Thank you Sheri. As for time - I write fast to get my thoughts down and then edit. I also find that I work best when I do it in a large block of time rather than multiple short ones. Of course, this often drags me into the wee hours of the morning.
As for research, I spend much effort in organizing potential sources using a combination of Scrivener, folders and Word. Then, I focus on distilling information from those sources sequentially in one or more sessions rather than doing so when I first find the source.
All info gleaned goes into a sectioned word document that follows an outline for the newsletter or potential chapters in a book.
Then, after putting my draft document side-by-side with my research, my writing process puts in red source material used or that I find not valuable.
How I do this is still a work in process but so far it has worked effectively for me. The key though, is to write a poor draft quickly and then edit, edit, edit.
Steve - Great to hear from you! And thank you for the feedback. It is exactly what I am looking for. Your question on Sharon is an interesting one. My suspicion is that he had little confidence that the Palestinians would sort things out after the withdrawal. Perhaps, as you suggested, he did think it was a way to bring things to a head and resolve it, but in concert with at least some form of world approval. As you know, Sharon had disdain for Arafat, but I also think he had little use for Abbas, although perhaps he was willing to give things a chance with him.
Also of note, Sharon's devastating stroke happened on Jan 4, 2006 and Hamas (Haniyeh) won the Palestinian legislative elections later that month. It is fair to speculate that Sharon would have taken a much more active stance immediately if he he had been in charge when Hamas threw Fatah reps from the rooftops in June 2007. But then, also, I doubt that the results of the Second Lebanon War in 2006 would have been the same if Sharon was still in power.
To me, Sharon is a fascinating figure who was so important in shaping Israeli history, and very much involved in creating the conditions that exist today, but that people now in their 20s to 50s know little about.
Cliff - many good ideas and, undoubtedly, all relevant and timely. I think that the examination of the UN’s relationship with Israel would be most interesting, especially its control by Islamic nations and its focus on the only Jewish state. While Sharon is also an interesting idea, I’ve read Warrior twice and find it fairly comprehensive. Perhaps you could center on the developments in Gaza since he withdrew Israeli control. I wonder whether he truly thought that Gazans would change their ways if given a “nation” or whether he knew exactly what would happen, forcing things to a conflict once and for all. Thanks, Steve.
So many amazing ideas! Here is what I would consider to be most important:
1. Why UN has failed Israel…
2. Information War - I think this would be super important, especially as the rise of so-called armchair truthers in the West are amassing hundreds of thousands of followers peddling “truths” when all they do is peddle “hate”. Infiltration of these networks by Iran and Russia in particular with a look back towards Cold War information tactics.
The book on the UN seems very timely as well. Should they be defunded or do they still do some good in this world? Many people still regard them as a reputable, worthwhile organization and quote their statements as gospel truth. Of course, UNRWA definitely needs to be exposed for what they are. Thank you for all your hard work. Most invaluable.
A sequel to the book ‘Israel’s Struggle with Hezbolllah’ seems timely, since so much has changed. I’m also very interested in the information war - just because the pro Hamas propaganda machine has been so incredibly effective. I’d love to understand more of how ‘they’ pulled that off and who ‘they’ are. What strings are being pulled by whom.
Thank you so much Mr Clifford Sobin. Your works are a very much needed treasure to wake up this twisted mainstream media world. I hope I'll be able to read them soon 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you Sheri. As for time - I write fast to get my thoughts down and then edit. I also find that I work best when I do it in a large block of time rather than multiple short ones. Of course, this often drags me into the wee hours of the morning.
As for research, I spend much effort in organizing potential sources using a combination of Scrivener, folders and Word. Then, I focus on distilling information from those sources sequentially in one or more sessions rather than doing so when I first find the source.
All info gleaned goes into a sectioned word document that follows an outline for the newsletter or potential chapters in a book.
Then, after putting my draft document side-by-side with my research, my writing process puts in red source material used or that I find not valuable.
How I do this is still a work in process but so far it has worked effectively for me. The key though, is to write a poor draft quickly and then edit, edit, edit.
Steve - Great to hear from you! And thank you for the feedback. It is exactly what I am looking for. Your question on Sharon is an interesting one. My suspicion is that he had little confidence that the Palestinians would sort things out after the withdrawal. Perhaps, as you suggested, he did think it was a way to bring things to a head and resolve it, but in concert with at least some form of world approval. As you know, Sharon had disdain for Arafat, but I also think he had little use for Abbas, although perhaps he was willing to give things a chance with him.
Also of note, Sharon's devastating stroke happened on Jan 4, 2006 and Hamas (Haniyeh) won the Palestinian legislative elections later that month. It is fair to speculate that Sharon would have taken a much more active stance immediately if he he had been in charge when Hamas threw Fatah reps from the rooftops in June 2007. But then, also, I doubt that the results of the Second Lebanon War in 2006 would have been the same if Sharon was still in power.
To me, Sharon is a fascinating figure who was so important in shaping Israeli history, and very much involved in creating the conditions that exist today, but that people now in their 20s to 50s know little about.
Pebbles.Thank you as well for your response. Your feedback, and that of many others on Substack and elsewhere has been very valuable for me.
Cliff
Thank you Esther for your response. Your feedback is very helpful.
Cliff
Ciska: Thank you so much.
Cliff
WOW. This is amazing. How do you find enough time in the day to do all of this and to live a family life as well?!
I am most interesting in your book about Sharon. I want to read it ... yesterday. And your book on the information war next.
Cliff - many good ideas and, undoubtedly, all relevant and timely. I think that the examination of the UN’s relationship with Israel would be most interesting, especially its control by Islamic nations and its focus on the only Jewish state. While Sharon is also an interesting idea, I’ve read Warrior twice and find it fairly comprehensive. Perhaps you could center on the developments in Gaza since he withdrew Israeli control. I wonder whether he truly thought that Gazans would change their ways if given a “nation” or whether he knew exactly what would happen, forcing things to a conflict once and for all. Thanks, Steve.
So many amazing ideas! Here is what I would consider to be most important:
1. Why UN has failed Israel…
2. Information War - I think this would be super important, especially as the rise of so-called armchair truthers in the West are amassing hundreds of thousands of followers peddling “truths” when all they do is peddle “hate”. Infiltration of these networks by Iran and Russia in particular with a look back towards Cold War information tactics.
3. Israel’s Struggle with Hezbollah
Many blessings to you and the tribe!
The book on the UN seems very timely as well. Should they be defunded or do they still do some good in this world? Many people still regard them as a reputable, worthwhile organization and quote their statements as gospel truth. Of course, UNRWA definitely needs to be exposed for what they are. Thank you for all your hard work. Most invaluable.
A sequel to the book ‘Israel’s Struggle with Hezbolllah’ seems timely, since so much has changed. I’m also very interested in the information war - just because the pro Hamas propaganda machine has been so incredibly effective. I’d love to understand more of how ‘they’ pulled that off and who ‘they’ are. What strings are being pulled by whom.
Thank you so much Mr Clifford Sobin. Your works are a very much needed treasure to wake up this twisted mainstream media world. I hope I'll be able to read them soon 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽