UZJ 100 Series

[LandCruisers4Life]

In my case, I am speaking of submitting an article with a stock 100 as a featured vehicle in the article. That article would have been on a back country, remote area adventure. However if your rig isn't modified, it seems the attitude is mostly don't bother us with your stock vehicle. That is how I take the original reply to my post on this. That's why I am not going to bother with Toyota Trails and send it off to another magazine that is stock 4wd friendly. I plan to make some major modifications to my 100, but that sort of thing takes a lot of money, and time. Once I have it modified the way I want it, I'll then submit it to TT for readers rigs or something like that. Til then, I'll be just an avid reader.

[Kaderabek]

You should read post #12 again.

TJK

[macneill]

Nothing personal, but I'll wait until you get it modded.

Originally Posted by LandCruisers4Life

In my case, I am speaking of submitting an article with a stock 100 as a featured vehicle in the article. That article would have been on a back country, remote area adventure. However if your rig isn't modified, it seems the attitude is mostly don't bother us with your stock vehicle. That is how I take the original reply to my post on this. That's why I am not going to bother with Toyota Trails and send it off to another magazine that is stock 4wd friendly. I plan to make some major modifications to my 100, but that sort of thing takes a lot of money, and time. Once I have it modified the way I want it, I'll then submit it to TT for readers rigs or something like that. Til then, I'll be just an avid reader.

[LandCruisers4Life]

I decided that this trip was interesting enough to warrant writing an article and submitting it to TT with proper photographs. If it gets published I am sure readers will appreciate what a stock 100 can do off road, and learn more about how much fun can be had in West Texas. I took a few GPS coordinates to submit as well.

On my way home from Ft. Davis Texas in a few minutes. I just got the Cruiser packed and ready to head to the house.

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

Nice! Thanks for contributing!

[LandCruisers4Life]

My article is coming along well. I expect the editor will probably want to chop a little off here and there. I am sure it will be too long, but better more info than not enough. It was a fun and exciting trip.

[cajun65]

You should consider asking the editor what length article he'd like to see.

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

FYI I had a 1500 word guidline on an article I wrote last year... That was 4 pages including pics...

But ask Todd Kaderabek, he'll get you straight.

[dmc]

Forget that. send Todd 15,000 words and let him figure it out. that's what I do. okay really i don't but maybe i'm pretty indifferent about my 'voice' or just trust todd's judgement too much but i just send in what i think is a polished product and don't really worry about what he does to it. the content of trails speaks to his talents as an editor.

to the original poster i think you are making a lot of assumptions on what todd will accept and use based upon you're perceptions. over the years there have been many articles on stock trucks, even cover photos like nolens 55 a few years back. one of my favorites that, right now i can't recall the names, was the stock'ish' fj40 build of a father and son. Todd used one of my articles that didn't have photos or deal with specific trucks at all.

The TLCA is it's members. some of those members drive unmodded 100 series, others drive buggies with $8k axles on them. there has always been and always will be room for both. i think TJK balances the content very well (although maybe a bit to fj heavy recently but i've also missed the last 3 issues) so submit something and see what happens. Take it from a dude that had the first tacoma ever to be on the cover. If the words are good and the story is intrigueing Todd will use it. It helps if you bribe him with some live bluegrass too.
dmc

[ksheffield]

A good writing tip I try to remember is to show the drama, the conflict in the story. Granted, there may not be much drama in any one story, but there should be some challenging element in there. The great conflicts are man vs. machine, man vs. nature, man vs. man (or self). Seems like all of those conflicts come into play on any trail adventure.

Also think of character and plot when you write. Who are the characters, and what's the plot. The more you write, the easier it gets.

I consider those things first, then technical stuff comes into play (rigs, mods, experience levels).

When you're done writing it, read it. Have someone else read it, make suggestions, revise, read again, then ship it.

OK, so that's unsolicited advice, but it's served me well. Hope it does the same for others.