Thank you for clarifying this mystery. I spent a near-lifetime dreaming up projects I’d never work on because I found so many reasons not to start. My research wasn’t finished. Or the outline needed tweaking. Or I had that other time-consuming job. The only answers to “when should I start?” are “right now!” or “what are you waiting for?” The answers come from doing the work, not contemplating the work. Which reminds me. I better get back to work on that thingambob I just dreamed up…
In support of Amy saying, “Some books naturally and easily slide into the exact slot that publishers are looking to fill.” My first book with a publisher was accepted based on a plein air journal I did while in Japan. I ended up repainting the whole thing (my choice) to make it a better product. I was largely left to my own devices, so almost everything matched my vision.
However, I firmly believe I wouldn’t have gotten that deal if I hadn’t self published a previous book. That book didn’t sell well and I felt like a failure for years because of it. But it also showed publishers that I was capable of finishing a big project on my own.
Thank you so much for taking the time to address my question. You've given me a lot to think about, but I also love "Ruminating does not lead to answers. It leads to more ruminating." Now I just have to find the discipline to start putting words on the page (or zine, or sketch, or newsletter or ??)
Wow, The Coasts of California is a gorgeous book. My current problem is a book manuscript that is, oh, about 90% done, but is too short for a novel and features a main character who needs more fleshing out. Really stumped with this one. Maybe I ought to write an involved description of her and her life (not to be included in the book, of course) to get to know her better?
Wow, The Coasts of California is a gorgeous book. My current problem is a book manuscript that is, oh, about 90% done, but is too short for a novel and features a main character who needs more fleshing out. Really stumped with this one. Maybe I ought to write an involved description of her and her life (not to be included in the book, of course) to get to know her better?
Hi Amy, thanks so much for this post! I've been gathering info for a year or more for my next book. I thought I'd worked out a frame/vessel/approach but now I'm doubting it. I really like your advice of "just start writing." I kind of came to that conclusion a few weeks ago but then lost faith. This encouragement right now is very helpful! Thank you!!!
God bless you Amy Stewart ! Lately, you have been coming to my mailbox like a life line . Sometimes , not always , I wake up and wonder how I will get through the day when my usual “ sunny disposition” has taken a hike and the morning prayers only depress me more - we are allowed to lose a little faith sometimes I think . Anyway , there are thankfully a few things that always get my eyes wide and my heart skipping a beat again , and your email to day on writing a book and all that comes with that , just got me excited and out of my funk once more 😊! ( You do that ALOT for me ) . I wrote a children’s book in college years ago , for a creative writing class that was one of my most wonderful experiences in ever ! That book has set on my shelf waiting and wondering when it would finally get published . Years of searching and talking to self publishers has left me feeling that book is not going anywhere soon . But , I will keep writing and drawing ( artist too ) just cuz , why not , but maybe you and your beautiful tribe will inspire me and show me how I can get that done , at long last ! There must be a way , right ? Random House, Penguin Publishing and Harper Collins may not be calling me anytime soon , but somehow I will get my book published if I have to print it and show them on the street corner all by myself ! Thank you for letting me raise my head and find belief in myself again , thank you for being you , you are awesome !!! 😊😀💗
Thanks so much for sharing my zines. This post is inspiring for me as I'm slowly getting back into my graphic memoir in-progress after not working on it for nearly a year!
No plans to write a book, or much of anything....but this was a really fun read. And I loved the little flip-through videos. I do want to try the birds though....
What excellent options! The bulletin/newsletter approach catches my fancy for genealogy stories I uncover as a wander thru family papers and online resources. Hmm....
Amy, your post has me thinking about the merits of Substack in getting us to write and keep our pledges to ourselves, and to our subscribers, which is a win-win situation when our aim is to ultimately see the writing for our publication as leading us week by week that much closer to an eventual book. Substack is fun and keeps the motivation high.
As always, wise words, Amy. I've started a work of fiction this year.... the first ever. And I'm sitting down to write something every day even if it's only a sentence! I'm determined to enjoy it.
Thank you for clarifying this mystery. I spent a near-lifetime dreaming up projects I’d never work on because I found so many reasons not to start. My research wasn’t finished. Or the outline needed tweaking. Or I had that other time-consuming job. The only answers to “when should I start?” are “right now!” or “what are you waiting for?” The answers come from doing the work, not contemplating the work. Which reminds me. I better get back to work on that thingambob I just dreamed up…
You'll never regret starting the project, but you may very well regret not starting it.
In support of Amy saying, “Some books naturally and easily slide into the exact slot that publishers are looking to fill.” My first book with a publisher was accepted based on a plein air journal I did while in Japan. I ended up repainting the whole thing (my choice) to make it a better product. I was largely left to my own devices, so almost everything matched my vision.
However, I firmly believe I wouldn’t have gotten that deal if I hadn’t self published a previous book. That book didn’t sell well and I felt like a failure for years because of it. But it also showed publishers that I was capable of finishing a big project on my own.
Thanks for all the wisdom, Amy!
Fantastic advice and ideas Amy, thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the kick in the seat, Amy. I needed that.
Thank you so much for taking the time to address my question. You've given me a lot to think about, but I also love "Ruminating does not lead to answers. It leads to more ruminating." Now I just have to find the discipline to start putting words on the page (or zine, or sketch, or newsletter or ??)
Wow, The Coasts of California is a gorgeous book. My current problem is a book manuscript that is, oh, about 90% done, but is too short for a novel and features a main character who needs more fleshing out. Really stumped with this one. Maybe I ought to write an involved description of her and her life (not to be included in the book, of course) to get to know her better?
Wow, The Coasts of California is a gorgeous book. My current problem is a book manuscript that is, oh, about 90% done, but is too short for a novel and features a main character who needs more fleshing out. Really stumped with this one. Maybe I ought to write an involved description of her and her life (not to be included in the book, of course) to get to know her better?
Hi Amy, thanks so much for this post! I've been gathering info for a year or more for my next book. I thought I'd worked out a frame/vessel/approach but now I'm doubting it. I really like your advice of "just start writing." I kind of came to that conclusion a few weeks ago but then lost faith. This encouragement right now is very helpful! Thank you!!!
God bless you Amy Stewart ! Lately, you have been coming to my mailbox like a life line . Sometimes , not always , I wake up and wonder how I will get through the day when my usual “ sunny disposition” has taken a hike and the morning prayers only depress me more - we are allowed to lose a little faith sometimes I think . Anyway , there are thankfully a few things that always get my eyes wide and my heart skipping a beat again , and your email to day on writing a book and all that comes with that , just got me excited and out of my funk once more 😊! ( You do that ALOT for me ) . I wrote a children’s book in college years ago , for a creative writing class that was one of my most wonderful experiences in ever ! That book has set on my shelf waiting and wondering when it would finally get published . Years of searching and talking to self publishers has left me feeling that book is not going anywhere soon . But , I will keep writing and drawing ( artist too ) just cuz , why not , but maybe you and your beautiful tribe will inspire me and show me how I can get that done , at long last ! There must be a way , right ? Random House, Penguin Publishing and Harper Collins may not be calling me anytime soon , but somehow I will get my book published if I have to print it and show them on the street corner all by myself ! Thank you for letting me raise my head and find belief in myself again , thank you for being you , you are awesome !!! 😊😀💗
Hi Amy,
Thanks so much for sharing my zines. This post is inspiring for me as I'm slowly getting back into my graphic memoir in-progress after not working on it for nearly a year!
No plans to write a book, or much of anything....but this was a really fun read. And I loved the little flip-through videos. I do want to try the birds though....
So many great examples of unique work, and the most important part - just start! Thank you, Amy!
What excellent options! The bulletin/newsletter approach catches my fancy for genealogy stories I uncover as a wander thru family papers and online resources. Hmm....
Amy, your post has me thinking about the merits of Substack in getting us to write and keep our pledges to ourselves, and to our subscribers, which is a win-win situation when our aim is to ultimately see the writing for our publication as leading us week by week that much closer to an eventual book. Substack is fun and keeps the motivation high.
As always, wise words, Amy. I've started a work of fiction this year.... the first ever. And I'm sitting down to write something every day even if it's only a sentence! I'm determined to enjoy it.
That's great! Writing just one sentence is a great way to stay connected to the project. Do it!
Some great advice and ideas. Thanks!