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To Write A Book- -And Never Do It? By: Joe Ball, Publisher

Personal Thoughts…An Open Diary

To Write A Book- -And Never Do It?

by: Joe Ball     

I’ve been thinking about writing a book.

Thinking about it.

Have doubts I’ll ever get to it.

I have made notes, many of them. On scrap paper. On “Things To Do Today” note paper. Memos to myself. And daily, diary entries.

The ideas, memories, content subjects have been saved in many places.

In desk drawers. In a file. On sheets of paper that at night, after the moment of being written, (sometimesin the dark) go into a bedside basket among miscellaneous items, like pens, glasses, blank paper, unread magazines.

But whenever I make notes, or start to organize chapter headings, I think: “How can I find time to do this, and how can I select material from a lifetime of experiences, and stories about the people I’ve met.”

 Lots of Material  

The people, alone, include the well-known. Like President Harry Truman, V.P. Hubert Humphrey, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Grace Kelly, three U.S. first ladies, Mrs. Reagan, Mrs. Ford, Mrs. Nixon, Wilt Chamberlin, Chubby Checker, a Miss “USA”, and football legend Chuck Bednarick.

Plus, people I met in business as a young entrepreneur.

They include Ralph Roberts, a co-founder of Comcast; Joe Segal, founder of the Franklin Mint & QVC; Harry Dozer, founder/president of a N.Y. stock exchange insurance company.

I have stories on each of them.

There are also so many life-time experiences to relate.

Some were life-altering. 

The Negative Chapter 

I was duped by one of Philadelphia’s best-known personalities, which could have destroyed my life…I suffered a pulmonary embolism, which could have ended my life…

Recently I read two autobiographies. One by Jerry Wentraub, the entertainment icon, and the other by newsperson Andy Rooney.

“I can do what they’ve done,” I thought.

I have published books for other people over the years.

They include Sam Lush , a real estate investor (now deceased), and John Hodson, Sr. founder of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of America.

I have no idea how many people read their books- -other than their family and friends.

Those categories would probably be the same readers for my efforts.

Though… anyone want to place an advance, prior-to-writing order?

Hello! Hello!!

                                                                         Chapter Categories

I’ve thought of possible chapters.  

They include current activities, such as creating and producing two talk/interview radio shows every week…organizing, and promoting the annual Philadelphia Advertising & Business Show…publishing a business newspaper…running Philadelphia’s longest-established traditional advertising agency…encouraging and training our business personnel…being a husband, father and grandfather.

What to do?

Keep”thinking” about writing the book? Doing it?

I enjoy every day doing what I’ve been doing all my life. Always have.

The possible book stories and chapters could come easy. The events happened.

And writing comes easy to me.

I certainly have the material.

Other chapters could include…

…Growing up in a row house in SW Philadelphia where doors were left unlocked… hucksters sold horse radish and sharpened knives, shouting their presence, from rear driveways. Kids had after-school jobs. I worked at grocery stores, sold “Look Magazine,” ran a Saturday night community center cloakroom, babysat, and at 15 worked Christmas at the U.S. Post Office.

…Newsroom of the Philadelphia Inquirer, over a seven-year-period, where I gained street lessons and the skills of a journalist.

…The U.S. Army two years. The first year as an infantry rifleman. It was the worst year of my life. The second was as an Official U.S. Army Correspondent in Germany, one of the best years of my youth.

 …Beginning a business- -with a $35 typewriter.

 Learning- -quickly- -how to sell, and more important, learning that I liked it.

The ups and downs

…Buying and starting businesses. Some did not succeed, like Studio School of Art & Design and “Solar Utilization Network” (I was 30 years too early. Solar energy is still in the future I believe)…the friends gained in business, like Steve Strassler, founder of Reviva Labs, a client for over 30 years.

…Business lessons I like to pass on. They include…

…Have a firm handshake.

…Give before you get.

…Let the other fellow live. Do not try to make the last dollar.

…Chapters also on my 52-year marriage (from a blind date)…three exceptional children and eight grandchildren…investments, some good, some not-so-good.

What’s My Decision

 It’s making the time that has to be devoted. That’s the consideration.

 So…will it happen?

 Probably not.

 But…on the other hand…