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Who Dares Wins
Author: bob02.25.2008
So the book is sold to Simon & Schuster with a Jan 2009 pub date in hardcover and I have to have it in by 15 April. Considering I’m basically cutting the current 116,000 word book down to 50,000 that’s not too bad, although there needs to be some restructuring.First issue though is title. I sold it as:WHO DARES WINS: THE GREEN BERET WAY TO CONQUER FEAR AND SUCCEEDBut I’m thinking maybe:WHO DARES WINS: THE GREEN BERET WAY TO SOLVE PROBLEMS Shorter and more to the point? It’s basically using Special Operations tactics in day to day living.Thoughts? I’m still thinking both of those are too negative sounding. MaybE:WHO DARES WINS: THE GREEN BERET WAY TO SUCCEEDorWHO DARES WINS: THE GREEN BERET PATH TO SUCCESSDecisions, decisions.One slot left for the March retreat if anyone is interested, btw.
February 25th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
How about “The Green Beret path to successful solutions”
February 25th, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Bob–are you talking about the book for individuals? If so, perhaps some semi-mythical reference to a solitary soldier. Yeah, right, the Lone Ranger. I’m serious here. For now. You chose the chess knight motif for your card, right?
SOLO: You are all the solution you need. Slave Driver! You’re the awesome chick. Get back here.
I like the word Path. Solo. One. It all sounds so Zen. One Who Dares.
Of course, if this is the one about team-building, I got nothing.
February 25th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
And there is no way to explain how funny it struck me to mention a “March retreat” in the context of all the Green Beret info. What can I say? I was enlisted.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
And the title should not be dull, should not sound like the 19,000 other “rise to the top of the corporate ladder” tomes out there. Probably, “Boot up and kick Trouble’s Asp” is not the thing, but some tingle would be good. Some Zap. Something a little dangerous, a bit macho. Something Not Beige. It’s about Daring, right?
February 25th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I would definitely and most emphatically prefer “path to success” over “path to succeed.”
Just my two cents.
And LTL? Writers retreat, publishers advance
February 25th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
“Who Dares Wins: Using Special Ops Tactics in Day-To-Day Living.”
Not it, but near. Go for something sexier.
February 25th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Or, how about: Who Dares Wins: the Green Beret Way to get people to do what you want OR they become a bad smell in a culvert somewhere…
(Better LtL?)
February 25th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
The Green Beret Journey: Who Dares Wins.
Eh, I’m brain dead tonight. But hey, congrats! on the pub date. Yay!!!
February 26th, 2008 at 4:58 am
I’ve realized, it’s the word SUCCEED that beiges me out. It sounds so corporate. All the rest of it: WHO DARES WINS: THE GREEN BERET WAY TO CONQUER FEAR AND–all of that is good, strong. Succeed is so Steven Covey gray suit power tie bland. TRIUMPH probably isn’t right. EMERGE. Still not right. Hmm. TAKE CONTROL. Yup. TAKE CONTROL.
TOTW!
February 26th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I like the “conquering fear” part in the title. To me, “the way to solve problems” sounds too generic. I like LtL’s idea.
February 26th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I like “WDW: Conquer and Succeed the Green Beret Way”
Or “WDW: The Green Beret Track to Success”
February 26th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Continuing on with the Military theme - is there some military term for a successful Mission? Or completed Task - that could fill in the blank in the title.
Your hook is the military connection to everyday living - with a positive outcome.
I suck at title help, but I’ll be buying the book.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Congrats on the the confirmed publication. The separation of person building and teambuilding made perfect sense to me. I haven’t read the original book, but it seems a more natural format. I know I would find a book about personal motivation more to my point. Oops, is that my introvert showing?
As far as the title goes, I tend to cringe a bit at the military and particularly GB emphasis myself. I am sure that is necessary and correct as a way to sell this particular book, though. I think Marcia has an important insight, both about using military terms or slang and the every day life and positive outcome.
Now I am probably going on a genreation behind on what special operations forces are and what they are trying to accomplish, but my understanding was that they were supposed to aid and train local militias and civilians in rebellion and survival during times of war or turmoil. They are required to be not just excellent soldiers but able translators, teachers and leaders. But most of all, they must be able to solve problems and accomplish complex (read human, ethically challenging) missions.
But on the other hand public opinion seems pretty convinced that Rambo defines what a GB should be. I guess a scowling, muscle- and weapon-bound suicidal mad man is more interesting than a highly trained proffesional who can help you get your sewage system functional before all your neighbors die of typhoid.
I guess what I’m blathering on about here is a problem both your title and the GBs have in general. If you play to the GB elements in your book, you are telling the truth but you need to address that common misperception. I think at least.
February 26th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
WDW: Green Beret Tactics for Success
February 26th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
I think if you use “conquer” many shoppers will think this is strictly Mil school writing, not writing for the masses. (Having MS courses in college, it reads that way.)
I like WDW: The Green Beret Path to Success, or “way to solve problems best. It sounds more universal
February 26th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
No, honestly, Jackie, I can’t see that a scowling madman is more interesting than a well-trained, effective leader. It’s true that there are some who will recoil (heehee) at anything remotely military, but they won’t be the audience. They can read some other book–there are lots out there. Each author writes the book only he/she can write. No writer, no blogger, no politician or pundit or beermaker can please everyone. References to military techniques will not be a problem to those who are willing to expand their understanding. The original WDW is very helpful and interesting, and surprisingly light on gore and generalized madness, and much less ethically challenging than, say, the junior high school social scene. I think, anyway.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:50 am
LtL Obviously you’re right about every book not being right for every reader. If there was one book for everyone, why would we have more than one book on any subject?
I guess I was assuming that Bob was trying to broaden his audience a bit. I think that’s a good idea, and not only because I want Bob to write more books. From what I’ve read here this book has the potential of a greater audience than just those who think the military is ok (not a small or homogenous group either). I was merely pointing out that more peole would pick up the book and appreciate it if it was marketed with something to address the Rambo misperception. I have more interest in the intellegent,effective, professionals as well.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I don’t honestly think too many people are going to look at Bob’s book and think “Rambo.” It certainly never crossed my mind, either in connection with the book or his military service. If at all, I should think the portion of the public that did have that perception would be very small. And not the type to be shopping in that aisle of the bookstore in any case.
February 27th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Huh. Keep me in Moderator Limbo for days and days?
Fine.
Be that way.
I will eschew sensitive, intellectual comments and instead turn to writing comments about **Gurlz! Gurlz! Gurlz!** Free Niagra! ** Senile Enhancement Kits!** Bad Shpelling! ** And much much more! **
February 28th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
LMAO. oh merry. you really did go round the bend…
February 29th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Not much to add, except to say I like the original title. I like the “conquer fear and succeed” part. I think it’s strong, and it entices me to try the book.
March 1st, 2008 at 11:16 am
Rambo was a Green Beret? Are you sure? Huh. The things you learn.
I think you should play up the military aspect. Isn’t that where your expertise lies? And I’m sorry, but I really dislike “The Green Beret Way to” do anything. My Least Favorite Aunt gave my dad a book called “The Way” back in the 70’s or so. Hate that expression.
I think you said it best when you described it as: “using Special Operations tactics in day to day living.” If that’s what it is, maybe that’s what you should call it.
Or, how about:
WDW: Green Beret Tactics for Civilians
WDW: How to Make Green Beret Tactics Work for You
WDW: Using Green Beret Tactics to Win Your Battles
WDW: Special Operations Tactics for Personal Success
WDW: Applying Green Beret Tactics in Daily Life
But I’ve been thinking (oh, just relax). If you want to branch out and sell this to a different market — say, for instance, stay-at-home moms — you really need to make it something they can relate to. So I thought up some catchy chapter titles for you. No thanks necessary. Really.
Effective Camouflage, or How to Avoid Volunteerism at PTA Meetings
Hand-to-Hand Combat Tactics, or How to Get the Best After-Thanksgiving Bargains
Selecting Small Arms, or Does this Glock Match my Shoes?
Leadership by Example, or Convincing the Kids Homework is Fun and Easy
Urban Recon Techniques, or How to Find Those #*$^% Missing Socks
And I just know there’s some connection between explosives and house cleaning, but I can’t quite think what it might be . . .
What’s that? Oh. You were just going to use Chapter 1, Chapter 2 and so on.
Hmmm. Okay. Never mind then.
I’m supposed to be writing fiction anyway. And lurking. Not succeeding at either today.
I’ll try harder.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Bob–do you honestly believe that T. Jefferson quote about never regretting that which we have NOT said? Because I disagree with it.
Of course, it could just be the Bob version of “terms of use.”
Just wondering.
And, yeah. Go with the original title. S&S is not a non-profit org; if they like the title, it should do well.
March 2nd, 2008 at 8:02 am
Wow, Merry was right, this moderation limbo is not a fun place. It’s cold and dark in here and smells musty like no one ever sweeps up. Wish I’d thought to bring a sweater. The air feels heavy, like years of accumulated loneliness and despair, as if there is a dark miasma looming over me that, if I took too deep a breath, would taste almost like the sharp bitter taint of censorship. Nasty place.
I wonder how long I’ll have to stay in here. This is the problem with being a lurker, no one notices when you go missing and you wind up huddled in a dank place where no one can find you even if they knew to look, clinging to fragile threads of sanity and hope. Where are those HRT guys when you need them? Hard to tell in the dark, but I don’t think the lock on that door is all that strong. One hard manly kick ought to do it. Or a key. Maybe someone will send an A-team. Probably only need one guy, not an entire tea– What was that? I think someone’s coming.
“Oh, hi, Bob! Done teaching, are you? Was it a good workshop?” Geez, that flashlight is bright. Is he scowling? Hard to tell. I think one eye just twitched. That can’t be good. “What? Me? Oh, I’m not doing anything. Just sitting here, shivering, minding my own business. You know how some people are, though. You leave them alone in the dark too long, they start to make stuff up. Not that I wou– um, never mind. Hey, thanks for letting me out.”
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Hi, NOT BCB. Here’s a laprug and a mug of glog. Mind the raisins.
March 2nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
They were supposed to be raisins.
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
They look more like prunes to me. I’d swear there are R.O.U.S.’s down there.
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Right! Our Used Snapdragons.
Really! Only Utter Symplicity.
Roughly Of Unused Sensitivity.
Rightous Olives Under Snow.
I have no idea what a R.O.U.S. is. Maybe what a Green Beret wears under his… Never mind.
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Geez, your children never let you watch the Princess Bride either? So many deprived parents out there.
Rodents Of Unusual Size
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:27 pm
There might also have been some Really Old Unwashed Socks.
But it was dark. Did I mention it was dark? And I still feel the chill.
March 26th, 2008 at 8:15 pm
The Chill? probably exposure to those Really Old Unwashed Socks.
As for the title: I think the word “way” is too soft, too blah. As far as the reader scoping out the book in the bookstore, I’d say not to opt for a title that sounds like it’s Only for military. I agree with ‘Path to success’ or with “Not Bob” about “WDW: Special Operations Tactics for Personal Success” or “WDW: Green Beret Tactics for Personal Success.”
“WDW: Special Operations Tactics for Success” sounds more military, like it’s targeted to the military, although I actually liked that title the best at first. So “… Path to success” might be too ambiguous, too–for the scanning reader in that bookstore.
But then there’s that “Personal Success” phrase, which does have those connotations of the “corporate.” Of the lurker’s “Not Bob”s list, I liked all but No. 3.
I liked the dark miasma that tasted of censorship, too. But not as a title.
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:08 am
munchie…
classic scorched earth…