Articles on turning skill development are desirable....
Rob, I just looked at your turning website, very impressive. So, I have to conclude you aren't a beginner and its understandable your feelings concerning beginner articles in AAW's Journal.
You are correct - I have been turning for over 14 years, and for the past few have been selling my work at several local galleries. I guess I am not a beginner, but I do teach beginners through our turning group, so I am familiar with the needs of intermediate and advanced turners, as well as those just staring out. I also do several public demonstrations each year, and explain the very basics to complete newcomers who express an interest in turning. Knowing what questions beginners ask, and being a teacher (both in my 'day job' and as a turning instructor) gives me a pretty good perspective about the learning needs of beginners and interests of more advanced turners...
One could conclude from your post that you would prefer/direct beginners to subscribe to WD for articles of interest while accomplished turners should concentrate/cultivate there interests with AAW's Journal. You are probably right, can't really disagree, if I understand what you are saying. However, remember that the Newbie member of AAW is probably just that, a Newbie.
If you read closely, I said I would like to see a
balance between articles for beginners and those targeted for more advanced/professional turners to appear in
AW. If you compare turning publications, the "beginner article density" is probably highest in
WD, and thus it would be the publication of choice to recommend to beginners. That does not mean that I disapprove of beginners articles in
AW, nor does it necessarily mean that beginners should not look at
AW. I guess my point is that I would like to see a few beginners articles in
AW occasionally (see below), but not to the level where it dilutes the other necessary unique functions of the AAW's journal.
Were I the editor of
AW, I would be soliciting beginners articles that focus on
turning skill development as the major focus of the articles. These would be useful to EVERYONE, beginner or advanced turner alike. In general, the articles in
WD are what I call "project-based" and are fine to get beginners accomplishing things at the lathe. In contrast, I would like to see articles published in
AW which emphasize not just HOW to use tools and techniques, but also WHY these specific tools and techniques are used. Probably because I'm trained as a scientist, it is important to me to understand the 'why' and the reasons behind using the tool in a certain way (I suppose that's why I developed a demonstration on "The Geometry of Woodturning") - I'm a big fan of Mike Darlow and his books, since he is, perhaps, one of the best 'explainers' of the "why" of woodturning techniques. I recommend his books to beginners with a "technical" background or interest in the "why" aspects.
I consider a well-written skill development article as one that can be photocopied, handed out, and used in a beginners class on a particular tool or technique (...that's the college professor in me coming out...) - This is not unlike some previous articles written by Alan Lacer, Mike Darlow, and some others. Unfortunately, articles such as this are not very common.
One consideration about beginners articles about turning techniques is that writing such articles is difficult, particularly when it is easier (...and maybe even better?) to SHOW how the technique is done with a video instead of using printed words. I also agree with John Lucas that it might be easier and more efficient to discuss techniques, etc. interactively on forums such as this, than it would be to write and publish an article in a major journal.
Interesting thread.....
Rob Wallace