Opinions Solicited
November 29, 2006 at 6:39 am 27 comments
My “pleasure reading” used to be two or three books a week. Its down to one or two a month because I spend most of my pleasure reading time, reading your blogs. A trip through my blogroll in an evening usually gives me everything I look for in a good novel: laughter, tears, current events, love, death, anger, angst, and so much life!
I started thinking about some of the truly funny or profound posts I’ve read, looked for later and lost to archives never to be found again. Or I can remember the post, but not the writer. Have you had the same experience?
What would you think about a book, or an on-line magazine featuring the best posts you’ve ever made, or can recommend? If such a book or magazine existed would it be something you’d be interested in reading? If you were interested in reading it, would it be something you wanted to download and print yourself, download and keep on your computer, read strictly on line, or have as a traditional book?
This project is pinging around in my head not as a money making opportunity, but as a way to capture for posterity this picture of the world we create as a group every day. What do you think about that? If you’re an aspiring writer, its another way to get your name out there.
We can talk about the legalities and copywrite issues if people are interested in such a project. Mostly at this time, I’m interested in your opinion.
By the way… the bathroom is ready for Christmas!
Entry filed under: writing.
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kat's random thoughts 
1.
Quilldancer | November 29, 2006 at 8:09 am
Oh my, goodness. I haven’t decorated in years, and you even do the loo! Amazing.
As to the project — a lot would depend on packaging and marketing. Are you thinking of a “Chicken Soup” type thing, or more glossy and slick? What subjects or topics would you pick? In all the blogosphere, how would you narrow the field?
2.
Mr. Fabulous | November 29, 2006 at 8:13 am
I think this is a terrific idea. A while ago a blogger I know had the germ of an idea for a similar project. We came up with a whole list of topics (abortion, motherhood, grieving, etc.) and her idea was collect the best posts on each topic. She never followed up on it though.
I thought it was a good idea then, and I still do.
3.
katcampbell | November 29, 2006 at 8:43 am
Quilly – I’m the Queen of Christmas, one month a year I pretend I’m Santa’s wife. Format is still up for debate. Who better to pick what goes in but the people who read and write blogs… topics would depend on what was submitted. I’m really not looking for people to write new things specifically for this project. I’m looking for those brilliant posts written on the day to day that just resonate with everyone.
Mr. Fab – Is it possible that this could be the first if it actually gets pulled off? That’s interesting. I’m still kinda leaning toward picking topics based on what’s submitted.
4.
CarletonB | November 29, 2006 at 9:07 am
Great Idea – compiling links and posts and ideas in one (or several) spots. It could almost be an ideal book – one that constantly changes with new information added as you find it.
Personally, I’m partial to actual books but something as fluid as what you describe – a real paper book might not work very well.
Best,
CarletonB
http://www.zct.org
5.
twobuyfour | November 29, 2006 at 4:07 pm
Good Lord. No bathroom deserves such a fate. There is such a thing as OVERdecorating, dear.
If you are interested in a blog-book, let me know. I’ll gladly submit a few posts (or write a few new ones) just to be able to say I got published. Let me know where you go with this. Seriously.
6.
Catch | November 29, 2006 at 5:07 pm
I think the bathroom looks great..all ready for Christmas! I love snowmen!
7.
guyana-gyal | November 29, 2006 at 5:37 pm
To quote Mr. Fabulous…that’s a FABULOUS idea…the blog book[s] with different themes. Printed on paper, of course.
I tried reading a novel online. Was not the same as curling up in bed, snuggling with pillow, to read. Some folks are happy printing the things off the computer though.
Are you sure that’s your bathroom?
Oh, yes, there’s the loo 😀
8.
The Rev. Dr. Kate | November 29, 2006 at 5:57 pm
I think this is a great idea – I’m in favor of hard copy. My lap top can’t go into the bathtub which is where I do alot of my reading! Maybe it needs to be a quarterly journal to which we could subscribe? Each issue could center on a topic or they could be varied by issue. Just may thoughts.
And may I say that this is the first christmas tree I have ever seen in a bathroom!
9.
sunfloweroptimism | November 29, 2006 at 6:10 pm
Well, Kat, I think you’ve outdone yourself here! I will throw in a Christmas towel or maybe some metalwork reindeer – but nope, never even considered putting a tree in there! I love it 🙂
What an interesting idea you have – that’s a publisher for you, always thinking books, LOL. Would you edit my stuff first? Pretty please? Only kidding, I don’t have anything THAT good yet – but there’s a goal, work on something “publishable.”
10.
guyana-gyal | November 29, 2006 at 7:15 pm
Oh, Kat, there’s a site that collects stories, news, discussions on blogs, from around the world:
http://www.globalvoicesonline.org
I guess you’d want to do something different from that.
😀 I can’t get over the Christmas bathroom…you really know how to throw yourself into the spirit of things and have fun.
11.
katcampbell | November 29, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Carl – I’m actually thinking of a book, but would go with the flow of the contributors and costs.
Two Buy – Too much of a good thing can be wonderful! My house has always been filled with kids – they love this stuff! I’ll keep you informed of progress on this project.
Catch – I love snowmen too! You’d be amazed how often small girls want to brush their teeth just because there’s a tree in the bathroom.
GG and Dr. Kate – I’m thinking traditional book too, we will have to really WOW my partner to pull that off, and then off course we’d need buyers instead of giving it away free…. lots of work to do sorting this out.
Sunflower – Its a really big bathroom, there’s room for that cute little tree I look at while I’m soaking in the tub. The book wouldn’t be complete without something from you.
GG – I’ll check that site out, thanks for the link.
12.
smileymama | November 29, 2006 at 8:22 pm
I’d read that! In book form, I think. Kinda hard to curl up with my desktop. Go for it!
-T
13.
Mike | November 29, 2006 at 9:17 pm
I think there have been such books, but the blogosphere is huge and there’s room for more.
14.
Stacy | November 29, 2006 at 10:06 pm
That sounds like a really neat idea, Kat. I admit I’m one who would probably want to download it or be able to buy a hardcopy. While I like to surf around, for some reason I just don’t have the patience to sit and read through really long posts. I don’t know why since I will sit and read a book for hours.
Stop with the decorating already! You are giving me a complex (see today’s post on my blog). 😉
15.
Dave M | November 30, 2006 at 12:00 am
Sounds and interesting idea Kat, would you be the co ordinator for the stories. What about topics would you choose a particular one and then gather stories relating to that topic. Would you need a theme to appeal to mass readers?
Some of the blog posts that I read are relatively short and may not transfer well to a book type format.
Like your decorations, certainly can’t escape the Christmas scene by disappearing into the loo with a book.
16.
John Linna | November 30, 2006 at 6:45 am
I will not decorate the bathroom. I do not have to keep up with the Kats of this world. Guilt you produce guilt. I think your idea is a good one . Go for it.
17.
bobciz | November 30, 2006 at 7:44 am
With all the worthwhile posts floating around the blogoshere, how could you possibly edit them down into a book less than a thousand pages? Still, it’s a great idea worth pursueing. Count me in.
18.
CarletonB | November 30, 2006 at 8:38 am
re: book or at least content for the same – how might you take submissions?
Electronic in the form of PDF (low cost PDF generators are drivers like cutePDF – do a google search on it), RTF, steering clear of office anything, word perfect, works and other stuff not standard as well as straight text files ’cause you’d be spending all your time doing formatting.
Also steering clear of HTML and the like.
But – there might be some web based content management systems out there (think opewnsource or blog like) that would make content gathering easier or at least possible.
and in terms of a “book” I’d think book denotes something that we can hold in our hands, write on, and leave in the bathroom for reading later, etc. but doesn’t “need” to be a hardbound book or paperback – could be a hole punced 3 ring binder.
But again, if you produced it in the form of a pdf – the links it might contain could be live – maybe you could have a section that covers search engines and how to really do research – the kind of techniques you’d use to research a card catalog (if you could dtill find one now)…
just my unasked for thoughts,
– carl
BTW, in line with your note of today regarding Christmas toys and such – the excess toys (usually stuffed animals) that Zanesville Community Theatre collects during their Annual Angel Tree Benefit (see link: http://www.zct.org/0607productions/AT16.HTM) are taken by some of our members to cities and towns south of Zanesville [in Perry County] and given to the FDs to distribute}
We’re much more than a community theatre – end of plug. for awhile
19.
katcampbell | November 30, 2006 at 8:45 am
Smiley Mama – Great, that’s what I’m looking for readers and writers!
Mike – I agree, millions of people writing every day. I’d like to see one that already exists, I’ll start searching.
Stacy – I’ll mark you down as a hard copy fan. Don’t get a complex, you’d be right up with me except for the construction!
Dave – I will coordinate it. I see it broke down into topics that will be determined after we see what people send as “their best”. I’m not worried about short, short and profound can very thought provoking.
Dr. John – You needn’t ever worry about competing, the Christmas Queen will not be topped!
Bob – It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it. Sounds like a series to me. Thanks for your support, as we iron out the details I’ll be contacting you.
20.
Velvet Sacks | November 30, 2006 at 8:46 am
This is a good idea, Kat–and a huge undertaking, whichever way you go about it. I like the book idea, personally.
21.
katcampbell | November 30, 2006 at 6:28 pm
Carl – I’m thinking BOOK, trade paperback at least. The technical parts of this project will be handled by my partner… he’s the technical guy, but thanks for your suggestions! Crooksville benefited from the stuffed animal donation from ZCT – it was amazing the whole garage filled with tables piled with furry things. How’d you sneak in there Carl? Crazy internet.
Velvet – I’m thinking book too, distributed like distribute any book. I really love this project.
22.
Hayden | December 1, 2006 at 7:34 am
I think its a great idea – I probably would want to see it in hard copy, and I would be less likely to read it myself, than I would to offer it as a present to my friends who don’t understand the phenomenon.
23.
CarletonB | December 1, 2006 at 8:45 am
re: ZCT – Sneak-in to Rosevile and Crooksvile via Dick Tolliver.
[I wish there was a spellchecker….]
24.
Cindra | December 1, 2006 at 9:00 am
Fabulous idea, Kat! I do believe you are on to something…there are a lot of amazing people sharing their lives in the blogosphere and it’s worthy of recording.
Your decorating is insane, woman! I love seeing the pics each day and being blown away!
25.
Gela Words | December 1, 2006 at 2:11 pm
I can nominate a couple posts already. That post with the little boy helping you out and the one with the local banker would be perfect for the humour section.
Idea sounds great but I think I need to think some more about it. At 4:10am I tend not to think too clearly 😉
26.
katcampbell | December 1, 2006 at 4:51 pm
Gela! Back from Thanksgiving? Take a nap, and then come back.
27.
sandy | December 2, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Wow…a decorated bathroom…that’s got to be a first for me. I love it.
About your project: I think it’s a great idea, but in paperback. I have a book in my PDF files but it’s not the same reading it as curling up in bed which I prefer. Of course, I would be drawn to the humorous part of the book.