Farm Fresh Blog

Monday, February 01 2016

The Anatolians are eight months old today and are officially taller than Briar.

Get her some smelling salts...

The other news is that since I'm officially retired now, I have started work on the books you've been asking about. Since retirement means a fixed income and a much smaller paycheck, the first book I'm working on is the book I think will sell the fastest to an agent and a publisher. That's the CSI book. There are lots of ranchers out there writing, but there are not as many CSI writers. With a smaller field I think I have a better chance of being noticed by an agent. Unless an agent called me up out of the blue and just begged for a farm book which is not likely to happen, I'll be knocking on doors pushing the CSI book first.

The CSI book will include some old blog posts with a hefty addition of new stuff. Which CSI blog posts are ones that you feel must be included in this first book? Also, do you think the photos are important, or can we drop those?

After the CSI book is complete, then I'll start work on the farm book/books. My question to you is this. What kind of farm book would be of the most interest? There's a heck of a lot more material to work with and so I need to start figuring out which direction to narrow things. That depends upon you because you guys have seen the greatest sample of work. There are a lot of different directions I can take.

What are your thoughts?

Posted by: forensicfarmgirl AT 08:35 am | Permalink | 11 Comments | Email

Comments:

I would buy a narrative type book. A beefed up journey about what you've earned and how. Your unique perspective and humor will carry the day! By the way, so many farm books get published because there is a market.

Posted by Andrea on 02/01/2016 - 09:19 AM

Touche! That's a very good point. :)

Posted by forensicfarmgirl on 02/01/2016 - 10:04 AM

The pictures you post on the CSI blog have a lot of meaning, just like the words do. I would certainly use them in a book. Pictures ARE worth a thousand words.

Posted by paulainnevada on 02/01/2016 - 01:10 PM

Keep pics very important. Re other themes I think Briar and her journey maybe as a children's book. Including some LGD info and background.

Posted by Liz (Vic AUst) on 02/01/2016 - 04:10 PM

Your best talent is your super sense of humor. Without even looking, I remember the snake story. I prefer the farm stories -- more humor available, but perhaps you have a lot more additional stories to write on the CSI side. Personally, I love learning anything about CSI so I like the informative & the funny posts most. Unlike the farm blog, I found a disconnect with the photos & CSI stories so I'd suggest you think about that. You know that the CSI TV series have been popular so ask yourself, what can I inform people that would interest them?

Posted by Terri's Pal on 02/01/2016 - 04:24 PM

I don't remember the post but the phrase playing twister over a dead body is burned into my brain. Also, it is such a dark subject, I really appreciate the humor you interject into your CSI blog. I never knew when I started reading if I would laugh or cry

Posted by Rebecca on 02/01/2016 - 07:50 PM

Love all the educational parts of your CSI blog - mainly because you took a difficult subject and were able to educate with humor and compassion, so I would include a lot of those. However, the one CSI story that touched me the most, and makes me cry every time I read it, is "The Birthday Suit" about how the child's suit and tie will be used for the funeral instead of family photos. From the farm blog side - Briar definitely needs her own book and it should include that beautiful picture of her and Roanie when they first met!

Posted by Janie on 02/01/2016 - 10:08 PM

You may not have to keep all the pictures, but you should keep a good number of them. Your dark humor is very relatable and any posts where CSI meets ranch life were the ones I considered best.

Posted by Patty on 02/02/2016 - 09:48 PM

You should work on the CSI book first because you are not going to acquire any more new material and if you wait too long, some technical info may change, or your memory may fade. I do not recall any CSI blog posts that I would cut, and they are probably just as good as any new material you add. It is a good mix of humorous and emotionally evocative stories. I would start with them and add some new material as well when you've found your overall direction for the book. Then seek out an editor for advice on what to cut. I would keep the pictures unless your editor feels they would increase the cost of printing too much.

Posted by Elissa on 02/06/2016 - 12:31 PM

I think Briar and Roanie should have a children's book. Perhaps Tiny will be a children's book. The border collies are why I read your blog and my favorite part, but maybe a children's book on the LGDs in general would be nice as well. Border collies are too amazing to not have a book. You will continue to acquire new farm stories as you write these books for an adult's book on the farm, including lots of border collie stories. Speaking as a border collie fanatic, they are a popular subject for books, but your stories may not be different enough from what is already out there, no offense intended, but they do have a market and I love your stories. Maybe do something with your soul dog, the Belgian T. as well.

Posted by Elissa on 02/06/2016 - 12:40 PM

Thanks for all the feedback, I'll definitely keep all that in mind as I get this book ready. :)

Posted by forensicfarmgirl on 02/12/2016 - 08:21 AM