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Tim Spell is an automotive columnist for Insurancequotes.com and he is their writer for the Auto Spell Check column, featuring update articles on self-driving-car technology. InsuranceQuotes.com provides customers with an effective, free way to compare insurance quotes online, as well as resources to learn more about auto, home, health, life, and business insurance. Tim spent 38 years at the Houston Chronicle/Hearst Corp and was their editor and columnist for the automotive sections and “Mixed Metal” magazine. He spent 25 plus years as “Truck Talk” columnist for the Motor Matters syndicate and is a past contributing writer to Road & Track “Open Road” magazine and “Car and Truck Buyers Guides.”. He’s hosted the weekly “Auto Show Weekly” radio show and “Test Drive” TV show for United Airlines Inflight TV. He is a five-time winner of the International Automotive Media Awards “Best of Newspapers” award and past President of the Texas Auto Writers Association and co-founder of the Texas Truck Rodeo.
SHOW SPONSORS
Covercraft • MetronGarage • Bonanza • Christopher Kimball Financial Services
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE
I followed this mantra, or way of writing, and this is my advice to journalists. Try to be well-rounded, communicate clearly, tailor your writing to your audience, don’t be overly technical and focus on high-performance cars, but deliver stories to excite the senses. For general newspaper columnists, sprinkle in fun, dream car pieces but I’d also include stories for readers who prefer sensible a point A to point B ride. Additionally, what triggered the reader’s enthusiasm most when I was a columnist was when I wrote historical articles. I included an interview with Carol Shelby about his role in the 1960’s car culture and an interview with Craig Breedlove about his land speed records. I did an interview with someone who met Al Capone as a youngster, who helped his dad bullet-proof Al Capone’s Cadillac. Now that was a big hit with my audience.
CAREER & LIFE CHALLENGES
For the first few decades of my life, I had a fear of public speaking and even skipped school once to get out of giving a speech. My job threw me way out of my comfort zone. When I committed to doing radio, it was kind of like a throwing me in and making me swim type of experience. Doing a tv show was even scarier. Somehow I waded into it and mustered the courage, and overcame the fear. Have confidence in yourself. You’re probably better than you think you are.
FIRST SPECIAL VEHICLE
My first new car purchase was a 1970, yellow, Pontiac Firebird with a black interior. The next morning, my heart was pounding, and I took a cruise through my town with my 8 track player blasting music. I went on to put Goodyear wide oval white-letter tires on it. I cruised the local drag over and over. It was a truly special car to me.
BEST AUTOMOTIVE ADVICE
When it came to writing about cars, I learned to communicate clearly, and don’t bog the reader down.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
Have a close relationship to a high level, manufacturer PR person. PR people can hook you up with quality interviews, which are so important when you’re wanting to write a great piece.
RECOMMENDED BOOK
The People’s Tycoon, by Steven Watts
PARTING WORDS OF ADVICE
When you work in this business, be professional, produce accurate, interesting written or produced work. Treat those in the business fairly and with respect, and you will increase the odds of good things coming your way.
SHARE THE INSPIRATION
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