Friday, September 27, 2013

And Now For Something Completely Different…

It was a very slow week for publishing news and a busy week for me with three books to format and a seminar.

So, I am giving you a different kind of post today and very different photos outside of the ones I post for inspiration. For those of you writing contemporary tales, one thing that comes up in a story at some point is what kind of cars do the characters drive? Because a car can say so much about a person, from social status to income level to personal tastes.

Need an idea for a car in your story? Trip down memory lane with me and see if one fits the bill. Or maybe the adventures I had with each one. Just don’t judge me!

My first vehicle, and the one I learned to drive on, was a 1969 VW Bus.
(Me at aged 3 with our brand new Bus.)

My dad had customized it for camping and we used to sneak people into the drive-in inside the built-in storage box. The thing had no guts and the only time it ever went over 65 was down a hill. I kept threatening to turn it into a dune buggy.

Next was a 1974 Ford Pinto. Very thankful no one ever rear-ended me.
(My cat Tiger inside the Pinto!)

After that, my mom sold me her 1978 Honda CVCC.

(It was so awful, I don't even have a picture of it! Imagine this brown...)

It was brown for a reason! And no AC. At the time, I was living in Arkansas, and I about died without AC.

Then at aged 21, I purchased my first pickup - a 1986 Mazda B2000!

It was a year old when I got it and had over 40,000 miles on it already. But it ran like a dream and towed a large U-Haul across country. Twice. I loved that truck!

Next came the Chevy Z-24. Not by choice though. My boyfriend couldn’t afford the insurance so I drove the Z while he drove my pickup. It was an automatic, which was weird for me - I’d only driven stick shifts. But it was the first car I ever got over 100 mph!

Long story short, my truck was traded in for something else and not long after, I and said boyfriend parted ways. What I really wanted to do was part ways with that Z! Still pining after my Mazda, I purchased another pickup - a 1989 Toyota.

It was basic, but I didn’t care - it was my first new car and I signed for it all by myself. That truck and I went through a lot together - slid off an icy overpass, broken windshield and side window three times, someone tried to steal the (bald) tires (ABQ police said it was a gang initiation), I backed into a ditch (farmer had to pull me out with his tractor), and I burnt out the clutch. (Worst smell ever!)

After eleven years, I really needed a new vehicle. By then, I’d fallen in love with Dodge trucks and we test drove both a Ram and a Dakota. My husband thought the Ram was way too big for me, but it came down to price - I could get a basic model Ram or a fully loaded Dakota. Easy choice!

(I couldn't find photos, although I have many, but this is what she looked like.)

She had a Bose stereo, a spray-in bed liner, and every extra I could throw on her. And with a 6 cylinder, 3.7 liter engine, she was fast and powerful! I felt like I was driving a tank, too. It was also a gas guzzler, and since I was traveling a lot for book signings, I spent a lot on gas. Since this was before gas prices went out of control, I didn’t care. I loved my Dakota!

Four years later, gas prices started to rise over $2.00. The truck also needed some work, as unfortunately Dodge is not the most reliable. It was with tears I took her in for something new, but I knew it had to be done…

Enter the Mazda Tribute.

After my first Mazda, I knew I could trust it. They only had two on the lot that were stick shifts, and since Mazda was the only one willing to deal, I picked the maroon one. That vehicle proved to be a trooper. The day after I purchased it, I went to Virginia Beach for a weekend of book signings and day one I did two things you’re not supposed to do with a new vehicle - I went way over 70 mph and I had to slam on my brakes on the Interstate and dive off to the side to avoid rear-ending the line of cars stopped ahead of me. (Can you picture me doing that? LOL!) She also had no guts, but the way I drove, I pushed her to have some.

Seven years later, I was approaching 200,000 miles. Yes, I travel a lot for speaking and book events! The Tribute still ran great, but I knew soon the time would come when she’d fail me. After months of test driving (I was in no hurry) I found my next vehicle - a 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe.

It was also a maroon red and fully loaded with every custom feature you could imagine - heated seats, killer stereo, sunroof, etc. The only downside was it was an automatic, but I already knew I’d never find another SUV that was a stick shift. The best part - I’d planned for this purchase and paid cash for the first time ever!

She’s also like a tank and very comfortable to drive. It won’t go 0 to 60 in four seconds, but it has something I have dubbed “turbo.” It’s like the space shuttle taking off - not fast, but as it gains speed, it accelerates very rapidly. I’ll pass a car and look down to discover I am doing 90 mph! (So, if you’re driving in NC and a maroon-red Sante Fe blows your doors off, it’s me!)

Those were all of my vehicles. Any one of them could fit with a character in your story. Or one of my adventures. If your character needs to spin off an icy overpass, just ask - I can give you all the gory details!

32 comments:

shelly said...

I love my Jetta, but drove a mini van forever.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

randi lee said...

Cool look into your car history! You're now making me think back on mine!!

Rhonda Albom said...

I had the same curly hair in the 80s. I have had fewer cars. A Ford Mustang, A Toyota Corolla, A Toyota Celica, A Honda Accords, A Ford Explorer, A Volvo, and now a Toyota Corolla and a Honda Odessy (I guess I didn't have fewer cars after all.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I think I will pass on the Honda!

Jo said...

Hmm, glad I wasn't driving the day you came to Cape Carteret, sounds like you are heavy on the old gas pedal.

I always forget to take pictures of things, even when I have the camera with me which doesn't always happen. I don't have pix of any of the cars I have had in my lifetime.

Maurice Mitchell said...

A tour down memory lane. Oddly enough, I remember my crappy cars more than my good ones.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I had a number of small cars until I moved to the country. Without my SUVs I wouldn't have made it to work many days during the winter. We usually don't see a snow plow until hours after everyone else.

D.G. Hudson said...

We've been through a few cars, and the one hubs got the most tickets for was a Firebird, and his TR3 sports car.

Now we have a SUV, because we still need to cart things for our daughters on occasion. I like having the carrying capacity of a SUV.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Rhonda, it's a lot when you think about it. And yes, the days of the perm.

Jo, I wouldn't have run you off the road, I promise.

DG, I do, too. Lots of room. Would you believe my only two tickets were in that plain old Toyota truck?

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

You drive nice set of wheels today. I laughed at the '78 Honda Civic, because it's the car my sister drove. Then, I tried to drive it, but the clutch gave out on me (i.e., I'm not an excellent driver and won't try driving a stick ever again) at busy intersections. Now, I like my Prius.

xoRobyn

Tyrean Martinson said...

My characters in the Champion world don't have cars - it's pre-industrial and steam there, but some of them have ships. My MC doesn't own any kind of transportation, which when I realized that during the first draft, was where I had a choice . . .bring griffins into the story, or giant eagles, or horses . . .I went with intelligent griffins. There are horses around, and my MC knows how to ride, but never does in the storyline . . .

For my Captain Wrath series, he has his own themed space cruiser which undergoes some modifications as the story progresses so that it will still look like a space cruiser but have the firepower and engine of a space trader (they need guns to protect their cargo).

Unknown said...

I liked your trip down memory lane via your automobiles--very creative idea. This would make a great concept for a memoir.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Such a great and PERSONAL post, L. Diane... SO cool to learn about the MANY vehicles you had.

Funny.. I only had three... but then again I didn't get my driver's license until I was thirty... yes, you are reading right... LOL

J E Oneil said...

You better hope no traffic cops are reading this. They'll be keeping an eye out for you!

Stephen Tremp said...

Trucks ... what trucks? All I saw was the amazing hair throughout the years.

Thanks for letting us know you a little better.

klahanie said...

Hi Diane,

A history of your life so far with all the different vehicles. It does make for a fascinating trip down that memory lane.

Yes and how you can incorporate those different cars and pick up trucks into stories and characters.

I remember my very first car. A 1964 Plymouth Valiant, with push button automatic.

Have a good weekend and drive safely.

Gary

Ella said...

Hi L.Diane!
I loved reading all your history! I too love trucks~ If I see a red bullet blas by-I'll race ya! ;D

I'll be blasting off in a blue Honda Accord. I sure do miss my last car-it had a Turbo booster~

Yes, be safe!

Natalie Aguirre said...

I bet you almost died with no AC. My husband (then boyfriend) took me on a summer trip when we first met in Texas and Arkansas with no AC in the summer. I'm from Michigan and almost died.

Anonymous said...

I loved reading this. It made me think of all the cars I've driven.

I've always had small cars, but I wonder what it's like to have a truck, van, or SUV.

Arlee Bird said...

That's a lot of cars! I wish I had a photo of the first vehicle I owned--an old hippie-style van. Most of the cars I've owned have been vans. The only ones that weren't vans were a 1979 VW Rabbit and a 1989 Hyundai Sport Hatchback. I'm a van man!

I like this post theme. I think I'll use it on my memoir blog one week.

Lee
Wrote By Rote

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Robyn, driving a stick does take practice.

Tyrean, griffins was a good choice.

Michael, I put it off until I was out of graduation, but you really put it off!

Stephen, thank you!

Gary, push button back then? Impressive.

Ella, you're on!

Natalie, yes, I almost died.

Medeia, it's nice being able to see over the traffic.

Lee, please do.

Yolanda Renée said...

We still own a stick, bought my first car with one and they are the best. My favorite vehicle was my Jeep pickup, but learned to drive in a Dodge Charger, my boyfriends.

Our car also has windows that need to be rolled down the old fashioned way - hate electronics. But we love our car, too bad they don't make them anymore.

Great story, and yes good way to start a memoir.

Chancelet said...

Very interesting trip down your memory lane, and man! are you sure you should be driving?! I'd never heard of someone having so many incidents like that. :) But I'll see that high percentage as relative to the amount you drive. Be safe.

Makes me want to go down a car memory lane of my own!

Anonymous said...

A VW bus? Nice! I've had a Honda accord and a Toyota Tacoma so far... Hoping the truck keeps running for a nice long while.

Karen Lange said...

Fun vehicle history! Fun too, to learn about this part of your life. :)

J.L. Campbell said...

Diane,

You might not believe it, but those older vehicle are going strong here on this island. Rarely, I see a VW and some people still have Bugs. :) You're right, cars do tell a lot about people.

Thanks for signing up for the blog fest. I appreciate it.

M Pax said...

I've only ever owned 2 cars. In NYC I didn't have a car. I had my 1st for 16 years. Over 5 for #2 now. :) I learned to drive on a Chrysler Le Baron station wagon.

Carol Kilgore said...

Cool about all your cars. We've had all kinds, but the funnest to drive was a Smart Car. Or maybe the Camaro. Definitely wasn't the van :)

Tina said...

Oh, I loved this. I had NO idea you were a speed-demon truck girl! Great to get to know you better. I've only had three cars, all of them Volvos. This is a great idea for a post, and I think I will steal it...
Tina @ Life is Good

Misha Gerrick said...

So cool. So far I've only had two cars, but hopefully the third one will be new. :-)

Tara Tyler said...

loved that journey thru your car timeline. brought back memories! and my sis bought a black toyota truck gor her first wheels & still has it, 20 yrs later! lots of miles with stories for every one. great source of inspiration!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane .. takes me back through my own journey. However the American roads I can see benefit from the larger vehicles ... sounds like you know and love your cars ...

Travelling can be tiring, but is also a way to 'dream and create ideas' .. enjoy driving your maroon machine - sounds a great way to travel to your book shows and talking events ..

Cheers Hilary