I'm trying to start a kind of outlining or notetaking technique, to be refined as we go along, using specific threads where major aspects of the book can be discussed. Gradually, we should see the character of the book start to take shape.

Unless someone suggests a better alternative, I'm going to start threads from time to time which start with the words "Mudcat Book: ..." for example, "Mudcat Book: Ideas for Funding the Writing". Anyone who has ideas they'd like to contribute, or aspects of the book thing they'd like to explore, can do the same.

I see these threads as being a sort of notebook or card file to keep the project organized over time. People who are working on it can trace them, or recall them via a forum search on "Mudcat Book".

(If the very word "organized" gives you twinges, just think of it as a way to keep this lovely project from collapsing under its own weight.)

[In the interests of efficiency, I may ask Joe Offer if he'll help keep the threads on subject by editing out all of the condom jokes ... :-)]

I'll be seeing Dick soon and try to find out what reservations he, Max and Susan have about the whole thing.

I plan to go back to katlaughing's thread about the book, extract the suggested threads, and copy them to this thread.

Now for a suggested thread. Take a look at the following beautiful posts in the "Who's Your Favorite Folksinger" thread:

Shula's lyrical story of her singing grandfather, and

Art Thieme's stories of union organizer/folksinger Paul Durst.

Would add Big Mick's posting on the Songs about Vietnam thread and there are also several on the Music Therapy and Xenophobia threads that I would like to see included.

Thanks,

katlaughing

I enjoyed the thread "Objectionable Material" and its sequel. I think it inspired a lot of rational, congenial debate here.

two thread ideas, my two cents.

Rose

Well in case we do get the go ahead. Here are a few of my favourites

How to create a folksong (folk songs for dummies)

Lyrics tae songs by the Furey's (the thread were Mick and Joe were fighting for my affections and we discovered that Joe can't use a washing machine!!

Help name an Irish band

Women's song circle (one of the many circles we had at Shula's place)

Of course theses are all light hearted ones.. there are a lot of serious ones should be in there too. (Why we sing as mentioned above, was wonderful.)

Slainte

alison

Just let me know when it gets published. I wanna give a copy to a friend as well as keep one for me.

Come to think of it, my Uncle Joe would find this facinating....

Mikal

Thanks Ferrara for starting this thread and for the idea of starting notebook style threads for the book.

I haven't started toa get my thoughts in order yet about which threads I'd really like to see included. I agree about Shula's Women's Circle thread, and also I'd like to see some of the many threads which cater for the diversity of interests and viewpoints at Mudcat.

I'd also like to see some of the responses to the more negative side of the net - e.g. flaming and also attempts by outsiders to start pornographic topics. Hell, we don't need outsiders to start that, just mention any topic in any thread which has the capability of reminding Art about condoms and we can generate our own interesting conversations **BG**

Let me explain about why I'd like to see these threads (probably judiciously edited, but not completely Disney-fied). It's when we have something negative intruding on our community that we all rally around and try to proactively bring the community back into a more harmonious balance and that is when the sense of community here becomes most obvious to me.

I particularly remember a thread within the last year when someone, presumably a newcomer or outsider - not yet a member of the community) tried to start a topic on lesbian sex, but we turned it, quietly, deftly, and neatly into a discussion on music for and by gay people.

So, I'd like to see the crisis points as well as the happy healthy caring stuff.

Night Owl, I think you are on to something with that title. I'm sure that there are lots of possible variations on that theme and I'd like to see the ideas we could all come up with.

I read a review of a non-fiction book about 10 years ago. I never did find the book and now I have no idea of the title or the authors. It was the record of an e-mail friendship which started between 2 women scientists, one stationed at the north or south pole (I think) and the other one somewhere else in the world. They started e-mailing each other because of a mutual interest in a scientific topic but became e-mail friends and talked about everything important in their lives. At the time that I read the review I thought it would make fascinating reading because of the way their friendship started and how it lasted over a long period even though they didn't meet until a long time after their correspondence first began. I can see something of that scenario in the Mudcat forum, and I'd like to see if reflected in the book.

I'll keep thinking about my choices for threads to include.

Helen

I have a technical problem: I can't do a forum search. It times out. Says the search took more than 90 seconds. Anyway I've gotten in the habit of tracing everything that I want to keep track of, but that means I can't look at any earlier threads I haven't traced.

One thing: the lucky person :-) who gets to edit this book will have to do just that: edit. They'll have to pick and choose, and sometimes leave out neat stuff for the sake of the book overall. We can offer mild protests, but be polite and respectful to the editor unless you want the job.

I love all the suggested threads so far, by the way. Whether or not the book happens, we'll all get to read or re-read some wonderful stuff.

The other day when I frantically saved all the threads everyone has suggested for inclusion, into my WP program, the first one I went to later was Music Therapy. I've already taken out the non-essentials and will continue to try to whittle it down.

Anyway, just a thought. I love all of threads brought up so far. I thnk they are great. I, too, would like to see more input from some who've been around longer.

katl

In order to make it possible for that to be done (begun) during these early phases by various people, I think I'll start a new thread that, tentatively, will be about what points we want to make in the book. What is the common thread, if you will, running through all of the chapters?

I do think we need to do more than edit threads and lay them out. For non-Mudcatters to read it, they have to find something for them in the book. The editing and commentary should keep that in mind. Let's talk about what we'd like people to find in the book. BUT. Let's do that in another thread, while continuing to explore the possibilities of this thread.

In the meantime, we should start the process you're suggesting, of people finding threads they want to work on. (Who gets "Spancil Hill"?)

Ferrara, glad you think it's a good idea. I forgot to say I had edited the music therapy one for my own purposes. I wasn't trying to lay claim to it for my "official" thread.**Smile** I think it would be better served, with an intro, etc, as you suggested, by one of those who posted and actually is involved in that work on a consistent basis. I do think it could use more contributions. 'Course I am willing if no one ese jumps in.

Night Owl, MusicMan, anyone else?

katlaughing

Just to say that I'm very, very interested in this project but have a strong aversion to seeing all other aspects of my life disintegrate when I fall prey to "Mudcat Madness." So, like most of us, I'm in and out as time allows. If you ask a question or are hoping for feedback and there's no answer, I probably had something more urgent (never more important!) to do. - Rita Ferrara