Gert Scholtz

7 years ago · 2 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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How NOT to Write a Book

How NOT to Write a Book

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“Someday I want to write a book and have it published”, I said to my lovely wife. “Well", she replied sagely, "start the first chapter, then we’ll see about the rest.” So began my first foray into the world of book writing and publishing. 

Little did I expect the marathon I was in for... 

No problem on the topic. Fiction I can’t do. Non-fiction it will have to be. Themes in the burgeoning field of behavioral economics which I had been avidly reading on the preceding months. A quick choice and (my only) correct decision. Lesson: Choose your topic story carefully,  spend time thinking exactly what it is you want to write about.

With the enthusiasm of a complete novice I banged away at my keyboard week evenings and a few hours over the weekend. A thousand words on each sitting, three thousand my weekly goal. I lurched into the narratives after only a few minutes of planning each session. What I first produced was a jumbled mess. It took weeks to unscramble my Pulitzer pizza. Lesson: Plan each chapter with care; spend at least as much time planning and researching as writing.

Intending a complete draft in four months, it took me almost a year. At times the drive flagged, often family and work priorities took over. I sent the manuscript to a few friends, asking their opinion. Big mistake; friends are too kind to say your noble effort is an illusion of writing noblesse. Another lesson: Estimate the time it will take and triple it, at least.

I submitted my piece de resistance to a publisher. The answer came; the book might be accepted but….my crème de la crapo needs serious rework. Big Lesson: Always review and redraft. Repeat: review and redraft.

“If your work is finally taken in, publication will be in eighteen months.” Eighteen months!? Didn’t Gutenberg get it done faster? “Ah yes, but we have a whole print and promotion cycle for each book and these things take time you know. And by the way, your reference list is totally wrong and needs to be updated.” More hours of mind numbing fact checking and cross referencing. Lesson: From acceptance to publication can be a long, long time.

Lady luck came my way. A senior executive at the publishing house picked up my application with two sample chapters from someone’s desk. He liked what he read and ordered publication and release asap. I got the call, followed by two months of reworking the text with the editor. Two months of rewrites every evening for hours after work, seven days a week. Lessons: Luck helps. Once the draft is with the publisher, the real pressure starts. More work and more work.

The jacket cover; I could see in my mind’s eye a bold and eye catching orange design. Not to be. The publishing house gave it a blue and red cover design “as psychologists have found this combination attracts the most attention”. And they changed the title too. Lesson: You give your work to the publisher for them to “murder your darlings”.

After more than two years since I first uttered the want to write and publish, my book appeared on the shelves of major bookstores. And then for weeks after – nothing. No trumpets, no jostling fans, no calls from Hollywood, nothing. A few book signings was as far as it went. Pretty boring affairs if you ask me. A few speaking engagements which I quite enjoyed. Last lesson: Writing is a lone endeavor and the rewards are almost all intrinsic.

Was it worth it? Yes, absolutely.

Many moments come to mind: I heard my young son tell his friends: “Hey, MY dad is a banker AND an author”. I often bounced into bookshops to check if the copies are still on the shelf. Seeing my publication displayed was a quiet inner joy, every time. The book became (and still is) a prescribed work for a MBA elective course. It sold a fair amount of copies; the royalties earned were irrelevant, the satisfaction immense.

Now I know exactly how not to write a book.



I thank Penguin Random House for my publication. 

The Amazon edition is here:  My Book



#Estimate #Lesson #Pulitzer #Gutenberg #Book
Comments

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #51

#72
Maggi Kirkbride Thank you for your comments Maggi. I made a book proposal which consisted of a ten page motivation and synopses, plus two sample chapters, but I did not use an agent. What perhaps also helped is that I phoned and asked to see a manager and editor of the publishing house in person so I can deliver the proposal to them. They obliged but I am sure it was somewhat out of the ordinary to their experience. As I mention in the post, luck played a part. I hope this answers your question - also feel free to reach me on beBee private mail if I can assist in any way. Thanks again!

Robert Cormack

7 years ago #50

Well, I guess it overlaps, Gert, in terms of rewrites. Certainly we're never prepared for the work involved. With me, I've been writing too long professionally to have a "jumbled mess." I think that was beaten out of me back at my first advertising agency. The best part of writing is how we learn to organize our thoughts. Once organization becomes second nature, it allows us to move at "a clip." It's that "clip" that makes us authors. Nice post, Gert.#69

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #49

Thank you to all that have marked relevant, commented and shared this post. I appreciate your engagement.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #48

Robert Cormack Hope you get a chance to read this post and how it may overlap with your experiences.

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #47

#47
@Praveen Raj Gullepalli, as a self-proclaimed metaphor junkie, I love you using the mirror as a metaphor. I am not quite sure I “see” it in the same way from a sensory point of view. From my perspective, the sensory information we receive goes through a process of receiving, experiencing, interpreting, associating and assigning meaning. Then the creative part takes over and we find a medium through which to express and communicate all that; verbally and non-verbally. So rather than us being the mirror, I think it is actually the work itself; the book, the visual art work, the dance, the music, which does the reflecting.

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #46

#65
Good point Gert, though this is even more poignant for Ali Anani who has produced e-books but not formalized it through the book circuit. Publishing a book under the name "Mark Zorro" would be the ultimate ironies considering that was created as a reference to "Mark Twain". Mark Twain ended up being branded Mark Twain, but he actually wanted people to remember him as Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Yet we consider Mark Twain to be an authentic American writer, when he was a brilliant writer whose pseudonym ended up defining him.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #45

#62
CityVP \ud83d\udc1d Manjit Thank you for the compliment Manjit. You say: “I think there is a book inside me but I also think it may remain inside - who knows but until it is actually written, it remains inside.” Actually I think otherwise. If you take your many posts on beBee plus your extensive and thoughtful comments, your book is already outside you. What may remain to be done is aggregating the texts, sorting it into themes (which you have to a large extent already done in your learning hives), reviewing and revising. As title, how about The Learning and Teaching of Mark Zorro? Please inform me once this is released; I will be the first to read your wisdom in book form.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #44

#57
Gerald Hecht Thank you Gerald. I have bought Confederacy of Dunces based on your recommendation a while ago. I have read the first few dozen pages. It is certainly a great work and I look forward to reading the rest.

Lyon Brave

7 years ago #43

lol

CityVP Manjit

7 years ago #42

I take two activities that I don't usually participate in i.e. reading and physical fitness and combine them and I at least read as much as I do online on that basis. Yet reading cover to cover is very rare for me. I checked up on the data for typical American readers and PEW surveys says a typical reader reads 5 books per year. http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/01/16/e-reading-rises-as-device-ownership-jumps/e-readers9/ Interestingly the people who earn the most also read the most on this survey. I should be able to write a book based on how much I write, but writing a book is akin to physical fitness, it is that rigorous discipline which puts me off. Perhaps if I gain discipline through my current physical intelligence program, that might breed the writing stamina required to write a book - and do believe that writing a book requires stamina - this is what I take from reading this buzz about your experiences, and maybe you will validate that assumption. The fact that you and Deb Lange have written a book, I say kudos to both of you. It is indeed a labour of love as Deb has mentioned in her comment, though I have called it cognitive stamina. I don't have that kind of stamina yet but who knows as I move along with discipline building activities, this could be a bonus outcome. The actuality of that is easy to determine - i.e. finishing writing a book and seeing it get published - but of course as you found out something one must really work at. I think there is a book inside me but I also think it may remain inside - who knows but until it is actually written, it remains inside.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #41

Donna-Luisa Eversley Next time I write a book I will come to an island near you, at a place called Goldeneye....Thanks for reading and glad you enjoyed it Donna-Luisa!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #40

Jerry Fletcher Thank you all for reading and commenting - I appreciate it. Good to know some of my experiences (or inexperience!) could be imparted.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #39

#57
Gerald Hecht I could be much worse. I bought a copy of Confederacy of Dunces on our recommendation of a while ago. Started the first dozen pages and promises to be a great book - thank you.

Jerry Fletcher

7 years ago #38

Congratulatons Gert. I never went the publisher route opting instead to self publish. My Ex was published by a top house. Her young adult novel "Dragon's Milk" is still in print. It was first published in 1990. So I've seen the incredible amount of work it takes to get it done and how it can make you feel. Your post sums it up marvelously.

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #37

#47
A very intriguing and thought provoking perspective @Praveen Raj Gullepalli. Permit me some time to reflect more on this and I look forward to responding and exchanging further.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #36

Lisa Vanderburg Thank you Deb - I have sent you a private mail on target audiences. Keep your ideas and posts flowing!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #35

#46
Sara Jacobovici I think your synthesizes is spot on: We are creatively communicating and the question is to whom we are communicating. Oh, and I think there is a book in your comments. Thanks for this Sara

Lisa Vanderburg

7 years ago #34

Bravo Gert Scholtz!! I tried to write a book once....didn't really understand just how disorganized I truly was until that endeavour. Knowing my sheer lack of discipline would be my undoing, I developed a 'plan' to keep myself on point. That was a tome in itself, so I applaud anyone who can get even as far as finishing the damn thing! Well done dude!

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #33

#41
#42 Gentlemen, Ali Anani, to write a book or not to write a book? It depends....if the book is to be a marketing tool, not the best tool to use as your main promotion. If the book is to be process versus product oriented, by all means, write away. Writing a book, even a technical, functional one, is a creative act. Writing on social media is also a creative act. We are creatively communicating. So the question really isn't to write or not to write, it is the why of communication, then it is to whom are we communicating. But you both already knew all of this before I even wrote it.....

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #32

#41
Ali Anani Dear Ali. I thank you for your valuable comments. What I am finding is that publishing on social media gives immediate feedback and engagement, which is to me very enjoyable and worthwhile. On social media the rewards of writing are instant. Writing a book is a lone process and the social interaction (if any) derived from it minimal. A book has more satisfaction in compiling a body of work into a physical form, and the rewards spread over a longer time. Your last question is interesting. If I add all the relevants and comments from individuals that my posts have received on beBee, it is about the same as the amount of copies sold of my book. And if I add the hours that it took to write the posts on beBee, it is about half the time it took to write the book. A comparison I only made now due to your question. Many thanks for reading my post and for sharing it Ali, your engagement I always appreciate highly.

Ali Anani

7 years ago #31

Gert Scholtz- You ended your great buzz by "Now I know exactly how not to write a book". I keep saying we must know what not to do before knowing what to do. Your buzz touched my heart. The lessons you shared are priceless. But I also have a personal note to share. Lots of friends asked me to write a book on Nature and Human Behavior. The last call came from Deb\ud83d\udc1d Lange. I respect those invitations. However; we need to decide the topic of our book as much as to consider our purpose of publishing it. I have written on the topic of my book frequently. When I compiled the posts in books (more than ten of them) the books received far less interest than the individual posts. In fact there is no comparison as if people read posts more than they read books. Then even if a book is given for free the readership is minimal? If I have a message to communicate I find the buzz format is far more effective than books. I understand your joy of seeing your book on the shelves. This is priceless. Whatever you wished to communicate shall be hardly met if there are few readers. I just wanted to share my reluctance to write books anymore. I wrote three books in ARabic as well. One of them was so highly received by the media. It was one of the highlights of a book exhibitions. How many copies were sold? Better asked than answered

Ali Anani

7 years ago #30

A must read if you are a writer

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #29

Great read written by Gert Scholtz.

Sara Jacobovici

7 years ago #28

I so enjoy your style Gert Scholtz. And I am now the proud owner of The Keys to Persuasion: Mastering the 10 Keys to Changing the Mind. My only regret is that I don't have the hard copy for you to sign. Hoping that will happen when I come for a visit (you know, the one where I get to share a vegetarian Barbeque with you).

Gloria (Glo) Ochoa

7 years ago #27

I keep saying I need to finish my books..(yes..plural..I get ideas..at least I write them down! lol) Thank you for sharing your insight!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #26

Kevin Pashuk I wrote this book a few years ago and thought it would be worthwhile telling of my experience (and inexperience!) Indeed, what we do out of passion outweighs many other things. Thank you all for reading, commenting and sharing.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #25

#26
Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Sounds like you are nearly there Joyce. All the best and do let us all know once your book is published. Thanks for commenting and sharing the post - most appreciated from you, a writer I regard very highly.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #24

#29
debasish majumder Thank you Debasish. Certainly with your four poetry publications you understand better than I the many hours that go into writing it. I appreciate your comments and share my friend.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #23

#31
As far as I can see the book is available on amazon.com. I might be that in Dubai you pick up a different amazon address. Happy to post you a copy Fatima. Many thanks for you comments.

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

7 years ago #22

Btw you've not mentioned the name of the book in the buzz. Was that to create a mystery looks intentional - The Keys to Persuasion: Mastering the 10 Keys to Changing the Mind is not available for purchase. You uttered the word MBA and now I must have it.Gert Scholtz

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

7 years ago #21

I enjoyed reading about your journey and experience on writing this book. The comments of other author's who have been published gives more insights. Thank you for sharing the joy of your writing journey and how not to write a book.

Joel Anderson

7 years ago #20

Congratulations and well done Gert Scholtz

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

7 years ago #19

Kudos, Gert. My book is still tethered to my word processor with only one printout waiting for a rehashing.

Kevin Pashuk

7 years ago #18

Love it Gert. The things we do out of passion (disguised as hard work) far outweigh the things we do for profit.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #17

#5
Laurent Boscherini Merci mon ami. J'apprécie vos paroles et votre gentillesse envers BeBee.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #16

Cyndi wilkins Many thanks for your kind words. Cyndi - I know you have been through it before me - double kudos to you. Tausif - my experiences are only some pointers - ultimately it is what you intend and make of it my friend. And I know you can.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #15

#10
Praveen Raj Gullepalli The money? Enough to start a Rothschild my friend! Thanks Praveen - always special to have you reading and commenting!

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #14

#9
Pascal Derrien Nothing compares to the marathons you run Pascal. On a track 30m is about as far as I go :). I will have to send you a signature page via pdf - but please don't compare to your marathonic writing creativity and ability :)

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #13

#8
Dean Owen Thanks for stopping by Dean and for sharing the post. One day I hope to see somewhere in a bookshop: "Dean Owen - Travels in the East."

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #12

#3
Paul Walters It is indeed a buzz Paul (to use the vernacular). When you are in SA later this year, the three of us must get together for a real BUZZ. And "quickly" co-write a book :)

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #11

#2
Ren\u00e9e \ud83d\udc1d Cormier Yes, I learned what you had learned long time ago. Thanks for reading and sharing Renee - much appreciated.

Gert Scholtz

7 years ago #10

#1
Paul \ Well, I hope that can give help when it comes to it. Thanks for reading and commenting Paul and good luck!

Cyndi wilkins

7 years ago #9

Writing is a labor of love...and HARD labor it is Gert Scholtz...Kudos to you for following through;-)

Ken Boddie

7 years ago #8

Marathon effort, Gert, but there again you're in this for the 'long jump' and not the '100m dash', although it sound like the publishers et al prefer a 'hop, step and jump' or three? They say there's a book in all of us, but they don't say how deep we have to dig through everyone else's flotsam and jetsam before we find the cover, and that there's a cyclone or two, ready to mess with the content, before it gets hung out to dry along with individual pride. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy, without any need for 'persuasion', I might add. 😊

Julio Angel 🐝Lopez Lopez

7 years ago #7

;-) Congratulations Gert Scholtz

Pascal Derrien

7 years ago #6

thanks Gert Scholtz for this enlighting and honest account of the publishing marathon ( I rather run one it sounds easier) I shall go on Amazon my friend but I want it signed so we may work something else :-)

Dean Owen

7 years ago #5

I look forward to reading this first edition! 😁

Paul Walters

7 years ago #4

#2
Ren\u00e9e \ud83d\udc1d Cormier it took years but I do so love , when asked , "what do you do". I nonchalantly look to the heavens attempting to look at least slightly debonaire and say, in a slightly, breathless mumble, " I'm a writer" Works every time !!!!

Laurent Boscherini

7 years ago #3

Excellent slice of life's lesson Gert Scholtz ! A such sensitive writing, without make up.

Paul Walters

7 years ago #2

Bravo Gert Scholtz a splendid journey , Its such a buzz aint it????

Ian Weinberg

7 years ago #1

Good on you Gert Scholtz It's really all in the doing!

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