What's Going On

Several of you already know. I wrote a little book. I don't talk about it much in larger circles because 1) there are many people who have written books.  Seems to be another new black; 2) there are many people who have written very good books who haven't been published, but should be; and 3) the process of writing a book, seeking an agent/publisher, or even self-publishing takes a long time. People who don't write or are unfamiliar with the process are impressed at first, and then they begin to lose interest as months turn into years because your book is not at Barnes & Noble, the giant advance all authors get didn't arrive, and The Today Show hasn't called.  It's like you're the little writer who cried, "Wolf!", or the couple that announces they're pregnant before the bed has been made.

Well, the bed is made.  My little ditty of a book will be available October 1st on Amazon.com as well as on the shelves of a few local bookstores.  It's a niche book titled To Mormons, With Love - A little something from the new girl in Utah.  It's bubble gum, but not the kind rolled in large sugar crystals.  Nor is it the sour Warhead variety.  Just pleasant to chew.  I hope a few people like it.

There's more to share...the supportive, small publisher that believes in the project; the process of writing, listening to critiques, rewriting, and how the book ended up in its shorter, nichier (not a word, but it works) form; an upcoming feature article I wrote for a popular LDS magazine; and the importance of your local arts council.  All of this later.

Today I'd like to direct your attention to an artist whose work I'm crazy for.  His name is Darrell Driver and you can check out his art at www.darrelldriver.com or click here.  I love his balance pieces, the colors he chooses, and his funky interpretations of...everything.  I dig his wife, too. 

Darrell agreed to create the cover art for my book.  I wanted one of his beautiful signature balance birds, holding a daisy in its beak.  The bird is a humble, polite messenger.  The daisy is a simple offering.

After sketching my ridiculously uncomplicated concept no less than 15 times, this is what I faxed to Darrell...

His version is much lovelier, of course.  Some cool folks are using Darrell's fabulous art to create the final cover design.  It's getting exciting.  The handful or two of you who still read this blog will get a sneak peek very soon.