So last night the wife and I watched that Johnny Cash movie, I Walk The Line. Very good acting, writing, etc., by the way.
On a personal note, the credits mentioned that the movie was based on two books, one of which was Man in Black, written years ago by Johnny himself. I was working at The Stouffville Tribune in the mid-70's when a complimentary copy arrived, which was pretty rare. We didn't get too many free books coming our way. The editor handed me the book and said why don't I "do something with it" i.e., write something about it.
So I read it (fairly interesting) and then for my column (it was my turn every third week) wrote a sort of review. The following week, the local Christian bookstore paid for an ad which said something to the effect, "You've read the review by Ted Wilcox. Now buy the book at Blah Blah Christian Books." First time I ever felt like a cultural mover and shaker (in our vast, 6000-strong circulation market)! I strongly doubt many people would have bought the book on the strength of my recommendation, but, as they say, "It was an honor to be nominated."
On a personal note, the credits mentioned that the movie was based on two books, one of which was Man in Black, written years ago by Johnny himself. I was working at The Stouffville Tribune in the mid-70's when a complimentary copy arrived, which was pretty rare. We didn't get too many free books coming our way. The editor handed me the book and said why don't I "do something with it" i.e., write something about it.
So I read it (fairly interesting) and then for my column (it was my turn every third week) wrote a sort of review. The following week, the local Christian bookstore paid for an ad which said something to the effect, "You've read the review by Ted Wilcox. Now buy the book at Blah Blah Christian Books." First time I ever felt like a cultural mover and shaker (in our vast, 6000-strong circulation market)! I strongly doubt many people would have bought the book on the strength of my recommendation, but, as they say, "It was an honor to be nominated."
posted by Ted | 5:12 AM
2 Comments:
Wow, great little story, Ted! A claim to fame, so to speak. :-) Hopefully you'll be able to do more writing soon, and get more opportunities like that! :-)
Yeah, in those days it was like going to work to "play"--like a gamer being paid to play video games or a kid shooting baskets in the backyard being paid to play basketball. When it was decided that the three of us--the editor, other reporter, and myself--would rotate writing a column I was conscious of the fact that while I liked the idea, I wasn't really sure of my opinions. They seemed half-baked. Now I DO know my opinions, or at least "know what I don't know," but unlike then don't have an opportunity handed me on a siler platter. But, Lord willing, that could change...:)
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