Telling you that there will be a book scares the pants off me. I’m telling you now, months before the it’s even close to being completed. Why am I doing that? Well, two reasons.
FIRSTLY.
Saying it, scratch that, TYPING IT OUT LOUD makes it real for me. I thought I could be one of those ultra-cool people who suddenly blurts out, “Oh yeah, and uh… here’s my super duper amazing book. Just, you know, by the way.” Yeah, I can’t be like that. This whole blog has been about journeying, and your willingness to journey with me is what SAVES ME at times. Typing this “out loud” is somehow already re-energizing me to continue the project, and I need that.
I need that because I have been believing the worst, instead of the best. The publisher will change their minds. No one will want to read it. It will just be an “e-book.” You know, stuff like that. Coffee Guy just told me, as I was typing this, that some day I will hold it and smell it (he knows that I love to smell books) and I almost started crying. It doesn’t feel like I will. I am visualizing my book as some worn out dusty box with the word “hobbies” scrawled across the top that’s filled with mosaic tiles and paper making screens… that box left to die in the corner of your garage. By telling you, I am changing all that.
SECONDLY.
I need your help. Could you give me ONE WORD of your time? Please tell me in one word (two word answers welcome too. three word answers deleted. just kidding, you can say whatever you want.) tell me what you would most like to see in the book. Is it farmers or stories or family or coffee or Bigfoot? I’m not saying that I will be able to incorporate everything, what I am saying is… I appreciate you. I appreciate you being here for me when I am SCARED by the BIGNESS of this project.
It’s just me… one tiny (not SO tiny) woman and a
big
HUGE
GIGANTIC
book.
Thanks for the helping me fill the pages,
me
Though Bigfoot would be enticing, I always like to see pictures of people, where they live and their stories. There’s a photo book called ‘Where Children Sleep’ and it’s got a picture of a child and their story on the left and a full page of where they live on the right. He said that he didn’t make it with an agenda to change anything, but just to show the kids and where they lived. It’s heart-wrenching to read at times, but I need that.
Photos.
Family.
Culture.
Oops, that was three. Sorry. But those are what I’d like to see and how the latter two interact.
More than one word. I’m sorry.
I want to see the STORY of FARMERS making COFFEE. I want the relationships that make up a cup. A face/name for every bean. Coffee is a luxury(we forget that) that takes time, and labor, and love. Your blog is a reminder of that, it’s evident that you can make that happen.
Family! How your family exists in such a different culture is so fascinating and amazing.
Photo stories – relationships – the journey of coffee
A book! Hooray and congrats! I think your approach on the blog is a great template for book-makin’. You have everything you need right here! I’d love to see the families behind the coffee… including your family, and the farming families who put their heart and soul (and soil?) into our morning cup. Good luck!
You are such an intuitive person. I see it clearly in your pictures. Tell the story, the life of a family, the farmers. We do take coffee for granted. Tell us the life of the farmer, the family they support, the money they earn, the home they live in. You have so many thought provoking ideas, make us think. :) I can stare at your pictures for hours, wondering what it’s like there. What does the sun on their skin feel like, what did the children do this morning? The picture of the man with so many wrinkles in his skin, what has he seen, experienced.
Oops, haha! Two words….
Life
Relationships
Love you guys!
Katie
Families — yours, the coffee people, the people in your village.
You are totally coming to Djibouti this year, or I am coming to Burundi. You’re going to give me a photography crash course and we’ll talk books and family and Africa. I’m being a good Somali and ordering you around.
Journey. Risk. Family.
Daily Adventures of a “Mzungu” family and personal history of the people you meet. And Congrats!
Pioneering stories.
Places. People. Coffee.
Local friends :)
Colorful, local clothing, children’s faces, love those bike shots.
love. that is what I want to see:) Love for culture and for people and for the journey. Love you and SOOOOO loving this! You will rock it!
Farmers stories,family,photos!
Sweet kids. (yours and theirs)
You can’t NOT share your pictures – they capture so much that words can’t. And also stories. You are a good story-teller.
Family
Stories
More. More of what I see, hear, and most importantly feel when I read your blog. Your fears, worries, and doubts – show your depth of character. Stay true to you and Him.
Farmers. Process.
Faces. Everyday nuances. (And it looks like you’re already doing this well.) Things that might have become even a little bit normal for your (now) everyday living, but are truly a wonder to those who do not live there. You’re a very talented artist, Kristy. I’m excited to see the final product. :)
growth
Bring us the story of the people, through how you connect with them. No one can give us that,but you. Show us their world, what matters to them, their viewpoint – through their lives, their buildings, small moments. And, it will be beautiful.
enjoy the journey!
emotions
Life
You know I love the pictures from the coffee hills. But I also love the candid photos of the Carlson’s and other moments that make your life happy in Burundi. I think sharing the joy found in the people and the country are beautiful.
good printing. your photography deserves it.
Definitely your pictures of Burundi, the farmers/their families in the hills, and your family (btw, my husband loves your photography/style of photography – I don’t hear him compliment other artists everyday, so i knew that he REALLy likes your work :)). I love the raw emotion that you share about your journey, so would love to read some of that as well. It’s what we as your friends/readers/etc. can so connect with – the emotions and thoughts experienced along the journey. Thx for asking for our input – so excited for you!
all the “whys” (why bother, why care, why risk, why choose this, why does this matter…)
coffee guy
camera girl
God moments- times when something was impossible but God came through, or moments where things happened/God provided that couldn’t possibly be coincidence. Does that make sense? Moments where you knew God came through for you in a way only He could.
Home (stretched to every sense of the word), Jesus
Simplicity
Passion
I think you should tell the on-the-ground stories of real people in the world you are experiencing, in a way that honors the people and gets readers excited about the journey you take them on through the pages. Some photo-essay stuff, some poetry, some interviews.
Enjoy the process – and use your images a lot in the book. They are very communicative and powerful.
Cheers
John
quality. honesty.
raw humanity
spirit
resiliency
women
you
I will buy your photography book for my coffee table and gifts for my friends
I will buy your memoir book for my niece to inspire her with a story of a woman’s strength and life
I will buy your children’s book on coffee farming for all my city friends’ new babies
Snatches of the God moments and lessons along with so much of what you are already doing with photography, family, farmers.
Coffee Families!
Kristy, I started following your blog after reading Wayfare magazine online and what I connect with is your reflections and struggles on the complexities Expat Life. I live in Uganda and when you talk about being stared at and missing what is comfortable and known, I get it. So I would like to read more of that. Good luck on the book!
Bicycles
I like the honesty answer. What makes this blog so great is the beauty you find in the everyday and the honesty with which you share that – do that in your book and inspire others to do the same.
… and thanks for asking ;)
People.Life for the locals. Coffee process. Yay, can’t wait!
courage and family
Honesty & Advice. Looking forward to what is sure to be a beautiful book :)
Sacrifice / Reward
Raw Humanity.Your Story.The individual Farmers Stories.Your boys stories (how they see it) Lots of your Great Pictures. How about pages that Smell like Coffee,Crazy I know! Sorry,too many words. Good Luck.
Culture & Truth