Hi Thor,
This is such a positive development...nice momentum building for this highly anticipated book. We are rooting for you guys!
Touching words about how "Freddie has created his own immortality by remaining in the hearts of all fans..." You really captured the feeling of those of us who who have been captivated and awed by this amazing man. Thank you!
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Posts in chronological order
On the advice of a very special QZ friend, Lee and I have decided to keep the QZ site open and also go ahead with the more selective FB site. It makes sense to continue to communicate with those Freddie fans who like to read our thread but prefer not to make comments...and who can blame them, considering the last 9 pages prior to this current page.
But our main goal of presenting very special moments with our dear friend is more important, and we will just deal with any troll invasions by keeping cool, calm and ignoring them right from the start if needed. I was guilty of engaging him and I am sorry I did. I understand Dustin's passion to protect his opinions and punch back, but the best trollicide proven time and time again is to ignore them. It seems they will tend to go away without the attention. Dustin, I love ya dude, but the back and forth with the last major troll wasted 8 pages and I have a feeling that the majority does not like to see that. Even that old nasty troll, kokax weighed in after a long absence hoping to stir the pot once again. Peace to all. Let's make this the positive, fun thread this and the previous thread used to be.
By the way, I always consult Lee about what's happening here but with his full time job, it is easier for me, the retiree, to handle most of it. He's way involved, don't worry.
But our main goal of presenting very special moments with our dear friend is more important, and we will just deal with any troll invasions by keeping cool, calm and ignoring them right from the start if needed. I was guilty of engaging him and I am sorry I did. I understand Dustin's passion to protect his opinions and punch back, but the best trollicide proven time and time again is to ignore them. It seems they will tend to go away without the attention. Dustin, I love ya dude, but the back and forth with the last major troll wasted 8 pages and I have a feeling that the majority does not like to see that. Even that old nasty troll, kokax weighed in after a long absence hoping to stir the pot once again. Peace to all. Let's make this the positive, fun thread this and the previous thread used to be.
By the way, I always consult Lee about what's happening here but with his full time job, it is easier for me, the retiree, to handle most of it. He's way involved, don't worry.
I'm happy you are going to go with the FB site and continue to communicate here on QZ. I read this thread for quite a while before I actually jumped in and started posting. I suspect there are many who are like I was and prefer to read without posting. I always hope they will become comfortable enough to join in, and I think that's more likely if we can keep it positive.
Hi Thor and Lee,
Thank you for deciding to keep this QZ thread running! I suspect I am part of a rather small number of people who actually does not have a Facebook page, so I am grateful for your continued participation here!
Now that you are done the book, can you share anything about the writing process? For instance, were you most inspired to do your writing in the morning, afternoon, evening, or at night? Did your writing time vary depending on the photo you were describing or did you try to work for a consistent number of hours each day? Having Freddie as your "muse" must have been truly inspiring.
Best of luck to you both during this next important phase of the process!
Thank you for deciding to keep this QZ thread running! I suspect I am part of a rather small number of people who actually does not have a Facebook page, so I am grateful for your continued participation here!
Now that you are done the book, can you share anything about the writing process? For instance, were you most inspired to do your writing in the morning, afternoon, evening, or at night? Did your writing time vary depending on the photo you were describing or did you try to work for a consistent number of hours each day? Having Freddie as your "muse" must have been truly inspiring.
Best of luck to you both during this next important phase of the process!
Lovely words Thor!
Rainbow, great idea to ask about the process of creating the book, I too am interested in that!
What an inspiring project is! I do hope others who have been reading but don't usually post on a forum will come and join in. I'll be back later and catch up properly on this thread. :-)
Rainbow, great idea to ask about the process of creating the book, I too am interested in that!
What an inspiring project is! I do hope others who have been reading but don't usually post on a forum will come and join in. I'll be back later and catch up properly on this thread. :-)
What an inspiring project THIS is, it should say, lol. I can't see how to edit. :-)
Well, I'll keep the development of the book simple. We started by organizing Lee's carefully preserved slides and snapshots into categories. As this book is about Freddie and our friendship, we relegated pics without Freddie in them to a category we have named, "The Cast of Characters" at the end of the book.
Based on themes/adventures/get-togethers, etc., we divided the pictures into about 15 or so categories. These categories allowed me to come up with a table of contents of our chapters (which we are calling Vignettes to capture a sense of musicality). Then we shared writing these vignettes according to which subject we thought we could recall the best. With enough of these vignettes written, I created a query letter which I later found out must be re-written and tailored to fit each potential publisher's specifications. I was amazed at the differences in what they wanted. Some wanted very short descriptions and examples of writing and pictures while others wanted more writing, larger chapters and more pictures. They all wanted
biographies of the author's, a current list of already published books that we might compete with our book, and a marketing strategy. Additionally, they all required writing and book writing experience information.
It is exhausting work but with Freddie in our hearts, we did it. Our most positive (and coincidently, most desired) source now wants ALL of the chapters, a more formal and complete proposal, a formal table of contents, etc., etc. This is what I am spending hours on currently. This is a labor of love and dedication to the kindness, sincerity and fun-loving character of the real Freddie Mercury outside or along-side of his Superstardom.
Based on themes/adventures/get-togethers, etc., we divided the pictures into about 15 or so categories. These categories allowed me to come up with a table of contents of our chapters (which we are calling Vignettes to capture a sense of musicality). Then we shared writing these vignettes according to which subject we thought we could recall the best. With enough of these vignettes written, I created a query letter which I later found out must be re-written and tailored to fit each potential publisher's specifications. I was amazed at the differences in what they wanted. Some wanted very short descriptions and examples of writing and pictures while others wanted more writing, larger chapters and more pictures. They all wanted
biographies of the author's, a current list of already published books that we might compete with our book, and a marketing strategy. Additionally, they all required writing and book writing experience information.
It is exhausting work but with Freddie in our hearts, we did it. Our most positive (and coincidently, most desired) source now wants ALL of the chapters, a more formal and complete proposal, a formal table of contents, etc., etc. This is what I am spending hours on currently. This is a labor of love and dedication to the kindness, sincerity and fun-loving character of the real Freddie Mercury outside or along-side of his Superstardom.
Hi Folks,
Thank Goodness! I thought the thread was winding up but It's not.??I always seem to climb aboard boats just as they are about to dock!
The thread has been great, just wish the Trolls would return under their bridges and stay there (reference 3 Billy goats gruff!)
I definitely think the best course of action is to ignore their posts entirely. They get bored very easily when not stimulated and move on! And good riddance!
Fortunately there are far, far more genuine, intelligent, respectful Freddie fans out there than this other sort!
I cannot wait for your book and as I say, will be contributing again (as soon at it's been pay day again!)
I hope Villiers2 can be tempted back when the daft element have shuffled back under their rock! Noorie, to! Liked her!??
I'll keep checking in and hope more news and views are posted.
Hope I can learn if and when you do get a Facebook page and hope I can use it too. I'm a bit flummoxed by Face Book.??
Thanks again Thor and Lee, and to all the GOOD people on QZ! You've brought a bit of brightness and interest into my life.??
Thank Goodness! I thought the thread was winding up but It's not.??I always seem to climb aboard boats just as they are about to dock!
The thread has been great, just wish the Trolls would return under their bridges and stay there (reference 3 Billy goats gruff!)
I definitely think the best course of action is to ignore their posts entirely. They get bored very easily when not stimulated and move on! And good riddance!
Fortunately there are far, far more genuine, intelligent, respectful Freddie fans out there than this other sort!
I cannot wait for your book and as I say, will be contributing again (as soon at it's been pay day again!)
I hope Villiers2 can be tempted back when the daft element have shuffled back under their rock! Noorie, to! Liked her!??
I'll keep checking in and hope more news and views are posted.
Hope I can learn if and when you do get a Facebook page and hope I can use it too. I'm a bit flummoxed by Face Book.??
Thanks again Thor and Lee, and to all the GOOD people on QZ! You've brought a bit of brightness and interest into my life.??
Just figured out why I get a lot of "?" ! QZ doesn't like emojis!
By the way, Lee reminded me just yesterday that Freddie had told him more than once, "Kathleen, make these photos WORK for you!"
This was said for one last time when he escorted Lee around his beloved garden in June of 1991.
So it seems clear that Lee had/has his permission. Lee hated and was so let down by recently reading the eight page trollathon.
Now, however, he agrees with our renewed "ignore" policy when dealing with trolls on both QZ and FB.
As my beloved mother used to always say, despite of her worsening Parkinson's Disease over 10 years, "Better Days are Coming."
This was said for one last time when he escorted Lee around his beloved garden in June of 1991.
So it seems clear that Lee had/has his permission. Lee hated and was so let down by recently reading the eight page trollathon.
Now, however, he agrees with our renewed "ignore" policy when dealing with trolls on both QZ and FB.
As my beloved mother used to always say, despite of her worsening Parkinson's Disease over 10 years, "Better Days are Coming."
Thank you Thor for the great description. I don't know any authors, so this background info on the writing process was quite fascinating. I was exhausted just reading about it! LOL. I like they way you are setting up the book, the use of vignettes. I didn't think I could be any more excited about this project than I already was, but WOW...this will be amazing. What a beautiful and lasting tribute this will be to your beloved friend!
Re formatting the book! Tell the publishers WE want loads of photos AND loads of stories (text)
In other words! We want it all and we want it NOW!
??
In other words! We want it all and we want it NOW!
??
"??" Did it again ! Aarrgghh !
No worries FreddieD,
Your enthusiasm is welcome and appreciated!
Your enthusiasm is welcome and appreciated!
Thor, I'm so glad you posted what Lee said about Freddie and the pictures. I remembered that statement from somewhere in the thread, but never could find it again. It sounds exactly like the Freddie I imagine!
Lee, I understand how you might be discouraged by what's gone on here, but please hang in there. So many people support you, you have to know we are behind you to the end. Freddie loved you guys and we do too.
Lee, I understand how you might be discouraged by what's gone on here, but please hang in there. So many people support you, you have to know we are behind you to the end. Freddie loved you guys and we do too.