tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post41277595508430251..comments2024-03-27T03:25:08.267-07:00Comments on Life in the Shoe: ABC Post 26--Review of The Brick and Mortar FormulaDorcashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-57252571377483823052017-05-21T22:57:50.080-07:002017-05-21T22:57:50.080-07:00This helps a bunch! I'm going to try writing a...This helps a bunch! I'm going to try writing a book this summer and I've been worried about the length. I'm a "get to the point" kind of person and had no idea how I was going to make it long enough. It helps a lot to know that there are others who feel the same! Thanks! Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08619826472137208271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-50316753536452509722017-05-05T13:09:08.400-07:002017-05-05T13:09:08.400-07:00Ruby, that is freeing and helpful. Thanks!Ruby, that is freeing and helpful. Thanks!Dorcashttp://www.dorcassmucker.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-72595682508111419462017-05-05T11:04:42.409-07:002017-05-05T11:04:42.409-07:00Interesting questions here. I put storytelling in ...Interesting questions here. I put storytelling in a whole different category than how-tos and such. A good story has to have a buildup and background. Most Smuckers don't agree with this, and will INTERRUPT my stories and BLURT OUT THE ENDING before I get there, which is just unbelievably horrible and rude.<br />As you said, the key is proper balance. Many sermons I've heard would have more impact at half the length, yet setup and background and context is important to hear too.<br />Elisabeth Elliot said, "Delete every word that has no real work to do."Dorcashttp://www.dorcassmucker.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-55597776668491947442017-05-01T09:26:51.088-07:002017-05-01T09:26:51.088-07:00I see your point, and many times I've wished f...I see your point, and many times I've wished for a simple and clear summary of something I've read or listened to.<br /><br />However, you could take this concept many directions. What about sermons? Do they need to be 30-45 minutes? I'll bet most of them could have their points conveyed simply in 5.<br /><br />Would a well-told 3-minute joke be as funny if you just boiled it down to a two-sentence setup and punchline? Would the climax of a song be as effective without the previous 2-minute buildup?<br /><br />I am no deep thinker, but it seems to me there needs to be some kind of emotional "setup" (or leading, or investment, cant' think of the right word) when it comes to conveying ideas in any of these formats. If the idea being communicated is set up properly, it makes a much bigger impact.<br /><br />If some sermon or teaching I heard really made an impact on me, I doubt the impression would be nearly as strong if it was just a simple bare-bones statement. A song doesn't have the same punch if you only start listening at the key change on the second chorus.<br /><br />All that to say that I agree, far too often the point gets buried and overwhelmed with the sheer bulk of the supporting content. Which is my tendency too, as you can probably tell in this comment. Like many other areas, finding the proper balance doesn't come naturally!ITFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09905499939649899637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-84313260862910997522017-04-28T22:51:45.700-07:002017-04-28T22:51:45.700-07:00A short book that I love is "Eat That Frog!&q...A short book that I love is "Eat That Frog!" by Brian Tracy, on productivity/ motivation. Trevahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04044165222085701744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-66763938561012368082017-04-27T21:01:02.364-07:002017-04-27T21:01:02.364-07:00Dorcas, you wrote, "Jon also told me it's...Dorcas, you wrote, "Jon also told me it's ok to skim a book and say you've read it. My Amish conscience will never let me do this, but what a thought!" Well, me too. I understand your conscientiousness. But I had a bit of insight on that subject from a teacher-education professor at Portland State University years ago. This highly respected professor and expert in his field was teaching teachers how to teach children to read. During one class discussion, that very same concept that you mentioned came up, and the question was asked, "Does 'speed-reading' a book count as really having read the book?" The professor answered, "Yes. If you define reading as 'the getting of meaning out of a book, then yes, it does." That was so freeing for me, not to have to absorb every word when I had kazillions of pages to read in various courses! So skim away. As long as there is comprehension and "the getting of meaning", you can say you've read the book. Yes, it's a subjective judgment as to "how much" meaning you got, but it's an honest answer.<br />Ruby Isaacnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-14806265119108957682017-04-27T19:59:47.203-07:002017-04-27T19:59:47.203-07:00I guess I stand corrected. I'm going to have t...I guess I stand corrected. I'm going to have to look into these titles.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-63781272377953941522017-04-27T16:34:50.860-07:002017-04-27T16:34:50.860-07:00I work for a publisher of theological and religiou...I work for a publisher of theological and religious interest books here in Eugene. We publish hundreds and hundreds of short books. Many of them are less than 100 pages. While I like this idea theoretically, as the cover designer I hate trying to fit the author name and title on a teeny book spine! :)<br />Shanzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11858405942705128779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-91577085101102540622017-04-27T11:59:58.098-07:002017-04-27T11:59:58.098-07:00I realized I don't have many pictures of you a...I realized I don't have many pictures of you and Emily together. And you still look lovely, rested or not.Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-77894970015760513792017-04-27T11:58:17.224-07:002017-04-27T11:58:17.224-07:00Nice!Nice!Dorcashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07050605764466835485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-83570037488249634792017-04-27T10:22:43.112-07:002017-04-27T10:22:43.112-07:00I appreciate you used a picture of me when I was s...I appreciate you used a picture of me when I was so young and well rested :D I have been influenced by Jon's opinions on clarity and efficiency in books and am glad you feel the same. I have been making an effort to read more short books this year and so far I have not felt like I am missing anything. Estahttp://www.estafaye.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11022879.post-59609204574100811682017-04-27T10:02:37.332-07:002017-04-27T10:02:37.332-07:00I about jumped for joy in a grad school class when...I about jumped for joy in a grad school class when I saw the textbook was only like 75 pages. There's an entire line of them: www.thinbook.com/thin-books/crystalkupperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06659420169932283744noreply@blogger.com