Our friend and backpacking colleague, Mark, is an expert in recreation leadership. He is currently in charge of WNY state parks and is an expert in the field of recreation. He's been backpacking with us for the past eleven years and we have tremendous respect for his opinions. We asked him to become our new hike group leader and he said yes!
I gave him thirteen chapters of my book about six weeks ago and today we met to discuss his reactions. He loved the way I've woven the stories and anecdotes all the way through the chapters. His favorite chapter was the one on expedition behavior. He said the book presents Quest as so much work that it could frighten off many people. But, he also said if an administrator read the book, he could hand it to a team and say, "do this." Maybe I should consider providing an outline of essentials for a small scale expedition, like two days for twenty people. No. They can adapt what they want.
His recommendations were significant. First, he thinks I need a chapter on parents. I have a section in the leadership chapter, but he thinks it should be expanded. Define their role, address their concerns, give examples of how they can support their child before and during the expedition. It's a combination of easing fears and liberating them at the same time. About a year ago, I toyed with the idea, but instead I added a whole section on parents to the leadership chapter. All through the book, I have sprinkled stories related to parents, so I could cut them from other chapters and consolidate them. Lots of work, but worthwhile. So, that was a valid, useful criticism.
Also, Mark thinks it's two books. The first would be filled with stories and anecdotes that highlight Quest's values, principles, history, and philosophy. Actually, it's the bulk of what I currently have. The second would be the manual that includes forms, lesson plans, equipment lists and descriptions, directions and guidelines. For example, most of the chapter on classes would go in the manual. I already have a lot of materials put aside in a manual that includes all the letters, application forms for student leaders, equipment lists, rental forms, student contract, medical forms, and so much more. That was a plan I considered a year or two ago. Steve thinks I could accomplish the same thing with an appendix. I guess that's where a professional editor comes in.
He suggested more graphics, charts, diagrams and illustrations. The organizational chart I included should be located earlier in the book. Certainly useful commentary, and I will consider that during the next revision.
Carolyn had the three history chapters and brought those back today. I was worried that I had too much of our personal history in the third chapter, but she thought it was fascinating. The biggest recommendation she made was to cut the section on Quest's expansion to other schools and put that somewhere else. Maybe I need a section on the steps to follow to expand. She loved the early stories of the 1970s and 80s.
Carolyn also said "GET IT OUT TO PUBLISHERS!" It's almost time. Maybe two more months. Tomorrow, if I have time, I will begin revisions of the student leader chapter. I read through all the recent responses I got and found them to be very helpful. That chapter should wrap up in short order.
No comments:
Post a Comment