I have now had almost a week to think and reflect on the True Church Conference which I had the privilege of live-blogging. I chose to take an objective, dictation-style of live-blogging rather than the subjective, interactive-style where I comment on each message. There are pro’s and con’s with each approach. A big con for the former is the sheer impracticality of attempting to provide a summary/reflection post on what ended up being 20,215 words which I typed up over the 12 sessions. For those of you who read every word, I’ve got to come up with some prize. On the other hand, a big pro is something that I am thinking about doing with those 20,215 words.
One of the recent trends in conferences is to take the transcripts of the messages of a particular conference for the purpose of having them published in a book format. Examples of this include Only One Way which was the fruit of the 2005 Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology (PCRT) and Preaching the Cross which was the fruit of the 2006 Together for the Gospel Conference. Along those lines, I have been thinking about making an e-book/booklet of my posts, including some of the pictures of each session with a basic format and design that can be downloaded as a PDF document. My guess is that I was able to actually type 85-90% of the conference messages with the stories and illustrations being the majority of the omitted part. Granted, a big difference between what I am thinking about doing and what the aforementioned books did has to do with having the actual transcripts of each message; however, anyone familiar with either of the books will know they are not of great length either. With a little extra time over the next couple of weeks, I am debating the profitability of doing such a project.
So I would like to ask three questions as I reflect on the live-blogging experience:
1. Would you be interested in a free, downloadable PDF e-book of my posts from the True Church Conference?
2. What kind of live-blogging do you prefer? The objective/dictation approach or the subjective/interactive approach?
3. If you are the brutally honest type, what critical feedback could you give me on how I could do a better job live-blogging? (I ask this because I will be doing this again in the near future).
If you don’t mind, let me know what you think. Thanks!
I would love the download — I think it would be very beneficial to have it all together.
Concerning the live blogging: I enjoyed your method, but I also enjoy the other method of live blogging. I simply prefer the “essentially literal” live blogging.
I do like the way Desiring God blogged the CDG Conference, but I don’t think they “live” blogged, per se.
If I could offer any constructive criticism, it would be this: I was confused, early on, as to whether you were giving me commentary, relaying the speaker’s message in your own words, or if you were actually transcribing what was being said by each speaker. Maybe that was my fault? Perhaps you could put a line similar to what’s at the beginning of the Desiring God audio clips?
“The following message was given by Pastor/Doctor/etc…”
I thank God for your efforts. I pray it is profitable for the Kingdom.
Peace, brother.
Timmy,
I Love the Idea! Can I help in any way? hint hint
Talk to you soon,
Scott
Timmy,
Excellent Idea… but then how will I get my signed copy? 🙂
Keep up the live blogging, I really enjoy your work.
Grace to all,
Greg
Timmy,
It was great to see you again at the conference. Too bad we didn’t get to do lunch. I’m sure we’ll see each other at one of these things again.
The download would be very beneficial. The method you chose for blogging the conference is the best. When I read “live-blogging” I want to know as literally as possible what the speaker is actually saying. For those of us who attended, your notes are a good recap to what we heard. I took notes in all the sessions, but I couldn’t keep up with you. 🙂
Grace,
TBH
Thanks guys for the feedback.
One thing that can be confusing is when I go with the interactive approach, there could be confusion whether I am writing first person or speaking on behalf of the speaker. Also, I could hear the speaker wrongly and project a poor interpretation of what he said or meant to say.
The thing about TCC is that I really didn’t have any time between sessions to reflect and comment. Perhaps I could put a short personal reflection in paragraph form.
Andy, I like your idea as I see how that clarifies the approach I took in live-blogging.
Scott, I will be emailing you soon.
Greg, I am not sure you can autograph and e-book, but maybe I can lay hands on it.
Travis, I regret that I was not able to spend more time with you brother. Persevere up there in VA for the glory of God in His church. It’s always a good reminder to know that we are going about the instrument of execution on our backs so that others might treasure the God of resurrection in their hearts.
Thanks again!
Timmy,
Doing the PDF with pictures would make you the #1 live blogger. My suggestion would be to get a few interns next time to help you. Run it through ministry referral as an internship and make them buy your lunch on the drive down.
Brilliant.
Seriously a team live blog with your method could achieve a nearly complete transcript being typed live. Then with pictures and personal commentary at the end all combined in PDF as an ebook – it would be a new paradigm for the live blog.
Sometimes I like the stub format too. Especially if it is a speaker who lacks ethos in my mind. But you don’t go to those kind of conferences.
Tony,
That sounds like a great idea. The P&P staff will come along with me next time. 😉
Yeah, I really like the idea of a team live-blog. Taking pictures, typing/dictating, and reflecting was a doosy. I couldn’t sleep at night because of everything running through my head!
So what do you think would make a good live-blog team?
I’m thinking: fast typer, photographer, proofreader/editor, and photo editor. Having a dictaphone wouldn’t hurt either if I happened to miss something important.
Maybe a tandem of two fast typers – tag team with two laptops and say something reminiscent of the power team “PRAY FOR ME” when you need the other guy to pick up for a few minutes. That would allow one guy to go back and edit his portion within moments.
Then a photographer – with his own laptop to edit and upload during the session.
That would be enough guys for one hotel room. A fourth guys could be there to be a go getter and proof reader.
Voice recorder is essential.
Sounds good to me, Timmy. Just remember what Paul Washer said about boys with laptops.
Yeah,
I told him that when he said that, I was pecking away as the only one in the building with a laptop in front of me. I told him that wasn’t nice. 🙁
He did, however, further explain what he meant by referring to boys with laptops. I felt a little relieved after that.
A little.
Tony,
Man, I am beginning to think you are serious about this. I wonder if there is a conference coming up that would merit such efforts that is not already defaulted to Challies.
I’m just amazed that you could type quickly enough to keep up AND grab a few photos on the side. Great job!
Did I mention energy drinks?
Tim, I would like an ebook. I like the objective live blogging followed by a subjective summary.