OMG I’ve been selfish?
Posted by jkellie in Adventures in Capitalism Sunday, 14 March 2010 11:53 6 Comments
I just realized I’m being a bit selfish. I started this blog as another experiment… sounded fun so why not give it a go right? I figured I would use the platform to journal a bit and get some help from the blogosphere with ideas and feedback on the adventures I take. Innocently enough I ventured into this space with the intention of learning, and while that in and of itself isn’t wrong… what am I giving in return?
Sooooo I think it’s early enough in my blogging to change directions a bit and I’m sure it’s the right thing to do.
Going forward I’m not only going to offer full disclosure on my adventures in capitalism, but I’m also going to do a bit of sharing on some “how to” start on your own adventures. I think it’s been said enough that most people have heard at one time or another that money doesn’t buy happiness. I believe however that it is fair to say money does allow you the flexibility to focus on the things that do make you happy. Whether that is more time with your family, the ability for you (or if your married your spouse) to be able to earn income from home. What if you’re dream is to be completely untethered and have the fortunate ability to work while you travel anywhere in the world. Maybe you’re only looking to cover a car payment… or the mortgage payment. Perhaps y0u’d be happy just having some spending money. What ever it is that makes you happy… I’d love to be able to help you reach for that dream!
Photo by law_keven
Here is the game plan. I’m going to begin to write little tips and tricks and things that I’ve used to do what it is that I do… each time I do I’m going to make a point to offer everyone to pick the next direction for the blog. This can be done in the comments, via email, by a poll, carrier pigeon, or smoke signal. I’m going to go ahead and pick the first post… but start hitting me up now if you would like.
What would you like some input on? Do you need help figuring out where to start or do you need a tip on some piece of software? Maybe you’re looking for a manufacturer or a web designer? Do you need some tips on business structure? Effectiveness? Marketing? Valuation? Do you feel like I just spoke over your head? 
How can I help you with your dream?
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ok, jason, let me be first here…. how can i start writing a book, what channels do i have to go thru? what would be the best software to use, i am thinking of instead of typing it, speaking thru a mic, so the pc can type out my words. i know, step #1 is start.. but where ?
Hi Mickey! I have a few questions for you real quick here and then I'd love to help!
1) What problem or need are you going to be solving or addressing?
2) Have you defined your audience? (age, sex, personality, spending habits, etc.)
3) Are you ok with my getting some insights from a good friend of mine who is in the publishing business or would you rather stay under the radar until you're closer to completion?
I've got some experience on the best way to speak your book into a written document so let's discuss that next. Are you on twitter? We can brainstorm there or on Skype, whatever is easy for you.
i feel there is a need out there for people to find they are touched by holy…the idea i have,, and alot of it is written, as least a summarized guide, is an allegory.. a parallel to walking in the spirit. i am ok for you getting any insights on how i go about this,, if there are certain guidelines to follow. i have been told for yrs i need to write out some stuff in my head.. and my recent experience is beckoning me….
i am not on twitter or skype..but i am up at church most of the time !
thanks jason for getting back to me on this,, what a cool posts to find !
Hello Mickey,
I'm the person Jason mentioned earlier that works in the publishing business. I'v actually answered this question recently via email. This is what I explained as a starting point:
There are many processes to writing a book. Here are two:
A – Notecards. Brainstorm all topics as short 1 or 2 sentences on notecards. Same for specific points, graphs, quotes, images, case studies etc. Anything you imagine being relevant to the book gets a notecard. Then work all the cards out on a white board or table from left to right where the top level is major points or topics and then treeing out below those top cards are related and supporting topics and points. Once they are spread out, look for holes and fill them, look for cards that no longer make sense and either make them make sense or remove them – rinse and repeat as needed and voila, there is your book outline and a pseudo table of contents. Then you write a short 2 – 5 sentence summary of each note card in a word document. That’s your first really rough draft. Thrash this, fill holes, add and subtract to those paragraphs. Then smooth out those paragraphs. The result of this effort should be the “real first draft” – the one you could have someone else read.
B – Speak your mind. Get an audio recorder and share your thoughts. I use the Olympus WS-400S because it has a USB built in and easily connects to my pc – about $100 from Radio Shack. Basically, you interview yourself, record it, and then transcribe that into your book. This is a common approach for consulting types that are better at speaking than writing. It is also quicker since you can just record yourself and give it to someone else to transcribe. Could you create your whole book this way? Yes. The “make money online” guys say this is “all” it takes to write a book. Personally, I disagree, because I think you still need some research, facts, well crafted conclusions etc, but never-the-less, it can be done this way. If you go this route I suggest you plan for about 6 hours of recorded audio for a regular 200 – 300 page book. YOU WILL CUT A LOT, but hey, its easy to delete text, it’s a lot harder to write it
No matter if you speak through a mic and the pc types for you or you transcribe, you still need to outline your thoughts for the book.
At some point you need to decide if you are trying to self publish the book or get a publishing deal. The route to one or the other are vastly different.
Hope this helps move you to “start”.
All the best,
Justin
twitter.com/leader4hire
hi justin, thank you so much for this information , it sure helps. now i
know where to start, note cards. geez,, should have realized that from
watching my kids out things together over the yrs. at this point i have a lot i
know i want it in, but i need filler….so these note cards will definatley
let me know here. thanks again.
No problem at all. Good luck!
Justin