If you were reading... (Full Version)

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MasterFireMaam -> If you were reading... (1/14/2007 10:37:00 AM)

As most of you know, I'm writing a book. I'm being wishy-washy in my head about a formatting issue, so I finally thought that I would ask my intended audience what they would like to have/see. Here's the deal:

The book is in two sections. The first section speaks about my development process and reasons for each section of the manual. I have my commentary followed immediately by the relevant section of the manual. So, in essence, the manual is broken up into little pieces with the commentary included with each piece. In the second section, I have only the manual, uninterrupted, so that it's very easy to reference later. What all this means that the manual gets repeated twice in the book, presented in two different ways.

It's been suggested that I eliminate one of these because it seems that I'm 1) padding the book and 2) doing something unnecessary by presenting it both ways. However, the people who suggest this differ on which one to eliminate. So, I'd like to hear your opinions. Here's the options and reasoning behind them:

1) Keep it as it is, presenting the manual twice. I want to do this so that it seems like we are having a conversation (the book is very casual in voice). If we sat down and talked about the manual and how you can create your own, I'd take you through mine (because I know it and it's handy) and we'd talk about each section. Then, I'd hand you a copy to take home and reference later. So, having it both ways is kind of like doing that.
2) Eliminate the manual in the presentation. This means that the manual is in an appendix, uninterrupted. The reader would simply flip to the appropriate section to read it when reading the commentary.

3) Eliminate the manual in the appendix. If the reader wants to later go back and read just the manual piece, they can find it by looking at the table of contents and flip through the commentary.

What do you all think?

Master Fire



Celeste43 -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 10:38:44 AM)

#3 plus an index to find things. A table of contents won't take you to the exact page you're looking for.



mstrjx -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 10:43:36 AM)

I think I agree with Celeste.  If the chatty tone is working, then it will probably make for an easier read overall.

Jeff



sabis -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 10:44:02 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MasterFireMaam
3) Eliminate the manual in the appendix. If the reader wants to later go back and read just the manual piece, they can find it by looking at the table of contents and flip through the commentary.


I would recommend keeping it in a 'dialogue' style, and having the 'core manual' available as a e-book download on your publisher's website for a nominal fee, or something along those lines, perhaps...?
 
sabis
Owned by Cumulus



MzMia -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 10:57:40 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MasterFireMaam
2) Eliminate the manual in the presentation. This means that the manual is in an appendix, uninterrupted. The reader would simply flip to the appropriate section to read it when reading the commentary.
What do you all think?
Master Fire


This is my choice, I prefer the manual as an appendix, as more of a follow-up to the material.
I often seek clarification AFTER I get a chance to read material in advance.  Reading it as
an appendix along with the commentary would work for me.
Good luck!



MzMia -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 11:15:14 AM)

  Good luck on your book.



SmokingGun82 -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 11:23:34 AM)

I think I'd lean towards keeping it in the text and as an appendix. It's not really an uncommon way to present documents, and it makes everything easier.

Good luck whatever way you decide to go.



LuckyAlbatross -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 11:50:17 AM)

I like #2.



gooddogbenji -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 12:07:10 PM)

Why not do something entirely different?  Keep the first part, the dialogue.  Leave the manual there.  As the appendix, essentially paraphrase the whole thing, as a quick reference.  Either glossary or "encyclopedia" style, or even just re-write the most important parts in a different way.

If I didn't understand the first way you explained it, I might understand the second.

Not knowing what exactly you're writing, it's hard to explain it better (or even know if I'm making sense.  But that's the midmorning scotch.)

Good luck, but if the book is anything like your posts here, you don't need luck.

Yours,


benji



LadyMorgynn -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 12:50:06 PM)

Yes, keep this as is. One is explaining things in the manual and how it came to be; the other IS the manual, intact and without distracting references. Two separate and distinct entities. I like it just as you explain it here.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MasterFireMaam
The book is in two sections. The first section speaks about my development process and reasons for each section of the manual. I have my commentary followed immediately by the relevant section of the manual. So, in essence, the manual is broken up into little pieces with the commentary included with each piece. In the second section, I have only the manual, uninterrupted, so that it's very easy to reference later. What all this means that the manual gets repeated twice in the book, presented in two different ways.



gypsygrl -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 12:51:24 PM)

Definitely #2.



losttreasure -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 12:56:39 PM)

Personally, I loathe having to flip back and forth between a dialog and a reference piece.  My thought was similar to sabis' suggestion... keeping the first section intact, but having an electronic version of the source document provided on a CD contained in a pocket of the inside back cover.  That's always been a selling point for me in reference books that I purchase.



demistress -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 1:15:01 PM)

I like either leaving it in both places, of if that's not going to work, perhaps leaving it interspersed within the commentary, and then adding the ability to download or purchase the plain manual simply.  I would prefer the ability to access the full uninterrupted manual in electronic form anyway. (I know this because I am one of the people you did the great honor of sharing it with some months ago, for which I am continually grateful)



SimplyMichael -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 1:40:22 PM)

I have a feeling the comments are more important than the manual and would organize it as such.

However, just to be a pain in the ass, why can you not integrate the two?  I think peoples understanding of BDSM evolves along fairly similar paths and that if you described those paths as part of the manual it would help.

As an example, if I was writing something on humiliation, I would put in how important it is to bring someone back to being a "good girl" or whatever her "good" space is.  However, using some examples of why this is important and what happens when you don't would make that section clearer and stronger.

Anyway, I can't wait to read it, I want a signed limited edition copy!



onestandingstill -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 2:05:28 PM)





I think just like in the Story of O, to see it from more than one perspective would be a good thing personally.
Good Luck Master Fire Maam in your choice and in your book.
suzanne





beticat -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 3:11:00 PM)

I'm with losttreasure. It drives me nuts to flip pages to find a referenced section.
I would like the book as currently presented because I'm much more likely to reference a bound, printed book than a PC.  That having  been said ~ my second preference would be to keep the first section intact and have a download available.
I would likely download the e-book even if the bound book included the manual.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Cat



HollyS -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 5:10:50 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MasterFireMaam

As most of you know, I'm writing a book.


Yes and though I've not responded previously, may I add my congratulations to your well-earned pile.  What an accomplishment for you!

quote:



2) Eliminate the manual in the presentation. This means that the manual is in an appendix, uninterrupted. The reader would simply flip to the appropriate section to read it when reading the commentary.  


This is my preferred method of reading a reference book, especially one where your written personal revelations may influence which parts of the book I relate to.  I would treat the first part as a cover-to-cover reading, the second part as a "I need information" reference section.

It sounds great! Can't wait to read it when you're finished.

Best,

~Holly



mnottertail -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 5:23:10 PM)

well, to cheapen the overall production of the product (don't take the words the wrong way....LOL)

Wouldn't there be some value in linking the manual in downloadable format to a site for the second part, perhaps the publishers website with a promotion?  Then you could algorhythmically password protect it and  allow say two downloads for each password which would be affixed like a label inside the book?  books then shrinkrapped of course.

For the most part, you have less costs, a method that only buyers can access the downloadable format, to insure the purchase, and a nifty way for people to extend and revise the manual to their own liking....

The books thrust then being about the strategy for devising the rules and implications.

email me or announce it when I can get it in any case.

Ron

(or slip in a CD)



bandit25 -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 5:44:02 PM)

I'm with Michael.  MFM, your comments pretty much ARE the manual.  I mean, your posts here on CM are spot on (at least I think they are).  The CD in the back of the book is a pretty good idea.



DominaSmartass -> RE: If you were reading... (1/14/2007 9:41:01 PM)

I agree with anyone who said they hate flipping back and forth. Having commentary references something in the back that must be constantly turned to is BAD, BAD, BAD!!

I think the best idea so far has been to have a download or CD to make the manual customizable, if I am reading this correctly, the book is something that dominants would read and then use to build their own for their own purposes?

My other thought was to perhaps minimize the repetition by cutting out some of the direct exceprts from the manual that appear in the first part of the book so that less of the manual, verbatim, is duplicated. If you could put more commentary with less excepts, write more exposition on your topic with fewer examples (maybe rarely using a "see pg. xyz in the appendix" if there something you really MUST point to as an example) but for the most part, only use the direct manual quotes when you have to, then it including the entire thing in the back wouldn't seem like you were printing the same thing twice.

Either way, can't wait to read it as well.



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