Bookbinding

I made a collage from a political pamphlet but I didn’t like it because I don't like the politician and I made the collage in anger. When I finished the collage, I didn’t like it because I made in anger; I was thinking of throwing it away. However, I did more digging into the politician. I’m not angry any more, but I do have some questions. For example, he’s against renewable energy, specifically solar and wind power. He wants Japan to have an educational system that encourages logic and thinking; currently the system is based on rote memorization for the sole purpose of passing tests. The problem comes when he wants schools to teach 'proper' Japanese history. His 'proper' is extremely right-wing: Japan as victim, civilians massacred by the Japanese army as 'deserving it' etc.

Both the front and back covers have images from the pamphlet, including the main character and a stock photo of a smiling female.

Rather than throw the collage away, I used it to cover an A6-size, 100-page, blank notebook with French link stitching.

I added a coffee au lait sticker on the front for no particular reason other than to show, like coffee, politicians are for sale, too. On the back I applied the instructions on how to open a milk carton. I think the collage fit. It is a good cover.

Fiction

I’m working on Zuihitsu and Caraculiambro. Progress is slow. One problem with Caraculiambro is there are too many plots I have to clear up before the end of the book. I like the plots: brother-sister-brother conflict; murder; land fraud-infidelity conflict. They are all related but I’ve confused myself. I have to unconfuse myself before we can move on.

Zuihitsu, while slowly merging into two or three stories that logically should converge at some point, continues with non-literary, non-fiction artifacts. Included most recently is what I think was John Steinbeck’s writing routine which included just writing anything or re-reading a work in progress.

Hopefully, the two or three stories will merge so we the reader can get some closure and start re-reading it. As of today, it’s 80 pages but will continue as long as necessary.

Video

At TDGB 71 there’s a tutorial for the French link stitch for those who want to see how I do the French link stitch; not necessarily the best way or the best tutorial, but how I muddle my way through it.

Also, at TDGB 72: Winter Spy you can see this collage-covered book being made (sometimes in 4 times speed) and point out my mistakes. However, enjoy.