Topic: Last question: How to work with your book , Strong Magic.

Message:

Posted by: secondbaseman (Jan 25, 2003 7:39am)

Mr Ortiz,

Thanks for all the tips you gave me. But I have one more question. In the first part of your book, Strong Magic, you talk about writing a summary of three sentences about the tricks in your repertoire. What do you suggest, first read the whole book and then start over again and do the things. Or start doing the things after each part? What do you suggest?

Thanks in advance,

Niels

Message:

Posted by: Darwin Ortiz (Jan 26, 2003 3:41am)

Niels:

As the author of the book, rather than a reader, it’s difficult for me to answer this question. I’ve had readers who’ve told me they’ve successfully taken each of these approaches. Perhaps some other Café members who have read Strong Magic can share their experiences with one approach or the other.

Sincerely,
Darwin Ortiz

Message:

Posted by: Joshua Lozoff (Jan 26, 2003 8:15am)

The first time I read it through, I did read it cover to cover, without stopping and doing each exercise. But I kept little sticky tabs with me and put one on each page that had an excercise I thought would be helpful for me. Then after finsishing the book, I went back and began working with each practice.

The tabs continue to be useful. Now each time I add a new effect to my routine, or change the routine around, I go back to appropriate sections of the book and work my new material through some of the exercises.

Message:

Posted by: secondbaseman (Jan 26, 2003 10:08am)

thanks bart sounds good anymore more suggestions guys????

Niels

Message:

Posted by: cschuh (Jan 26, 2003 12:17pm)

I follow Bart's mentality, but in the midst of my tabs, I have some notes that I can quickly refer to outside of the book for my new effects or routine ideas. I also make a point to re-read the entire book at least twice a year.

Cheers,

Chris

Message:

Posted by: Allan-F (Jan 27, 2003 12:45pm)

I read it cover to cover twice without taking any notes or doing any exercises (no sticky tabs either). For me, it read like a good novel -- I couldn't put it down -- and taking notes would be too much like work!

Since then, I've gone back and flipped through the book and read specific sections of interest, and that is when I start taking notes where appropriate and trying to apply things to my own routines.

There is, of course, no answer as to how to read such a book. Everyone is different.

Allan