THE LITTLE BUDDHA has been taken on by a big German publisher and will be re-published in early 2013. Time to celebrate? Yes and no.
Yes, because it took many years of hard
work and endurance to make it happen. It’s fantastic to finally be able to
harvest some fruit. At the same time, no, there’s no reason for endless
celebrations. As always, life goes on! Also, I am still as
poor as most other artists so I can't afford enormous champagne bottles. Saying that, in times of crisis and financial chaos
that’s probably not a bad thing – if you don’t have anything, there’s nothing you can lose.
Writing a book, or doing any long-term
project for that matter, is similar to climbing a mountain: You need to really motivate yourself, you got to invest a lot of energy,
you struggle and there are many moments when you want to give up. If you
continue, at some point you will reach the top, that wonderful place you’ve dreamt of all
along the way. However, most mountaineers don’t climb to reach the top – they
climb because they enjoy climbing.
I love holding a finished book in my hands.
But even more I love the actual writing process. So since January 2012 I have
been working on a new book. To sum it up: It has been one of the most intense,
difficult and also most satisfying experiences I’ve had so far. And with a few
chapters left, it ain’t over yet!
While the new book is a fictional story, it also overlaps with my own reality. It’s very personal and,
at least for me, very emotional. As a result, I have been spending much time during
the last months locked away in my little room; battling with sanity, protected
only by four crumbling walls. I know I have been (and still am) a bit weird and
distant, and I’d like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
But I am sure – if you entered into my skin for a day or two, experiencing the
ups and downs of an author, you’d understand. Just look at me...
Finally, once I have finished this book, you might have to send in some happy messages to remedy my sadness – ‘cause when a journey ends, the traveller will be sad. After all it’s not about reaching a destination, it’s about travelling itself. Just as life is about living.
