Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Step Two - decide how to format the book..

Should it be questions and answers?  My rather short non-scientific survey has gotten exactly the same number of yes and no answers to that question.

Should it follow in the footsteps of so many other books of its kind and start by giving examples of problems and then suggested approaches?

How about a 'topic of the day' approach?

How about the differences between the good ol' days and now?

How about debunking current beliefs (for example, how many people know about the research that seems to prove that high self esteem and success have no correlation)

I could go to message boards, look at hot topics and give my thoughts.

I could invite a hundred or a thousand women to have an interactive conversation about parenting and see if there are patterns or conclusions I could draw.

I could go funny and lighthearted (think, he's just not that into you)

I could make a faux message board, or blog, or I could write a novel from the child's point of view, or the mother's, or I could be a life coach in the book.

Thoughts?  Suggestions?

3 comments:

Lynne said...

I love the topic of the day thing. Give us (readers) one thing a day to tackle. One thing I've learned from you in the last year is that slow progress is longer lasting!

prologheidi said...

I think that a combination approach would work. Funny, lighthearted gets you the light at the end of the tunnel. Examples and solutions gives you hope that there is not a train attached to that light!

I think that a realistic, but hopeful book is best because let's face it -- there are a lot of us out there in the blended family business and the reality of it is vastly different from Leave It To Beaver or even the Brady Bunch, who never dealt with psychotic ex spouses and rotation of visitation!

Your approach is usually very common sense and straightforward, mixed with examples and humor anyway. Work with what works and you won't have to fight faking it.

BTW I have always wanted to write a book myself -- good luck with this and if there is anything I can do to help (sounding board, suggestions or even creating one of my famous voodoo dolls!) let me know! I will be among the first to buy it when it comes out!

Rachel said...

You have such a great since of humor I would love to see you do a book like 'He's Just Not Into You'. You also have so much to offer all of your suggestions would be done wonderfully.

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