developing and maintaining publicity became a constant job requiring more of his attention as his fame grew. keeping his alcohol addiction secret, maintaining the persona of a simple rural poet and a friendly common person became most important. riley identified these traits as the basis of his popularity during the mid-1880s and wrote of his need to maintain a fictional persona. he encouraged the stereotype by writing poetry he thought would help build his identity. he was aided by editorials he wrote and submitted to the "indianapolis journal" offering observations on events from his perspective as a "humble rural poet". he changed his appearance to look more mainstream, and began by shaving his mustache off and abandoning the flamboyant dress he employed in his early circuit tours.