I'm writing a book. Would anyone care to review a chapter?

[Rubik's Cube]

RC, that's exactly what I wanted to hear - DO IT YOUR WAY IN YOUR OWN STYLE! That's what will make your book unique and stand out from others. When I wrote the original draft of Pool Wars, I found an editor of technical journals to help me polish the final product. He advised that there were numerous grammatical errors and other misuses of certain words. He was kind enough to change all that in his editing of the first few passages of my book.

A close friend of mine read the revised version and admonished me that my book had lost all the flavor and distinction that I had bestowed on it with my "gonzo" style of writing. He recommended I keep the original version and disdain from allowing someone to edit that out. I'm grateful for his advice and glad now that I listened to him.

I love your book, especially this chapter about clever poolroom cons. Of course my memories of the Johnston City circus and my off kilter mentor Minnesota Fats cloud my judgment somewhat, but not that much. Most of these same cons (and a multitude more) I've seen first hand on both sides of the coin .

Your writing style is a pleasant cross between my friend and colleagues George Fels and Bob Byrnes, two of the most revered writers of the billiard world, and yet uniquely your own. I would like to reserve my copy now! :thumbup2:

P.S. Love the diagrams! The use of color on the yellow background makes each shot easy to see and understand, and that's the purpose they were intended for. Without these excellent and yet simple diagrams the dialogue would be almost meaningless.

Mr Helfert.

Not only am I extremely grateful for your valuable time and trouble in reading through the sample chapter, to receive the most generous of praise and advice from such a respected author is sincerely appreciated. In truth I had been struggling of late for confidence and inspiration, so your kind words of encouragement truly meant a great deal.

When Whitey's World of Pool is completed, please allow me to send you a copy of the manuscript and, perhaps, impose further upon your good nature in requesting a line or two of personal endorsement for the cover?

Once again, sir, my heartfelt thanks and respect.

Regards,
RC.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

One chapter is all we are allowed to help proofread? Surely we are most worthy of perhaps a more salty chapter. Don't spare us now! What's your PayPal. Money on the way. I'll pay by the chapter �� A unique piece so far - Nice work!

Good afternoon, K2K.

No need for any payment, sir, I will post up another sample chapter for your kind consideration in the coming weeks. And, when the book is eventually completed, I would be honoured to send you a free copy with my compliments.

Us pool ball collectors have to stick together!

Kind regards,
RC.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

You are asking a group, largely North American, to comment on a book written in UK English.

When I read The Economist, I frequently collide with terms I have never encountered before. Some I research, most I ignore.

In your text: ragman's trumpet ???

Listening to UK snooker commentary, I hear pontificators speaking in what I call 'Third Person Personal", as in:

"He just made the shot of the tournament, Stephen Hendry."

To a North American, it is bassackwards.

Why do they make us wait until the end of the sentence to let us know about whom they are talking? Drives me up the wall. Is that a phrase understood in the UK?

And I draw a blank on the source of your Kipling quote

Good afternoon, Scaramouche.

Many thanks, sir, for taking the time to have a read, it's very much appreciated.

You're correct, of course, in that my book is rather a hybrid creation, probably falling somewhere halfway across the Atlantic. As an Englishman I always enjoy American literature, particularly billiard or gambling related, and actively seek out unfamilar turns of phrase in our common language. I guess I'm hoping other readers might feel the same on your side of the pond.

Many thanks again and kind regards,
RC.

 

[Rubik's Cube]

Any folks keen on typography might be interested to learn that, despite its appearance, no justification tools have been employed to manipulate the text; each line is exactly the same length.

I made a comprehensive study of Johannes Gutenberg's Bible some years ago and was fascinated by his use of variable spacing and glyphs to eliminate rivers coursing through the pages and produce a work of beauty as well as content. A similar technique has not been adopted here, but the great man was my inspiration.