Nei Jia Quan book is complete

[Rockwood]

Hi, I spent the last couple of years putting together a book of interviews about Chinese martial arts, mostly focused on internal styles. Now it's finally been published! It's called "Nei Jia Quan: Internal Martial Arts" by Jess O'Brien. It was pretty fun to put together, there are some pretty good teachers in it. I hope you all like it, it was created for the real kung fu fanatic in all of us.

Here is a link: http://www.northatlanticbooks.com/products/1556435061.html

Let me know what you think.

Sincerely,

Jess O

[lightsout]

Cool. How many interviews are there?

[Rockwood]

Lights-

There are a total of 12 interviews. Plus one article about history. They are primarily focused on Ba Gua and Xing Yi. Some Tai Ji, Yi Quan and Liu He Ba Fa come up. I got pictures of everybody and threw in a bunch of historical ones from old books. If you read it lemme know what you think.

-Jess O

[lightsout]

Thanks. I just got on Amazon and the reviews are all good, so I think I'm going to ask for it for Christmas. If I get it, I'll post a review.

[Kaitain(UK)]

I ordered this last week - still waiting for it to arrive, shall let you know what I think :)

[Ray Pina]

A training brother brought a copy to class on Fri. I briefly read through the beginning section with Mr. Cartmell (SP). I've heard of him, but didn't know he was so young (how old?) and that he was a fighter.

I'll pick up a copy myself before the holidays. Looks good. Good job.

[Rockwood]

lightsout and Kaitan- Hope you guys like it, please review here when you are done and lemme know what you think.

Evo- Yeah, Tim Cartmell is a very interesting guy and has some well thought out opinions on many aspects of the IMA. He's really put in the work to get the results. Based on your posts I think you would really like his interview. There's some other ones in there that you would dig too. NOt every one in the book agrees, actually none of them agree on everything, but that's what makes CMA so interesting. Hope you get a chance to read it.

-JEss O

[Ray Pina]

I'll probbaly go out and buy it on Wed. Thanks for putting something like this together.

I look forward to reading the section on Mr. Frantzis as well. I've heard a lot about him, and he's one of the few that my master talks positively about.

.....

On another note: how did you get this published? Did you pitch it first, or did you go out and create it, do all the interviews, and then look for a publisher/agent?

I'm a writer who just finished a non-fiction piece (along the lines of Miller, Camus, Bukowski, Celine) trying to get into the game.

[Rockwood]

Err, yeah that was a bit of a help, but it was strictly judged on content really! :)

No, actually, the only reason my book got published is because my boss said I could publish anything I wanted. So one day I said, I'm gonna write a book. But since I couldn't think of anything to say myself I asked people who knew a hell of a lot more than me. I don't think my boss even looked at the manuscript for more than 30 seconds. Note: lots of publishers don't read the books they publish.

EvoFist-
Now you know the secret of publishing! But really, my belief is that you write the book because you love it and then the publisher will eventually appear. Just keep trying. Authors sometimes forget that publishers NEED new material on a daily basis, they are a conveyer belt that is always needing to be fed fresh meat to turn into the next book. Then once that's done, dump it on the market and start work on the next. It's a never ending cycle. LOTs of books get published everyday, but not lots of them make money for their authors.

The type of thing you are doing may or may not need an agent. I haven't worked with agents in the areas I work in, like health, alternative med., martial arts, etc. But for literary stuff and fiction and such, an agent might be a good idea. That world is a big gamble where you can hit big and sell lots and lots of books, or you can go down the drain with 99% of the others. Having a pro on your side can be a big help.

My main thought is to just keep cranking them out. If you don't get the sales or royalties you want on book #1 keep going on book #2. Quantity is the key. Lots of small stuff adds up to be big. Don't get discouraged and just keep at it. As long as you have a day job the publishers need you more than you need them and keep that in mind.

Done rambling,
Jess O

[Ray Pina]

Thanks. And that's the first postive thing I've ever heard from an "insider."

I know the odds are long and all that, but something inside of me tells me it can and will be done. And I can't help but write them anyway.

I'm picking your book up at lunch. Been looking forward to it all week. I'm just finishing up Stranger by Camus and need a refill.

Best of luck. I've already heard about your book before your post so word seems to be traveling fast.

[Ray Pina]

I just read the first two chapters .... I already see big differences in opinion, especially concerning chi.

I have to ask, when you held Mr. Garbriel ?????'s hand, did you feel something?

[unixfudotnet]

congrats! it is hard to get a book ready for the publisher to be happy with it, sure it was a long long frustrating journey :D

will be sure to check it out!

[Rockwood]

Evolution-

I most surely felt something. What it was, I'm not sure. I will take Mr. Chin's word for it... All I can say is that there sure is some interesting stuff going on in these Chinese martial arts! Sometimes strange but always fun..

Glad you are reading it, I figured it would be right up your alley.

Maybe you will do an interview with your teacher, Mr. Chan, and publish it? I'll be KungFu Mag or JAMA would be interested...

Thanks,

Jess O

{PS Unixfu- thanks man, hope you like it.

[Ray Pina]

I'm about halfway through with the book now. I have to say, it's very good. It's nice to hear it straight from the teacher's mouth.

I was pleasantly surprised by Mr. Gale's section. I never heard of him before but his aproach and focus on mechanics is exactly what IMA means to me.

My master always says he doesn't want to give us the form, we wants to give us the formula. That seems to be what a lot of these guys are saying.

Did you have an opportunity to play with any of these teacher's students? Also, I was surpised to see that Mr. CC Chen was not included, but at the same time it's nice to hear from other sources.

[Rockwood]

Hi Evo-

Nice quote from your teacher. One of the things that seems to run throughout the Chinese, particularly internal style, martial arts is the "conceptual" blueprint nature of the systems. The form itself is not the point, it's overall body method that becomes intuitive and instantaneous on contact.

Glad you are liking the book. I thought it would be best to filter as little as possible, although there are down sides to that as well.

Glad you liked Paul Gale's interview. He is a man that has "been there done that" so to speak, and he teaches from a very strong, solid basis that is also well thought out. Really interesting guy and excellent teacher. Some of my buddies train with him and have gotten a lot out of it.

William CC Chen? That would have been an amazing honor. Unfortunately I never made it out to New York. There are so many teachers I'd love to meet there. Maybe you could round 'em all up and do a book of interviews!?!?!? :)

I got to "play" with some of the guys who study with the teachers in the book. Some were good, some exceptionally good. Also some schools show more to visitors than others. Tim Cartmell's group is one of the only ones that have an "open mat" on sunday, and I'd recommend that to anyone in the Long Beach vicinity.

Take care, thanks for the feedback.

-JEss O

[lightsout]

I couldn't wait until Christmas after all and went and bought it. Halfway through now. Would definitely recommend it to others. I have only heard of a couple of the teachers from the internet, but I'm still enjoying the interviews a lot, and learning a lot more than I expected. Good job!

[Rockwood]

Thanks Lights! Glad you like it. It's hard to tell what people will enjoy, I think some articles people will hate, others they will love. And the opposite goes for someone else. Since it covers so many teachers I guess that is bound to happen. When I was done I ended up with respect for all of them, even if I didn't agree with/understand everything they all said.

Take care,

Jess O

[Ray Pina]

Just finished the section on Mr. James Woo. So far, of all the teachers in that book, he's my favorite. Seems to have a lot of experience, great knowledge of mechanics and a heck of a personality. Some good stuff about Bruce Lee (feel the same way).

[looking_up]

I started this book. It's incredible, and very timely.

Thanks for putting this together, Jess.

[Rockwood]

Cool, thanks you guys. Glad you are getting something out of the book. Some of these guys are real characters. Ray, Sifu Woo is very definitely a REAL character. Truly an amazing human being. One thing that's so interesting about him is that he has a Republic of China flag in his office, one of those little ones gathering dust in some corner. But since he is from southern China, I don't think he's ever been to Taiwan. Then one day I realized that he was raised when the ENTIRE country of China was under that flag, not just one small island. I find it amazing that he remembers a country that no longer exists. Makes me wonder how many twists and turns my life could take by the time I get to be 83. Man that guy has a lot of stories. My interview was less than the tip of the iceberg with him. Glad you liked it.

-Jess

[Ray Pina]

Finished the book. Very good. In the end, I was most impressed with Mr. Zhao Da Yuan, sounded like I was talking with my own master.

He said two things which my master is constantly saying:

1) When you go to hit me, I'm not there.

2) Ask for the hand! I've just recently grasped this, but realise how important setting someone up is. If you're not setting them up, then you're pretty much slugging it out. And if you're doing that, well, then good luck.

Thank you for this book. This is one of the better martial art books in my collection.

[Ray Pina]

Something else my teacher says a lot THAT WASN'T mentioned in the book but I think is important:

"Don't fight capital to capital. Take care of the troops first."

ALSO:

In every attack, know who is the troop and who is the general.

For example: Why do stick fighters swing overhand and lead with their hand, the general, leaving their troops/weapon behind. That leaves them open for attack. Send the troops/weapon first, and run the hand away.

Many people lead their kicks with their knee, the target/general, leaving the weapon (foot)/troops trailing behind .... this also presents the target (knee).

[Rockwood]

Evolution-

Your welcome, thanks very much for commenting on the book. As a writer you surely know how much feedback is appreciated, particularly positive feedback! :)

Very interesting comment from your teacher about the leading edge of attack and defense, and the set up. That's just the kind of thing that would be so interesting to read in an interview. Maybe someday you'll publish something with him?

Take care,

Jess O

[batesy]

The book is great (i'm half way through). So nice to read things from others that often fall from the mouth of your own teacher. Read the interview with B.K. Frantzis last night and then had a similar conversation about gaps between techniques with my own teacher this morning. Thanks for a great book.

[Rockwood]

Hi Batsey,

I agree that mental awarness during and in between techniques is one of the most important aspects of IMA style training. Most fighting methods learn it intuitively over years of hard sparring experience. Whereas in internal styles, it is taught from the start as a core concept. It helps a lot in freestyle fighting.

Glad you like the book!! :)

-Jess O

[PHILBERT]

I left this as a sticky until Christmas in case anyone here wanted to buy it as a gift.

[HopGar]

I'll pick it up at some point. From the excerpts I read, sounds good

peace

[cerebus]

Also, for anyone who hadn't guessed, Jess is just a dam nice guy. He's also modest as he!!. He's trained more than many who post on these forums (and with some great instructors) but he doesn't brag about it at all.

And top it all off, he wrote a dam good book! Awesome work Jess!

T. ;)

[Rockwood]

Yo T-
Thanks for the compliments, you are also a hellof a nice guy. Strange how many cool folks you meet in the martial arts world. Much nicer in person than on internet!

I'm glad you liked the book, it is meant for geeks like us who love the classical martial arts. I hear you did well at the Natsta tournament, congrats. It can be stressful but in the end worth it to get out there and do it up. Nice.

HopGar-theres not too much about southern style in the book, but there are some interesting statements from James Wing WOo who learned many southern styles in Canton during the 1930's.

Keep rockin' and rollin'

-Jess O

[cerebus]

LOL! It's funny Jess, but as long as I'm there to fight I have no stress at all. It's a natural, enjoyable thing. But put me up in front of a bunch of people and have me do forms and I'm a nervous wreck! :p Fighting's so much easier!

T.

[HopGar]

I was a hop gar practicioner, I'm in hsing i under one of pittman's students (Allan Carroll). I know there won't be any southern styles in the book, especially along the lines of a style like hop gar.

[joe95223]

hi jess,
i read your book and really enjoyed it. there are many things common to all of their outlooks. all of them seem to be high level practitioners..
especially interesting was the chapter by paul gale. and the chapter on mr. woo was also good. he does sound like quite a character.
i trained daily with paul gale for several years in arcata and gained a great deal on many levels. he is very real, can do what he teaches, and is an excellent teacher. to my knowledge, he is the only authorized teacher of james wing woo's family style (wing woo gar). reading paul's chapter was like being back in class-everything he says is his consistent message. it is all in the basics.
if you get the chance to train with him, do it.
empty your cup before you go.
joe

[Rockwood]

Hi Joe-

Glad to hear you liked the book. I also got to train with Paul Gale for a couple of years in Arcata. I got a lot out of it. A great teacher and fascinating person. And you are right about the interview, it really captured his basic teaching direction. Stripping away the silliness leaves more time for the truly enriching aspects of training. Do you know my friends Stein and Jed from the pictures in the book? They've been there going on close to ten years.

Thanks for the feedback.

-JEss O

[joe95223]

hi jess,
yes, i remember stein, and jed a little. i trained some with stein and had lots of fun smashing arms and doing the 8-count offensive/defensive form. i think you and i even trained a few times together, in summer, 99?? Is that you in the corner of the pictures, by the garage door? I was up in front by the wall.
Anyway, yes, that interview is very Paul. The basics are strongly emphasized, and the longer you look, the righter he is. Great person, great teacher.

P.S. In 99 I moved to the sierras (2 hours southeast of sacramento), and am presently looking for another teacher like paul. As you know, paul teaches southern gung fu and yang long form. That would be a good match, but I am also interested in Hsing-I, Bagua and I Chuan. Do you have any info on IMA teachers in sacto, or south or southeast of sacto? I can go ****her, just not as often.....

again, great book. I have read several interviews twice, (not just Paul's). I wish I could meet/ train with several of these teachers, but live in the boonies.

thanks for any ideas/help,
joe

[Buddy]

Jess,
Leo gave me the book for xmas, great stuff!
Buddy
Say hello to Bernie for me.

[Rockwood]

Hi Buddy,

I'm glad you got the book! Leo V is one of my biggest promoters! :).
Hope you and your clan are all well. Rainy here, but otherwise it's going well. Haven't seen BL in a while but will pass on your regards when I do. Take care and please fwd any comments on the book! I hope you like Luo Laoshi's interview, he was very candid and open with me. I think it captures some of his humor and insight.

-Jess O

[Rockwood]

Hey Joe-

I remember you from Paul Gales, glad to hear you are still into the MA game. I don't know anyone off hand in the Sac. area besides Gail Derin-Kellog in the book. She could teach you a lot, but I'm not sure if she is holding classes at the moment. If you want to swing by and practice with me and my friends some time let me know.

Jess O'Brien:
xingyiquan5@yahoo.com

Take care,

Jess

[taijimaster]

Good afternoon,

I am excited about reading the book. I know it will be informative. My question is how did you get the book published? I am working on several pieces and would like them to be published. Can you share you experiences as well as how to get published?

Thanks

[Rockwood]

Dear Tai Ji Master:

I worked as an editor for the publisher, and he agreed to publish my book. So in my case getting published was an easier process than for most writers.

The way I see it is- only do a writing project on a topic that you truly love and enjoy. Do it whether it will get published or not. Otherwise your attention will lapse and the project will never get finished. Your best shot at getting others interested is if you yourself are interested and enthusiastic about it.

Otherwise, all I can advise is to send it to as many publishers as you can and don't be discouraged.

-Jess O

[yangchengfu04]

I just purchased the book off of amazon.com. Since a friend just sent me a gift certificate for amazon, it worked out well. Looks like I good read; I can't wait to get started!!