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alexjames4u · 08-27-2017, 07:29 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. No, I’d never written a book before. But I have to repeat that this account wasn’t conceived as a book.

I’ll paste a segment of the intro again: Of the two main versions of this work, the original was more like how this one is now (perhaps even better) with the second version for the police actually summarizing the story at the outset and expanding from there, to facilitate those who had no time to read the full story. But when this police-draft was expanded much further and made into my first actual offering as a book, it was greeted with several criticisms mainly from one critic at a book-discussion forum…

It might not display all the characteristics and subtle nuances of even an OK novel and may seem even crude, in comparison. I’d even previously alluded to once referring to it as the likes of Frankenstein’s monster, in regard to the way disparate segments from disparate times, spread out over more than two years, are put together to relate the story. But it was never meant to be even an OK novel. I’ve taken great pains to make that clear in the intro and here – please refer to that intro again, or to one or two of my past posts.

Having identified it for what it is (something which started out as a sow’s ear and can never be turned into a silk purse - another point I made here) I’d not have expected it to be judged by the standards of a silk purse, but along the lines of converted sows’ ears.

It’s an account of a real-life experience which several who read it found interesting, intriguing, and even astonishing. And though those who expressed those opinions were not seasoned book-critics and reviewers, every one of them felt that the story was too interesting and full of lessons about neighbors from hell for it not to be shared (perhaps with ordinary people like them, as against book-critics).

It is what it is, and as described in the intro. Perhaps if I ever set out to write a ‘book,’ I’ll make sure to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts, and hire proof-readers and editors, and the like. I just never considered that for something I’m simply putting out there for anyone interested, and which may never sell enough to pay for an ed.., let alone an editor or a really competent proof-reader.

And regarding the latter, using just anyone to proof-read won’t do. For example; everyone who read this account thinks it’s great, as mentioned. But then, they’re just normal, everyday, ordinary people, such as those who’d probably be interested in such real-life accounts - and a few police officers too – no seasoned book-critics, unfortunately.

Many thanks for your input. And I’ll heed your advice if I ever decide to really set out to write a bone-fide book.

All the best.

08-27-2017, 07:29 PM	#20
alexjames4u Member Posts: 20 Karma: 377234 Join Date: Aug 2017 Device: none	Thanks for the suggestions. No, I’d never written a book before. But I have to repeat that this account wasn’t conceived as a book. I’ll paste a segment of the intro again: Of the two main versions of this work, the original was more like how this one is now (perhaps even better) with the second version for the police actually summarizing the story at the outset and expanding from there, to facilitate those who had no time to read the full story. But when this police-draft was expanded much further and made into my first actual offering as a book, it was greeted with several criticisms mainly from one critic at a book-discussion forum… It might not display all the characteristics and subtle nuances of even an OK novel and may seem even crude, in comparison. I’d even previously alluded to once referring to it as the likes of Frankenstein’s monster, in regard to the way disparate segments from disparate times, spread out over more than two years, are put together to relate the story. But it was never meant to be even an OK novel. I’ve taken great pains to make that clear in the intro and here – please refer to that intro again, or to one or two of my past posts. Having identified it for what it is (something which started out as a sow’s ear and can never be turned into a silk purse - another point I made here) I’d not have expected it to be judged by the standards of a silk purse, but along the lines of converted sows’ ears. It’s an account of a real-life experience which several who read it found interesting, intriguing, and even astonishing. And though those who expressed those opinions were not seasoned book-critics and reviewers, every one of them felt that the story was too interesting and full of lessons about neighbors from hell for it not to be shared (perhaps with ordinary people like them, as against book-critics). It is what it is, and as described in the intro. Perhaps if I ever set out to write a ‘book,’ I’ll make sure to dot all the Is and cross all the Ts, and hire proof-readers and editors, and the like. I just never considered that for something I’m simply putting out there for anyone interested, and which may never sell enough to pay for an ed.., let alone an editor or a really competent proof-reader. And regarding the latter, using just anyone to proof-read won’t do. For example; everyone who read this account thinks it’s great, as mentioned. But then, they’re just normal, everyday, ordinary people, such as those who’d probably be interested in such real-life accounts - and a few police officers too – no seasoned book-critics, unfortunately. Many thanks for your input. And I’ll heed your advice if I ever decide to really set out to write a bone-fide book. All the best.