If you were reading...

Collarspace Discussion Forums

Home Login Search

If you were reading...

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> General BDSM Discussion >> If you were reading...

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Login

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

If you were reading... - 1/14/2007 10:37:00 AM

MasterFireMaam

Posts: 5587
Joined: 3/1/2006
From: Charleston, WV
Status: offline

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

< Message edited by MasterFireMaam -- 1/14/2007 10:38:24 AM >

_____________________________

The power of who we are can be intoxicating. The power of who we could be is humbling.
-----
Ms Relationship Books
-----
BDSM How-To Books

Post #: 1

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

Celeste43

Posts: 3066
Joined: 2/4/2006
From: NYS
Status: offline

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

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 2

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

mstrjx

Posts: 2045
Joined: 11/27/2005
Status: offline

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

Jeff

_____________________________

Know thyself. It's the best gift you can ever give yourself.

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 3

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

sabis

Posts: 136
Joined: 6/29/2005
From: Midwest, USA
Status: offline

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

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 4

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

MzMia

Posts: 5333
Joined: 7/30/2004
Status: offline

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!

_____________________________

Namaste'
To Each His/Her Own
"DENIAL ain't just a river in Egypt." Mark Twain

What's your favorite fetish?
"My partner's whisper"--bloomswell

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 5

RE: If you were reading... - 1/14/2007 11:15:14 AM

MzMia

Posts: 5333
Joined: 7/30/2004
Status: offline

Good luck on your book.

< Message edited by MzMia -- 1/14/2007 11:16:23 AM >

_____________________________

Namaste'
To Each His/Her Own
"DENIAL ain't just a river in Egypt." Mark Twain

What's your favorite fetish?
"My partner's whisper"--bloomswell

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 6

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

SmokingGun82

Posts: 575
Joined: 6/19/2004
Status: offline

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.

_____________________________

It frightens me, the awful truth of how sweet life can be.
- Bob Dylan

Proper capitalization is the difference between "I had to help my Uncle Jack off a horse" and "I had to help my uncle jack off a horse."

(in reply to MzMia)

Post #: 7

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

LuckyAlbatross

Posts: 19224
Joined: 10/25/2005
Status: offline

I like #2.

_____________________________

Find stable partners, not a stable of partners.

"Sometimes my whore logic gets all fuzzy"- Californication

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 8

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

gooddogbenji

Posts: 5094
Joined: 11/15/2005
From: Toronto
Status: offline

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

_____________________________

Prevent global warming. Stop burning patchouli.

(in reply to LuckyAlbatross)

Post #: 9

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

LadyMorgynn

Posts: 800
Joined: 11/25/2005
From: N. Carolina
Status: offline

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.

_____________________________

---
Lady Morgynn
www.farhorizons.net/LadyMorgynn

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 10

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

gypsygrl

Posts: 1471
Joined: 10/8/2005
From: new york state
Status: offline

Definitely #2.

(in reply to gooddogbenji)

Post #: 11

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

losttreasure

Posts: 875
Joined: 12/17/2005
Status: offline

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.

< Message edited by losttreasure -- 1/14/2007 1:36:25 PM >

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 12

RE: If you were reading... - 1/14/2007 1:15:01 PM

demistress

Posts: 391
Joined: 4/24/2006
From: Dela-where?
Status: offline

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)

_____________________________

Mistress Heather
www.niteflirt.com/MizzSpice

Wether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right!

(in reply to gypsygrl)

Post #: 13

RE: If you were reading... - 1/14/2007 1:40:22 PM

SimplyMichael

Posts: 7229
Joined: 1/7/2007
Status: offline

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!

(in reply to demistress)

Post #: 14

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

onestandingstill

Posts: 1335
Joined: 8/3/2006
Status: offline

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

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 15

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

beticat

Posts: 30
Joined: 12/9/2006
Status: offline

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

_____________________________

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need
-Rolling Stones

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 16

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

HollyS

Posts: 230
Joined: 1/5/2006
Status: offline

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

_____________________________

I wish my lawn were emo, so it would cut itself.

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 17

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

mnottertail

Posts: 60698
Joined: 11/3/2004
Status: offline

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)

< Message edited by mnottertail -- 1/14/2007 5:29:33 PM >

_____________________________

Have they not divided the prey; to every man a damsel or two? Judges 5:30

(in reply to MasterFireMaam)

Post #: 18

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

bandit25

Posts: 3029
Joined: 6/18/2005
Status: offline

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.

(in reply to SimplyMichael)

Post #: 19

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

DominaSmartass

Posts: 961
Joined: 1/12/2006
From: This month? Maryland
Status: offline

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.

(in reply to bandit25)

Post #: 20

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

All Forums >> [Community Discussions] >> General BDSM Discussion >> If you were reading...

Page: [1] 2 next > >>

Jump to:

New Messages	No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages	Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages	Locked w/o New Messages

Post New Thread

Reply to Message

Post New Poll

Submit Vote

Delete My Own Post

Delete My Own Thread

Rate Posts

Collarchat.com © 2025

Terms of Service

0.203