Do you think either of these would sell?

TrixieBelden · May 8, 2010

Do you think either of these ideas would be enough to base a book on? I have a unique access to many of the women on death row. I have two ideas for a book or perhaps an article.

The truth- several of these women have had books written about them. Many would like the chance to point out the inconsistencies in books that were written about them by people they never met.

Handwriting analysis- I have so many, many letters from these women I could provide enough for a handwriting analysis by several different professionals and compare to determin the level of truthfulness etc.

JulieHowe · May 8, 2010

After a conviction for a crime not related to fraud (i.e. murder), what would a handwriting analysis prove?

veinglory · May 8, 2010

The first one, maybe. But the handwriting analysis idea sounds a bit flakey to me.

CraftyCreations411 · May 18, 2010

The first idea sounds good, but then you must also get it right.

I'm not real sure about what you're talking about with the handwriting analysis. Is that a second idea for a totally different book?

Candy

scope · May 18, 2010

Sorry, no the both. The first idea sounds like a twist on a basic idea that's been done over and over, and unless you really have something sensational I don't see it going anywhere. I don't really understand where you are going with the second idea. But look, even though the subject may be old hat or trite, it could work if you can bring something new and exciting to a manuscript.

CraftyCreations411 · May 18, 2010

I think a lot of the death row thingy would be what and why the woman committed the crime. Some murders are interesting stories some aren't - but that's me.

Candy

TrixieBelden · Jun 12, 2010

Thanks for everyones opinions. It helps to hear something from several different people. New perspectives are invaluable.

Chris P · Jun 12, 2010

The first idea got my interest, but there are two requirements for me to enjoy that book: These women would have to be big-names; Bonnie Parker big. Second, I would have to have read the book she's picking apart. Otherwise, why not have her write a "in her own words" narrative? A collection of these stories might do well on its own and not require me to have read another book first.

writeaway · Jun 20, 2010

I think they both have potential. For the first one you need to come up with an angle that's interesting. My first thought was...why should I care about some murderers side of the story? I also don't think it should be a book about rebutting books, but maybe just a book that tells her side of the story and if you want to dispel notions or falsehoods, they are done creatively through the story telling.

The second idea sounds really interesting, but it depends solely upon what one can learn from handwriting analysis and the depths of it.

edit:

after reading Chris' reply above, I like that idea about the narratives and maybe you could pick apart sections of other books. That does sound interesting. it would be best if you could quote from the books in question.

TrixieBelden · Jun 21, 2010

I have tons of letters from some very notorious names. Darlie Routier, Debra Brown, Aileen Wournos, etc. All disputing their charges. I also have most of their legal briefs and letters from lawyers and family members. I just dont know where to go with it.

The handwriting analysis idea came from the fact that I have so many samples from thee women and I saw a cold case files episode where they discovered evidence on a seriel killer by his handwritten notes i.e. where he was most likely to live, if his facts in the notes were most likely true etc.

REMLIG · Jun 2, 2011

Fascinating

I notice this is an old thread... but I wonder how you are doing in your process?

TrixieBelden · Jun 3, 2011

I went forward with some of the handwriting analysis. I have had a few of the more notorious women's handwriting analyzed but got caught up in other work projects.
I think I'm going to write a 1500 word or so article and try to go to magazines with it.
It was really interesting to me to read the verdicts from the handwriting experts. Some of the women who's cases are the weakest and really could be innocent were also the ones the experts said were the most open and honest. Others were said to be conniving and deceitful. I left the names out when I sent them to the experts too.

REMLIG · Jun 3, 2011

Do you know about www.crimemuseum.org/ they don't have anything on woman criminals. At a quick glance all I could find was Lydia Trueblood. They also sell books too.

I really think it would be fascinating to read a book about what these woman wrote and get inside their heads so to speak. And to analyze their handwriting is another way to do that.

BigBooksNY · Jun 4, 2011

I think you should focus on writing a magazine article in a hi profile publication about one of these women, etc. If you can do that, get a unique angle, it could be a springboard for a book.

TrixieBelden said:
Do you think either of these ideas would be enough to base a book on? I have a unique access to many of the women on death row. I have two ideas for a book or perhaps an article.

The truth- several of these women have had books written about them. Many would like the chance to point out the inconsistencies in books that were written about them by people they never met.

Handwriting analysis- I have so many, many letters from these women I could provide enough for a handwriting analysis by several different professionals and compare to determin the level of truthfulness etc.

benbradley · Jun 4, 2011

JulieHowe said:
After a conviction for a crime not related to fraud (i.e. murder), what would a handwriting analysis prove?

I'm wondering what a handwriting analysis would EVER prove.

TrixieBelden said:
I went forward with some of the handwriting analysis. I have had a few of the more notorious women's handwriting analyzed but got caught up in other work projects.
I think I'm going to write a 1500 word or so article and try to go to magazines with it.
It was really interesting to me to read the verdicts from the handwriting experts. Some of the women who's cases are the weakest and really could be innocent were also the ones the experts said were the most open and honest. Others were said to be conniving and deceitful. I left the names out when I sent them to the experts too.

Did they all agree in their conclusions of the same writings?

Do you have samples of KNOWN true and KNOWN false writings to send to them to ask them about? That could be interesting.

As you might tell from my tone, I'm quite skeptical of handwriting analysis being able to tell anything about the truthfulness (or personality traits, etc.) of the writer or writings. But even so, a lot of people DO absolutely believe it and even assume it's a "settled science," so yes, such an article could sell to a large magazine.

TrixieBelden · Jun 5, 2011

I have some very well known and established graphologists that have participated. But, no I dont have established true and false examples to send. Thanks to the REMLIG for the crime museum tip, too!

scope · Jun 5, 2011

LEGALITIES & CREDENTIALED INDIVIDUALS WHO YOU CAN NAME!!!

REMLIG · Jun 5, 2011

TrixieBelden said:
I have some very well known and established graphologists that have participated. But, no I dont have established true and false examples to send. Thanks to the REMLIG for the crime museum tip, too!

You are very very welcome for the tip.

Donald Jeffries · Jun 13, 2011

I think the first idea is great. If even one of them is really innocent, we should all be interested in that, if we care about justice.

Do you think either of these would sell?

TrixieBelden

JulieHowe

Spent the night with Jack Daniels

veinglory

volitare nequeo

CraftyCreations411

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

CraftyCreations411

TrixieBelden

Chris P

Likes metaphors mixed, not stirred

writeaway

TrixieBelden

REMLIG

TrixieBelden

REMLIG

BigBooksNY

Author

benbradley

It's a doggy dog world

TrixieBelden

scope

Commonsensical Maverick

REMLIG

Donald Jeffries