As you might know, I have been working, toiling, grabulating for the past two years on my new book, full title:
10 Commandments of Con Men, Pickup Artists, Magicians, Door-to-Door Salesmen, Hypnotists, Copywriters, Negotiators, Political Propagandists, Stand Up Comedians, and Oscar-Winning Screenwriters
I had a minor heart attack earlier when I discovered that somebody has already beat me to the core concept. An Austrian con man named Victor Lustig, who lived and scammed in the early 20th century and who apparently sold the Eiffel Tower twice (!), apparently kept a list of 10 Commandments of Con Men. Here’s old Victor’s list:
1. Be a patient listener
2. Never look bored
3. Wait for the other person to reveal any political opinions, then agree with them
4. Let the other person reveal religious views, then have the same ones
5. Hint at sex talk, but don’t follow it up unless the other person shows a strong interest
6. Never discuss illness, unless some special concern is shown
7. Never pry into a person’s personal circumstances (they’ll tell you all eventually)
8. Never boast – just let your importance be quietly obvious
9. Never be untidy
10. Never get drunk
Are you impressed? Yes? No?
All I can tell you is that, after I read Lustig’s 10 Commandments, I personally took a big sigh of relief. I found his 10 Commandments rather dull and uninspiring, and fortunately, I found that there’s zero overlap (well, minus the hinting at sex talk) between his commandments and the 10 Commandments I have in my new book.
Most importantly, I was reminded once again that the value is almost never in the ideas (ie. commandments) themselves, but in how those ideas are presented, illustrated, and made to shine.
That’s why it took me so long to complete my book. And complete it I did.
I can tell you that, following two years of ups and downs, missed deadlines, and a few dozen readers writing me messages to the effect of “done is better than perfect,” I am proud and a little nervous to announce that my book will finally be published.
When?
Tomorrow.
Why not today?
Well, maybe Lustig was on to something. Don’t pry into my personal circumstances (I’ll tell you all eventually). Meanwhile, I have nothing to promote to you today — but I will tomorrow.