So, has anyone else here published a book? What was your experience?
I've recently published a book called "Jezici za Gimnazijalce" (Languages for High-School Students).
http://www.osijek031.com/osijek.php?najava_id=72741
It's mostly about linguistics and a little about computer science. I thought it would be nice if people knew more about those things than what is taught in Croatian schools (id est, almost nothing).
I've focused mostly on historical linguistics and endangered languages in Europe. I've tried to follow the mainstream science as much as I could, but I couldn't have helped myself but to include some elements of my alternative interpretation of the Croatian toponyms. I don't think that's a big mistake, I've contacted a few professional linguists and they said I could very well be right (though none of them was really specializing in the field).
http://flatassembler.000webhostapp.com/toponyms.html
As for computer science, I was writing something about compiler theory (because I think it's important for beginner programmers to know, for instance, what's a linker or what's a framework, which I think slowed me down a lot because nobody explained me those things), different types of programming languages (because I think that thinking that C++ is the only language widely used in "serious" programs also slowed me down a lot in learning how to program) and the relationship between natural languages and programming languages.
So, what was writing a book like? To be honest, it's very exhausting. It took me over a year to write and edit the text, I am not sure if it was worth all that effort. Furthermore, it caused countless arguments in my family. My parents tried to help me many times, but they knew very little about the topics I was writing about. Most of those times, it just ended up in hours long discussions of me trying to convince them they are wrong. Now I am often afraid I will get criticized for some of the statements I've made, especially, but not exclusively, those about computer science. My understanding of those things got a lot better since I finished the text (about a year ago) and I realize that many of the things I wrote about were poorly explained. I realize that, because I am only 18, most of the people who notice those mistakes will praise my effort instead of harshly criticizing me, but that fear still remains.
I've recently published a book called "Jezici za Gimnazijalce" (Languages for High-School Students).
http://www.osijek031.com/osijek.php?najava_id=72741
It's mostly about linguistics and a little about computer science. I thought it would be nice if people knew more about those things than what is taught in Croatian schools (id est, almost nothing).
I've focused mostly on historical linguistics and endangered languages in Europe. I've tried to follow the mainstream science as much as I could, but I couldn't have helped myself but to include some elements of my alternative interpretation of the Croatian toponyms. I don't think that's a big mistake, I've contacted a few professional linguists and they said I could very well be right (though none of them was really specializing in the field).
http://flatassembler.000webhostapp.com/toponyms.html
As for computer science, I was writing something about compiler theory (because I think it's important for beginner programmers to know, for instance, what's a linker or what's a framework, which I think slowed me down a lot because nobody explained me those things), different types of programming languages (because I think that thinking that C++ is the only language widely used in "serious" programs also slowed me down a lot in learning how to program) and the relationship between natural languages and programming languages.
So, what was writing a book like? To be honest, it's very exhausting. It took me over a year to write and edit the text, I am not sure if it was worth all that effort. Furthermore, it caused countless arguments in my family. My parents tried to help me many times, but they knew very little about the topics I was writing about. Most of those times, it just ended up in hours long discussions of me trying to convince them they are wrong. Now I am often afraid I will get criticized for some of the statements I've made, especially, but not exclusively, those about computer science. My understanding of those things got a lot better since I finished the text (about a year ago) and I realize that many of the things I wrote about were poorly explained. I realize that, because I am only 18, most of the people who notice those mistakes will praise my effort instead of harshly criticizing me, but that fear still remains.
