I finished my book draft!
Thinking back on how I got started + the thing I had to do keep going
On the heels of finishing a full draft of my book, I’ve been thinking a lot about beginnings. Even though this draft came together relatively fast (in about four months), it took me a long time to get here — so long, that I could hardly recall when it all began.
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How it Started
Carley Fortune’s newest book just arrived in my mailbox and it triggered a memory of reading her first book, Every Summer After, in June of 2022. That story, a romance that blossoms between friends who spent summers together before becoming estranged, was undoubtedly the spark that led to an idea for my book.
The memory of reading Every Summer After was a time stamp, reminding me that I started on this project nearly two years ago.
It also made me reflect on how I felt at the starting line, leaving me to question:
What made me take action?
Was I scared? If so, why did I do it anyway?
How did I keep going?
Whenever I start a new creative project, it’s typically exciting and sparkly all the way up until the point of putting pen to paper.
You too? Here’s a look at a project that’s fresher in my memory:
How it’s going
This week I started working on a new logo for Steve and my upcoming podcast project and I was like…I think I forgot how to design (context for the newer readers, I have a BFA in graphic design and have been doing this kind of work for nearly two decades).
It was uncomfortable and it made me feel bad about myself. Ultimately, after typing the name of our show in three different fonts, and hating them, I shut my laptop and walked away.
I expected perfectly polished finished work to flow out of me on the first try, and when it didn’t, I got really judgy about it.
WHY. Why do we do this?
Creative work is supposed to be fun, especially when we do it voluntarily!
Still, starting a creative project will always be miserable, and sticking with it will suck the life out of you if you’re unkind to yourself.
Starting a creative project will always be miserable, and sticking with it will suck the life out of you if you’re unkind to yourself.
Observations from the starting line
To contrast these two projects, my book, and this logo, I can spot some obvious differences in my approach.
When I started on my logo project, like a hotshot designer, I had unrealistic expectations for perfection, neglecting to remember that regardless of experience, everyone begins with a blank page.
With my book project, I had very low expectations of myself. Again, context for new readers, I do not have a degree in writing and though it’s become a substantial part of my work, I still don’t consider myself qualified to pen a novel.
One would think imposter syndrome would prevent me from even considering the idea of writing a book, but I’m learning that it’s a lot easier to get started when you don’t take yourself so seriously.
I’m learning that it’s a lot easier to get started on a creative project when you don’t take yourself so seriously.
When I started outlining, there was a freedom in knowing that the project itself was a secret. If I screwed up, nobody would be the wiser. But also, I went into it with the identity of an unqualified person. If it ended up working out, that could only be impressive!
Someone in our creative community (you can out yourself if you wish!) recently launched a website, which she unabashedly named: The Worst Portfolio in the World. If this person is reading this, I hope you might consider trademarking the title, because I think it is genius in so many ways.
With low expectations, we can allow ourselves to have fun.
When we have fun, we let down our walls.
When we let down our walls, our creativity is free to flow.
When our creativity is free, we make our best work.
Though writing an entire book was challenging, it was mostly a joy, especially in these last few months as I dropped all of that judgement and let my creativity run free.
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Coming Soon
Next week, I’ll be sharing an appreciation post for Amy Sherman-Palladino, the creator of Gilmore Girls and The Marvelous Mrs.Maisel. Amy’s projects have inspired my work in countless ways and I thought it would be interesting to talk about maintaining our own unique styles while borrowing ideas or concepts from other artists.
✍️ Creative Exercises/Journal Prompts
Reflect on a project you worked on that had a long timeline. What made you get started, and what kept you going?
Use the alter ego method by pretending to be a character instead of yourself as you sit down to work on a challenging project.
Start a new small project with the thought that it’ll be the worst project in the world.
☀️ Five good things
When we can recognize the things that bring us the most joy, we invite more of them into our lives. Here are five things that made me happy this week. Share yours below!
Five good things that happened this week:
This week was a tough one, as we had to say goodbye to our cat, Dagny. It seems an odd thing to stick at the top of the good things list, but the good part is that we had the joy of having her in our lives for nearly sixteen years, and I’m grateful for every one of them.
I already mentioned this, but I’ll say it again because I’m so excited: I finished the draft of my book! There’s still a lot of work ahead, but I’m genuinely looking forward to writing the next draft and appreciating each stage of the process.
In another book anecdote, I had an eye doctor appointment this week and when the receptionist looked at my form (in which I wrote “writer” under the line for occupation), it led to a great conversation about my manuscript and the books we’re reading. We also made plans to come back once I’m published in which she’ll help me pick out a pair of fun “author” glasses.
We enjoyed a delicious meal at a beautiful restaurant with our dear friends on Friday night, and it was just what we needed to lift our spirits.
We’re back at the table! Amid the weird week, we managed to record two new episodes of Film to Table and are so excited to reveal the theme of our new season, very soon!
💬 Share your intention
Whether it’s a giant leap, a tiny to-do list item, a habit change, or something else, there is power in accountability, and this is a safe space to share your aim. Some weeks, we’ll fail, others we’ll soar, but with support, we’ll always keep going together.
✨ Question of the week: What’s your longest running project?
Until next week, get out there and make something beautiful.
Michelle
This math equation is one that bears repeating:
"With low expectations, we can allow ourselves to have fun.
When we have fun, we let down our walls.
When we let down our walls, our creativity is free to flow.
When our creativity is free, we make our best work."
So so true. Yet so often we start off with the high expectations in an attempt to make our best work. (And have very little fun. Womp womp.) I am definitely needing this particular reminder as I begin some new routines around movement and nutrition (as you and Kalyn and I were chatting about today). But the reminder to have low expectations for perfection and seize opportunities to have fun is such a good one for me....and gives me hope for the fruit that will come!
Thrilled for you and this mega-milestone you have reached with finishing your first draft in 4 months. Thank you for sharing with us! Celebrating with you, my friend. And will continue to hold you and J close to my heart as you miss your sweet Dagny. XO
That's really exciting. Congrats on finishing your draft! And I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on Amy Sherman Palladino. I do really enjoy Gilmore Girls and Mrs. Maisel, but as I've grown up I've found that some of her jokes in Gilmore Girls really did not age well. Lol.