Please note that I am not a monster truck driver. Nor have I ever been in a monster truck or been to a monster truck show. That’s the beauty of research. With enough research, you can make anything realistic and convincing.
Donovan Goldwyn, the hero in Hurricane Crimes is a monster truck driver and I had the opportunity to let him do his thing in Seismic Crimes, which I am still waiting to hear back from my publisher about. FINGERS CROSSED EVERYONE!
I am only going to address three main
things about monster truck driving if you want to write about it:
1. The Truck
If you ever write about a monster
truck, it would be smart to briefly mention the things that make it a MONSTER
truck.
Monster trucks have massive tires,
which are usually Terra tires, and about 4-link suspension to allow four feet
of clearance when the truck moves over mounds and other obstacles. The
supercharged engines (575 cubic inches) live off methanol oil. The driver is
usually positioned in the middle of the cab for full visibility behind a sheet
of Lexan to protect the driver from flying debris. However, it’s not unheard of
for a truck to have two seats. Every truck is equipped with at least three kill
switches for safety precautions. There are also safety harnesses as well as
head and neck restraints, and drivers wear fire suits and helmets. Monster
trucks are used for competitions and entertainment.
TIP: Don’t forget to mention the design and colors of the truck. People get really creative. You can even give the truck a name.
2. Arena
Arenas for monster truck driving are
compiled completely of dirt, sometimes even mud in some areas. Small mounds,
large ramps of dirt, and even cars are added to arenas for trucks to jump over
or crush with their giant tires. If there’s a race, you can bet on seeing
lanes, obstacles, and a finish line.
TIP: If your MC goes to a monster truck show, have him/her be in awe of the trucks and what is going on: the roar of the crowd, the packed stands, etc.
3. Stunts
Monster trucks can do quite a lot of
stunts. This is called freestyle. Some stunts/tricks are wheelies, jumps, and
slap wheelies/wheel stands. Donovan does a wheel stand for Beth in Seismic
Crimes. It was a fun moment to write.
These stunts are judged by timing,
speed, aggression, height/length/verticality of jumps, and “saves.” If there’s
a tie, it is often broken by a “cheer-off” or a secret “tie-breaking judge.”
TIP: Imagine you're the driver or at the show. Show their excitement with their body language and the things they say and do.
The main thing to remember is to have
fun with this!
QUESTIONS: Have you ever been
to a monster truck show? What was it like? If you could, would you try driving
a monster truck?
To join this monthly blog hop visit Michael G D'Agostino's blog.
QUESTION: What's the best job
you've ever had?
MY ANSWER: Okay, so if I’m being
honest I haven’t had many jobs in my life and that’s due to the spine surgery I
had when I was fifteen. I’ve never revealed this before but I am disabled. I'm
not in a wheelchair, but I struggle to do some normal things like sitting and
standing as long as others.
When I was a teen, I
sold Florida Today newspaper subscriptions door-to-door. I was pretty good
because no one could say no to the sweet little girl on their doorstep. I was
also an Avon lady. But neither of those are the best jobs I’ve ever had. My
best job is being a writer, although I hardly get paid for that. It’s my
passion though and that’s what makes it the best. :)
Monster Truck driving sounds like such an interesting activity, but I don't think it's really a thing in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteWriting is my favorite job too. :-D
Probably not. I think it's mostly an American thing.
DeleteYay for writing! :D
I've heard of Monster Trucks, but have never seen one. They could make for an interesting story though.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite job is a tie between my teaching years and now my writing. I enjoy both at different times in my life.
Have a great week.
I would like to see one in person and sit in the driver's seat. But drive it? no thank you! lol
DeleteIt doesn't matter what you get paid if you love what you do. I also love writing and teaching, neither of which will buy me trips to Europe! But, who cares. I am happy, and get up with a spring in my step every day.
ReplyDeletePlay off the Page
I've loved writing since I was a child. That's why I don't mind that it doesn't pay, but I would still like it to. ;)
DeleteYes, we have the same best job! I've heard those monster truck shows are not only loud but smelly because of the fumes.
ReplyDeleteSusan Says
Yay for writing! :) That's a good little tidbit about the smelly arena. I'll have to remember that.
DeleteI'm afraid Monster Trucks just aren't my thing.
ReplyDeletePay or not, glad you're doing something you really enjoy.
Not really my thing either, but I had to learn for my character who is a big daredevil. Thanks, Alex. :)
DeleteI've never been to a Monster Truck Show. It seems like it would really be loud and raucous. Maybe not my thing, but I've always wanted to participate in a demolition derby.
ReplyDeleteI was never good at door to door sales. Terrible when I was young so I didn't do much of that then. Oh, I considered it, but then I would chicken out.
Writing would be a great job if one made enough money to live decently and even just the creative aspect is excellent and worth it all.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Not my thing either but I can see the appeal in it for some, especially thrill-seekers.
DeleteI barely have enough money to live decently. I'm still waiting for writing to pay. :\
Yes, I have been to a monster truck show. It was loud and dirty and I loved it. I have not driven one, but I did drive a jacked up pickup with very large tires and it is really hard to control. So, no thank you. Great post, Chrys.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Haha! I can picture my characters loving that too. They like things loud and dirty...wait...that didn't sound right. LOL!!!
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a monster truck show. I probably wouldn't go because it's not my idea of fun.
As for best jobs, writing and singing are the two best things that ever happened to me.
Shalom,
Patricia
Singing. :) That's cool.
DeleteI've never been by a monster truck rally, and I'd probably be too nervous to attempt driving one of those things.
ReplyDeleteI can't really think of a best job I've had, though I really enjoyed being a camp counselor the first summer I worked there. It was fun to be with all the girls instead of only one age group. The next two summers, I was put with the nursery bunk without even requesting that age group, and the second year I worked at the camp, the co-counselor I had the second half of camp was a really bossy, obnoxious, rather unfriendly person. She didn't even seem to like the kids, and didn't know how to treat 3- and 4-year-olds appropriately. At seventeen, she also thought she knew more than I did, like insisting I was wrong about Yemen being in the Middle East, on the Saudi Peninsula. She claimed she'd have to look it up to see if I were right about Yemen NOT being in Africa. I only learnt the maps of the world before she was even born!
If I'm nervous about driving a normal car, I'd be even more so at the prospect of driving a monster truck. lol
DeleteA camp counselor sounds like fun. :)
I have yet to have an idea with monster trucks, but if I ever do, I'll remember this post.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Sounds good. ;)
DeleteNever been to a monster truck show, but since I have problems attending other live show, I don't think I could handle this.
ReplyDeleteI think writing is the best job anyone could have, who loves to do it, but for me, I can't truly embrace it the way I'd like while still needing the paycheck of a day job to pay the bill...I know is a personal hangup I need to get over.
I don't think I could handle the noise or smell of a monster truck show either.
DeleteYou're right. It is hard to enjoy without money. I wish it could pay more.
Wow, love the descriptions and images of monster trucks. I haven't ever been to a show. My son went once with our neighbor and their son. Those guys were really into the dirt biking, monster truck thing. Ha. I can't see myself going to one either but ya never know when I may write a super macho male MC like your Donavan. ;) My best job was with a County Parks and Rec Dept. I planned and coordinated programs for kids (mainly arts) during summer. Loved it! I even painted faces and learned that it's not as easy as it looks LOL.
ReplyDeleteMy dad and my brother went. I was interested in going, but you know... no girls allowed. lol
DeleteThat sounds like a fun job. :)
I've never been to a monster truck show, either, but it might be a fun thing to do and then write a satire about it... I am pretty sure I've blogged about going to a opera once and next to the concert hall (Charlotte NC) was the in the arena they had a tractor pull and the traffic was so bad that it took us forever to get there and we were afraid we'd not be seated, but they had held up the show because they didn't have enough musicians!
ReplyDeleteLOL! A tractor pull next to a concert hall. Oh boy.
DeleteWe never know who it is behind the words, who it is behind the computer. That's what makes being a writer so great, we're all kind of equal, we all get the same chance to succeed or fail simply by how we string words together. A physical disability has little to do with.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a monster truck show, though I've watched a couple on TV. I can imagine how noisy and exciting it must be live. Isn't doing research a blast?! :)
Exactly! And thank you, Bish. I appreciate that. :)
DeleteDoing research on something like this is a ton of fun.
On the show House, he was into monster trucks. That's probably as close as I've ever gotten to them.
ReplyDeleteThat's the great thing about the internet. I had no idea you had that physical challenge, and now that I know, it makes absolutely no difference. I bet it informs your characters a bit, though.
I used to watch Housre but I didn't catch the tidbit. Then again, I missed a season when I didn't have cable. :\
DeleteThanks, my friend. My characters do know about pain and limitations thanks to what I've endured.
When I first started reading your post, I was like "Wait, surely you haven't driven one before with your bad back?" But then you said you hadn't and I laughed. One thing I did see coming though was that writing would be your favourite job. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHa. Nope, never driven not. Not before or after my surgery.
DeleteThanks, Michael!
Been to a show (years ago) and been for a ride in one over a short cross country course. Apart from the size of the vehicles, the most lasting impression for me is the noise. When they're idling you can't hear the engine at all, then the sound kicks instantly in to a full-blooded ear-splitting rib-tingling roar. You can research some amazing things on the Internet, but there's no substitute for direct experience if you get the chance.
ReplyDeleteNope. No substitute for the real thing. I would like to be able to sit in one and maybe be a passenger for the experience, but not to drive it myself.
DeleteBeen to lots of monster truck shows when the kids were younger; eventually invested in great ear plugs to save our hearing :) I think it would be fun to drive a monster truck, only if I was in a big parking lot with nothing on either side of me for many a mile!
ReplyDeletebetty
Ear plugs. Yes! You'd need those. :P
DeleteGoing to a monster truck show is on my list of must see things. I love monster trucks.
ReplyDeleteI've never been able to sell things, and marvel at people who can go door to door. Writing is so much more fun though :)
Monster trucks are cool!
DeleteWriting is a lot more fun then selling door to door.
I'm really a girl in every aspect but I admire those monster trucks. They're just so cool to look at.
ReplyDeleteThey are cool to look at! I love the designs. :)
DeleteNever been to a monster truck show. Heard they were very loud though. Writing is the best indeed.
ReplyDeleteExtremely loud.
DeleteYeh for being writers! :) And selling stuff in general, let alone door-to-door, is not easy, so good for you for giving it a go.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your break this week!
lol Thanks, Madeline!
DeleteI apparently used to live in a town where Monster Truck events were popular enough to have commercials. I don't see them anymore lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm still waiting for my best job.
Commercials? I think I've seen a few if there was a big event in the area.
DeleteYour best job will come. :)
The closest I've ever been was watching "Yes, Dear". One of the nephews chewed his ear plugs, thinking they were gum, and was as deaf a post when he got home. I giggled. I'm not sure I should have, but I did. :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Anna from Elements of Writing
LOL! I think I thought ear plugs were gum when I was little. But I never ate one. :P
DeleteI've never been to a monster truck but I'd love to go. Mostly just to say I have :)
ReplyDeleteBucket list. :)
DeleteYes!
DeleteHaving been to at least half a dozen Monster truck events I can attest that it's loud (but not enough to necessitate earplugs), smelly (not near as bad as drag racing), and incredibly thrilling! From the moment a truck lines up to (hopefully) leap across a line of cars or massive mounds of dirt (edge of your seat), while it's airborne (eerie silence) until the landing (often a crash, but now you're standing) you are absolutely captivated! The end. Ha!
ReplyDeleteActually, the 'boys' still go every chance they get but now that I have in fact attended a few, I can bow out saying "No thanks, been there:-)"
I had an Avon route myself once, Chrys! Sadly my clientele were predominately elderly men without much interest for cosmetics ;-)
It does sound very thrilling. I'd have to get over the smell and noise if I ever went to a show.
DeleteHaha! Those men. ;)
I've been to a demolition derby, not not a monster truck rally.
ReplyDeleteA demolition derby would be fun!
DeleteMonster Trucks can do some pretty amazing things with their big wheels!
ReplyDeleteThey sure can!
DeleteI have never been to one of these rally's nor do i have a desire to be there. I have had a desire to be in one of those smash'em up derbys. I wanted to outfit my old car once and go right in there and just smash! It takes money to outfit the cars so you don't get injured though:) Having problems with your back is one of the worst and I am so sorry to hear about this but you seem to have a good way of looking at things even when you have a bad day:) You are entitled! I am glad you can do something you love to do even if there is not much money in it. I hear too many people who hate what they do.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Birgit! It's not fun to have back problems but I deal. I'm very fortunate that I can do what I love.
DeleteI can walk, but I'm disabled, too. We have so much in common. I've never been to a monster truck thing. Just doesn't interest me, and thank God Willy Dunne Wooters doesn't care about that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I didn't know that! I feel like I've found a sister. :)
DeleteYou should teach writing. You'd be fantastic at it! Contact local homeschool groups and offer your services. In fact, there is a curriculum that is called the One Year Adventure Novel that teaches creative writing. With your experience and insight, you'd be fabulous. AND you'd only have to do short classes. As much or as little as you want to do.
ReplyDeleteIf you lived by me, I'd pull you into my evil (homeschooling) lair....ha ha.
That's an idea, Cherdo! I think I'd be super nervous teaching adults, but teacher kids and teens would be fun. I'll have to think about that and look into it. :)
DeleteI've never seen or been interested in a monster truck show, but it is cool that you studied up for your character. Writing is a fun job, I just have not been paid for it...yet :)
ReplyDeleteNeither have I. Well...like $20 at the most. lol
DeleteI've always wanted to go to a monster truck show. It's on the bucket list. Never thought about writing about them though. Fun tips!
ReplyDeleteMaybe you'll want about them after you go to a show. ;)
DeleteI've always wanted to go to a Monster Truck show. We even have them here in Milwaukee from time to time but for one reason or another I've never made it. However, I have been to demolition derby quite frequently. They are lots of fun. I believe I've posted pics and a short video to my blog. The video is either there or on my youtube channel. Of course with all the monster truck names being given to denote size and strength, I'd name mine Titanic. You know why. LOL Also, so if I win I can say, "I will sink you" and if I lose I can say, "What do you expect? I'm the titanic." Okay, am I stretching too far with that joke? Seriously though, I probably would.
ReplyDeleteLOL! A monster truck named Titanic would be funny. You could wear a captain's hat on top of your helmet. HAHAHA!!!!
DeleteNope. No Monster Truck Events in my past and probably not in my future, but you never know. If I ever included something like that in a book, I might be tempted to see one for myself.
ReplyDeleteAs to jobs...It seems you've landed in one that's a fit! Congrats on doing that.
I'm glad you think writing is a fit for me, C Lee! :D
DeleteHi Chrys and Michael,
ReplyDeleteI'd have to say that being a writer is the best job for me by far as well! I'm learning more about painting and illustrating so hope to include that in to my work scope soon. (As for monster truck shows, I've never been to one though I've seen them, the trucks, on TV once many years ago.)
Writing is just great, isn't it? I don't even want to envision my life without it.
Delete