originally I posted this in the publishing Forum -- but I think that may have been the wrong place.
I figured that I would try it here. Seeing that it is in fact a first thought.

I have been thinking about how to layout my rule book.
I have an interesting concept where the book is basically split into two parts. (not including spells/etc)

I am wanting to get you guys opinions on how well you think it would do?

What if instead of taking the rules and squishing them into the explanations of the rules. What if in the 1st half of the book you put all the information type stuff.
Ex: What is [Game title]  --- Example of play --- how to use a melee bonus -- what is armor value... etc etc.
and the 2nd portion of the book would be what WE as players would look at during play to look up rules.
Ex: Melee bonus is made up of prowess + precision + knowledge
Armor value for chain mail is 37 -- and it can take 3 rips in the mail before lowering that to 33 (until repaired)
a goat cost 33 silver pieces.
A halberd causes 1d12 damage and is considered a heavy weapon - therefore doing extra damage but its harder to hit someone with.

anyway the point of my idea (if its not obvious) is to keep all the "during gameplay" information in one area so that looking things up would be quick.

also the book would keep the exact same format as the front of the book. meaning this.
if the front of the book explains things in this order
Physical Combat then Wrestling then Verbal Combat then Armor thenMagic/etc.
the so shall the 2nd part of the book be the same
Physical Combat then Wrestling then Verbal Combat then Armor thenMagic/etc.

I thought maybe they would even have the same page numbers
for instance.. you can look up Wrestling explanations on page 43a or Wrestling rules and charts on page 43b.

what do you think?

I think I'm not sure if I understand.

So, in the first half of the book you'd have a combat chapter that would say, your attack deals (weapon) damage when you hit, and then in the second half of the book you'd have a list of weapon damages?

Seems like a decent approach, especially if there are a lot of lists and variables.

Am I understanding this right?

To better explain this. Since I know I didn't do the best job.
I will use a character Class. I'll say "knight"

In the explanation part of the book it will say something like:
[font=century gothic]Knights in A Time of Steel & Staves are the mounted warrior. They will fight from horse back whenever possible. They Character ACTIONS reflect mounted attacks. A knight may dismount and still do quite well in battle (given that his attributes support this) But he will not have access to many of his character ACTIONS. Knights are generally of noble birth and trained from a young age, beginning as a squire and blah blah blah.
[/font]
In the Rules part of the book it would give more gameplay useful information. Like:
[font=century gothic]Knights get access to 1 ACTION per level. (ex: a level 5 knight would get to choose 5 actions from the actions list)
Knights get 2 attacks ever round of combat.
Knights Preservations [sub](saving throws) [/sub] are **CHART**
Knights can wear Light, Medium or Heavy armor.
At __ Level a Knight may take a squire. (Level 1 Warrior)
Knights ACTION Choices are
                                      Quick mount -[sub] brief Explanation of benefits[/sub]
                                      Run down -[sub] brief Explanation of benefits[/sub]
                                      Lance - [sub]brief Explanation of benefits[/sub]
                                      Leaping dismount -[sub] brief Explanation of benefits[/sub]
                                      Charge-[sub] brief Explanation of benefits[/sub]
                                      Call forth Steed -[sub] brief Explanation of benefits[/sub]
                                      Trample - [sub]brief Explanation of benefits[/sub]
                                      ETC ETC.
[/font]

I hope that helps some. Cheers.

Cool... sort of remind me of the format of the old Castle Falkenstein (most underrated game ever), but if you were to do this, I would suggest having two books. It would be really nice to be able to look at the setting/fluff information and the game information at the same time, because flipping can be very irritating in my experience, plus, once a player or group were familiar with the game they could just consult the rules booklet and thus have less to carry with them from gaming spot to gaming spot. Good idea.