Thoughts on book writing

   Off and on, for the last two years, I have been working on a book for publication on Amazon's CreateSpace print-on-demand publishing venue.  
   In August of 2008 I put a PDF of a working draft for a book entitled "How to Inspect Your Own Home" up on a site called MyeBook. Somewhat to my surprise, over a six-month period,it got over 86,000 views! Wow, I guess there really is an interest in this subject matter. 
   That first effort, much like the several blogs I have here on Blogger.com, Posterous, Wordpress and ActiveRain was just for fun and to help hone my writing skills. It occurred to me that with that much interest, this should be an idea to be reconsidered and expanded upon. I began looking online for publishing options that would be suitable for my needs. As it turned out there are several self-publishing solutions available to a budding author. Of the several I looked at, the program offered by Amazon.com called CreateSpace print on demand seem to be the most workable for me.
   I pulled the book off the free site and began working on it in earnest. Boy! I had absolutely no idea of what I was letting myself in for. Up till this point, I considered myself a somewhat decent writer.  At least I had a decent grasp of the English language, basic grammar and sentence construction.  Where I fell short was in the mechanics of actually crafting a written document longer than a page or two that would be acceptable to the publisher and hopefully to the public. Writing a book is a whole lot different than blogging or writing short articles. There are entire manuals written about the mechanics of doing this type of thing.

Time to go back to "school".

   I soon found that I really needed to become a student of the writing process. Thanks to the resource pages from CreateSpace, Lulu.com and others, I soon amassed a decent collection of writing guides, style sheets, and Word templates as tools to use in this endeavor.  The core material of the book was already there, much of it in my head as a result of many years in the construction trades and as a professional home inspector. Putting all of this information into a readable form was a huge challenge.

   At first, as I usually do, I just sketched out a rough outline of what I wanted to say and began writing. Essentially, I jumped into the middle and tried to do everything all at one time. Writing the content, formatting it on the fly, pagination, chapter numbers, footnotes, and all the other mechanics of actually writing a book.  I quickly discovered that this is NOT how you write a book. At least not how the professionals do it. Back to square one. 

   I have been essentially a "casual user" of Microsoft Word for many years. I've used it to write reports, short articles, personal and business letters and other simple documents since before Word 2000. Prior to that, I had been using Word Perfect. Using these word processing programs in this fashion was akin to using a limousine to run into town for beer. Part of my learning process involved learning how to use Word 2003 properly and use all of its multitude of styles, formatting and version control that were available to make your job a bit easier and to produce professional quality documents.  So now, not only was I learning how to build a house, I was learning how to use the tools to do so at the very same time. Not the most ideal way to go about it.

   What I learned is that if you know how to use the tools available and follow a sequence, it is actually pretty easy to write a book. The proper sequence of operation made a huge difference in the amount of work I had to do. After literally redoing the entire 180+ pages several times, I figured there must be a better way.  There was, and I discovered it by using the resources mentioned above.  I must give credit where credit is due.  One of the most useful resources I found was a publication called "Build Your Book" by Waltron Mendelson.  This wonderful free guide was an invaluable resource that really helped me sort out some of the more arcane details of creating a professional quality book suitable for publication.  It explained some of the publishing jargon that I was running into so that I could actually do what was expected. Terms like "verso" (the left-hand page), "recto" (the right-hand page), "folio" ( the page numbers), "front matter and back matter" ( the printed information in the front and the rear of the book that is not actually "content").  There was also an extensive section on typography which is the selection of the correct font and typeface size as well as line spacing, justification and kerning (the spacing between letters) required to make your book readable.

unformatted text from one of your master files. Bingo! If you did it right, everything looks beautiful. Now go back and insert any graphics that you want to include. After all that is done, you can then work on pagination and section breaks to fine-tune everything. It's all about the sequence.

   Looking back, now that I'm done, I'm glad I took the time to learn this very useful information. Should I decide to write another book, it will go a lot smoother than my first attempt I'm sure.

Are embedded roll-over's bugging you?

(Minor Rant)

I must disclose that decisions about making use of various web-based promotional activities is a big part of what I do everyday.  Both for my own businesses, and for those of friends and clients that I advise, I must weigh the ethics versus the ROI, often short-term, against employing many things that are offered these days.

Shameless plug: Another Blog of Mine

I decided to look at the situation through the lens of a regular user and consumer of  Internet content rather than through the lens of a business owner trying to use the “best” tools available.  Who’s definition of "Best” do you adhere to?

<rant>

I have been noticing an increasing trend lately. After having had my attention gotten by persistent pop-up roll-over hot link, embedded in a browser page I was viewing , I began to think about how intrusive they were becoming.  These little interruptions have started to  become annoying.

It is the "persistent” part that finally pushed me over the edge.  Each day I spend a lot of time on the computer for various reasons, both business and personal.  The majority of that time is spent "Web connected” since a majority of services have moved to the “Cloud”. 

In the past, prior to all of this web connected goodness, the links that were embedded in web pages were active, but only popped up a momentary small window offering to link out to that site.  These links are generated by a search algorithm that is run against each viewed webpage.  When a keyword that has been preselected from a list is recognized, the directed and targeted link connected to that paid for keyword  will be offered as a first choice when that keyword is rolled over by the mouse cursor. 

Now, that many spend the majority of their work and leisure time in the Cloud and Web connected whether they want to or not, they have become persistent. They no longer just pop up and go away after a few seconds.  They are no longer, to varying degrees a polite and gentle nudge.  Now they are that “in-your-face” pop-up search results, right in the middle of what one was reading and requiring an active click to dismiss, interruption to my train of thought has become intrusive. So much so that it now often causes me to click off and close the page and go elsewhere. I suppose it really depends on how badly I want to view the content containing these types of links.  If I decide the content is not worth the intrusion  I am required to deal with , You Lose! 

You may not be directly involved in using these tools.  It might be something your webmaster is doing or something that the company you are paying to promote your business on the Web is doing.  In any case, as an ethical business person, it bears looking into.  No matter who's generating these pop-ups, ultimately, it's your call whether this is a boundary you choose to cross in your promotional activities.

In my humble opinion, some have stepped over the line.  I began to seriously question my personal ROI for using that particular browser or visiting YOUR website. I understand the need to "monetize” content. I’m involved in doing so myself, as mentioned above.  “How far should you go?” is the million dollar question. 

</rant>

I must admit that I fall into the camp that believes that ethics are a consideration. I do not agree with those that follow the "Anything goes-buyer beware” philosophy. Doing so is not ethical in my opinion.

Technorati Tags: web,internet,promotion,tools,ethics,ethical use,business,business owner

Is “Big Brother” getting even closer?

  In George Orwell's movie, 1984, released in December of 1984, they painted a very dismal picture of dystopian England in the year 1984 A D.
   The main premise of the movie was that the government, known as "Big Brother" monitored everything the citizens did via "Telescreens” that were essentially two-way TV monitors that watch you while you were watching it.  Nothing could be hidden from Big Brother.  (Trivia note: This movie also coined, the term "black helicopters".)
    I just finished reading the article called 5 Trends That Will Shape Social Media (http://linkd.in/aftDVU)  highlighting some key trends in social media such as Geolocation targeting, RFID tagging of devices and objects and how social networking will redefine how organizations communicate.
   My current "smart phone", a Motorola Droid, has a feature that I can turn on called "Locations" that, through the use of the built in GPS on the phone, will spot where I am currently located and provide some detailed information about businesses and people nearby.  Great idea, if you're a business that wants to promote their offerings or if you just can't stand to be out of touch with anybody for more than five minutes.  Can you say, "privacy concerns"?
   Here are a few of the predictions from this article:

• Identity will become embedded in devices.  Our social media identities such as Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin etc. will be entered as part of the initial process of setting up the device.
• Online sharing will become embedded in media life.  With social identity embedded into the devices we use daily, social sharing will become an integral part of the way we enjoyed media on our regular TVs, DVD players and music players.
• "Location" will be embedded into all activities.  Location aware devices will employee, pre-emptive use of location to alert the user of things or people nearby that may be of interest.
• "Smart devices" and web applications will automatically check in and post updates.  Identity aware devices, empowered by embeddable RFID tags, will allow this type of technology to spread beyond the mobile phone.
• Social networking will redefine how large organizations communicate.

   As an advocate and user of emerging technologies, I am not overly concerned about these trends.  I do think it is incumbent on anyone using these technologies to be fully aware of all the ramifications.  One needs to learn how to use them, and more importantly, know how and when to turn them off to protect their privacy.  As long as there is an "opt out" provision built into the device, I don't have a problem with it.  I can choose to use or not use the capabilities at my own discretion.

Technorati Tags: social media,geolocation,RFID,privacy,Facebook,Twitter,smart phone

   
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Avatar? I was disappointed!

Being at loose ends this weekend,with Kathy and two of the dogs off to Palm Springs for a dog show, I decided to go and see Avatar to see what all the fuss was about. Wow! $300 million budget, huge blockbuster, made its money back in the first couple of weekends. What could go wrong? Actually plenty.

My wife, Kathy is not into sci-fi movies so I figured this was a good chance for me to go and see this by myself. I thought I would try to get the best experience possible since this was supposed to be very high-tech and in 3-D! I opted for the IMAX at Universal City Walk. I thought I was going to see it on a big screen in 3-D. Didn’t happen!

Although there is a huge sign on the marquee touting the huge screen experience of IMAX, I ended up in one of the little “pocket theaters” that all these "multi-plex theaters seem to have these days. It wasn’t even in one of their bigger venues! I suppose I should’ve been a little more careful in my choice and I might’ve avoided this little mistake. Oh well, I’m here, I spent my money so I might as well move forward and actually see this movie.

My first plan of attack was to park in the free Metro Red Line lot at the bottom of the hill and use the free shuttle up to city walk. Whoops! The shuttle stops running at 7 PM and I was there at 8:30 PM. Plan B. I walk the quarter mile back to my car and drove up the hill paid $10 to park in the parking structure closest to the IMAX theater. One nice thing is that they give you five dollars back at the box office when you give them your parking ticket. Okay cool, five dollars for parking, while not free, was not all that bad.

This was a Friday night and with all the buzz I was afraid there would be lines and even the possibility of a sellout. I guess the buzz died down now a couple weeks after the opening and the crowds have moved on to the “next newest thing” because there was nobody waiting in line. Actually, I was a bit amazed that on a very nice evening, CityWalk was not very crowded. I parked close rode the escalator up and walked about 100 feet to the theater entrance. I grabbed the ticket from the ATM type machines in front rather than wait in the short box office line., I went inside got my five dollars back and realized there were no crowds and I was an hour early. Luckily I had brought my new MotoDroid phone along and was able to listen to a podcast while I waited.

The disappointment began with my walk into the actual theater space. It was one of the smaller “pocket theaters” that would seat may be 500 people. Not exactly the ideal scenario to view this very hyped movie that was was to be all about the cinematography, special effects and 3-D. I quickly found a seat near the middle of the only partially filled theater. It was maybe one third full at the most. Hardly the crowd I was expecting. After sitting through 15 minutes of miscellaneous BS, ads and at least five or six trailers, the movie finally started.

I can sum this movie up in a few words; All Sizzle, No steak!


All in all, I was ultimately disappointed in the experience. The movie was just “okay”in my opinion. The cinematography, special effects and the fabulous world of “Pandora” that Cameron created were pretty cool. The storyline, on the other hand, was pretty “formula” and the acting was mediocre. I was not impressed at all. In truth, I suppose if I’d wanted to be intellectually stimulated I wouldn’t have chosen this type of movie in the first place. It did provide the visual experience I was looking for, just not as much as I had hoped. Actually, the “vortex” and the floating mountain islands were a direct ripoff of something that’s been in World of Warcraft for a long time. Cool to look at and woven into the story line pretty well, but the ripoff aspect, for me at least, kept getting in the way. It appears most of the $300 million budget was blown on the CGI and special effects, not on developing an engaging storyline and good acting.

Personally, my experience of movies is holding true. If the critics rave about it, it is usually pretty lame. If, on the other hand they slam it, I usually find that I enjoy it. Just my perverse nature I guess!

So in the end, my call is to not go out of your way to see this movie or make a big deal of it. It is worth seeing for the special effects in the amazing world of Pandora, and the 10 foot tall blue aliens were sort of cool too. The head of operations dude was the typical corporate asshole and the head of the security detail (all paid mercenaries) was the usual Gung Ho "Urah" ex-military Gunny Sergeant type that was a real hard case. I guess in order to make the storyline work, any movie needs to have an antagonist and protagonist and the resulting conflict or you got no movie or plot.

Although my visual experience may have been better had actually seen it on a really big screen and in 3-D, it ultimately does not change my evaluation of this movie. All sizzle, No steak.
Till next time……

BuzzNet Tags: Avatar,sci-fi,movies,review