The role of blogging in my life right now

I’ve had the urge to communicate since my high school journalism class. Every day I run across wonderful stuff and I want to tell people about it. To the point of being a blabbermouth. Hey, check out this barn/motorcycle/red-shouldered hawk/beach…blah-blah-blah. To the point, where while I’m discovering something, I’m already thinking about communicating it.

Blogging is kinda perfect, a lot quicker than getting something into print. Right now I get something up at least once a day, it’s a necessary part of my day.

The biggest thing going on now, though, is my tiny homes book. I’ve been working 12-hour days maybe 3 times a week. Getting up early. I’m into it! I love the process, and the way this book is unfolding. New things are coming in almost daily. It’s wild. I’m putting it together 2 pages at a time, the parts are assembling and I’ve got over half the pages done and I’ll keep at it until we have a 224-page book.

It’s “organic” in the sense that it’s growing on its own. It fees like the same thing that was going on during production of Shelter in 1973. There’s a vortex , a cultural movement, in this case, of providing a roof overhead simply and cheaply, staying away from banks, using one’s own hands, simplifying life, at least for a while. Seeking independence. This morning, Louie, looking through the miniature printouts I brought along, said, “It’s gonna be like Shelter.” It’s going to resonate with a lot of people, especially women.

Only problem is it’s taking a long time. Communicating with all these homeowners and builders and getting pics that are hi-res enough. We’re aiming to have it out in winter 2011. It’s great for me to take a few days’ break and have fun with Louie.

About Lloyd Kahn

Lloyd Kahn started building his own home in the early '60s and went on to publish books showing homeowners how they could build their own homes with their own hands. He got his start in publishing by working as the shelter editor of the Whole Earth Catalog with Stewart Brand in the late '60s. He has since authored six highly-graphic books on homemade building, all of which are interrelated. The books, "The Shelter Library Of Building Books," include Shelter, Shelter II (1978), Home Work (2004), Builders of the Pacific Coast (2008), Tiny Homes (2012), and Tiny Homes on the Move (2014). Lloyd operates from Northern California studio built of recycled lumber, set in the midst of a vegetable garden, and hooked into the world via five Mac computers. You can check out videos (one with over 450,000 views) on Lloyd by doing a search on YouTube:

16 Responses to The role of blogging in my life right now

  1. I'm really glad that you're doing the tiny house book- I think it will be a hit with a lot of people, especially young people, and I hope it inspires them to go looking for your other books. This latest book wil be especially timely.

  2. I'm sure I enjoy reading your blog as much as you do writing it.I have been reading it since you started and have all of your home building books. They are all great.

  3. Hi 🙂 I'm a 27 year old girl from Montreal. I discovered your blog a couple of months ago and I'm glad I did! Blog like yours (and I can't find a lot of them) help me change my life step by step so it can be happier and simpler. Thank you for taking those moments each day to share what's in your heart 🙂
    (Oh, and I've never seen the west coast. That's a shame!)

  4. I like seeing your panorama landscapes, old cars, small homes, page mockups and when you're travelling it's fun to tag along too. Even the roadkill that ends up as dinner and/or tanned leather is a glimpse at the world through your eyes. Thanks for sharing Lloyd.

  5. Hey lloyd, thanks, your an inspiration!
    I'm glad your finding the time to blog each day. your blog along with the writings of helen and scott nearing has inspired me to buy a 150 year old one room school house in eastern iowa, build outbuildings with alternative materials, garden organically, raise honey bees, chickens, tap maple trees and travel. yes, and blog too. looking forward to you making another midwestern tour when your checking in on your next book.
    just living the good life. tom

  6. Lloyd,

    Have read and enjoyed your books for many years. I enjoy your blog as well. Please continue for as long as you desire! PS, @BCKRVUE–if you enjoyed the Nearings, I think you'll like the Hubbards as well. That's Harlan and Anna of Kentucky by the way.

  7. The tiny house movement is so strong – it really is like seeing a sort of subversive renewal of values held many years ago as valid and true..I'm glad you are gathering the stories (since some have been doing this all along, as well as those just embracing the concept of simple is good). They need to be told and you are a natural storyteller.

    Thank you!

  8. I've been listening to what you have to say for about 30 years when I first found shelter. thanks for that, and thanks for great books with great photos. Looking foward to the next one!
    Dan

  9. I feel sometimes as if I don't really see or feel something fully until I share it with someone else. Maybe we share the same compulsion to a degree… thanks for being driven to share with the rest of us.

  10. Glad you're a "blabbermouth," Lloyd. Love your blog. I'm really looking forward to your tiny homes book. The world needs another book like Shelter! Keep crankin' them out please.

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