Comments on: Advice on Article Sought

By: dwd

dwd — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 14:14:44 +0000

Adam,
Your column is the main reason I keep my subscription to Popular Woodworking. Don’t get me wrong, I love the entire magazine. But I keep the subscription because of the Arts and Mysteries.
Spend the money. Print more pages. You guys are a printed magazine. The nature of your particular forum is a respite from the hurried “You got all that? Good ’cause I’m moving on” mentality that can come up too often. Yours is, to me, more of a “I love doing this so why on earth would I hurry through it?” kind of experience.
Don’t change a thing.

By: rorynidaho

rorynidaho — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:54:31 +0000

Adam, “The Devil is in the details” means that the important stuff is in the details, and miss/gloss over/ or rush through at your own peril (the Devil will pop out at you). I appreciate very much your detailed style. I have often thought as I read an article of how many assumptions were made on the writers part about the knowledge of the readers, and you know what is said when one ASSUMEs! It makes an ASS out of U and ME.
Moving to a max. of 2 page articles? That is a STUPID idea. ie, New kid in the sand box thinks I MUST do something so it appears I am really doing something – even if it is just kicking sand in someone’s face. Again, dumb.
Tell ‘em your writing two articles and use 4 pages.

By: Adam Cherubini

Adam Cherubini — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:12:08 +0000

Hi Chris, yes, helps. I write for you and others like you. One of the things I like most about writing for PW is that I take my own pictures, while I’m working and at my own pace. So the pictures have more authenticity. What’s on my bench is what I was using etc etc.

By: davelehardt

davelehardt — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:58:44 +0000

I’m on the side of more detail. As a still green woodworker, the more I information I can get the better. There seems to be alot that’s taken for granted in many articles that leaves me feeling that I’ve missed something critical at some point, either before reading or during.

I’ve written technical training in a variety of arenas, and I’ve never assumed my audience knew it all. I like it when I find an author who thinks the same way. It’s not insulting, it’s informative.

By: chrischitty

chrischitty — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:15:08 +0000

I fear I come to this discussion a little late but here goes anyway. I find woodworking to be locked up in subtle details that only start to seem important after failing a number of times. The thing that I value most about the videos posted on the website is the opportunity to observe the small details of body position, grip, angle of attack, pace, etc… This relates to an article in that I would love to know what details are at the front of your mind when doing anything with the hope being that you will be thinking about something that I have been too thick to notice and will thus open up my mind a little further. Hope this helps.

By: skoonz

skoonz — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:21:17 +0000

Adam,
I feel only you and your editor can judge whether you are presenting the information you want to, in a way you think will work. I am leaning toward the muti-part article if needed. Failing that, fight for more room!

By: Chik Weid

Chik Weid — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:50:31 +0000

Details, Alex … lots of details

Most Americans have forgotten the value of detail. For some it’s all about sitting back and watching a video – and that is the extent of the amount of effort they want to put into learning something. A few illustrative sketches when needed and challenge the reader to use his brain.

Good Luck,

Chik

By: Ixzed13

Ixzed13 — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:54:34 +0000

Please keep sharing as much detail as possible. I can never say that too much detail was put in your articles. Many technical magazines from the old days ran series instead of cutting down on explanations. I tend to like that approach. Maybe a magazine that features articles on old hand techniques would do well to use this old trick? Just a thought.

By: cebuchan

cebuchan — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:01:35 +0000

Well, now, I like details of process because I don’t know everything I need to know. But I understand 1) the need for brevity and 2) the assumptions you must make with regard to the skill level of your audience. Sometimes there might be a conflict between those two. I especially like the suggestion already made above that you use the web site for enriching details of skills and techniques that may be of use to some (like me) but not to everyone. The web version could have links to process details or even videos without the expense of printed real estate. The magazine and blogs already use short videos very effectively. I would like more of that.

By: jwaldron

jwaldron — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:33:16 +0000

Like so many others, I enjoy and benefit from the detail in your columns. Some are globally useful and my work benefits. Keep as much as will fit. When essential, you can limit some of the detail of ancillary operations, perhaps by cross-referencing (and providing a link) to other columns you’ve done, as you can leave some of the effort to us. We understand you have limits to respect and we can help by contributing a bit of effort ourselves.