A little update from me, and a request for help! (Repost for the evening guys)

"Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)" (thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 17:40 • Filed to: DRIVING SPIRIT, SKODA, VRS

Good morning guys, today I won't be posting one of my 'Best of Europe' episodes as I have some news to share with you and I also wanted to ask some of you authors for a little advice.

So as some of you may know I've been wanting to become a writer since I had my moment of realisation when I unfortunately hurt my back. Well, I've been working very hard and posted many pieces here on Opposite Lock, even getting Henry Catchpole of Evo Magazine to come on here and take part in one of my more, shall we say, controversial articles!

Well, I'm now a writer for drivingspirit.com, and my first article on my own Skoda Octavia vRS has just been published there. I'd really be very greatful if you could all go and have a look, and check out the website in general. Share it, leave a comment, do whatever you feel like doing to help me get my name out there and make an impact! Here it is...

http://drivingspirit.com/skoda-octavia-…

Of course, this won't change anything in the slightest with regards to my postings here on Opposite Lock because I really enjoy posting here and interacting with you guys and I believe this blog has a bright future and I shall be pitching just that to PR people I come across. IF I come across any.

Now to ask for your advice... I've been asked to write a small biography in the third person for my new profile on drivingspirit.com. Has anybody done one of these before? I'm not too sure how I should go about it? Condensing my car history into a small paragraph about myself sounds hard and in the third person sounds rather strange. What would you guys write about me? How would you go about writing your own biography?

As always, thank you for your support and comments, and I really hope you enjoy my article over on Driving Spirit! Let me know what you think!

DISCUSSION (42)

gt6xxer > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 07:22

I haven't lusted after a Skoda since the 1999 WRC. I like this Octavia!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > gt6xxer
03/12/2014 at 07:23

Thank you very much! Have you checked out my full review? I think you'll like it! The car in the picture here is my own personal car. I took this picture on the day I went to pick it up. I like it a lot too! It's a sexy Skoda!

gt6xxer > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 07:25

Well, honestly, I scan for numbers when I read car articles mostly. But I'm reading the full bit right now. Well done.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > gt6xxer
03/12/2014 at 07:33

That's understandable, thank you for making an exception for me, I hope it's worth the time and effort!

cbell04 > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 07:38

Wow bang for your buck! Will drop a comment a little later on your page but having troubles recalling my password:)
And congrats on living your dream

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > cbell04
03/12/2014 at 07:40

Thank you very much! I really hope you enjoyed the article and the car is fantastic. Let me know if there is anything you'd like to see featured on this car on Oppo, I'd only be too glad to do more on it!

Tom McParland > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 07:57

Congrats! I liked the article and submitted a comment

The Dummy Gummy > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 08:09

Congrats on the new gig. Have you tried reading the other authors bios to get a feel for how they present themselves? I don't have really any other advise other than make it light hearted so people can connect more easily with you.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 08:10

Thanks very much Tom! I really appreciate that! Any suggestions as always are most welcome from you guys here in the community. I especially need your help with the biography thing, I'm not sure what to write with that.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > The Dummy Gummy
03/12/2014 at 08:13

Yes I've had a little read of a few, I definitely think lighthearted is the way to go... It's just very strange talking about myself in this way!

Thank you for the congrats! I hope you liked the article!

Tom McParland > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 08:38

Hmmm the Bio thing...here is a trick I tell my students when they are stuck. It is called 4 minute fast details...open up your word processor and type for 4 minutes straight, do not stop, do not fix, do not even worry about staying on topic, you just gotta keep typing for 4 minutes about your life and cars. At the end of that 4 minutes you will have a mess...but in that mess will be some good stuff to pull out in terms of your bio.

philipilihp > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 08:40

Ask Doug for some help. He seems to be really good at writing about himself in the third person!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 08:45

Oh wow! Ok, this sounds really good actually. Nice approach. The idea is getting the information out and then filtering the ideas afterwards I assume? Instead of it all being stuck flying around your head?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > philipilihp
03/12/2014 at 08:46

DeMuro? How do I contact him? Just go over to his Jalopnik page and post a reply? Do you think he would he have time to speak to me?

Tom McParland > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 08:48

That is exactly the idea, you can stare at that page/screen for hours and not get anything done. Just get it down on paper and work with what you have...kind of a "when in doubt, flat-out" approach. :)

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 08:51

That's a really fresh idea, I like that a lot. I'm going to give that a go. I don't think it's helping much my medication for my back injury seems to be affecting me a little more than usual today. Ugh!

Tom McParland > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 08:52

In addition to being a car-buying consultant I am also a HS English teacher, so I have learned some writing tricks a long the way. Best of luck to you.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 08:56

I need to come and get more tips and tricks from you then! With regards to my writing do you feel there is anything I need to work on or change?

philipilihp > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 09:00

He seems pretty good about replying to people on comments on his articles. His email might even be in his bio. Otherwise there's always twitter!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > philipilihp
03/12/2014 at 09:04

I'm avoiding twitter for now as there is a rather important person now following me who I don't want to look like a total amateur in front of! I'll have a go at posting on his article, I've had a look for an e-mail and haven't found much luck so I'll give that a go! Thanks for the tip!

I hope you liked my piece on the Skoda too!

Tom McParland > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 09:06

Not really I think your article is pretty solid.

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 09:08

Cool! Thank you! I'll just keep working on my own style and method then and see where it takes me, I'm sure that if I ever need developing on any particular areas you guys will help me.

Tom McParland > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 09:10

Really it just takes time and practice to get your own thing going. Oppo is a great place to try stuff out because of how supportive the community is.

philipilihp > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 09:12

It was good! Left you a comment there, too. Looking forward to more!

Grindintosecond > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 09:12

Listen to any interviews of american egotistical big money basketball players. That should be good info. "LaTrell showed then! LaTrell likes the court press. LaTrell hopes the coach knows to put LaTrell in!"

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 09:32

Yes the old adage of 'practice makes perfect' couldn't be more true. It goes for everything in life. Thankfully with my damaged back I have plenty of spare time on my hands (when not being beaten by physios) to write as much as possible and chase my dreams.

The community here have been great so far, and I'm really suprised at how they've taken to my articles. I'm glad that some random bloke rambling from his house in rural coastal England can impress you guys all over the world. Especially the USA!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > philipilihp
03/12/2014 at 09:37

Oh thank you! I just started joining in too, so if you have any questions feel free to ask me!

gabdere > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 13:22

Dude, I love your car! Whats the colour? White? Grey-ish?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > gabdere
03/12/2014 at 17:39

Thank you!! It's called 'Meteor Grey' it's a £200 option colour on the new vRS. Rumour has it that it is actually a rejected Audi R8 colour, but how true that is I don't know. With the colour I spec'd the black design pack, which means black touches on the wing mirrors and grill I believe, and sunset glass on the back windows.

Interior I had a choice of black and grey or black and red. I think black and red was the right choice. I love it. Let me know if there is anything else you'd like to know about the car!

ddavidn > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 18:15

Ugh. It just now occurred to me that I should've slipped you a twenty to help my brother in English, instead of frying both of our brains...

D'oh.

Do you offer those sort of tips to just Oppo writers, or also lurkers...

Tom McParland > ddavidn
03/12/2014 at 18:22

I'll help out whoever I can if I have the time.

ddavidn > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 18:36

I'll ping you next time he's as stuck as he was at the beginning of this quarter. He has one of those "I'm going to prepare you for the real world by pretending I'm a professor at a real college and you've already taken college English" teachers...

Your boy, BJR > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 18:40

SKODA!!!! SKODASKODASKODA!!!!! SKOOOOOOODAAAAA!!!!

(I would like a Skoda)

Tom McParland > ddavidn
03/12/2014 at 18:40

I hate those types of teachers...lay off the power trip bro. I don't always get along with all of my colleagues, that is why I hang with the Science and Math folks.

ddavidn > Tom McParland
03/12/2014 at 18:45

Yeah, it pains me to see him make my brother hate English, because I loved my classes despite the mediocre teachers involved. Neither of us has a natural hatred of essays or writing or grammar. In fact, I love those things. Hopefully he realizes that one bad teacher does not a bad subject make.

gabdere > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 18:59

I actually have no idea what this car is... Is it a rebadged Passat?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > Your boy, BJR
03/12/2014 at 19:31

Haha! Hey what do you think of it? Do you like it? Any sharing/tweeting etc is greatly appreciated!

What did you think of my review and do you have any tips for my biography?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > gabdere
03/12/2014 at 19:33

Good question, it's a Golf. But has a lot more space. What this car has underneath it is a Mk.7 Golf GTI's mechanicals, just in a different (and I think slightly better looking/cooler) body.

All the stats and figures can be found at the bottom of my review on Driving Spirit. What did you think of my review? Was it alright? Is there anything you'd like to know in particular about the car?

gabdere > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 20:12

Yes, your review is good perhaps a bit too much in favour of the car but after all its yours! I can't believe you dont have cruise control!! And i'm not sure about the side of the car and I definitely think the rear wiper doesn't belong there. But the front and rear is really good looking!

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > gabdere
03/12/2014 at 20:30

Haha! Yes that is true I may be a little biased towards by baby! But she is a very good car. Thank you for the feedback it's very helpful. I plan on doing more as soon as I can and as always I'll be involving you guys here on Opposite Lock.

WhatDaFunk > Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge)
03/12/2014 at 22:32

Nice write up, and congrats on the car! Just curious, we're there any other cars you cross shopped, and if so how did they stack up?

Jonny Edge (@thejonnyedge) > WhatDaFunk
03/13/2014 at 06:18

Thanks! Well, with this car I didn't cross shop. The opportunity came to purchase it after I was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed , where I saw the Octavia vRS unveiled for the first time. Already owning a Skoda ( My Fabia vRS ) I thought that there might be an opportunity for me to be upgraded and there was, but only just.

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