Behind the Scenes of “Beyond Code”
By Rajesh Setty on Sat 21 Feb 2009, 10:30 PM – 11 Comments
My last book “Beyond Code” (foreword by Tom Peters) was published in the month of September 2005.
This article talks about the making of “Beyond Code.” I am hoping that it might provide some information for people wanting to write a book (or already writing a book.) For others, it may just be look into what happened during the initial stages of the book.
The project started on September 12, 2005. It was planned and executed over sixty days in one notebook. The entire notebook is now scanned and posted on Flickr. Here is the link for the entire manuscript
Beyond Code Manuscript on Flickr
This is the planning page for the project.
The target was to write 120 pages and at 2 pages per day, the plan was to finish the book in sixty days. You will see that most of the blocks (under the dates) are filled. They were all empty when I first started writing the book. I used to fill every block after I finished the planned writing for that date. So, at any time, I could open this page on the book and I would know where I am in the book – how far ahead or how far behind 
The numbers in front of the chapters are the total number of pages written for that chapter.
I used the same book for all the chapters and mixed up chapters over the sixty days. I had a page for capturing the chapter flow – basically the title of the chapter and the page numbers that would cover that chapter.
I captured almost everything in this book, including the quotes that I wanted to include in the book. Here is the quotes page:
Once again, here is the link to the manuscript. You can click on the slideshow on the top right side of the Flickr page to quickly browse through the book.
Beyond Code Manuscript on Flickr
This is the VERY first draft of the book. Of course, it evolved over the next one year before it got published in September of 2005. You can download the entire book here:
Rajesh Setty: Beyond Code book
If you want a hard copy, you can buy it on Amazon.
Have a great week ahead.
Related Articles:- Behind the Scenes: The Story of Suggestica
- Beyond Code reviewed at BizBookTalk
- Life Beyond Code channel on YouTube
- Beyond Code shipping now
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11 Comments so far, Add Yours
Tanmay Vora on February 22nd, 2009
Loved the manuscripts on Flickr as much as book. Gives an insight on hardwork that goes into writing a book.
Rajesh Setty on February 22nd, 2009
Thank you Sridhar and Tanmay. There were close to seven edits after this version but this is where it all started.
Have a great week ahead!
Best,
Raj
vyronad on February 23rd, 2009
Here I could see lots of discipline, hard work and a strong determination in planning and execution in Raj. Also a simple thinking appears, in making a dashboard (blocks for tracing) of the project. A great work. It has really inspired me. Thanks for sharing Raj.
I would also recommend you to watch ‘Chale Chalo’ the making of lagaan.
Sandeep Seshan on February 23rd, 2009
Hi Rajesh,
It’s very nice of you to share your secret
I would recommend you to look at an article – “Time Lapse Author” – by James Shore, where he too has shared his secrets:-
http://jamesshore.com/Blog/Time-Lapse-Author.html
I did find a lot of similarities between the writing methods
Rajesh Setty on February 24th, 2009
Veeranna,
Thank you for your note. I just finished watching “Chale Chalo” (The Making of Lagaan.) It was simply fascinating. Thanks for sharing this.
Best,
Raj
Rajesh Setty on February 24th, 2009
Sandeep,
Thank you for the link to “behind the scenes” of the writings of James Shore. It was fascinating to watch his writing style. Totally enjoyed it.
Have a great week ahead.
Best,
Raj
Shankar on February 24th, 2009
Hi Raj,
Thanks for sharing and it was a treat to see the handwritten manuscripts.
Nothing can beat the feel of pen on paper!
You have meticulously planned the writing and that is truly inspiring.
And on the same note there are many empirical ways to visualize the end result…
Here is a PERIODIC TABLE for the same .
And this Periodic Table rocks!!! Unless you have seen it before you are bound to like it on your first view. Here is the link:
http://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html#
Rajesh Setty on February 24th, 2009
Thanks Shankar for the kind comments.
I am old school so most of my writing is still on paper and either I type it later or I get help from someone to get it typed.
I LOVED the periodic table from Visual Literacy. I had not seen it earlier so thanks for sharing.
Best,
Raj
Kishor on February 27th, 2009
Well I just looked at the page. Congratulations for your book and your experience as an author. I am a handwriting analyst who is undergoing training to get certified. It will happen within two months I guess. I looked at the handwriting and not the letter. With all due respects to you, I want to tell you that it was a great learning tool for me as a student. The ability to keep everything organized, a generous and helping nature, a desire to take leadership roles and determination are your key strengths. Thank you.
Rajesh Setty on February 27th, 2009
Kishor, thank you for visiting and for your kind comments here. I have a friend who is an expert face reader and now I have a friend who can analyze handwriting. What more can I ask?
Have a great weekend.
Best,
Raj
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sridharkrishnan on February 21st, 2009
Book about a book, quite fascinating! Thanks for sharing.
Sridhar