Writing a Book
Posted April 23rd, 2003 @ 07:09pm by Erik J. Barzeski
Today I was offered the opportunity (or at least the chance to explore the possibility) of writing a book. Writing a book is on my list of things to do in my life. It's a busy time in my life, and I'm not 100% sure I possess the skill or knowledge1 to write adequately about the topic at hand, but it's surely an interesting idea, and one which I will pursue.
1 This may be modesty, this may be a bit of the truth. In all actuality, most people writing books aren't the foremost expert on any given topic, but they're contributing their take on things to the pool of knowledge.
Donate Life
Posted 23 Apr 2003 at 8:14pm #
As a technical editor for a major publisher (and aspiring writer with one failed book contract), I agree -- lots of people writing books don't know what the heck they're talking about. (Well, you didn't say it quite that way, but I will!) A significant chunk of them don't even write well.
BUT... don't let your self-doubt get in your way. You're a lot better than them, and I bet any book you turn out will be great. Don't worry about knowing everything, because nobody knows everything, and there are many great ancient proverbs from super-motivated, hyper-intellectual cultures that go like "To truly understand, teach." So suck it up and go for it!
And if you ever want the help of a ghost writer or someone familiar with "The Industry," feel free to give me a buzz 😉
Posted 23 Apr 2003 at 9:08pm #
I guess expert people are too busy being experts, so they don't have any time for writing a (non-fiction) book.
And of course, nobody says that you can't become an expert while researching for a book!
Posted 23 Apr 2003 at 9:13pm #
I'd buy it!
As long it was on some sort of technical issue.
Posted 23 Apr 2003 at 11:33pm #
So what's the subject?
Posted 23 Apr 2003 at 11:49pm #
If you have any questions about the process or the kind of commitment writing a book entails, feel free to ask. I'm not an expert in the area, but I have a bit of experience there.
Posted 27 Jul 2003 at 9:23am #
Just a miscellaneous Sunday. A close friend of mine moved to Orlando. We've not been seeing eye to eye lately and are both a little...
Posted 12 Aug 2003 at 9:58pm #
Knowing when you know enough
Erik Barzeski , a programmer and weblogger, recently was offered a chance to author his first book: Writing a book is on my list of things to do in my life.
Posted 30 Oct 2003 at 12:46am #
just do it, and don't stop until you're finished