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I have 2 oppertunities I would like to get others input on.

1) This season, I am planning on writing a book. I want say that I'm a writer or will even consider myself as a 'good' writer, yet I enjoy it. My idea is simple, I want to publish my hunting journal (and even others hunting stories) and in doing so, a certain amount of the sales will go to some type of charity (St. Jude, A Hunt Above, such as these). I have a great idea about this, in the form of stories, pictures, and other highlights throughout this season. The question here in lies, I will be needing someone to proof read/edit my work. I will also need someone to help in formating the book. Does anyone know how much editing and framework of the book would cost?

2) I have the oppertunity to hunt moose and caribou and possibly black bear up north. I have the money, and by spending it, it wouldn't nessarcerly put me in the poor house. On the other hand my 401K took a 14.5% lost this quarter, and redeming the money would take possibly 2 years to recoup. Or in short, 3 months of pay. As the trip is being planned, I am getting to hunt at a cost of 1/3 the normal price rate. In the future, it will only go up! So what do you do? It's a hard question to answer, as it truly is a once in a lifetime hunt, yet, the money could honestly be spent on better investments i.e. for future hunts later in life. I guess what i'm worried abou, if i spend it, is there something this day and age I could invest in that I would recoup my money in a realitvily short time frame?

Not much help on question 1. In regards to question 2, if you can afford the hunt then go for it. These opportunities don't happen very often. At your age don't worry about that loss on your 401. Keep buying cheap stock and ride it out. Eventually the market will go back up.

missed mallards wrote:I have 2 oppertunities I would like to get others input on.

1) This season, I am planning on writing a book. I want say that I'm a writer or will even consider myself as a 'good' writer, yet I enjoy it. My idea is simple, I want to publish my hunting journal (and even others hunting stories) and in doing so, a certain amount of the sales will go to some type of charity (St. Jude, A Hunt Above, such as these). I have a great idea about this, in the form of stories, pictures, and other highlights throughout this season. The question here in lies, I will be needing someone to proof read/edit my work. I will also need someone to help in formating the book. Does anyone know how much editing and framework of the book would cost?

2) I have the oppertunity to hunt moose and caribou and possibly black bear up north. I have the money, and by spending it, it wouldn't nessarcerly put me in the poor house. On the other hand my 401K took a 14.5% lost this quarter, and redeming the money would take possibly 2 years to recoup. Or in short, 3 months of pay. As the trip is being planned, I am getting to hunt at a cost of 1/3 the normal price rate. In the future, it will only go up! So what do you do? It's a hard question to answer, as it truly is a once in a lifetime hunt, yet, the money could honestly be spent on better investments i.e. for future hunts later in life. I guess what i'm worried abou, if i spend it, is there something this day and age I could invest in that I would recoup my money in a realitvily short time frame?

Done

missed mallards wrote:I have 2 oppertunities I would like to get others input on.

1) This season, I am planning on writing a book. I want say that I'm a writer or will even consider myself as a 'good' writer, yet I enjoy it. My idea is simple, I want to publish my hunting journal (and even others hunting stories) and in doing so, a certain amount of the sales will go to some type of charity (St. Jude, A Hunt Above, such as these). I have a great idea about this, in the form of stories, pictures, and other highlights throughout this season. The question here in lies, I will be needing someone to proof read/edit my work. I will also need someone to help in formating the book. Does anyone know how much editing and framework of the book would cost?

2) I have the oppertunity to hunt moose and caribou and possibly black bear up north. I have the money, and by spending it, it wouldn't nessarcerly put me in the poor house. On the other hand my 401K took a 14.5% lost this quarter, and redeming the money would take possibly 2 years to recoup. Or in short, 3 months of pay. As the trip is being planned, I am getting to hunt at a cost of 1/3 the normal price rate. In the future, it will only go up! So what do you do? It's a hard question to answer, as it truly is a once in a lifetime hunt, yet, the money could honestly be spent on better investments i.e. for future hunts later in life. I guess what i'm worried abou, if i spend it, is there something this day and age I could invest in that I would recoup my money in a realitvily short time frame?

1.Try getting in touch with Ole Miss, DSU, MSU, Southern Miss...try to see if they have anyone in their journalism or English programs that may can give you some hints/ideas. They may even have some type of program pertaining to what you are wanting done. Would be worth a look into because if they do have a program, it is likely to be inexpensive to participate in since it is through the college.

2. Go for it man. Live like you are dying, tomorrow's not guaranteed, no regrets, etc all of those cliche sayings have merit to them. If it is going to cost you your house or you wont be able to eat for a month after you get back, maybe reconsider but if you have enough to go, do it! Don't think twice about it, just go!

1... I wish I would have written more of my stories about trips I have been on... Let me know how it works out...


2...Go for it! I have been traveling to places to hunt since I got out of school... Almost 30 years ago! Some years were tough trying to pay for it but I always made it through. I have made friends all over the place that I never would have met. But most all, the memories I have made are priceless!

Dutch Dog wrote:

missed mallards wrote:I have 2 oppertunities I would like to get others input on.

1) This season, I am planning on writing a book. I want say that I'm a writer or will even consider myself as a 'good' writer, yet I enjoy it. My idea is simple, I want to publish my hunting journal (and even others hunting stories) and in doing so, a certain amount of the sales will go to some type of charity (St. Jude, A Hunt Above, such as these). I have a great idea about this, in the form of stories, pictures, and other highlights throughout this season. The question here in lies, I will be needing someone to proof read/edit my work. I will also need someone to help in formating the book. Does anyone know how much editing and framework of the book would cost?

2) I have the oppertunity to hunt moose and caribou and possibly black bear up north. I have the money, and by spending it, it wouldn't nessarcerly put me in the poor house. On the other hand my 401K took a 14.5% lost this quarter, and redeming the money would take possibly 2 years to recoup. Or in short, 3 months of pay. As the trip is being planned, I am getting to hunt at a cost of 1/3 the normal price rate. In the future, it will only go up! So what do you do? It's a hard question to answer, as it truly is a once in a lifetime hunt, yet, the money could honestly be spent on better investments i.e. for future hunts later in life. I guess what i'm worried abou, if i spend it, is there something this day and age I could invest in that I would recoup my money in a realitvily short time frame?

Done

Twice

Ole' country boy got a scholarship to Harvard and upon arrival on campus, asked a fellow stundent...."Excuse me....could you tell me where the bookstore is at?"

The 'Preppie' boy replied in laughter, "If you are to attend school here, I suggest you refrain from ending a sentence with a preposition."

The Country boy replied, "Oh! - OK, I appreciate that advice. 'Lemme try again.........Can you tell me where the bookstore is at......"turd-cutter"?

Good luck , Tom - that's a nice idea and good cause.

Not picking on you, but before you do anything you should take some English classes at a local college. I would also utilize some of the free spell checker sites available on the internet. I am certainly not an English expert, (as it appears Anitidae is) but I can normally pick out words that aren't spelled correctly.

I have no clue about question #1, however if you do persue the book deal, you could use the hunt as a tax write off!

For question #1 I say go for it and as said earlier check at some of the colleges and see if they have a program that could do the editing and get it published. For question #2 I would not put myself in that kind of fianacial bind. I also have a wife and child to take care of though, if I were still single and could survive for a week or two on next to no money, I would jump on the train though. I go on one trip a year usually pheasant or ducks somewhere, nothing real big or expensive. But it is ultimatley going to be your descision.

missed mallards wrote: I want say that I'm a writer or will even consider myself as a 'good' writer, yet I enjoy it.

Should be "I won't say....."

There are some sites on the internet where you can "self publish" a book. A guy here in town did that a few years ago. He's an outdoors writer and he put some of his best stories over 20+ years in the book. Pretty good stuff, not sure how much it cost him, but he did it all himself.

#1 - Write it. I can take you down to Cary, MS to sit down with a publisher and get ideas on format, layout, $$$, etc. Getting it edited is not a big deal, as others have mentioned all you need is a good university contact.

#2 - Go. Take advantage of every opportunity, never know what the future holds...

Dutch Dog wrote:Not picking on you, but before you do anything you should take some English classes at a local college. I would also utilize some of the free spell checker sites available on the internet. I am certainly not an English expert, (as it appears Anitidae is) but I can normally pick out words that aren't spelled correctly.

Dutch, you make an excellent point. It is a point that has been made several times by several other readers, and one I have not overcame as of yet. The idea behind the book is cool and one I hope to pursue one day. Until then, I have other things I need to overcome to make my idea become a reality. I guess to make the idea succeed I need to do my part to make sure the work is the best I can do. As you said, I need to enroll in some type of class be it English, Creative Writing, or other related class.

I didn’t realize how important proper English was until I began writing emails, letters, and so on for business purposes. I have to write a simple email multiple times due to errors. Point made!

DanP, if I ever get that far I will be taking you up on that (cary).

As far as the hunt, I think I’m going LOL. Getting all the paper work and so forth this evening and will be sitting down tomorrow to add everything up. Who knows though, I’m sort of a tight wad

At your age, just keep your normal amount going into your 401k... And if you can afford the hunt go on the hunt..

I read this somewhere one time...

If I don't do it, I ain't gettin nun.......So i'm doing it

Take the opportunity to go hunting. If you don't go count that as a missed opportunity, You may not have the chance tommorrow, next year, or ever.