need advice on new how to climb big walls book

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Messages 21 - 40 of total 54 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
WBraun

climber
Oct 4, 2008 - 02:36am PT
"It doesn't go anywhere" sounds impersonal, and still you're wandering aimlessly using such a statement.

Then why are there destinations to somewhere.

Journey to where? An "Aimless" journey?
T Moses

Trad climber
Paso Robles
Oct 4, 2008 - 03:44am PT
WB, you know it's the journey that counts NOT JUST the end.

Caps locked for ya.

The Journey is where you go and what you want to do on the path of life. Some take the beaten path. Others take the cross country. Others still choose to climb big walls.
Tom

Big Wall climber
San Luis Obispo CA
Oct 4, 2008 - 09:12am PT
The comedic aspect is a chapter on,

Gumby's Guide To Big Wall Bailing


The real information in this section is, how to descend from the Big Wall.

Very important.

Roger Breedlove

climber
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Oct 4, 2008 - 10:28am PT
Morning Chris,

I would post a section that you think is close to finished in your mind and gauge the input. If it works, then keep posting in order of how close to finished it is.

I cannot offer advice on any issues, but I am more than happy to work on the wordsmithing for clarity.

Best, Roger
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 4, 2008 - 11:31am PT
thanks everyone for the great response. So, i think i am leaning toward posting one semi-polished chapter at a time as i get them done. will start posting soon...
couchmaster

climber
Oct 4, 2008 - 11:32am PT
yup, what they say.

A comedic chapter on bailing co-written by all these yahoos would be hilarious, and perhaps a new thing in books.

In either case Chris, why polish it first? Just slap it on here. Some of these guys spend more time on keyboards yammering endlessly, than they ever have climbing: this at least would give them a direction and some drive - and you the boost you'd like to see.
Jingy

Social climber
Flatland, Ca
Oct 4, 2008 - 11:41am PT
Chris McNamara - Real dilemma here.

On the one hand if you post many unpolished chapters you run the risk of having us all bicker about the little things instead of (option b) posting polished, semi-completed works...

I say:
Plan B

I've shown patience with learning to climb, I can do it again.
Hardman Knott

Gym climber
Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, Ca
Oct 4, 2008 - 12:28pm PT
Mungeclimber - I don't know what the kids are calling things theses days, but "hard copy"
has a nice ring to it. Anyway, there's nothing like holding a book in hand as opposed to
reading one as a PDF on a computer screen. The same is true for reading a newspaper;
the layout is much, much better than what can be done online. Some things never change...
Double D

climber
Oct 4, 2008 - 12:55pm PT
Join the teamsters union and haul a lot of cargo.
lars johansen

Trad climber
San Francisco, CA
Oct 4, 2008 - 01:16pm PT
In the words of Ray Bradbury, "Throw up, then clean up".
Mighty Hiker

Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
Oct 4, 2008 - 01:18pm PT
Perhaps post one "typical" draft chapter, and see what happens. Given that to some extent the various chapters are intertwined, it will help if you note where subjects are covered elsewhere, to minimize the "what about X" comments.

Alternatively, go on a vertical camping trip with PTPP, a laptop, and solar panels. Tolstoy could have written War and Peace in the time available, plus Pete would undoubtedly have lots to say.
Jaybro

Social climber
wuz real!
Oct 4, 2008 - 01:20pm PT
How Does one climb a big wall book.


This looks like an interesting semi-colabrative effort.
midarockjock

climber
USA
Oct 4, 2008 - 01:29pm PT
Chris I spoke to Largo and Vogel. I thank you for ST,
hope your profiting and doing well, however my help rate
is defined under CA Labor Code 515.5 noting that our type
usually always works via 1099 and there is no overtime
so the quoted hourly rate applies.
Raydog

Trad climber
Boulder Colorado
Oct 4, 2008 - 01:58pm PT
chris,

editing text is hard work...

an editor once gave me a tip;

said never, ever proof-read off the screen

always print it, read it, edit your

hardcopy OR your "saved as" version on the screen,

your choice - but the point is, and I think it's valid;

never edit something that counts, w/out reading

from hardcopy - this is for books and stuff...


one more thing...the eye is the common denominator
in recieving of visual input, peoples eyes
behave in a remarkably similar manner; there is
for certin a "visual" element to constructing effective
copy...meaning;

how your eye hits a line of text
and how easily it is to retreive what it "seeks"

make sense?


have fun, good luck.
writing B hard.
GDavis

Trad climber
Oct 4, 2008 - 04:20pm PT
"Lest not we forget how the likes of Batso, Royal, Werner, Charlie and the many other incredible and rebelious pioneers of this discipline, learned to climb a "Big Wall"... "


On Wine and Mescaline?


That could be a good chapter.
Toker Villain

Big Wall climber
Toquerville, Utah
Oct 4, 2008 - 05:04pm PT
What? The walls aren't crowded enough these days already?










(however, if anybody calls Locker gay I'm referring them to the first page of this thread)
deuce4

climber
Hobart, Australia
Oct 4, 2008 - 05:07pm PT
Hi Chris-

Treat it like a big wall: one chapter at a time. Begin with the basics. Imagine you are telling a good friend, who has never climbed before, what he will have to do to get his ass up the the big stone.

Writing the original "Big Walls Tech Manual" was extremely challenging for me, as nothing substantial had been written about big wall tools and techniques since Advanced Rockcraft by Robbins. But after helping lots of friends prepare and climb big stones, the main challenge was to transfer my knowledge onto paper. It definitely helps to "place" yourself in the action as you work the text.

For the CHockstone book, I was lucky, I had John Long as my "editor". He hammered me weekly about my progress, and would send back entire chapters for revision because it needed more "flow" from the basic to advanced topics. Perhaps you will come up with your own "theme" on the book's intrinsic structure.

Whatever you do, I am sure it will be great and creative. Good luck, it is definitely time for a new comprehensive big walls book.
Double D

climber
Oct 4, 2008 - 05:22pm PT
Chris...I'd love to see some serious consideration given to the techniques employed on the big wall speed ascents. Some of the times that walls are being done in astound an old-schooler like me.
James

climber
Leavenworthless
Oct 4, 2008 - 05:35pm PT
Put a bunch of crazy stories in it. Ammon taking enormous whippers, Honnold soloing a few wall routes, and funny anecdotes about Model Paul or Singer or Ben Who Likes Men.
Chris McNamara

SuperTopo staff member
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 4, 2008 - 06:51pm PT
thanks for all the suggestions. definitely getting me motivated to work on the book and get er done
Messages 21 - 40 of total 54 in this topic << First  |  < Previous  |  Show All  |  Next >  |  Last >>
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