May 17, 2009

Cut, Cut, Cut, Summarize

Two years ago I finished my first attempt to summarize the events of 4 BC. Tonight, I finally finished editing it down from 33 thousand words to about 10 thousand. It will probably continue to get shorter, but it definitely looks like the final form will be a long chapter instead of a short book. I could have reached 50 thousand words with a prologue, epilogue and suppliments. But why? Seriously, there's more than enough material for someone to do a full length scholarly work on the year 4 BC - and I hope that person will call me when they're working on it - but that person will not be me. (Thank you God!)

In another sense, all this means is that 4 BC is a first draft again. (Sigh.) But this is a great step for me, personally. I am *praying* for a productive summer this year. Stay tuned.

By the way, if anyone who enjoyed my post this morning wants to read through the 30 page version, just let me know. I'll e-mail you a copy. I won't even charge you! ;)

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I have always enjoyed your comments -- and I appreciate your work. I have written a historical fictional book of the time period of 33 BC to 5 BC, and I wish I'd had your chronology before I started! I ended two years off from your date of Jesus' birth... and I believe your estimate is much better than mine... now, if I could only republish my book with the changed dates!...

Bill Heroman said...

Wow. Thanks for the compliments, William. I appreciate that very much.

Your link seems to be blocked. Send me an e-mail or something, so we can stay in touch.

Thanks again for the kind words.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Bill. Great accomplishment! Keep up the good work.

Bill- your work is not in vain. I'm happy to know that William too is benefiting from your research.

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