month's magazine that I submitted to and they had published two poems written by truckers. I'm not knocking those guys, one of the poems was actually very touching, but my stuff is better.

[jeff30997]

2. Hi dude !

How are you ?

Please don't give up,eventually you'll

be published but don't focus only on

trucking magazines.The vast majority of

peoples who enjoy your stories are not truckers.

BTW can you give me a link where I can read

them all ? I only remember a couple of them

and that's a miracle in itself because

I have a terrible memory. :)

[Tobin S.]

3. I don't have a link to all of them.

I have 40 of them on my computer, but in no other place on the web collected together. You can search the DU archives and find most of them here.

[jeff30997]

5. Ok,I'll do a search.

What keyword should I use ? Do you always start your stories

with a common tittle? I never used the Journal thingy on DU

but maybe you could put them there? Wow I sound like an
interrogator with all my questions.:rofl:

:)

[Tobin S.]

6. I don't have a journal

Search for "Stories From the Road" under the user name Droopy.

[jeff30997]

10. Cool! Thanks. n/t

[suninvited]

7. I love your trucking stories

maybe you should set up a blog where people can follow your adventures on the road.

[Tobin S.]

8. Thank you

I've thought about the blog, but decided against it. I just don't have the time to keep it interesting.

[TZ]

9. I think maybe you should focus on non-trucking magazines

Hell I think your writings would make an excellent column in mainstream magazines. People are fascinated by truckers I think...Look at the success of the show "Ice Road Truckers".

[Tobin S.]

11. I think I'll try that, TZ

I 'preciate it. :)

[jeff30997]

12. Absolutely.

I'm not a Trucker but I love those "on the road" stories.One of my cousin

is a driver and when we meet I can't get enough of his tales about his travels

all over North America. :)