Comments on: Writing for Dummies http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/ Truth Will Prevail Wed, 23 May 2012 06:39:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jeannette http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-42106 Jeannette Tue, 18 Jan 2005 19:23:53 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-42106 I'm awaiting the publication of MORMONISM FOR DUMMIES with some interest: I'm hoping it will be as good a presentation of the LDS faith as CATHOLICISM FOR DUMMIES is of Catholic Christianity. Similar to Chris Bigelow's observation about THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO MORMONISM, I found THE COMPLETE IDIOT'S GUIDE TO CATHOLICISM sadly lacking in accurate information, finding several outright errors just flipping through it at the bookstore. This experience, of course, makes me suspicious of the Mormon title in the same series. I think that the combined writing talents of a "cradle" Mormon and a convert may give a clearer presentation of the LDS religion for the general reader. I am looking forward to purchasing a copy of MORMONISM FOR DUMMIES to give me a good, reliable--if general--overview of the Mormon faith to increase my understanding of its adherents. I’m awaiting the publication of MORMONISM FOR DUMMIES with some interest: I’m hoping it will be as good a presentation of the LDS faith as CATHOLICISM FOR DUMMIES is of Catholic Christianity. Similar to Chris Bigelow’s observation about THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO MORMONISM, I found THE COMPLETE IDIOT’S GUIDE TO CATHOLICISM sadly lacking in accurate information, finding several outright errors just flipping through it at the bookstore. This experience, of course, makes me suspicious of the Mormon title in the same series.

I think that the combined writing talents of a “cradle” Mormon and a convert may give a clearer presentation of the LDS religion for the general reader. I am looking forward to purchasing a copy of MORMONISM FOR DUMMIES to give me a good, reliable–if general–overview of the Mormon faith to increase my understanding of its adherents.

]]> By: Chris Bigelow http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24574 Chris Bigelow Wed, 13 Oct 2004 15:45:36 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24574 I'm Jana's Dummies coauthor, and I agree with everything she said except that she's not funny. If you count up the funny headlines and turns of phrase in the book, I bet over half are hers. It gets published this February. We're finishing up the drafting this week, and then we have five weeks of intensive rewriting, and I'm curious to see what the end result will be. It will be interesting just to read the book straight through for the first time, since we've been working chapter by chapter in a scattershot approach. But the book is designed as a modular reference, not something most people will sit down and read straight thru. As far as the Complete Idiot's Guide to Mormonism, our competition, I have to admit that the few times I've dipped into it, I haven't been very impressed, mainly because it seems really superficial in a lot of spots. But I'm sure some people will think we didn't stay superficial ENOUGH in spots. I’m Jana’s Dummies coauthor, and I agree with everything she said except that she’s not funny. If you count up the funny headlines and turns of phrase in the book, I bet over half are hers.

It gets published this February. We’re finishing up the drafting this week, and then we have five weeks of intensive rewriting, and I’m curious to see what the end result will be. It will be interesting just to read the book straight through for the first time, since we’ve been working chapter by chapter in a scattershot approach. But the book is designed as a modular reference, not something most people will sit down and read straight thru.

As far as the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Mormonism, our competition, I have to admit that the few times I’ve dipped into it, I haven’t been very impressed, mainly because it seems really superficial in a lot of spots. But I’m sure some people will think we didn’t stay superficial ENOUGH in spots.

]]> By: Charles http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24468 Charles Tue, 12 Oct 2004 17:33:33 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24468 Jana - It sounds like you are well into the construction of this book, but I would caution you against many controversial issues. The purpose of these books is often to inform an uniformed reader. People familiar with the church and especially those who participate in this blog and others are well informed about the history of the church and various positions it frequently takes, sometimes appearing to reverse itself at times. Trying to explain this to an audience that does not already have a knowlege founded in the churches doctrine is likely to cause more flack and fodder against us than truely enriching those who are seeking to understand us. Imagine reading a book about a group of people you know little about and the book's intent is to educate you but it is riddled with examples where all the people do not agree or that "doctrine" is often erased and rewritten. Trying to address these concerns is more of a sophmoric or junior level discussion than a freshman class. Just something to keep in mind when deciding what to include and how in depth you should go on some issues. Jana –
It sounds like you are well into the construction of this book, but I would caution you against many controversial issues. The purpose of these books is often to inform an uniformed reader. People familiar with the church and especially those who participate in this blog and others are well informed about the history of the church and various positions it frequently takes, sometimes appearing to reverse itself at times. Trying to explain this to an audience that does not already have a knowlege founded in the churches doctrine is likely to cause more flack and fodder against us than truely enriching those who are seeking to understand us.

Imagine reading a book about a group of people you know little about and the book’s intent is to educate you but it is riddled with examples where all the people do not agree or that “doctrine” is often erased and rewritten. Trying to address these concerns is more of a sophmoric or junior level discussion than a freshman class.

Just something to keep in mind when deciding what to include and how in depth you should go on some issues.

]]> By: Derek http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24349 Derek Sun, 10 Oct 2004 22:02:45 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24349 Danithew, I really don't write much about Mormonism, so I don't think my weblog is bloggernacle-worthy. Also, I think I'm just as likely to condemn as praise, so it might be dangerous. Thanks anyway! Danithew, I really don’t write much about Mormonism, so I don’t think my weblog is bloggernacle-worthy. Also, I think I’m just as likely to condemn as praise, so it might be dangerous. Thanks anyway!

]]> By: gst http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24324 gst Sun, 10 Oct 2004 00:15:18 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24324 The title of your post has a funny double meaning. The title of your post has a funny double meaning.

]]> By: danithew http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24312 danithew Sat, 09 Oct 2004 15:50:17 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24312 Derek, I couldn't help noticing that your name links to a blog. Should this be another new Bloggernacle addition? http://traal.livejournal.com/ Derek, I couldn’t help noticing that your name links to a blog. Should this be another new Bloggernacle addition?

http://traal.livejournal.com/

]]> By: Derek http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24270 Derek Sat, 09 Oct 2004 05:01:49 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24270 Does the book assume a a Christian background? I served a mission in Japan, where we were lucky to finish 1/3 or 1/2 a discussion at each meeting due to the lack of knowledge of Christianity on the part of our investigators. In any case, I will be purchasing a copy. This is exciting! Does the book assume a a Christian background? I served a mission in Japan, where we were lucky to finish 1/3 or 1/2 a discussion at each meeting due to the lack of knowledge of Christianity on the part of our investigators.

In any case, I will be purchasing a copy. This is exciting!

]]> By: sid http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24254 sid Sat, 09 Oct 2004 02:11:55 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24254 Jana - this kind of a book is sorely needed, and thanks to you and Chris for writing it. BTW, when can we expect it to be on sale? Jana – this kind of a book is sorely needed, and thanks to you and Chris for writing it. BTW, when can we expect it to be on sale?

]]> By: Karen http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24229 Karen Fri, 08 Oct 2004 19:08:36 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24229 Jana, I'm really glad you are doing this book, and think it is really necessary to have faithful voices speaking in non-Deseret Book kind of forums. I have a good friend, returned missionary, dating a non-member man. He has been curious about the church, but hesitant to get all his information from her. She caught him reading the Idiot's guide to Mormonism. In her shoes, I think I would be relieved to find a friend using that as a source. Although true objectivity is probably impossible, and probably a frustrating part of your writing experience, I think it's important to make the attempt. Jana, I’m really glad you are doing this book, and think it is really necessary to have faithful voices speaking in non-Deseret Book kind of forums. I have a good friend, returned missionary, dating a non-member man. He has been curious about the church, but hesitant to get all his information from her. She caught him reading the Idiot’s guide to Mormonism. In her shoes, I think I would be relieved to find a friend using that as a source. Although true objectivity is probably impossible, and probably a frustrating part of your writing experience, I think it’s important to make the attempt.

]]> By: Bryce I http://timesandseasons.org/index.php/2004/10/writing-for-dummies/#comment-24228 Bryce I Fri, 08 Oct 2004 19:07:16 +0000 /?p=1430#comment-24228 There are many reasons for missionaries going out in twos and threes. I think your post has illuminated some of them. There are many reasons for missionaries going out in twos and threes. I think your post has illuminated some of them.

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