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Decided to write a Prostate Cancer Journey book

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Posted 12/19/2012 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
After pondering this idea for the past year, I have decided that my next writing project will be a non-fiction book.  I am going to write a book entitled, "One Scary Ride:  A Prostate Cancer Journey".

As I said, it will be non-fiction, a first for me, as all my other books are fiction.  It will be about my persoanl prostate cancer journey, along with "lay" tips at the end of each chapter, based on all I have read, learned, and heard from my doctors over the year.

I plan to start it the first of the year, and expect to finish it in 3-4 months at the top.  I plan to donate 50% of any monies or royalties to PC related causes.

Many have asked me to do this, because part of me feels, who really cares in the world?  I am just another smuck that happened to get PC.  But perhaps if I can write the full story with passion, it may help our common cause.

Was awake at 3 AM this morning, and the ideal struck me hard, and decided it was time to act on it.  Got some other fiction books ready to be written, but I feel in my heart, the time is right for this book, while everything is so fresh in my mind.

David in SC

Posted 12/19/2012 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Fantastic!!!  Who better to write it than you....

Bill

Posted 12/19/2012 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Great idea, David!! You write so well, and have so much experience, it can all come together so nicely to serve others on a similar journey. I think this is an appropriate place for a sentence I read a few days ago:

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dream." P.Coelho
Posted 12/19/2012 3:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I think I can tell the whole story in detail, with compassion, and perhaps, just perhaps, it could help a few others along the way in path of prostate cancer.

david
Posted 12/19/2012 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
David,
Good luck with the project! It will be interesting to see the final product.
SC
Posted 12/19/2012 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
That is great news, David. Best wishes and blessings to you. You have a story that needs to be told!

Merry Christmas,

Bill in San Diego

Posted 12/19/2012 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
As a former librarian, I'm pretty sure I developed during those years a pretty good "instinct" for sensing when a given person has the makings of a really fine author, as can be judged, for example, from the way he writes on a net forum, and from what I could pick up about his personality from what he says and how well he says it.

David, my "instinct" is telling me that you are one first-rate author in any subject area you choose to write about, whether it's fiction or non-fiction journal style. And with your experience, as demanding as it has been for you, you are eminently qualified to write about and tell the world about your PC journey.

I'm certain you would be well able to compose a work that would be of great value to many who now must go down the PC road'

If you do pursue this, absolutely by all means keep us updated on your progress, and on the publication of the final product!
Posted 12/19/2012 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
Looking forward to reading it.

All the best,
Andrew
Posted 12/19/2012 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
That sounds terrific. Congratulations!
Posted 12/19/2012 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Might help some pause and question alot more, which that type of book needs to be out there. You might want to read Aubrey Pilgrim's book on his PCa journey, in effect he misses his prostate, I talked with him back in the day. He was a well respected guy on a forum or two back then, Terry H. knew him too. You might get some ideas from his writting, maybe like style, format, whatever....no down side. You can google him for the book A Revolutionary Approach to PCa probably book is on amazon too. (or something like that).

http://www.amazon.com/Revolutionary-Approach-Prostate-Aubrey-Pilgrim/dp/1585010154/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1355939524&sr=1-3&keywords=aubrey+pilgrim

Get-r-done!!!

Post Edited (zufus) : 12/19/2012 10:53:01 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/19/2012 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
What a splendid idea!
My very best wishes with what I imagine will be a complex project.
Alf
Posted 12/19/2012 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
Can't help but wonder if your current litigation would get in the way of being able to publish your full account ...
Posted 12/19/2012 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
David
I'd buy it!!! It would be a page turner.
Good luck to you
Bill
Posted 12/19/2012 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
Marvelous!  I'm glad you're doing it.  Best of luck.  Also- glad to hear Peg is doing better. 

 

Posted 12/19/2012 9:50 PM (GMT 0)
David, great idea. You sure have a lot of material to write about with all the issues you have had since the beginning of your journey.
Posted 12/19/2012 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks. And its obvious, I would have to keep all real names out of it, including doctors, hospitals, clinics, radiation centers, etc, for obvious reason of libel, etc. But the story and advice can be told without specific names being mentioned.

zufus, not a bad suggestion, but to be honest, have read a few other published accounts, and i already have my own writing style and format in mind. don't want to model after anyone else (even though they may be far more qualified than me on certain technial points), but even when i write my beloved fiction, including my current book, i always let the book write itself, from the heart. i seem to do my best when i allow the "magic" just to take place on its own.

the real trick for me, is making the switch from fiction to non-fiction. with fiction, anything can be whatever i want it to be, and i can make up stuff as i go along. i still want this new one to be accurate, as far as any advice written. don't want to steer anyone down the wrong path, but i don't plan to be dogmatic about any unique views of treatment of my own. it will be combination of a personal narrative, along with "tips and advice" at the end of each chapter.

not sure how much market there would be for this or similar titles, will have to check out a few of the currently published accounts and see how out there, is publishing such titles.

would rather be starting a new fiction book, but will put them on the back burner till i get this one done. may even start it over the next few evenings, and see if i can get some kind of natural flow going. if so, the rest will be easy.

david
Posted 12/19/2012 11:17 PM (GMT 0)
You certainly have lots of material to work from here among your thousands of posts...lessons learned, including things to do, and not to do... I think I have a few of your "classics" bookmarked, as well.
Posted 12/20/2012 12:31 AM (GMT 0)
So many men with prostate cancer and treatment issues would benefit from a firsthand account like yours, David.  Happy writing!
Posted 12/20/2012 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
David, what's a smuck?

My Jewish friends might use the word schmuck, and being generally from the NY area, I have a few of them.

Does this qualify me to be your editor?
Posted 12/20/2012 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
thanks, haven't felt this inspired about starting a new book in a long time. it will be a good "mind" project for me, since I can no longer work per say, i don't always feel relevent any more. i have never quite gotten over being taken out of the work force and the work I loved doing. never planned for that, nor anticipated that i would be in this situation.

after completing my last novel, which was actually finished in 2007, but only published this year, been in a bit of a mind funk. so hopefully, this new inspiration will get me rolling again. the one comodity i have a lot of, is empty time on my hand, and that drives me nuts.

there's only so much housework, cooking, fiddling around the place a guy can do. i do miss my former career. its been hard on me going from being "somebody" in the business community, to being "no one". you get forgotten real fast in my situation. you only count if you are still a producer.

david
Posted 12/20/2012 3:23 AM (GMT 0)
You certainly are very good with words and especially concise at representing what you are going through. I know it's how you feel, but you certainly are not a "nobody", but I relate to the degree I became a stay at home mom, grandma, caregiver to my mom, and general support and behind the scenes person; however, I will never - well almost never - regret or "should" on myself.....well, I try.
Posted 12/20/2012 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
David,

One thing you should seriously consider is e-publishing.  You can even easily self- e-publish.  Pts of info on it out on the web.  I consdiered for my book, but I need a hand-on product for my concept (still waiting to talk with a copyright lawyer etc. until after my surgery and we see what is happening with hubby's PCa).  So don't worry about whether 'real' publishers would be interested - there WILL be a market for your book!  I have a special feeling tingling in my thumbs (shades of Anne of Green Gables) about this!!! yeah

Posted 12/20/2012 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
David,

I can't wait to read it...I think you should include some characters from HW... It could then be tunred into a fine movie staring.....:

Tony C. -- played by Russel Crowe
Todd -- played by Woody Harrelson
Jim (Oncas) -- played by Al Pachino
....

to name a few...
Posted 12/20/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
In as much as I work at Xerox, I would be remiss if I did not point out that you can also self-publish your book. Xerox has a partnership with On Demand books to make this possible:

http://www.ondemandbooks.com/self_publishing.php
Posted 12/21/2012 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Not worried about the publishing part, with 3 books behind me. Just got to get off my a** and start to work on the project. As soon as Christmas is over with, the excuses to delay will be gone. Once I get started, it will go pretty fast, as when I am in a serious writing mood, it becomes a real OCD work of love, sometimes writing 2-3 k words a day of finished text. Getting me started is always the issue, not the classic "writer's block".

david
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