Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Remembering Isaac: The Wise and Joyful Potter of Niederbipp

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Remembering Isaac: The Wise and Joyful Potter of Niederbipp
So, I was signing books at the Lehi Costco today and I had several people who stopped by to thank me for the book and ask about book three. I also invited them and now all of you to fill out a reveiw on Amazon .com. It is easy and its free and will take just a few minutes. All you have to do is click on the title of this blog entry and it will take you right there. Then all you have to do is click on the button that says, Create your own review. Then just follow the prompts. I really appreciate your help in spreading the word. Cheers, Ben

Progress-slow and steady

Question: How to you go jogging two weeks ago and get a bruised tail bone without falling and still can't sit down without pain two weeks later? I must be getting old and fat.
I was repremanded by a couple of blog readers for letting too much out about book three. Sorry. I wont do that. I thought I might just write a bit and tell you all where I am. I am on page 106, which is not nearly as far as I hoped to be. I have had to stop my writing and concentrate on what is making me money. I will be participating in Art and Soup, a fundraiser for Community Nursing Services which takes place every year at the Sheridan Hotel in Downtown Salt Lake. That runs in two weeks from Tuesday to Thursday. That is always a big money maker for me and since I am still a potter who relies on that income to sustain me and my book writing efforts, I have felt compelled to make pots. I am hoping to give the book more attention next week and then after the show. Tonight, I am up late, firing a kiln and trying to catch up on emails. I might write a bit too, eventhough I usually dont do well if I dont have at least a couple of hours to concentrate.
I want to thank those who have written their reviews on Amazon and encourage you to share your feelings about the book with the world via a book review on either Amazon or Goodreads.

I am feeling lately like I have too many hats to wear. I would like to take the time to look for an agent, but I feel more compelled to finish Becoming Isaac before I do. Still, I think there has to be an easier way than spending so much of my time signing at Costco. I enjoy getting out and meeting folks, but I will tell you--it is not easy selling books to people who are grazing on the free samples or there to buy groceries. I have heard some of the lamest excuses, seen thousands of diverted eyes, been ignored, been chewed out, wanted to quit about fifty times, etc etc. This is different for me--I feel like I am starting over. People know me for my pottery and people drop by my studio all the time to buy stuff, but signing books is a different beast. Sometimes people treat a $12 book as a lifetime marriage. Granted, $12 is more than it used to be for most folks, but, hey, it comes with a free self-propelled movie. That's got to be worth ten bucks all by it self, right? I dont know. I'm still trying to figure people out. Last week, on a Tuesday, I signed 95 books at the Murray Costco. On Monday I went back and only sold 50. I cant figure it out, but I will tell you, signing books can be wonderful one day and the sincerest form of drudgery the next, depending on the day, my attitude and the people in the store.
Tonight I spoke to a book club on the south end of the valley--Nice group, very supportive. I enjoy these experiences--they make me stretch and reflect on the journey these books have been for me. I have been speaking to 2-3 book clubs every week since January and have a busy schedule ahead, but if you have a book group who would like to hear me talk about the story behind the story, let me know.
When I was signing on Monday, I had a nice old couple come in and buy both my books. They explained that they had just returned from Guatamala City with a tour. Someone on the tour was reading my books and telling everyone on the tour that they needed to buy them. (I'm pretty sure it was not a relative. :) ) Anyway, thanks for spreading the word. It makes the drudgery of selling books more pleasurable when I hear stories about how people are responding to the books. Thank you.
If anyone cares, I will be at the Bountiful Costco on Friday and the Orem Costco on Saturday, from noon to six. I will try to blog again soon. Cheers, Ben

Slow and steady-97 Pages in.

The last couple of weeks have been hectic. My distributor signed me up to sign books at Costco 4 days a week and then I signed myself up to speak to 3-4 book clubs a week and I've been trying to make pots to get ready for Art and Soup and I went on a two day vacation over Presidents Day to visit an old roommate and his family in Boise so I could spend some time with my kids who have been neglected. That is a really long sentence. Needless to say, I have not had the time I would like to have to spend on the book, but today marks the beginning of a new month and a new signing schedule. This week, I am signing only twice and no more than three times in the coming weeks. Hurray, I will have time to write.
Since my last blog entry, I have only written fifteen pages, but I plan to make some progress this week. I see the road opening up and I have been encouraged by many people coming up to me at book signings and others at book clubs who are connecting with Isaac in very intimate and personal ways. It seems the books are touching hearts and making people think and dream and act more selflessly. I think that's a good thing. There have been many who have emailed me or written reviews on Amazon that help me realize that I need to keep going--that people are waiting and anticipating to see what happens next in the lives of the characters they have learned to love as friends and neighbors. Thank you for your kind words. I love hearing from you.
I am writing tonight because I plan to spend the day tomorrow writing and don't want to be distracted by my guilt that I haven't updated the blog in so long. I have found that it usually takes me a good hour to be able to get into the groove of writing before magic starts happening and since I don't want to stay up late, you get a blog instead of some progress on the book--sorry.
Becoming Isaac continues to take twists and turns that I had not anticipated last month or even last week. I am constantly being surprised. Many people have asked me if I know the ending and am just filling in the stuff between. Man, I wish I knew how it was going to end, but I don't, not really. There are lots of things that need to get tied up and brought together, but I only have about 120 pages left to do it and I'm realizing I have my work cut out for me. I will tell you that Amy just ordered her wedding dress and Jake officially proposed, so those of you that wrote me worried that Jake was going to dump Amy and go for Alice can sleep and little easier tonight :)
Like I have mentioned in the previous entries, writing this third book has been a very emotional experience as so many of the the things from the previous books are making more sense to me as the truth of this book is unfolded. So many things are tied together, interconnected. I am talking more about truths than I am about personal relationships. I feel like every time I write, I am exposed to a new truth or a new understanding of an old one. This book has made me a better father and husband and made me want to concentrate more of my time and efforts on loving my family and working on building stronger friendships with those I love the most.
So things are moving, sometimes slower than I would like, but I think I am still on track to have the book finished by June or July.
Thanks for spreading the word about Isaac. I hear from people everyday who want the book because someone they love and respect told them how much they enjoyed it. Word of mouth is amazingly powerful. When I was signing up in Ogden last week, the book girl there said my books were the best selling books they have. Word of mouth has made that happen and I thank you all. I have yet to turn a profit on the books, but I am getting close to breaking even and that is encouraging. I spent 65k last year between printing, layout, editing and design. That is a lot of money--money we had been saving for years to build onto our house. My wife, Lynnette, believed in me and the book and so we jumped in with both feet, believing good things would happen. I mentioned in a previous blog and in both my books, I never wrote these books with the intention of becoming rich, but as a business owner, I never wanted to lose money. My faith has been weak at times and I have had many days and weeks of discouragement, but I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. I feel like God has compelled me to write and given me the words to say once I finally agreed to move my feet. The answers have always come when I needed them and though they have often been hard to swallow, the truth has made me free and filled my life with joy. Thank you for sharing with me in that joy. If you feel so inclined, I would love for you to fill our a review on Amazon or tell a friend. Cheers, Ben

82 Pages and Going Strong

82 pages--that's about 170 real pages in a book. I've been working hard this last week on Becoming Isaac, but these last fifteen pages have been slow going, mostly because they required a lot of research to make sure I was getting things right. The last time I was in school, the internet was still pretty fresh and awkward. We had a very slow dial-up connection that was more painful than going to a library and researching whatever it was I needed to research. I still remember filling index cards with facts and figures and references for my research papers. Those were the days when the card catalog was still the fastest way to find material. Things have changed a lot in the past ten years. I love high speed internet that helps me get my information quickly and relatively painlessly.
My research has centered around the Quakers. I am not completely certain, but I think I have Quaker roots. If I don't, I wish I did. I have admired them for years, but the more I learn, the more I want to learn. I have great admiration for William Penn especially. What a man of integrity, wisdom and inspiration. Much of the material that inspired me in the beginning to set my book is a Quaker village will be included in Book III, but if you're bored and have some time to spend on the internet, I highly recommend doing some research on William Penn and the Quaker people. I think our world would be a much better place if we all would embrace the Quaker ideals.
I'm having a great time. I had a couple of people email me this week to ask if I was going to kill Amy in this book. No, I am not going to kill Amy. I think I have a crush on her. I have infused her with so many of my wife's finest qualities and I want to make sure Amy has a chance to pass those on to the next generation of Niederbippians.
I have also recieved many emails this week asking when the final book will be out. Good news! If things continue to go as they are, I should be able to have the book available my late June, early July. I hate to make promises because I know there are lot of things coming up, art shows, house projects, etc, but this is the book that the others have been written for and its messages are coming fast and strong. I promise I am working on it everyday. I hope the next couple of weeks will give me a chance to make a lot of progress. I love the days I dont have to go to book signings because I can get so much done. Six pages today as well as a lot of editing of the previous pages.
I just wanted to give a shout out again to those of you who have written reviews of the books on Amazon. As of this evening, there were 26 reviews for Remembering Isaac and 4 reviews for Discovering Isaac. If you feel so inclined, I invite you to fill out a review too. Its easy and good karma and it helps spread the word. If you don't know how, read the past two or three blogs. For now, I am signing off so I can get some sleep. I will be at the Orem Costco tomorrow and the West Valley Costco on Wednesday which is traditionally my slowest store signings. I hope I wont need anti-depressants by the time I'm done. I'll be in Murray on Friday and the 18th South Salt Lake Costco on Saturday. Noon to 6 each day unless I sell out of books or die trying.
Cheers, Ben

66 pages into Becoming Isaac!

Ok, so I just wrote for a half hour and lost it all when I pushed publish so I am going to start over and hope it works.
I spent the morning glazing and then started writing at 1. I put in more than 9 hours today on the computer and feel like I made some really great progress. I am learning all sorts of things--namely that this is not my story. I tried to force something that wasnt working a couple of days ago, and it kicked back, getting me frustrated. Yesterday I learned again that this is not my story when, frustrated, I sat down to write after a long prayer and good night's sleep and it became clear to me that I had missed out on some really important things that needed to come out- that needed to be told. Michaelangelo once said when he sculpted stone, he felt like he was freeing the figures from the stone, that they were telling him what they wanted him to make them into. I thought I understood this as a potter, but I am really understanging it now as a writer. Things are coming together in a magical and strange way that I never could have imagined. Many of you have expressed your anticipation at what is going to happen next. I know exactly how you feel. I don't know either. It comes a day at a time, but I promise you, you are going to love book three. I am beginning to realize that this whole series is really just getting us ready for book three.
I have recieved another few reviews on Amazon. Thank you. Hearing how the books are affecting you makes the toil of writing them worthwhile. I would love to see more of your reviews on Amazon. It's easy and only takes a few minutes. if you dont know how, I have posted the instructions on my previous posts. Thanks. Ben

Fifty one pages in to Becoming Isaac

So, I am trying to find a balance between my work in the studio as a potter and book signings and what I really want to be doing most of the time--writing. I signed books yesterday in Bountifl after making 50 cereal bowls. I was hoping to get some writing done--ideas were burning holes in my head, but I didnt get to do any writing yesterday until very late. I wrote some on Monday after making bowls and again today after making bowls. I guess Ilike to make bowls. They take up space in my big kiln and feed my family, so what's not to like.

I have learned that if I don't make pots, I can't write. Somehow the world of writing is connected to the world of creation and silence found in my work at the wheel. This book is being different for me than the others have and I find myself learning and being taught by what is coming out of my fingers. I am learning a lot about the need for forgiveness. How many of us have been holding on to grudges and hurt in our relationships with family and friends? I never thought I did, but as I write about Amy and her dad and Sam and his son and Mr. Allan and his kids, there is a common theme that continues to rise to the surface. I feel like this book is working on me at least as much as I am working on it. There is contention in this book and I don't do contention very well. When I go back and read it, I dont feel it so much, but when I write it, it takes time and effort. Today, I spent the better part of an hour on one paragraph--learning and discovering pieces of myself--things I want to change--things I want to overcome. I don't know if others will feel similarly. I guess time will tell. I will say that is it really isnt fair that you as a reader can read in ten minutes what takes me a week to write. I either need to write faster or figure out a way to slow you down.

I will be signing at the Lehi Costco tomorrow from 2-6 and then speaking tomorrow night at a Mentors Series from 7-9 in the Olympus Cove area. Oh, and I am speaking to a book club tomorrow at noon. SO I wont be writing much tomorrow.

On Saturday, you can find me at the SLC Downtown Costco from noon -6.

Thanks to those who responded to my invitation to fill out a review on Amazon. I have already had four people respond, fortunately, with postitive reviews. I invite you to take five minutes and write your own review. Instructions can be found on the previous blog entry. Thanks and cheers. Ben

Be connected to Isaac in cyberspace! An invitation to create your own review on Amazon.com

Since the time I began signing books at Costco, I have had lots of folks ask if my book has been reviewed on Amazon.com. It has been and currently has 5 stars, but only 15 people have reviewed the book. To date, we have sold more than 8500 copies combined of the first two books, so I have a feeling that people either don't know how, or they are just too doggone busy to figure it out. I filled out a review a little while ago on another book and it is very simple once you know where to go. Here is the easiest way I know how.
I should mention first that this will only work if you have purchased something from Amazon before. See below for more details.
-Got to www.Amazon.com
-In the box just above the word and picture of the Kindle, type in- Remembering Isaac. Then press the "GO" button to the right of that box.
-Remembering Isaac will come up with a picture of the cover. To the right of the book cover are five stars and to the right of that is a number in parenthesis. At the time of writing this blog, the number is 15 so it looks like (15). Click on that number, whatever the number is, and all the customer reviews will pop up.
-At the top of that page, just underneath the stars, there is a button that says, "Create your own review." If you click on that, and follow the prompts, you will be able to quickly write your own review and then push the button that says, publish, or something like that. You can give it the stars you think it deserves. Of course, five stars means you liked it, one star means you didnt like it so much.
I know that by asking for you to post your opinion, it may cause my ratings to drop, but I think its important to have a lot of ratings and we'll still be friends if you hated my book and say so.
You are also welcome to leave a review for Discovering Isaac as well. I really appreciate your help.
I should mention that this will only work if you have an Amazon account which only requires that you once bought something from Amazon.com. If you go to www.amazon.com from the computer with which you made the purchase, Amazon should recognize you, even if you forgot your password. If you have any qestions, post a comment on this blog and I will respond to you. With so many people having read the book, it seems like it would be easy to double or triple the reviews in the next few weeks. Please tell your friends that have read the book and invite them to do the same.
Thanks so much. Ben

40 Pages In To Becomming Isaac

This has been an ineresting week. I am a potter and January is always a crazy time because it is the time I get ready for art festivals. It may seem early, but applications are usually due by mid February and I feel it is important to come up with new work each year to keep the jurors excited about me. Most folks dont know that art festivals are very competitive, especially for potters. At the Park City show for example, there are usually more than 300 potters vying for the 15-20 spaces they award to potters. I have been fortunate for the last several years to have been able to get in to both major Utah shows, the Utah Arts Festival and Park City. These shows have been a great boon to my business and provided me with the funds I've needed to self-publish my books. So, I have to take application time seriously. I worked hard on Monday and Tuesday mornings and was able to produce a lot of work so I could write in the afternoons. On Wednesday, I wrote for a couple of hours before going to a book signing in Ogden. I was disappointed to discover when I got there that they only had 19 copies of the first book and about 40 copies of the second. I sold the 19 copies in less than an hour, along with about ten copies of the second. As I was packing up, I sold another three copies of book 2 to people who were curious, but had not yet read book one. I really like signing in Ogden. I came and wrote more.
Yesterday, I wrote from 8:30 am until 1 am with a short dinner break to spend time with the family. It was amazing how the story unfolded as I wrote. I am constantly learning what this book is about. I came in for dinner, completely emotionally drained after Sam's story took on a twist I never could have guessed. The experience taught me once again that I am not writing this book.
40 pages in...that translates to about 80-85 pages in book format. I am expecting this book to be about 500 pages, give or take, considering how much as been written and how much more I have to write. I had figured on this being the last of the Isaac series, because I have three other stand alone book ideas that keep me up at night, but Niederbipp is going to be a hard place for me to leave. I love going there on the days I write. I love the people I meet there. I have fallen in love with each of them and each of them-okay, most of them have made me a better person. A new guy showed up when I was writing last week. I wrote about this Fromage bon vivants in my last post, but as I read over those chapters today, I found myself completely enamored by this eccentric fellow. He has a lot more to say and I am excited to hear more about him in the coming chapters.

I spent the day writing again--I have lost interest, for the time being, in pottery--and I have enjoyed discovering the depth and pain and hope of the town baker. Sam was such a jovial character in my mind, but Jake discovers some pretty dark stuff.

One thing that has really kept me going this week is receiving emails from readers. One man sent me beautiful poem that book 2 inspired his to write. Another told me of the comfort she recieved from the books as she lost her nine year old neice. Several others told me they were planning trips to Niederbipp and asked for directions. I suppose I better put a map in the next one--no one seems to be able to find it and everyone wants to go there. For those of you who have read the book, thanks. I love hearing from you. If you feel so inclined, I would love to have you fill out a review on Amazon. Just look up my book, click on the number next to the stars and then click on the button that says "create your own review." It doesn't take long, but it is a great way to spread the word about Niederbipp. I should warn you that unless you have purchased something from Amazon, (not necessarilty my book), it won't work. I will write more about it in an upcoming blog.

Its late, but my wife is at an overnight girls-night-out, so I may just stay up late and go back to Niederbipp. Cheers

Happy New Year

It is hard to believe another year has slipped into history. If the first day of the year gives any indicaton of what lay ahead, it seems I will be writing more in 2010. I spent the day working on chapter three of Becoming Isaac--I love it. It includes an strange man who among other things is a globetrotter with unusual talents. He is a Fromage bon vivants.--even rarer than a chimney sweep these days.
I have been thinking a lot lately about what I hope this new year will bring. Writing has become a passion. It has opened my mind to a new world. I feel like the more I write, the more I have to say. Getting into Costco was one of my goals. Now that I have been there for 3 1/2 months, I find myself being itchy. I have no idea what the future holds for me or my books, but I do know that Isaac's message is much bigger than me, the 9 utah costcos and the nice people who shop there. It seems like it could be a message that others would enjoy and benefit from.
I turned 36 last October. It seems strange to be be thinking about what I will leave behind when I pass on to the next world, but for some reason that thought is always in the back of my mind. Maybe it has been for years. I have often told people that Isaac is the man I hope to become someday and Jake is the man I am today. I still feel like I have too many "Jake Days" and not enough "Isaac Days", but I'm working on it. Cheers to more "Isaac Days" for all of us in 2010.

I need a break

I am trying to motivate myself to go to my book signing today in Murray from noon to six. I am tired, having spent about ten hours yesterday working on book three. I will be in Bountiful tomorrow during the same times.
I have noticed as I have been writing about Amy and her parents and the contention that swells around them, that I am emotionally disturbed by that contention. I am not sure if it hits too close to home, but as an eternal peacemaker, it goes against my nature. As I work through these things in my writing, I feel good when it is over, but when I am in the thick of it, I am on edge and cantankerous and nothing is right with the world. I suppose that is one reason I gave up TV a few years ago--I find myself living whatever I see--somehow the emotions of whatever it is translate into my real life in a negative way.
Case in point...this morning I am a little perterbed about a movie I took my kids too last night-Where the wild things are. I loved this book growing up, but this movie is a total flop from my point of view--no real story line, bad cinamatography, a movie dedicated to the bad behavior of children. It began poorly and ended poorly and I am glad I saw it at the dollar movie rather than paying full-price for it. I am sure it had to be an expensive movie to produce because they basically destroyed a whole island. Just a weird, lame movie. I feel sorry for the producers. They really could have done a much better job.
Listen to me be a movie critic! I've never really liked critics and suddenly i just became one. But I feel better and I think I can go sign books now and be okay. Happy New Year.