One of the most exciting aspects of the work I do with my Web consulting firm Dunkirk Systems, LLC is bringing a business or entity to the Web for the first time. A few months back I partnered with design studio Visible Logic, Inc. to launch the Web site for the new book OUIJA – For The Record by D. Lynn Cain. I have talked about the Web site here at The Hot Iron previously, as it is both an attractive and functional Web site, blog and forum.
What was unique about this project was I did not read the book before the Web site went live. Though I knew what the book was about, I didn’t know the full story. When I finished OUIJA – For The Record, I put down a fascinating story about a family who traveled to Afghanistan in the 1960’s as the result of sessions with an Ouija board. Seriously! Where the story may be somewhat far-fetched to some, my only comment to people is to get a copy of the book for yourself, read it, and then form your own opinion.
As with all books I read, including non-fiction and novels, I have a list of takeaways from OUIJA – For The Record, including:
Tell Your Story - Most all of us have a unique story to tell. It may not be about all of our life, perhaps a small period of time. Even if it is not truly unique there will be someone else interested in what you have to say for a variety of reasons. It may be best told as a blog post or straight to a bound book. But tell it.
People Need Something to Believe In - Whether you are always on the move or live a simple life, we all want something to believe in. In the case of the family in OUIJA – For The Record, what they believed in was that they needed to go to the Middle East. Whatever that something is, it may not be even something you are necessarily looking for. What did that wise British philosopher say about not getting what you want, but what you need?
OUIJA – For The Record was a good read about a family that could be your next door neighbor, or yourself. If you like stories about every day people, or even in the paranormal as the Ouija board was a key element in these peoples’ lives, I highly recommend you get a copy of this book.
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Comments
Mike, I’ll admit too that I did not read the book before completing the web site. As someone who also does book cover design, I will let the secret out: as a designer I can’t necessarily read every book I’m doing the design for.
But, in this case I did read the book, after we launched the site. And I want your readers to know that this is a very exciting story and it was hard to believe it was true. I couldn’t put the book down, just wondering what was going to happen to this family. I highly recommend it, too.
Comment by
Emily Brackett
on 07/09/10 at 01:04 PM
Mike and Emily: You were great to work with throughout the development of my website - http://www.ouijafortherecord.com. When I wrote this story about my family’s experience with a Ouija board in 1968, my worst fear was that people would think we were idiots. I’m glad you came away understanding that our family just needed something to believe in - something bigger than ourselves.
Comment by D. Lynn Cain
on 07/23/10 at 12:18 PM
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