boring book
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Are you talking about a book that's published that someone thinks is boring or are you talking about one of your books being boring?
I'm talking about my book. Some people think it's intereting. Some think it is boring. It's a story that needs to be told. It's about helping the less fortunate.
I've read hundreds of extremely boring religious books. But I've learned a lot from them.
I've read hundreds of extremely boring religious books. But I've learned a lot from them.
I think the issue here is subjectivity.
I love books on literary theory, I'm sure lots of people on AW will find them boring.
Unfortunately with subjectivity, if someone thinks your book is boring then nothing will persuade them to read it.
Who are the people who have been reading the books, do they have ulterior motives for liking/disliking the book?
I love books on literary theory, I'm sure lots of people on AW will find them boring.
Unfortunately with subjectivity, if someone thinks your book is boring then nothing will persuade them to read it.
Who are the people who have been reading the books, do they have ulterior motives for liking/disliking the book?
When you have "lesson" book that you think needs to be told, you can't start with the lesson. You start with an interesting story and fit the lesson to it. That way, people get caught up in the great story and learn the lesson while they aren't looking.
No one likes to be "told" to learn something. They have to discover it on their own.
No one likes to be "told" to learn something. They have to discover it on their own.
are you talking about boring fiction or a boring informative book?
The biggest benefit of writing fiction is that you have the option to NOT make it boring.
The biggest benefit of writing fiction is that you have the option to NOT make it boring.
I admit this question confuses me.
I'm with
Ah, you have posted more since I read this and started my post, uh, 15 minutes ago.
It’s so hard to participate in the forums and work at the same time.
I'm with
Ah, you have posted more since I read this and started my post, uh, 15 minutes ago.
It’s so hard to participate in the forums and work at the same time.
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If the excerpts you've posted here are part of this book you're talking about, it needs a lot of work. This is going to sound harsh, and there's no way to sugar-coat it, but I've seen that kind of "real story" hundreds of times, with much more compelling writing. It doesn't "need" to be told--it's been done already. You're going to have to find a fresh spin on the whole "junkie/whore finds God" thing if you want it to stand out.
So you've got some serious work ahead of you, and those who say it's boring are probably right. Can that change? It's up to you. You need to pay attention to learning the craft of writing first. Until you do, you're never going to do your story any justice.
Bury the lesson under well-crafted characters, compelling conflict and clean writing and you won't need to worry about people not getting the message.
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they always say you should write the kind of book you'd like to read yourself. You might be okay with reading ultra-boring religious texts, but I doubt that majority of modern-day (read: not Middle Ages) readers are.
Attention spans are shrinking so you have to grab your readers fast, or forget it.
Attention spans are shrinking so you have to grab your readers fast, or forget it.
If some people think it's interesting, why are you worrying about the people who don't? You should write to the audience that will actually read your book, not try and find ways to force it on people who would never touch it.
No one should have to read a boring book, whether for entertainment, or for education. I've read a great many religious books, as well, but never one I found to be boring. There are too many to read that aren't boring.
As a writer, your job is to write a book that isn't boring, not matter what kind of story you have to tell. Never expect a read to read boring writing just because you think you have a story that needs to be told. Any story worth telling is worth telling well.
If I thought my own book was boring then that's a sign that I need to rewrite it to make it more interesting.
If some people think your book is interesting and some think it's boring then such is life; you can't please everyone.
I'll read a book that's difficult and arduous and painful and frustrating to get through — but not one that's boring.
Find a way to make it interesting. Don't think about message first. Think of your story. You said it's a "story that needs to be told". Any story worth reading is, to me, a story that needed to be told. It's good you think that about yours — so think about the story. Don't think about the message or what people could learn from it or — god forbid — what it's "about."
Think of your story. If there isn't something captivating and interesting in it, it doesn't need to be told. If you feel strongly about it, there's got to be something interesting in it, not just a message. Find the best way to tell your story; not the best way to tell your message: that's what self-help books are for.
Find a way to make it interesting. Don't think about message first. Think of your story. You said it's a "story that needs to be told". Any story worth reading is, to me, a story that needed to be told. It's good you think that about yours — so think about the story. Don't think about the message or what people could learn from it or — god forbid — what it's "about."
Think of your story. If there isn't something captivating and interesting in it, it doesn't need to be told. If you feel strongly about it, there's got to be something interesting in it, not just a message. Find the best way to tell your story; not the best way to tell your message: that's what self-help books are for.
There are so many good replies.
I realize there are a lot of books about recovery. In that sense it isn't unique at all. However it is at the same time extremely unique. In fact it will be the first of it's kind.
I was raised one of Jehovah's Witnesses. By the time I was thirty I had seen a lot of them live miserable lives. About a dozen I knew took their lives. They were missing out on the help they needed. It's not that Jehovah's Witnesses are unloving. It's do to a lack of organized programs. Without organized programs people are missed. Everyone goes and helps the popular ones and those that are obviously needy. Those ones get an over abundance of help. Whereas those that are not as popular get nothing. If there were organized programs then there would be something a person could sign up for. None would be missed.
So I for ten years tried to get the attention of our church leaders. I wanted to convince them of the need of these programs. They didn't want to give me the time of day. Instead they print millions of publications telling us that since there is no lasting solution for mankinds problems instead of devoting time to programs they are better off devoting their time and resources to preaching God's Kingdom.
Now it's not that I didn't know that organized programs existed. But like all Jehovah's Witnesses I was brainwashed into beleiving we were the only true religion. In our minds all other religions are false religion and it would be wrong to get involved with any of their programs. Therefore many of us have to go days without food and many other things because they wont go to churches for help.
I beleived we were the only religion God was using until I heard Thelma's story and heard about how the churches saved her from the hell she lived. I then realized God had lots of people in lots of religions he was using.
It isn't the general public that I want to hear her story. The public already knows about these programs and supports them and uses them. It's mainly my spiritual brothers that I want to hear her story. I want them to realized we aren't the only true religion. I want them to realize that it's okay to give their time and resources to these programs. I want them to know that when they are in need it's okay to go to the churches for help.
It will be the very first book of it's kind. There are lots of books written by Jehovah's Witnesses and their life as one. But every last one of them do nothing more than sling mud at them and they have only one goal in mind. They go on and on about the oppresive policies our leaders have imposed on us and thier sole goal is to turn people away from us. None of the active members of Jehovah's Witnesses will be interested in reading their books. They will find there books offensive.
As for me I write about the good things about them and what I like about them. I also write about our dark side. The readers will discern that I'm not trying to destroy thier faith. Those that are suffering might find encouragement. They hopefully will know where to go for help. I only devote one chapter about the oppresive policies and a little bit about the good things. I'm not trying to encourage anyone to leave the organization, nor am I trying to convert people to it. I welcome improvements and am trying to encourage them to improve.
The church leaders probably wont like the book. But I'm hoping to put them to shame. Maybe then they will tell us it's okay to go to a food bank.
Those that would be interested in my book are active members. They will like reading the good things. Also those that hate us will like the book because I write about the bad things. Then those who have any kind of interest in us at all, whether they are looking for the bad, or they are looking for the good potentially will be interested.
Since there are around 10 million members and former members there is possible a huge market. Since every one of those members have relatives and friends there could be potentially hundreds of millions of potential buyers.
Again I say my book will be the very first of it's kind. I don't give a rip if non Jehovah's witnesses read the book. They already give support and use these church based programs.
Todd
I realize there are a lot of books about recovery. In that sense it isn't unique at all. However it is at the same time extremely unique. In fact it will be the first of it's kind.
I was raised one of Jehovah's Witnesses. By the time I was thirty I had seen a lot of them live miserable lives. About a dozen I knew took their lives. They were missing out on the help they needed. It's not that Jehovah's Witnesses are unloving. It's do to a lack of organized programs. Without organized programs people are missed. Everyone goes and helps the popular ones and those that are obviously needy. Those ones get an over abundance of help. Whereas those that are not as popular get nothing. If there were organized programs then there would be something a person could sign up for. None would be missed.
So I for ten years tried to get the attention of our church leaders. I wanted to convince them of the need of these programs. They didn't want to give me the time of day. Instead they print millions of publications telling us that since there is no lasting solution for mankinds problems instead of devoting time to programs they are better off devoting their time and resources to preaching God's Kingdom.
Now it's not that I didn't know that organized programs existed. But like all Jehovah's Witnesses I was brainwashed into beleiving we were the only true religion. In our minds all other religions are false religion and it would be wrong to get involved with any of their programs. Therefore many of us have to go days without food and many other things because they wont go to churches for help.
I beleived we were the only religion God was using until I heard Thelma's story and heard about how the churches saved her from the hell she lived. I then realized God had lots of people in lots of religions he was using.
It isn't the general public that I want to hear her story. The public already knows about these programs and supports them and uses them. It's mainly my spiritual brothers that I want to hear her story. I want them to realized we aren't the only true religion. I want them to realize that it's okay to give their time and resources to these programs. I want them to know that when they are in need it's okay to go to the churches for help.
It will be the very first book of it's kind. There are lots of books written by Jehovah's Witnesses and their life as one. But every last one of them do nothing more than sling mud at them and they have only one goal in mind. They go on and on about the oppresive policies our leaders have imposed on us and thier sole goal is to turn people away from us. None of the active members of Jehovah's Witnesses will be interested in reading their books. They will find there books offensive.
As for me I write about the good things about them and what I like about them. I also write about our dark side. The readers will discern that I'm not trying to destroy thier faith. Those that are suffering might find encouragement. They hopefully will know where to go for help. I only devote one chapter about the oppresive policies and a little bit about the good things. I'm not trying to encourage anyone to leave the organization, nor am I trying to convert people to it. I welcome improvements and am trying to encourage them to improve.
The church leaders probably wont like the book. But I'm hoping to put them to shame. Maybe then they will tell us it's okay to go to a food bank.
Those that would be interested in my book are active members. They will like reading the good things. Also those that hate us will like the book because I write about the bad things. Then those who have any kind of interest in us at all, whether they are looking for the bad, or they are looking for the good potentially will be interested.
Since there are around 10 million members and former members there is possible a huge market. Since every one of those members have relatives and friends there could be potentially hundreds of millions of potential buyers.
Again I say my book will be the very first of it's kind. I don't give a rip if non Jehovah's witnesses read the book. They already give support and use these church based programs.
Todd
Back on this planet, Jehovah's Witnesses enjoy good writing, too. So go and improve your craft, then write your story and do the best job of it you can.
Good luck to you.
I highly doubt that in 2010 any book claiming to be 'the first of its kind' can live up to the claim.
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Todd,
I can feel you strongly believe in your message, but if the book isn't engaging and entertaining, you will have a hard time finding an agent or a legitimate publisher, let alone hooking readers.
So, turn your passion for this book toward making it an engaging and interesting book to read. Unless you do that, it is unlikely that you will find an agent or a legitimate publisher, regardless of the audience or the message.
Good luck.
~suki
I can feel you strongly believe in your message, but if the book isn't engaging and entertaining, you will have a hard time finding an agent or a legitimate publisher, let alone hooking readers.
So, turn your passion for this book toward making it an engaging and interesting book to read. Unless you do that, it is unlikely that you will find an agent or a legitimate publisher, regardless of the audience or the message.
Good luck.
~suki
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I think that if what you want is to write a book about substance abuse recovery specifically for Jehovah's Witnesses, your best bet is to work with the Watchtower Society directly.
Mainstream commercial publishers just aren't going to take on a book targeted specifically at one denomination; yes, there are millions of Jehovah's Witnesses in the US, but the impression I get is that the main source for spiritual and self-help books for people who are observant Witnesses are Watchtower Society publications.
Mainstream commercial publishers just aren't going to take on a book targeted specifically at one denomination; yes, there are millions of Jehovah's Witnesses in the US, but the impression I get is that the main source for spiritual and self-help books for people who are observant Witnesses are Watchtower Society publications.
I don't want to derail this thread away from the problem in the OP, but there were some confusing points in your longer post, Todd. These points are mostly just food for thought and someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but...
Again, I can't speak with any authority on the matter, but I wonder if The Watchtower would publish something that could be so controversial. You may not care if non Jehova's Witnesses read your book; a secular publisher will likely not have the same take. That could leave you in a sticky spot.
Admittedly, I don't know much about Jehova's Witnesses. However, if you believed at one time that your religion was the only true religion, isn't it safe to assume that most other Jehova's Witnesses believe the same? I bring this up because later you say that it is the very body of Jehova's Witnesses you want to read to your book. This may be your very point, but something you've written with the intention of
might not be especially well received by the people you wish to enlighten.
Again, I can't speak with any authority on the matter, but I wonder if The Watchtower would publish something that could be so controversial. You may not care if non Jehova's Witnesses read your book; a secular publisher will likely not have the same take. That could leave you in a sticky spot.
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