Flying Story

[john smith[_2_]]

In article >,
"Danny Deger" > wrote:

> Here is a flying story for you to enjoy -- I hope. I am almost finished
> with a complete book. Anyone know how to get an agent of a publisher?

lulu.com

Only pay for what you sell.

[john smith[_2_]]

Danny,
I see a couple instances where you use the word "since" where you mean
to use "sense". Your spell checker will not catch this as it is
correctly spelled.

[Jim Carter[_1_]]

Danny,
you ought to put this over on rec.aviation.stories. You also could use
some help from a nit-picking proof-reader. I probably don't qualify because
I enjoyed it too much, but make sure they have an bit of a military aviation
exposure.

--
Jim Carter
Rogers, Arkansas
"Danny Deger" > wrote in message
...
> Here is a flying story for you to enjoy -- I hope. I am almost finished
> with a complete book. Anyone know how to get an agent of a publisher?
>
> Danny Deger
>
> 7. Replacement Training Unit, RTU, Graduation
>
> RTU was fairly straight forward. Lots of academics on aircraft systems
> and combat maneuvering - both air-to-air and air-to-ground. It turned out
> I had a good since of geometry that served me well in the cockpit. I did
> well in dropping bombs and flying air-to-air combat.
>
> I must confess something at this point. I am not by nature a violent
> person. I have only been in two fights in my life and in both I was
> attacked by the other person. I was forced to defend myself. I was
> raised going to church on Sunday and read the bible. I thought the
> teaching of non-violence made since and I tried my best to follow them.
> Becoming a warrior in the form of a fighter pilot was really against my
> nature, but it was a necessary step to becoming an astronaut. I also
> realized I didn't want the world to fall to communism and if I had to
> shoot down a couple of airplanes or drop a few bombs to help stop
> communism I would do that. I didn't realize what I was getting into until
> it was too late. The primary mission of F-4s in the Air Force at that
> time was nuclear strike! If the big war broke out in Europe, I wouldn't
> be shooting down another airplane, or dropping a few bombs on enemy ground
> forces, I would be in the middle of general nuclear combat that would
> probably end the world as we knew it.
>
> My introduction to nuclear combat came in the form of an instructor that
> loved his job. This guy was really kind of scary. He liked the nukes.
> He thought if a war was started, nukes were the way to go. "Don't mess
> around with those little firecrackers if you want to kill something. Go
> for the big bang. With one of these babies a single F-4 can single
> handily win the war." He didn't bother to mention the Russians had their
> fair share of nukes and would also use them to win the war.
>
> I was told anything and everything about how to drop a nuke was
> classified. I must respect this and say nothing about it. Even though a
> lot of information is available in open literature, I will respect the
> need for secrecy and say nothing except this -- the checks and controls on
> the release of nuclear weapons is as close to fool proof as it can be.
> The chances of an accidental or unauthorized release is close to zero.
>
> After learning how to drop nuclear bombs as well as conventional bombs, it
> was time for our final flight at RTU. This was a final exam and a flight
> that for the first time exercised a large number of aircraft hitting the
> target in a coordinated fashion. I remember the flight well. I was
> number 2 of a 2 ship formation and we were in the middle of the strike
> package. We flew a low level training route to the range with other
> aircraft flying different low level routes to the same range. Spacing was
> done with timing. My lead was responsible for timing between our flight
> and the other flights. I just flew formation off of him. We flew tactical
> spread - I stayed line abreast of him separated by about a mile. This is
> the standard formation used today by combat aircraft. There is enough
> room for independent maneuvering and each aircraft can watch the others
> tail for an attacking aircraft coming from behind. The problem is turning
> the formation. After the turn both aircraft need to end back up line
> abreast again. The Air Force has developed a set of check turns and
> weaving to do this.
>
> The battle plan was for my lead to attack the target first. We were only
> dropping 25 pound practice bombs that put out a little smoke. But, they
> simulated regular bombs that generate a large amount of fragmentation. I
> needed to pass over the target after lead's bombs fragments had time to
> get below my altitude. To get this spacing I turned hard into lead and
> crossed behind him at a 90 degree angle. I flew about a mile to the side
> and made a hard turn to parallel his path, but now well behind him. We
> both used a standard popup attack. At about 5 miles from the target I
> made a hard 30 degree turn away from the target and pulled the nose up 30
> degrees. Look toward the target area and find the target. I see it, but
> the angles are wrong. Climb to 4,000 feet and pull into the target. The
> angles are getting worse. I can't roll out and be on final. Intuitively
> I realize I need to do a small and quick barrel roll to line up on the
> target. This is not the way it is supposed to work. I have never done a
> roll in the middle of a bomb pass. Without much thought I do it. I have
> enough sense to tell my back seat instructor, "Rolling onto final."
> Without this call I was afraid he might think I was out of control and
> bailout on me.
>
> The roll works great. It occurs to me the instructor might find my roll
> as unsafe and bust me on the ride, but I end up on final and drop my
> string of practice bombs. I find out later I hit the target. Now it is
> time to egress and get back into formation. I turn to the egress heading
> and advance the throttles to military power. The plan is for lead to do
> two 90 degree turns to fall back and get us back into formation. I see
> lead and watch his turns. Not enough - I am still way back. Time for
> more speed. I move the throttles past the military power detent and take
> them to full afterburner. I feel the comforting push back in the seat. I
> am still way back but have lots of fuel for afterburner. I leave the
> throttles parked full forward. I am supposed to be line abreast with lead
> and I hate being out of formation.
>
> The planned altitude is 500 feet. Looking outside it looks about like 500
> feet, but I check my altimeter. It reads 1,500 feet. I don't think I am
> that high but altimeters don't lie - I start a slow decent. The ground is
> starting to look pretty close so I check the altimeter again - 1,300 feet.
> I am starting to think something is wrong with the altimeter because if I
> go any lower I will be below the trees. One more glance at the altimeter.
> I see it bouncing between 100 feet and 1,300 feet. I suddenly realize
> what is wrong. I am right at Mach 1 and the shock wave is bouncing around
> the altimeter's static port on the nose of the plane. A little bit faster
> and the shockwave will move in front of the plane and clean up the static
> port. I am supersonic on the deck at about 100 feet!!!
>
> About this time I realize I am leaving the range and starting to head down
> the Kissimmee river back to Homestead AFB. I see a lock on the canal.
> There are 4 cars in a parking lot and several chairs with people fishing.
> I am going so fast I barely take it in before going straight over the top
> of them. I have a good idea of what those poor fisherman went through --
> the work loud I am sure doesn't even come close. I have heard F-4s in the
> traffic pattern at 1,500 feet and a modest power settings. This is so
> loud you can't carry on a normal conversation. Supersonic at 100 feet in
> full burner has got to be really, really bad on the old eardrums. One
> thing I know for sure, they didn't hear me coming. I was going faster
> than the speed of sound.
>
> My efforts finally paid off. Lead slowed down some and I finally caught
> up. We did a short low level to egress the target area and made a landing
> back at Homestead without incident. I was concerned about busting the
> ride for one of many reasons - rolling on final, being out of formation,
> and going supersonic off the range. None of this was a problem. The
> instructor passed me and I was soon off to the tobacco fields of North
> Carolina.
>
>

[Tex Houston]

"john smith" > wrote in message
...
> Danny,
> I see a couple instances where you use the word "since" where you mean
> to use "sense". Your spell checker will not catch this as it is
> correctly spelled.

Also... I have a good idea of what those poor fisherman went through -- the
work loud I am sure doesn't even come close.

Should be ...WORD loud...

Tex

[tscottme]

I thought the story was interesting. Thanks for posting.

--

Scott

United Airlines Flight #93 "Let's Roll"
British Royal Navy "We made a conscious decision to not engage the Iranians
and do as they asked."

[Jay Honeck]

> Here is a flying story for you to enjoy -- I hope. I am almost finished
> with a complete book. Anyone know how to get an agent of a publisher?

Great story, Danny -- thanks for sharing.

As others have noted, you need to find a good editor/proof-reader.
After that, it'll be a great book, and I'll be first in line to buy
it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Flyin'[email protected]]

"Danny Deger" > wrote:

> I am right at Mach 1 and the shock wave is bouncing around the
> altimeter's static port on the nose of the plane. A little bit faster and
> the shockwave > will move in front of the plane and clean up the static
> port. I am supersonic on the deck at about 100 feet!!!

> Supersonic at 100 feet in full burner.

Very awesome story. The F4 is my all time favorite from when I was a
little kid. You are very lucky to have had the opportunity to fly that
plane.

--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

[Ed Rasimus[_1_]]

On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:25:41 -0500, "Danny Deger"
> wrote:

>Here is a flying story for you to enjoy -- I hope. I am almost finished
>with a complete book. Anyone know how to get an agent of a publisher?
>
>Danny Deger

Others have already made the obvious comments regarding spelling and
the virtual impossibility of seeing your own errors. Also there are
style questions--different folks like different styles.

This snapshot of the work doesn't really have the "hook" that gets you
a contract, but I assume there is one in the total work. There has to
be some theme, message, coherence, or compelling issue that is going
to get a buyer to shell out the $$$ for your work.

You can "self-publish" or "publish on demand"--these are two aspects
of what is referred to as the "vanity press". Folks want to say
they've written a book, so they pay a couple of thousand dollars to
have a few hundred copies printed up and then distribute them to
friends. I don't recomment that, YMMV.

"When Thunder Rolled" got bought up by the first publisher that read
it. I got a friend who had published several books to give me a
contact name for an acquisition editor and that was all it took.
Smithsonian Books did the job and I didn't use an agent. But,
Smithsonian is a non-profit and not very aggressive in marketing.
Thanks to some friends like RAM's own Dan Ford who got a review
published in the Wall Street Journal, the book did quite well.

"Palace Cobra" originally was contracted to Smithsonian, but they
failed to publish under the contract terms and defaulted. I then found
an agent who marketed the manuscript for me and got it printed by St.
Martin's Press. Better marketing, better contract, better pay-off.

It takes a lot of effort to find a publisher or agent who will take
your work. Scout out the internet for names and contact info. Write or
call and ask if they have an interest. Don't send unsolicitied
manuscripts out!

For most agents and publishers the requirement is a
"proposal"--usually that's a synopsis or executive summary, an
expanded table of contents and two chapters to illustrate your work.
Make sure that the proposal has some teeth; something to really get
them salivating over the book.

The publisher will do the copy edit, the design, the cover art and
maybe more.

Good luck.

Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
www.thunderchief.org
www.thundertales.blogspot.com

[Danny Deger]

Here is a flying story for you to enjoy -- I hope. I am almost finished
with a complete book. Anyone know how to get an agent of a publisher?

Danny Deger

7. Replacement Training Unit, RTU, Graduation

RTU was fairly straight forward. Lots of academics on aircraft systems and
combat maneuvering - both air-to-air and air-to-ground. It turned out I had
a good since of geometry that served me well in the cockpit. I did well in
dropping bombs and flying air-to-air combat.

I must confess something at this point. I am not by nature a violent
person. I have only been in two fights in my life and in both I was
attacked by the other person. I was forced to defend myself. I was raised
going to church on Sunday and read the bible. I thought the teaching of
non-violence made since and I tried my best to follow them. Becoming a
warrior in the form of a fighter pilot was really against my nature, but it
was a necessary step to becoming an astronaut. I also realized I didn't
want the world to fall to communism and if I had to shoot down a couple of
airplanes or drop a few bombs to help stop communism I would do that. I
didn't realize what I was getting into until it was too late. The primary
mission of F-4s in the Air Force at that time was nuclear strike! If the
big war broke out in Europe, I wouldn't be shooting down another airplane,
or dropping a few bombs on enemy ground forces, I would be in the middle of
general nuclear combat that would probably end the world as we knew it.

My introduction to nuclear combat came in the form of an instructor that
loved his job. This guy was really kind of scary. He liked the nukes. He
thought if a war was started, nukes were the way to go. "Don't mess around
with those little firecrackers if you want to kill something. Go for the
big bang. With one of these babies a single F-4 can single handily win the
war." He didn't bother to mention the Russians had their fair share of
nukes and would also use them to win the war.

I was told anything and everything about how to drop a nuke was classified.
I must respect this and say nothing about it. Even though a lot of
information is available in open literature, I will respect the need for
secrecy and say nothing except this -- the checks and controls on the
release of nuclear weapons is as close to fool proof as it can be. The
chances of an accidental or unauthorized release is close to zero.

After learning how to drop nuclear bombs as well as conventional bombs, it
was time for our final flight at RTU. This was a final exam and a flight
that for the first time exercised a large number of aircraft hitting the
target in a coordinated fashion. I remember the flight well. I was number
2 of a 2 ship formation and we were in the middle of the strike package. We
flew a low level training route to the range with other aircraft flying
different low level routes to the same range. Spacing was done with timing.
My lead was responsible for timing between our flight and the other flights.
I just flew formation off of him. We flew tactical spread - I stayed line
abreast of him separated by about a mile. This is the standard formation
used today by combat aircraft. There is enough room for independent
maneuvering and each aircraft can watch the others tail for an attacking
aircraft coming from behind. The problem is turning the formation. After
the turn both aircraft need to end back up line abreast again. The Air
Force has developed a set of check turns and weaving to do this.

The battle plan was for my lead to attack the target first. We were only
dropping 25 pound practice bombs that put out a little smoke. But, they
simulated regular bombs that generate a large amount of fragmentation. I
needed to pass over the target after lead's bombs fragments had time to get
below my altitude. To get this spacing I turned hard into lead and crossed
behind him at a 90 degree angle. I flew about a mile to the side and made a
hard turn to parallel his path, but now well behind him. We both used a
standard popup attack. At about 5 miles from the target I made a hard 30
degree turn away from the target and pulled the nose up 30 degrees. Look
toward the target area and find the target. I see it, but the angles are
wrong. Climb to 4,000 feet and pull into the target. The angles are
getting worse. I can't roll out and be on final. Intuitively I realize I
need to do a small and quick barrel roll to line up on the target. This is
not the way it is supposed to work. I have never done a roll in the middle
of a bomb pass. Without much thought I do it. I have enough sense to tell
my back seat instructor, "Rolling onto final." Without this call I was
afraid he might think I was out of control and bailout on me.

The roll works great. It occurs to me the instructor might find my roll as
unsafe and bust me on the ride, but I end up on final and drop my string of
practice bombs. I find out later I hit the target. Now it is time to
egress and get back into formation. I turn to the egress heading and
advance the throttles to military power. The plan is for lead to do two 90
degree turns to fall back and get us back into formation. I see lead and
watch his turns. Not enough - I am still way back. Time for more speed. I
move the throttles past the military power detent and take them to full
afterburner. I feel the comforting push back in the seat. I am still way
back but have lots of fuel for afterburner. I leave the throttles parked
full forward. I am supposed to be line abreast with lead and I hate being
out of formation.

The planned altitude is 500 feet. Looking outside it looks about like 500
feet, but I check my altimeter. It reads 1,500 feet. I don't think I am
that high but altimeters don't lie - I start a slow decent. The ground is
starting to look pretty close so I check the altimeter again - 1,300 feet.
I am starting to think something is wrong with the altimeter because if I go
any lower I will be below the trees. One more glance at the altimeter. I
see it bouncing between 100 feet and 1,300 feet. I suddenly realize what is
wrong. I am right at Mach 1 and the shock wave is bouncing around the
altimeter's static port on the nose of the plane. A little bit faster and
the shockwave will move in front of the plane and clean up the static port.
I am supersonic on the deck at about 100 feet!!!

About this time I realize I am leaving the range and starting to head down
the Kissimmee river back to Homestead AFB. I see a lock on the canal.
There are 4 cars in a parking lot and several chairs with people fishing. I
am going so fast I barely take it in before going straight over the top of
them. I have a good idea of what those poor fisherman went through -- the
work loud I am sure doesn't even come close. I have heard F-4s in the
traffic pattern at 1,500 feet and a modest power settings. This is so loud
you can't carry on a normal conversation. Supersonic at 100 feet in full
burner has got to be really, really bad on the old eardrums. One thing I
know for sure, they didn't hear me coming. I was going faster than the
speed of sound.

My efforts finally paid off. Lead slowed down some and I finally caught up.
We did a short low level to egress the target area and made a landing back
at Homestead without incident. I was concerned about busting the ride for
one of many reasons - rolling on final, being out of formation, and going
supersonic off the range. None of this was a problem. The instructor
passed me and I was soon off to the tobacco fields of North Carolina.

[Charlie Springer]

On Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:27:56 -0700, Danny Deger wrote
(in article >):

>> Also... I have a good idea of what those poor fisherman went through --
>> the
>> work loud I am sure doesn't even come close.
>>
>> Should be ...WORD loud...
>>
> Thanks. I have fixed the problem.
>
>> Tex

I would have bet on "work load".

-- Charlie Springer

[[email protected]]

In rec.aviation.piloting Ed Rasimus > wrote:
> On Thu, 26 Apr 2007 17:25:41 -0500, "Danny Deger"
> > wrote:
>
>> Anyone know how to get an agent of a publisher?

I haven't ever published a book myself, but I have worked for some
(fiction) authors, and from what I understand of the process, Ed Rasimus'
comments are right on. To expand a little on some of the things he said:

> You can "self-publish" or "publish on demand"--these are two aspects
> of what is referred to as the "vanity press". Folks want to say
> they've written a book, so they pay a couple of thousand dollars to
> have a few hundred copies printed up and then distribute them to
> friends. I don't recomment that, YMMV.

One version of this I've heard is that "as a writer, you should only
ever sign the BACK of a check". In other words, people should be giving
you money, not the other way around. If somebody wants you to give them
money first, be careful.

In fiction, the initial check you get is usually an advance against
royalties. In other words, to make up numbers, if your cut of each book
is $1, and they send you a check for $1000, at least a thousand copies
of the book have to be sold before you get any more money. If the book
sells less than a thousand copies, you owe the difference back to the
publisher. If it sells more, then every so often (maybe quarterly), you
get a check for the additional copies that have sold so far. Non-fiction
may be different.

> Thanks to some friends like RAM's own Dan Ford who got a review
> published in the Wall Street Journal, the book did quite well.

Depending on the publisher, you will get some amount of support from
them in the form of advertising and promotion. But you can also do your
own promotion. Bookstores usually like to have "local authors" in to
sign books; sometimes they will order some extra copies of your book
for the signing. Sign all the copies they have, even the ones they don't
sell that day - they will put them on the shelf, and signed copies
hardly ever get returned as unsold to the publisher. Talk to your tax
person or attorney, but you may even be able to write off some of your
promotional expense.

> It takes a lot of effort to find a publisher or agent who will take
> your work. Scout out the internet for names and contact info.

There is (was?) a book called "Writer's Market" that listed the contact
information for many publishers, along with the types of things they
liked to publish. You might also go to the bookstore and see which
publishers are printing similar types of books.

I don't know how true this is in non-fiction, but in fiction, it helps
to have a short story or two published in a magazine or anthology
(collection of short stories). It gives the publisher some assurance
that you know what you're doing. A chapter of your book (with a bit of
editing) might make a good short story in a magazine, BUT the book
publisher may not like the idea of printing something that has already
been partially published. You should probably ask someone with more
current industry information about this.

Matt Roberds

[Bill Baker]

Nice little memoir snippet, Danny. I wouldn't sweat the copyediting
that much at this stage, despite the nitpicking you're getting from
others. I've been a professional writer for more than twenty years and
I would rate your copy as fairly clean for a one-recheck draft.
Contrary to the expectations of non-professionals, fiction editors
don't discount submissions unless the grammar and spelling errors are
well into the low end of egregious. If it's a saleable yarn on first
glance, they won't chuck it into the slush pile.

Editing for the sake of pace, focus, character development, etc.,
however, can be very, very valuable. Unfortunately, an editor who can
provide you with feedback with that level of insight and engagement is
much more rare--and expensive.

As to the biz aspects, Ed's already given you the low-down. I would
especially heed his trenchant comments on what it takes to land a book
contract in the niche market of military aviation memoirs. I would
only add that--and I suspect that Ed was being nice in not mentioning
this--if your flying tales don't include combat experience, they're
going to be real tough to sell. Might want to aim for placing
individual stories with the slicks.

Be ruthless with yourself. Edit like a mofo. And always remember, a
writer is never "through" until the first shovelful of dirt hits
his/her coffin lid.


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[Danny Deger]

"Tex Houston" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> "john smith" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Danny,
>> I see a couple instances where you use the word "since" where you mean
>> to use "sense". Your spell checker will not catch this as it is
>> correctly spelled.
>
> Also... I have a good idea of what those poor fisherman went through --
> the
> work loud I am sure doesn't even come close.
>
> Should be ...WORD loud...
>
Thanks. I have fixed the problem.

> Tex
>

[Danny Deger]

"Bill Baker" > wrote in message
...
> Nice little memoir snippet, Danny. I wouldn't sweat the copyediting that
> much at this stage, despite the nitpicking you're getting from others.
> I've been a professional writer for more than twenty years and I would
> rate your copy as fairly clean for a one-recheck draft. Contrary to the
> expectations of non-professionals, fiction editors don't discount
> submissions unless the grammar and spelling errors are well into the low
> end of egregious. If it's a saleable yarn on first glance, they won't
> chuck it into the slush pile.
>
> Editing for the sake of pace, focus, character development, etc., however,
> can be very, very valuable. Unfortunately, an editor who can provide you
> with feedback with that level of insight and engagement is much more
> rare--and expensive.
>
> As to the biz aspects, Ed's already given you the low-down. I would
> especially heed his trenchant comments on what it takes to land a book
> contract in the niche market of military aviation memoirs. I would only
> add that--and I suspect that Ed was being nice in not mentioning this--if
> your flying tales don't include combat experience, they're going to be
> real tough to sell. Might want to aim for placing individual stories with
> the slicks.
>
> Be ruthless with yourself. Edit like a mofo. And always remember, a
> writer is never "through" until the first shovelful of dirt hits his/her
> coffin lid.
>

Thanks all for the inputs. I had thought about the lack of combat, but I
have my mental break down because of being bullied at NASA Johnson Space
Center as the climax of the book. With the crazy astronaut and the recent
"postal" employee at NASA, I think my story of "going postal" (but without
any violance) might be worthy of getting published. For example I have
documents to prove NASA lied to the doctors in 1999 to have me locked up
against my will and I have document to prove NASA was involved with a local
judge to prevent me from getting an attorney or a hearing. It is amazing
how much is documented when you are hospitalized. My father tells me they
asked him for permission to erase my memory in 1999. In Feb, 2006 my boss
at the time told me he thought they would have erased my memory if he had
said yes.

Danny Deger

>
> ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet
> News==----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+
> Newsgroups
> ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption
> =----

[Meaner than you]

you might also check on your spell check, you defiantly need help in that
field...
"Danny Deger" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Bill Baker" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Nice little memoir snippet, Danny. I wouldn't sweat the copyediting that
>> much at this stage, despite the nitpicking you're getting from others.
>> I've been a professional writer for more than twenty years and I would
>> rate your copy as fairly clean for a one-recheck draft. Contrary to the
>> expectations of non-professionals, fiction editors don't discount
>> submissions unless the grammar and spelling errors are well into the low
>> end of egregious. If it's a saleable yarn on first glance, they won't
>> chuck it into the slush pile.
>>
>> Editing for the sake of pace, focus, character development, etc.,
>> however, can be very, very valuable. Unfortunately, an editor who can
>> provide you with feedback with that level of insight and engagement is
>> much more rare--and expensive.
>>
>> As to the biz aspects, Ed's already given you the low-down. I would
>> especially heed his trenchant comments on what it takes to land a book
>> contract in the niche market of military aviation memoirs. I would only
>> add that--and I suspect that Ed was being nice in not mentioning this--if
>> your flying tales don't include combat experience, they're going to be
>> real tough to sell. Might want to aim for placing individual stories
>> with the slicks.
>>
>> Be ruthless with yourself. Edit like a mofo. And always remember, a
>> writer is never "through" until the first shovelful of dirt hits his/her
>> coffin lid.
>>
>
> Thanks all for the inputs. I had thought about the lack of combat, but I
> have my mental break down because of being bullied at NASA Johnson Space
> Center as the climax of the book. With the crazy astronaut and the recent
> "postal" employee at NASA, I think my story of "going postal" (but without
> any violance) might be worthy of getting published. For example I have
> documents to prove NASA lied to the doctors in 1999 to have me locked up
> against my will and I have document to prove NASA was involved with a
> local judge to prevent me from getting an attorney or a hearing. It is
> amazing how much is documented when you are hospitalized. My father tells
> me they asked him for permission to erase my memory in 1999. In Feb, 2006
> my boss at the time told me he thought they would have erased my memory if
> he had said yes.
>
> Danny Deger
>
>>
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>

[Peter Skelton]

Congratulations on the day's funniest typo.


On Tue, 8 May 2007 21:59:41 -0700, "Meaner than you"
> wrote:

>you might also check on your spell check, you defiantly need help in that
>field...
>"Danny Deger" > wrote in message
...
>>
>> "Bill Baker" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Nice little memoir snippet, Danny. I wouldn't sweat the copyediting that
>>> much at this stage, despite the nitpicking you're getting from others.
>>> I've been a professional writer for more than twenty years and I would
>>> rate your copy as fairly clean for a one-recheck draft. Contrary to the
>>> expectations of non-professionals, fiction editors don't discount
>>> submissions unless the grammar and spelling errors are well into the low
>>> end of egregious. If it's a saleable yarn on first glance, they won't
>>> chuck it into the slush pile.
>>>
>>> Editing for the sake of pace, focus, character development, etc.,
>>> however, can be very, very valuable. Unfortunately, an editor who can
>>> provide you with feedback with that level of insight and engagement is
>>> much more rare--and expensive.
>>>
>>> As to the biz aspects, Ed's already given you the low-down. I would
>>> especially heed his trenchant comments on what it takes to land a book
>>> contract in the niche market of military aviation memoirs. I would only
>>> add that--and I suspect that Ed was being nice in not mentioning this--if
>>> your flying tales don't include combat experience, they're going to be
>>> real tough to sell. Might want to aim for placing individual stories
>>> with the slicks.
>>>
>>> Be ruthless with yourself. Edit like a mofo. And always remember, a
>>> writer is never "through" until the first shovelful of dirt hits his/her
>>> coffin lid.
>>>
>>
>> Thanks all for the inputs. I had thought about the lack of combat, but I
>> have my mental break down because of being bullied at NASA Johnson Space
>> Center as the climax of the book. With the crazy astronaut and the recent
>> "postal" employee at NASA, I think my story of "going postal" (but without
>> any violance) might be worthy of getting published. For example I have
>> documents to prove NASA lied to the doctors in 1999 to have me locked up
>> against my will and I have document to prove NASA was involved with a
>> local judge to prevent me from getting an attorney or a hearing. It is
>> amazing how much is documented when you are hospitalized. My father tells
>> me they asked him for permission to erase my memory in 1999. In Feb, 2006
>> my boss at the time told me he thought they would have erased my memory if
>> he had said yes.
>>
>> Danny Deger
>>
>>>
>>> ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet
>>> News==----
>>> http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+
>>> Newsgroups
>>> ----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption
>>> =----
>>
>

[Jeff Crowell[_1_]]

Meaner than you wrote:
> you might also check on your spell check, you defiantly need help in that
> field...

Now THAT's funny!


Jeff

[Tex Houston]

"Meaner than you" > wrote in message
...
> you might also check on your spell check, you defiantly need help in that
> field...

Unlike you who just uses the wrong word?

Tex

[Orval Fairbairn]

In article >,
"Meaner than you" > wrote:

> you might also check on your spell check, you defiantly need help in that
> field...

I would say that, if you are so defiant, you *DEFINITELY* need help!

[gatt]

"Meaner than you" > wrote in message
...
> you might also check on your spell check, you defiantly need help in that
> field...


LOL!

"Defiantly."

Well, it passed the spell check, didn't it?

-c