Baker Boy's Ballesteros writing next chapter in his story

Longtime bakery employee putting finishing touches on first novel

Baker Boy has undergone several changes in the past 17 years.

One constant, however, has been the presence of Daniel Ballesteros Jr. in the bakery.

“He’s one of the nicest guys you can meet,” Baker Boy production supervisor Shaun Kadrmas said. “He’s very respectful, kind and is always willing to help.”

While Ballesteros’ reputation as a hard working and level-headed employee is universal among his co-workers, very few knew of the project he has been undertaking outside of the bakery.

Ballesteros said he has been writing since he was young.

“Although I haven’t always taken it that serious,” he said.

That is changing this year. After nearly 15 years of work, Ballesteros is finalizing his first novel, titled “Spiritwood Revelations.” The forthcoming novel started off as a short story he posted on the early social networking site MySpace.

“That’s how long it’s been,” Ballesteros said with a smile. “I seemed to get a good response from my friends … and thought I’d just keep adding to it. Before I knew it, I had the makings of a book.”

Ballesteros said, over the years, he took time off from writing the book to focus on his work and family. He is the father of two boys, ages 16 and 9.

“Spiritwood Revelations” focuses on a young man who discovers his superpowers and, in Ballesteros’ own words, is “dealing with supernatural forces that attempt to tear his family apart and attack the world as well.”

“A lot of it is just trying to come up with an idea and put your own spin on it, and not come off as derivative,” Ballesteros said.

Ballesteros said he plans to finish the book this year and will then begin looking into publishing options.

His supervisors and co-workers said he is putting the same attention to detail into his book that he puts into his work at Baker Boy.

“He always strives for perfection and wanting to do a good job,” Kadrmas said. “It’s all a part of who he is.”

Kadrmas has known Ballesteros both inside and outside of work for several years. While Kadrmas knew his friend and co-worker was a good writer and enjoyed the hobby, it was only in the past year that he learned that Ballesteros had been working on writing the novel.

“He loves to write,” Kadrmas said. “He’s always jotting stuff down.”

Ballesteros was born in Panama but grew up in Dickinson and graduated from Dickinson High School. After a short stint attending college in Bismarck, he came to work at Baker Boy.

Life at Baker Boy has been a family affair for the Ballesteros family. Not only did his mom and brother work for Baker Boy in the past, but Daniel and his wife, Sara, both currently work at Baker Boy in the bakery. Despite both growing up in Dickinson and only being one year apart in age, they didn’t meet until coming to work at Baker Boy.

“We started off as friends and just hit it off,” he said.

Sara said her husband “has a way with words,” and enjoys many of the short stories he has written. She is in total support of his novel and makes sure to allow him enough free time to finish working on it.

“We try to give him quiet time so he can sit and work on it by himself,” she said with a laugh.

As Ballesteros juggles fatherhood, finishing his novel and other endeavors, he recently cut back to part-time hours at Baker Boy.

“A lot of it is about just utilizing your time as best as possible, even capitalizing on your hobbies, which is kind of what I’m trying to do,” Ballesteros said. “I have this passion for something, and my hope is for it to turn into something bigger.”