Finally completed a version of the book which contains most of the blog, including comments. Most of what was deleted, was for space. With all the pictures and formatting, it can be tough to get everything right without orphaned pictures and lots of blank wasted space. But I'm pretty pleased with the result. You can read it here.
I was able to get it all in under 400 pages. Grampa suggests that this is too long for a book, even if a lot of it is pictures. I'm going to start work on a "tightened up" version of the book. I'd like to get it down closer to 300 pages, while getting rid of extraneous stuff and making it more readable.
If anyone has specific suggestions of stuff to cut, or more general advice on how to edit the book, I'd love to hear it.
In other news, Kyle and Maryanne left Portsmouth, VA heading south on the ICW. I'm not sure where their destination is. But I'm pretty jealous that I'm not going with them.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Mostly Unabridged
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5 comments:
Also, corrections are appreciated. Just changed Hell's Gate to Hell Gate, and the misspelled dingy to dinghy.
I found myself chuckling out loud when reading the prescient and ironic early entry (p. 3) that describes the loss of your 1st anchor along with Amy’s comment “You do have a spare anchor, right?”
I hadn’t realized how quickly into your journey Split Decision began her disassociation from anchors!
Thanks for the flattering description of me among your “Cast of Characters”.
I never realized that NautiG was something that you had designed – I assumed that it was a commercially produced software product that you’d discovered. It’s really impressive that you did it yourself – amazing really.
There is the temptation to go back and edit things to make me look less of a nincompoop. But I think my learning process on the trip is what makes the book interesting.
In the post on Hell Gate, I state that "slack tide" is at high or low tide, which is not strictly true. It amazes me how many months it was before I learned this and started checking current predictions instead of tide predictions.
I don't know how books like this are usually written. Grampa gave me "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. It's about his trip on the Appalachian Trail. His book and mine have a lot in common in terms of topic, style, etc. But I get a sense with his book, that perhaps he took notes while on the trail, but that it was written at a typewriter at home afterward. I think some of the charm of mine is that it was written while it was happening and the reader is really along for the ride.
You're welcome about your description. As I go about editing down the book, I'm sure most of your comments will remain. They're a good counterpoint to some of my bumbling antics.
Scott,
I had as much fun reading the book as following your journey in real time on the blog. I am quite thankful for you posting the blog as many of your posts helped Meg and I as we "followed your footsteps" when we sailed to Block Island. I would have to also give you the credit for inspiring us to sail to block Island in the first place! Still cannot believe we sailed right by you in the fog off the Jersey coast! I consider the highlight of my summer was meeting you and Amy. Glad to hear Amy was not hurt during her bike spill and is doing well.
Take Care, Louie & Meg
Thanks Lou. Amy recovered quickly from her accident. And the insurance company gave her money for her pain and suffering! All she had to do was sign a form promising not to sue.
Amy has suggested that we take a "pain and suffering" vacation with the money. I'd make a crack about the vacation being compensation for my pain and suffering living on land, but the last time I did that, it was suggested that if that was my attitude, I could stay home while Amy took one of her friends on vacation with her.
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