Patrick Stumbles Through Journalism

Hello everyone,

I hope you're all well. I'm on Spring Break right now, and watching Scarface for the first time. It dawned on me I hadn't written a blog this break yet, and I should at least write weekly. Not to mention my History reading for a class is really boring (fingers crossed my Prof. doesn't find this!😅) I might try and create a schedule for when to post, so that it's a bit more consistent. Don't quote me on that.

So, as I said in my last blog, I'd talk about Journalism, or rather my stumbling through it. I wouldn't call myself a Journalist, and it's not writing that I passionately want to do as my job. No offense to Journalists, it's just not entirely my thing.

So about last year I figured "Hey? Why not take my hand at Journalism? It might be an easy way to make some money." The later part was my first mistake. So Lesson #1 of Don't Do What Patrick Did: Don't think Journalism is a way to make a quick buck.

Now my mindset was, I could write articles about trains, which I'm passionate about, perhaps help give some organizations some well needed spot-light, like the Indiana Transportation Museum, which I felt would be easy. Right? Wrong.

It turns out article writing takes as long as fiction writing, and requires a fair share of drafts. I realized later on that there were different standards for articles, such as writing paragraphs with only 3 sentences. It took me a while to get the swing of article writing.

After writing my article, I began to find the emails of magazine editors that were train related. Some had requirements to have photos, some about a specific era of railroading, such as the 60's, 70's, 80's, as I learned.Well, I did get a response from one of the editors of Trains Magazine. I felt deeply honored by this, I read articles by the editor before.

So I sent him my "article." I say "article" because it was in actuality a 10+ page document, I want to say 15 pages, with 5-7 sentence essays. So Lesson #2 and #3 Of Don't Do What Patrick Did, Don't write with paragraphs longer than 3 sentences, and keep your essay as short as possible. I recommend 2000-3000 words, or about 4 pages.

I've learned a lot since the summer of 2018. Some things I learned the hard way. In regards to the ITM, I figured I'd gather exclusive information on the ITM with a poll. This is something I'd end up regretting. Now I'm not saying "Don't do a survey about an organization," or "Don't do your own research," definitely do that, but know the situation.

For those who don't know, the ITM went through a lot of controversy in July of 2018 when moving from Forest Park in Noblesville, with historic pieces being scrapped. I held this survey shortly after this passed, when the final move out day set by the courts, July 12, passed. So Lesson #4 of Don't Do What Patrick Did, be careful when you hold surveys after a controversial event.

The biggest mistake I made was adding a little "comedy" in my first survey question. I had the question "What do you think of the ITM?" The options were good, bad, and worse than Steamtown.

Now for those who don't know, (So all my readers 😆), Steamtown is a federal organization in Pennsylvania that has one of the largest collections of steam locomotives in the US. It's controversial because many of their steam locomotives are exposed to the elements and are rusty.

Now, needless to say, when I look back on that, I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't dislike Steamtown, for some reason I imagined people getting a kick out of it.

This did not happen.

That survey was a disaster. I got responses such as "You don't know what you're talking about," and criticized (fairly) for adding "comedy" in the survey. For a long time I stopped working on the article. I also left a steam locomotive related Facebook group because of the back lash I faced. So Lesson #5 of Don't Do What Patrick Did, don't use comedy in a survey that mocks an organization, even if unintentional. Thankfully, I can say I've grown some tougher skin because of this, and also matured.

Coming to college I realized the mistakes I made on the article covering the ITM, and resolved to expand my writing skills. I've published four articles with my school paper, and hope to publish some more in the near future. I might put the links in a future blog post, though I'll have to wait and see on that, as that would reveal on the internet land where I live, and I'd prefer not to do that.

As you might've realized by my last blog post, my article hasn't been published yet. Don't think I haven't tried. I've made changes the Trains Magazine editor asked for, made sure its relevant still, and worked doing interviews. If I have to publish it on here for it to be read, I will, though I'd prefer not to. As can be seen with my interview with Mr. McConnell, I'm still working to get it published. Well, that's all from me for now. I've got some history readings I need to finish. I hope you're all doing well, and to my fellow writers, keep writing. And if you're not writing, start writing! Or do whatever you're passionate about. Here's Lesson #1 of Do What Patrick Learned from Others: Don't give up, no matter the challenges.

See you on the Tramway!

Alita: Battle Angel & Interviewing Les McConnell

Alita: Battle Angel Reaction

Hello friends, and welcome back. Well I must say, my weekend was very exciting. On Saturday I went to see Alita: Battle Angel with some friends at my local theater. It was not a good film. IT WAS GREAT!!

Seriously, I know everyone freaked out over the "Anime/Manga Eyes" in the trailers, but they're not scary. They really blend in with the Cyberpunk Dystopian future. Alita as a character is great, she looks cute, but piss her off and you're going to lose an arm!

I highly recommend anyone whose on the fence about the film to go see it. You won't regret it. Now, onto the next section.

Interviewing Les McConnell

Yesterday I had the chance to sit down and talk with Les McConnell via Facebook Messenger. For those who don't know (which is likely everyone, seeing as most readers don't know train stuff, which's fine) Les McConnell is the Chairman of the Indiana Transportation Museum, and started on July 18, 2018 after the former Vice Chairman stepped down.

2018 was a bad year for the ITM, they were evicted from their home in Forest Park, Noblesville, lost a great deal of their collection, and were forced to relocate 60 miles at a heavy cost. It was a great honor to interview Mr. McConnell, and will help me with my article "The Future of the ITM," which I have currently submitted to two magazines ("Pro" Tip: Submit one at a time, or else you might be in a sticky situation of two magazines accepting your article.)

I'll cover my journalism escapades in my next Blog Post: Patrick Stumbles Through Journalism.

Well, that's all for me today. Thanks as always for reading, and a huge thanks to Mr. McConnell for being willing to do the interview with me. See you on the Tramway!

Classifying my Writing & "Heart to Heart" A 500 word story (Draft)

Anthrolocomotive

Hello everyone. It's been somewhat chill this past week. I'm mostly working on keeping up with college assignments and trying to write some professional articles (I'll discuss this in a later blog post). I want to focus today on classifying one kind of my writing. 

As I said in All the W's, I write about talking locomotives, in a Thomas-esque style. I was talking to my Classmate CC about this. I explained to them how I struggled to explain my genre. Anthropomorphic Machines doesn't sound like a good genre title, does it? 

Well, I think I now have a definition. Anthrolocomotive: Writing that includes sentient machines, mostly locomotives, such as Thomas & Friends and Chugginton, but it can also be cars (such as Disney Pixar's Cars), or Tugs such as Theodore Tugboat or Tugs. The machines do not need to have faces, so series such as Galaxy Express 999 would also count. I chose Anthrolocomotive because it is mostly steam locomotives. 

Well, how's that for a new word? So there's that. Now, onto the short story. (C) Patrick Webb. 

Heart to Heart

This' a draft of a short story I'm writing for my school's writing contest of a Broadside or 500 word story. In this story, Chris Campbell, President of the Kentucky Steam Heritage Corporation, interacts with Nickel Plate Road 587, a 100 year old steam locomotive he helped saved when the museum that owns 587 was evicted, and it was feared a local city would steal it. Enjoy the story. 

Chris Campbell walked through the—nearly empty Ravenna workshop. No one else was in the workshop, except the 100 year old giant.

His old gray eyes turned as Chris walked towards him. He seemed older, as if the past three years had aged him more than a century of life had.

“Evening 587,” Chris said, trying hard not to stare at 587’s boiler on a flatcar, the rest of himself in pieces.

“Hello sir,” 587 replied “Has there been any new word from the ITM? How the move’s going?”

Chris shook his head.

“Shit.”

Chris stared. “I didn’t take you for the swearing kind 587.”

“I apologize sir,” 587 replied, “This whole situation has gone like the Hindenburg.”

Chris chuckled. “Is that a phrase from way back when?”

“No, I just made it up,” 587’s smile quickly faded. “I really need to thank you again for making sure those Wisenheimers didn’t get their grubby meathooks on me.”

“Wisenheimers? Meathooks?”

“Oh, sorry, the smartasses didn’t get their hands on me. 1910’s slang.”

Chris smiled. “You still remember that from all those years ago?”

587 smiled again. “Well, we steam locomotives are like tortoises I suppose.”

“I see, oh yeah, I forgot,” Chris waved a card in his hand, “happy birthday 587.” 587 beamed as Chris left it beside him.

“Thank you, it’s nice to know I haven’t been forgotten. Especially through all this controversy.” 587’s smile faded again. “I can’t believe I’m here. I should be in Noblesville, not Kentucky. Why… why did they drive us out?”

Chris frowned. “I—I don’t know what to tell you 587. Your museum and the local cities just didn’t get along.”

“But to evict us from our home?! Give us a mere two weeks to move, and on top of that steal me?!” 587 puffed his cheeks. Nothing happened. “Oh… um, I forgot, I’m not together, steam would’ve shot from my cylinders if I was… you know.”

Chris nodded.

“Mr. Campbell, be honest with me, what’re my chances of steaming in the 21st Century?”

Chris stared. “Well… my team knows what we’re doing, so I’d say pretty good.”

“When will you start?”

“As soon as your museum gets the funds.”

“Right, well, I suppose that won’t be for awhile. They have to relocate everyone to Logansport after all. I hope the others are all right,” 587 scowled, “and that Mayor Ditslear and the rest of his cronies didn’t get any of them.”

“They didn’t get any of them,” Chris reassured him, “you should focus on resting, and getting ready for your overhaul.”

587 sighed. “You’re right. To think, I’ll never pull the State Fair Train again, or see Noblesville. I never thought this could happen.”

“No one did. But, what’s done is done. Just focus on resting, and getting ready for your overhaul.”

“I will, thank you sir.”

“You’re welcome, good night 587.”

“Goodnight.” 587 watched as Chris walked out of the works, locking the door behind him. The works was silent. 587 sighed. “Happy birthday.”

All the W's, (Who, When, Where, What, Why, How)

Hello everyone. I'm somewhat free this Sunday evening (I've been busy packing at home this weekend, which I'll leave at that). I decided that I wanted to write on this blog to make sure I didn't forget it existed. I've started many, MANY projects, book projects, a YouTube channel, etc., which I haven't finished or gave up on. I don't want to give up on this blog. I hope that I can use this to network, show my skills, etc.

So, I figured what better way to start a blog (besides the posts I've already written) than to write about myself. (I just love myself so much). So, as the title states, I'll give you all some info on who I am, just not where I live, no offense internet.

Who

My name is Patrick Thomas Webb. What else do you need to know? All right, I'll go into more detail. I was born in Bristol but raised in the Goshen area my whole life. (I know I said no address, that's broad enough. You could Facebook stalk me if you wanted to find this out. But don't). My parents are divorced, which has created some tension in my life. I have wanted to be a writer ever since I was very young. I grew up with Thomas and Friends and other PBS shows. #PBSKid4Life am I right?

When

Now.

Where

I'm at college at the moment. I'm not saying where. I already discussed this.

What

What do I do? Well, I write. What do I write you ask? Words. All right, I'll be more specific. I mostly writing fiction, in particular science fiction and superheroes. I also have some ideas for some Thomas-inspired series, which I won't go into too much detail here, no offense, writers have to product their stories, its like money, you don't show everyone where you hide it.

Why

There are three reasons why I am a writer. I remember when I was young seeing a PBS ad announcing a local writing competition. I always enjoyed stories as a kid, so I decided I'd write a Thomas story (I had no idea what fan fiction was, remember I was probably 4 or 5 at the time). However, I never wrote this story because I didn't know how to spell "One." I only remembered how to spell "won" and I knew "Won day" wasn't right. I tried asking Mom, but she was too busy.

So the second reason why I am a writer is because of a YouTube video. A Thomas and Friends YouTube video. Yeah yeah I know, I was a Thomas and Friends obsessee as a kid. Anyways, I found a fan made video called "The Scrap Train." I will link the video below, as I saved it in one of my notes documents.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqwXBNSAPH4

It was at hearing the name of Johnny that my destiny was changed. I thought "Hey, I can do that." And I started writing. Unfortunately, I deleted the original draft of that story, but I remember how it went, which I won't say here, again, to protect my characters. Many of the characters I used in that original draft I still use today, to eventually bring out into the world.

The third reason....well...I'm not entirely sure what exactly it was, but I fell in love with superheroes at a young age. I watched Batman the Animated Series with Dad, Word Girl at home on PBS, basically anything superheroes related I could get my hands on. I still have my first comic books. I created my first superhero team in 5th/6th grade, who I sort of left behind and haven't worked on in a while, mostly because it needs some work. One of my villains who I likely won't use was Glue Man. That's right, Glue Man! His power? Creating glue. I think you can see why I won't use him anytime soon.

How

I came to college to try and better my life and because I wanted to write as my living. Writing is my passion, and I want to pursue that as my career.

Well, that's all you need to know about me. I'll try and write somewhat regularly, though as stated before, college has to take priority. Speaking of which, I've got to get back to that. Time to be a busy, successful adult. Says the guy going to go watch Veggietales with other College students.

 See you on the Tramway!