Hi there. My name is Scott Duffy, and welcome to my book writing log. I have documented the process of writing my last two books on this site, and have started my third. This book will be called Visual Studio Team System In Action, and should be available in 2005.

Sorry it's been a while since I posted. I originally wanted to blog almost daily on the process of book writing.

It took me a while to get back into the groove of writing again. I find my writing inspiration comes in brief spurts. I will write furiously for 3 or 4 days, and then need 3 or 4 days to "recover". When I am behind on a deadline, I tend to stay up until 3am or 4am writing. I have a 9-5 job, and so I can only do that for a few days before it takes its toll on me.

On Monday, my editor reminded me of my "drop dead" date -- the date when my manuscript absolutely has to be handed in. I find the terminology funny, because I will basically have to work non-stop between now and the due date to have any hope of being on time. And after the due date, I will probably drop dead.

Of course the situation in Iraq isn't helping my writing. I am inclined to be glued to the TV for a few hours each night to catch up on the day's action. At some point each night I get tired of the repetitive coverage and turn the TV off and do some writing. That's not good -- that has to change.

For those of you keeping score at home, Chapter 5 (on ORM database modeling) was submitted at 11,473 words. Chapter 6 (on conceptual software design) came in at a svelt 10,141 words.

Chapter 7 is on logical design. I have to (have to... have to...) send it in on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Keep your eye on the prize.

My agent wants to know if I'd like to write a book on Windows Server Maintenance or on Mac OS X. I know nothing about either of those topics, but I gave a brief thought to writing the Mac book. It would give me an excuse to go out and buy one. ;)

Writing on the MCSD book is not going well. I haven't made any progress in nearly two weeks. It's a good thing my editor doesn't read this site.

Meanwhile, I have spent a good part of this afternoon promoting my new book. I should try and spend a few minutes every day doing this. A little publicity can only help and not hurt. I also created a new web site to help promote my book: How to Do Everything with JavaScript.


Scott

A box of my latest book arrived by mail last night. It's surreal. After months of writing, and weeks of waiting, I have in my hand an actual copy of the book.

Osborne went and changed the cover copy on me. They've removed the reference to JavaScript 2.0. Now it just says "Learn all versions of JavaScript". Geez, you have to be psychic to know what the one big selling feature of this book is. It covers JavaScript 2.0! Should be in big letters spawled across the cover.

Other than that, I'm excited! Thrilled! I can finally show my wife and family all of the secret references to them embedded in the code samples. ;)

Today's a good day!

Scott

Finally, after more than a year of being a "professional writer", I have a book available for sale on Amazon.com -- "How to Do Everything with JavaScript". Please, run out and buy lots of copies!

I finished chapter 5 of my next book this evening. Another two weeks to get this one out of my brain. Geez. I'm running out of time, and still have three chapters to go. I need to spend some serious time writing!

The good news is, the weather sucks so I have an excuse to stay home on weekends. If the weather gets nice, it'll be much tougher.

Scott