Sunday, July 18, 2010

Onward, ever onward!


So, it has been a busy week. My buddy Bert has been working on my book, working out the format and fonts and uploading artwork. I forgot how labor intensive my books are. I have spent twenty hours this week working on artwork for the book and I think I probably still have another 50 hours. Bert on the other hand probably has another 90 hours. Bert got some good news this week. He was laid-off from his job in January and has been doing a lot of free-lance work since then. On Friday, he received a great offer from a local design firm for a better job than he had before. He and his wife are very excited. I am too. He starts on August 9th so that means we have a lot of work to do to make sure we are done before that.

My books have each taken about 100 hours to layout. That seems like a lot, especially when normal books take only about ten hours to design. I have never been normal. Bert anCheck Spellingd I have a lot of fun working together. It is like two kids sitting down with an endless supply of Tinkertoys. The fun never ends as we build on each other's ideas.

Each chapter of this book will begin with a numbered tile--each one hand-made. I think i might be insane to spend so much time on these books, but I am hoping you all enjoy them--that you feel like they are as much of an experience as they are for me--like you can find yourself in Niederbipp, eating Sam's bread, drinking Isaac's tea, falling in love with Jake and Amy as they discover the truths that are all around them. This has been a most enjoyable experience. I am excited to share this last book with you. It feels like it is by far the very best. I find myself dreaming about it at night and thinking about it all day as I am frantically trying to get ready for the Park City Arts Festival, the first weekend in August. So, try to stay cool. Read a good book, and Viva Niederbipp! Ben

4 comments:

walter said...

HURRY I CAN'T WAIT!!!

sarah baldwin said...

i only wish there was something i could do to lighten your load (and get that book done... or some pottery... or something!) you are amazing ben... keep up the amazing work and truths you are living in your life and inspiring in others.

Dusty said...

Sounds like a trip to Park City might be in order, get out of the heat, pick up some pottery and if I'm very lucky the third book, by an amazing author

Anonymous said...

I agree with Walter - HURRY!!!!! My Visiting Teacher recommended these books to me last month. I read book 1 two weeks ago & book 2 last week (both in 2 days each). I know I haven't had to wait as long as some people, since I just discovered your books, but I'm not patient! LOVE YOUR BOOKS!!!!!
-Sarah