So now that I have signed the contract and made it all official, I can let the cat out of the bag. I AM WRITING A BOOK!
I was first approached by a publishing company about a year and a half ago. Maybe a little longer. I was flattered that they had asked and it has been a lifelong dream of mine. At first I was excited. Well, to be honest, I was excited/scared. I really wanted to say yes. But when I thought about it and prayed about it I did not have a peaceful feeling. I only had anxiety. I didn't feel like the timing was right. So I left the door open a bit with the company, so to speak, but essentially walked away from the deal.
Fast forward to the first of this year. I was approached by another publishing company. I still felt hesitant. I have small kids at home and I NEVER want to take on too much and have it affect me being a mom. I don't want to go meet my Maker and have to say "Yeah, my relationship suffered a little with my kids but hey, I wrote a book!" So I once again dragged my feet.
I am not sure what happened, but a few weeks ago I started to think about the book idea again. I felt excited. I felt like it was something I could do now even though nothing major had changed in my situation other than my kids are a little older now. I started to discuss it with my husband. I prayed. I fasted. And I went to the temple for some quiet time to ponder. After a week of this I still felt really good about it. So I contacted to publisher again (the second one) and started the ball rolling.
I presented my idea for the topic of the book. I sent my husband and the kids fishing one day and I wrote out the outline of the book and brainstormed ideas for projects.
The publishing company approved the topic and sent over a contract. I felt like I should have some kind of signing ceremony with candles or confetti. But really I just sat at the kitchen table and signed it with the only pen I could find. I didn't think crayon would be very professional :)
So I am writing a book.
I used to write and illustrate books when I was a little girl starting about the age of five. I still have a ton of them. I would use cardboard for the cover and I would cover the cardboard in construction paper. I typed the books out on my mom's old typewriter because I liked the look of the font and the sound it made. I always thought I would write children's books and maybe I still will one day. But for now, I will be writing about my passion. I will be writing about decorating and DIYing :)
Part of the reason I am telling you this is because it might affect my blog. I have never done this before and I am not sure how easy it will be to keep the blog going with 3-4 posts per week while also making and photographing projects for the book. I will do my best. It might be 2 posts per week. But I will keep blogging and sharing. I still have a family room to finish, outdoors projects, and a bathroom to finish and share. In other words, I will not be sleeping much.
I also wanted to ask if you want to see behind the scenes type pictures on instagram about my book. I am not sure if that would be interesting or if you would eventually be like "I get it! You are writing a book." But since the projects for the book will not be on the blog, I thought it might be fun to see sneak peeks.
Let me know what you think.
And thank you for always being so supportive in all that I do. This blogging community we have is the BEST!
I can totally see how this opportunity would be met with excitement AND anxiety. What a fun season for you - just make sure to remind yourself of the FUN part of this when you're shuffling through ideas and deadlines. Congrats! -Diane
Such good advice. I sometimes forget to enjoy this crazy journey :) Thanks!
That is so awesome!! Congrats! ~Sonya
Congratulations! What an exciting opportunity. I'm happy to see whatever you share so you have a thumbs up from me. You know I'm one of your biggest fans. :D
ps. Let me know if you need an extra set of hands. I'm happy to play your lovely assistant whenever Shane isn't available to do so!
Thank you :) You are so sweet to offer. I am not sure what I am getting myself into. I just night need to take you up on it!
Stacy, I'm so excited for you and all of your success. Congratulations! P.S. if you ever want to do a section on DIYing on a budget in large spaces I have a few rooms that would love your inspiration. To big to know what to do with them.
Omg how exciting!!!! Congrats! I can't wait to read it! And I would love behind the scene photos :) :)
This is AMAZING, Stacy. So well deserved!!! I can't wait to see it. I have often thought about writing a book as well...oddly. And my books as a kid were EPIC! Most of them rhymed. Like move over Dr. Seuss! If you put your mind to it, you can do ANYTHING!! Love you!
Wow that's so cool! I hope you'll manage to put all this activities together and I'll be able to hold your book in my hands as soon as possible! I'm excited too :)
I hope so too! I am so impatient. "Soon" is not soon enough for me :)
Congratulations! I would love to see your behind-the-scene details on the book's creation. Someday I hope to write a book, so it would be great to read about your process. It could also be an easy blogging for you if you're short on time to post as frequently!
Best wishes!
That is a good idea! I will need to ask the publisher how much I can actually share :)
Congrats! That's super exciting! I can't wait to see, and I'll be following you along even if you don't post as much :)
Awww, thanks :) At least I will have two readers during all of this. You and my mom :) Hahahaha!
Congratulations! That's excellent news! I can't wait to follow the process!
I'm so excited for you and oh-so proud!!! Can't wait to see the behind the scenes on Instagram!
Thanks sweet friend! I can't wait to get started. I am heading to HD tonight!
I can't wait to read the final product! What an exciting new adventure!
Congratulations!!! That is wonderful news!!! I really enjoy your blog and can't wait to check out your book!!! Happy writing :)
How exciting! Congratulations to you!
Congratulations! How exciting
Congratulations! I'm in awe of the fact that you walked away twice. I struggle with taking too much on, and everything ends up suffering as a result. I need to be better about discerning what's right for which moments, and your story has completely inspired me. I'm so excited for you and your new adventure, and want to thank you for the reminder that saying "not right now" doesn't mean we're saying "never."
I told a friend that if I never did write a book, that just knowing I could have was enough for me. But the fact that the timing worked out and that I actually get to now is awesome. It is so hard to say "no". I totally hear ya. Thanks for your comment. It made my day :)
Wow that is SO exciting!!! I wish you all the luck, I'm sure it will be a huge success!
This is so exciting for you!! You already have one copy sold!! I'm totally buying it!
WooHoo!! Look at YOU! This is big news, indeed. So excited for you and can't wait to see/read the finished product!
Wow! Congrats on this new adventure! Can't wait for it to come out!
So excited for you!!! Well deserved
Congratulations!!
So, so, so very excited for you, Stacy! You definitely deserve confetti and candles! Of course we want to see this new adventure you're on. : )
How exciting! Looking forward to your publish date!
-Carole @ Garden Up green
Absolutely share the process with us! There are those of us (ahem) who have a secret dream to do the same! What a wonderful way to also document your life and dreams for your kids.
Thank you. I hope they are good memories.... and not "crazy mom" memories! I think I will need to stock up on post its for sure :)
Congratulations. I'm sure you will do a great job, even if it may seem difficult at first. And just think of the memories you will be creating and commiting to print. I'm looking foeward to hearing about your progess!
Congrats - how exciting! You haven't mentioned what the book will be about, but from the little you did drop, I'm guessing you will be doing craft or home fix-up projects. Anyway, good luck... your enthusiasm should carry you halfway there!
woohooo! glad it's you and not me. :) I THOUGHT I wanted to write a book until I sat in on Gina, Jamin and Ashley's session at Haven. Then I knew, nope, it's not for me.
But, that being said, I couldn't be happier for you and would love behind the scenes stuff.... cause maybe it would change my mind. lol
best to you!!!
gail
Hahahaha! I have purposely stayed away from classes and talks about that for the same reason. I don't want to be scared away from it.Hopefully I will survive to tell about it :)
So excited for you - yes I'd love to see behind the scenes. Good Luck!
Congratulations! That is such a big deal! I am excited that you get to live one of your dreams, and yes, you should definitely post pictures on Instagram about it!!!
Stacy,
What a wonderful opportunity for you. You really shouldn't worry about us too much. We like quality instead of quantity anyway and it seems you always give your best. You can blog about your writing too. COntinue to tell us about what you do now, but add in about writing for the book too. Like what comes easy, what is harder, your feelings.and experiences while writing. You could use that to write about at least once a week with your eyes closed. Anyway.... Good luck and embrace the adventure, we are all rooting for you. Blessings coming your way!!!!!!
You are so sweet. Thank you for your kind words. I think you are right. I think it would be a good idea to check in every now and then here on the blog regarding the book. Thanks for your support :)
Awesome. You will do a great job, just like everything else you do. I know your family is proud of you.
Oh--Emm-Gee! How incredibly awesome! What an incredible experience this will be. You are such a wonderful engaging writer and you have so much DIY talent. I can only imaging this being a best seller! Move over Nate Berkus!
~Jenise @ diyfunideas.com
Hahaha! Thank you :) I don't know about best seller but as long as more people than just my family buy a copy I will be happy!
Congrats! i can't wait to see what you publish.
Shannon ~ bohemianjunktion.com
Congratulations! I know it will be wonderful. :)
Awesomeness! Congrats! I started following you on IG so I'm hoping to see some sneak peeks! :)
Congratulations!!! I can't wait to hear more about it.
I certainly hope you continue to post on your blog, even if it's not "big projects" but even updates on how you manage day-to-day stuff, like mundane housecleaning, laundry, cooking while WRITING A BOOK! :-) It might help to journal how to cope with stress & deadlines, life balance, etc. I'm sure you'll come up with other good topics as well :-)
Hopefully you'll be able to outsource some help...whether it's hiring a housecleaner, etc., or bribing the kids to help with more chores around the house (payment with allowance or just food, haha)
I've seen other bloggers have book deals, while still keeping up their blogs, and running a household with kids....and I have no idea how they do it, lol.
Thank you!We've already had a family meeting about how everyone is going to have to pitch in a little more than usual. I am lucky that my oldest is getting ready to turn 13. He can be a big help with the other kids after school :)
Super congrats!! You will do an amazing job! And I would love sneak peeks on instagram!
Oh Stacey, that is so exciting! Congrats to you! It will be so much fun to follow your progress along the way.
Blessings to you,
Patti
CONGRATS to you! share away, I'd love to see whatever progress you're making :)
Congrats, this is exciting! You're such a great inspiration, can't wait to see your behind the scenes.
How amazing! I felt like I was missing something and it was true...it was your very good and exciting good news. Remember, one thing at a time, one breath at a time and one book at a time! I really look forward to reading your hard work. I promise it will be so worth it! You are officially the 4th blogger I personally know who has done this and they all would tell you the same thing, "no regrets"! So keep me in the loop and I will be happy to support your efforts! Even if you just need to vent.
So proud of you Stacy! Your rewards will surpass your efforts in ways you may never know!
Your pal in Maine!
OH my goodness Stacy! I am so excited for you! I would love to see the behind the scenes on Instagram...I've kind of been doing that with our home renovations, since there's just too much going on every day to have the time to put extensive posts up with every detail.
So looking forward to this book: If you need reviewers, I'd be more than glad to help!