In The Healing Season, Alicia the main female character, is an agronomist in the Dulili Ag Store. I wanted her to be working in agriculture but running a farm was a little unlikely because she was young. I could have had her managing a property after her parents' death, but I used that in another story, so shied away from it. I decided that she worked in the business of agriculture instead, as an Agronomist.
I haven't been an Agronomist, except for a short fill-in stint I did, but I've worked with them and have friends who are Agronomists. I knew the job, I knew what they did, and so I used it to create Alicia.
I didn't think of the impact that has on people reading the story.
I caught up with a friend who had read the book. She's an Agronomist and she was so thrilled that Alicia was one too. She told me parts of the story (like when Alicia is surveying the paddocks mentally doing a nutrition assessment of the pastures/crops) where she became excited because Alicia thought like she did.
The story took an extra dimension because it related to her on such a personal level. It reaffirmed her job/life/thoughts.
I hadn't considered that before. Or not as a writer. As a reader, I have had that thought but maybe I haven't verbalised it or thought it through.
It was amazing to be shown how powerful a seemingly innocuous choice can be to a reader.
I know there aren't going to be scores of people in the rural careers I choose for my characters, and some may find the choices odd, but if I can validate one person's career choice by including their job in a work of fiction, then I think that is wonderful.
I want to write to bring an awareness and understanding of agriculture to readers. I was a city girl who loved the country, and went to work in agriculture. I grew to love agriculture even with a very green background...and a huge array of stupidity and mistakes! I love being able to share that love.
So, to all the agronomists out there helping with the science of farming - my thanks!
I haven't been an Agronomist, except for a short fill-in stint I did, but I've worked with them and have friends who are Agronomists. I knew the job, I knew what they did, and so I used it to create Alicia.
I didn't think of the impact that has on people reading the story.
I caught up with a friend who had read the book. She's an Agronomist and she was so thrilled that Alicia was one too. She told me parts of the story (like when Alicia is surveying the paddocks mentally doing a nutrition assessment of the pastures/crops) where she became excited because Alicia thought like she did.
The story took an extra dimension because it related to her on such a personal level. It reaffirmed her job/life/thoughts.
I hadn't considered that before. Or not as a writer. As a reader, I have had that thought but maybe I haven't verbalised it or thought it through.
It was amazing to be shown how powerful a seemingly innocuous choice can be to a reader.
I know there aren't going to be scores of people in the rural careers I choose for my characters, and some may find the choices odd, but if I can validate one person's career choice by including their job in a work of fiction, then I think that is wonderful.
I want to write to bring an awareness and understanding of agriculture to readers. I was a city girl who loved the country, and went to work in agriculture. I grew to love agriculture even with a very green background...and a huge array of stupidity and mistakes! I love being able to share that love.
So, to all the agronomists out there helping with the science of farming - my thanks!
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