Nurturing Creativity ~ My E-Book is Almost Here!

March 16, 2012

I wrote a little book for you. Next week I will launch that project, my very first e-book, into this world of online publishing. 

Last summer, after our big move from Maine back to Canada, I got down to work with my writing. I needed to get serious about making time for it in my busy days as a mom, homemaker, homeschooler, and adventurer.

Acting on that intention I wrote a post called Stop Waiting For The Stars to Align.

In that post I made a declaration. I was going to stop waiting for all the routines to be in place, for the perfect day to come along when everything lines up just-so and allows me to sit down to write for three hours.

That is not the reality in my life (not last July and not now). And I bet it's not the reality in your's either.

I realized that if I wait for the stars to align to pursue writing I will never be the writer I want to be.

In that post I told you that I was going to delve into this topic and have an honest look at making time for our creative priorities as busy mothers and homemakers (and many of us homeschoolers or moms who work outside the home as well).

But when I started to write that follow-up post much more bubbled to the surface than could be published in a blog post.

I wrote pages of handscribbled notes and kept text files on my computer. I knew it wasn't going to be a blog post but I wasn't sure what it would be. I didn't have the faith in myself to think it could be an actual e-book.  

Over the months since summer I've shared bit and pieces of those ideas at FIMBY and elsewhere. But there was so much more I wanted to say.

We had another move to make and a different project in the works so my ideas sat - still and dormant. Waiting.

In January when we decided to deep six that project these "ideas bigger than a blog post" were ready. I knew what I needed to do.

I needed to write an e-book on nurturing creativity in our lives as busy moms.


gorgeous cover artwork by the talented Erika Hastings

It's a small e-book, but an e-book all the same.

I didn't do it all on my own. I asked a few other moms to join me in sharing wisdom and art from their own creative journeys. And Damien served as technical wizard to move these ideas from my computer to your computer or e-reader.

An e-book. An honest-to-goodness (even available at Amazon!) e-book.

I'm still in a bit of shock. I didn't think I could do this. I'm a busy mom after all! This project was fast and furious (the ideas were ready to be written) and then slow and tedious (that would be the editing and publishing process). And now it's nearly ready for you.

I've seen book publishing compared to birthing a baby. With good reason. The deep breathing, the vulnerability, hitting transition and of course bearing down and pushing. I totally get it now.

What's the book about exactly?

When I officially launch next week I'll tell you all about it but basically I wrote this book to encourage you in making time for creativity in your life as a busy mom.

For moms who are cooking meals and cleaning toilets. Moms who orchestrate family life and chauffeur kids to their activities. Moms who stay at home, work outside the home, work at home. Heck, we all work! Moms who are knee deep in raising babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and school aged kids. For moms who do all this (and more) and want to grow creatively also.

For moms who want to bloom. Or as Erika's painting illustrates - moms who want to fly. 

I share the things I've learned in my own life and the wisdom of other creative moms who have full lives caring for their families.

I can't wait to share it with you.

Get ready for it. It's coming.

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  • Renee A.

    Renee A. on March 16, 2012, 12:59 p.m.

    I am so excited about your e-book! I love your blog so much and videos, so I can only imagine how great your book will be. I think e-books are so great b/c we don't have to miss out on great authors simply b/c a publisher doesn't think the book would sell good... I wonder how many great books have not been published. I have always wanted to write a book, so maybe this is the way to do it.... if only I could push myself to start writing. I would really love to see what advice you share in your book as I've always been a creative person but unfortunately I don't have a spouse that is willing to let me be creative since he doesn't see it as a way to make enough money, yet I miss my creative side so much and I know I could do so much, but right now I'm kind of like in a fork in the road deciding what I really want for my life and am thinking about making serious changes in my relationship but am so scared where it will leave me and my kids. Reading your blog lets me dream about a life I wish I had and has actually in a small way made me see that I need to be the one to make the change for things to change. Congrats in advance on your book.... hopefully there will be more to follow! :)

    reply
  • Nicole

    Nicole on March 16, 2012, 1:47 p.m.

    Thank you for allowing yourself to be a blessing to so many of us with your Blog writings and always gorgeous photos. I can't wait to download the book, then sit out on the patio in the spring sunshine and READ it!

    reply
  • Kristin Fooshee

    Kristin Fooshee on March 16, 2012, 3:16 p.m.

    What a perfect day for me to read this! I have been struggling lately with "doing" it all....caring for kids (one with pneumonia), keeping up the house, cooking nutritiously, and unpacking from a recent move. Needless to say, even with my husband's help and the help of some family, i am slacking in more departments than one. My main goal of course right now is to get my girl well, but even when we have a healthy family and a good meal on the table, my house is a mess and i am still not learning to crochet or make soap like i want to. I WILL be buying this book b/c i think it is exactly what i am in need of. I am not a slacker but actually mostly very organized and accomplishment driven. I can do this.....if i allow myself some grace. :) Thanks!

    reply
  • Kika@embracingimperfection

    Kika@embracingimperfection on March 16, 2012, 3:22 p.m.

    Congratulations, Renee. You are an inspiration to many!

    I feel like FIMBY is a book, in and of itself. Like I could print it out and reread it often- so much wisdom in its "pages".

    It reminds me somewhat of the BraveWriter blog (too bad Julie never posts anymore). But her archives are full of great helps and encouragement and made a big difference in our homeschool life.

    Anyways, I am thrilled for you. And for me - since I, and so many other women, get to glean from it.

    reply
  • Emily

    Emily on March 16, 2012, 3:39 p.m.

    So happy for you, my friend. Thank you for sharing your gift with us here, and now for a wider audience.

    I'm wondering if you will be addressing some creativity issues I'm facing. I'm at a point in my mothering/life that I have a lot of margin or free space to devote to creativity. The problem I'm facing is when the well is dry, when I don't feel inspiration or ideas (I'm talking about writing, blogging, photography). I love these avenues so much and it frustrates me when I just can't find something within myself or my environment to draw from. I'm also frustrated when I know that there are projects I'd like to do and that I have easy access to- things like sewing, scrapbooking, crafting- things that I know would bring me happiness- but I just don't have the desire. Sigh.

    What are your thoughts on this?

    reply
    • renee

      renee on March 16, 2012, 3:56 p.m.

      My thoughts "off the cuff" are that you need to do what inspires you and that this is going to change in different seasons of mothering (this is something I talk about in the book).  I wrote the book for mothers mostly in the intense stages of raising younger children but I think you will enjoy it also. You know, who says you need to scrapbook, sew or do some other craft? Even if it was something that used to bring you joy. We are constantly growing and changing Emily and we need to give ourselves freedom in that. Do you expect your children to always love something they loved three months ago? Or last year? I know you don't. I know you give your children room to grow. Give yourself the same freedom. We have enough have-to's and responsibilities in our lives (like making supper) creativity should be something that brings you joy. This is what I talk about in my book. And a bunch of other stuff. I also talk about where to find inspiration to draw upon, to fill our creative wells.  So yes, I do think Nurturing Creativity addresses some of the creative issues you are facing friend. And that makes me happy (smile). 

      reply
  • gina

    gina on March 16, 2012, 5:03 p.m.

    This is so wonderful! Congratulations to you, Renee. I can't wait to read! Though I don't comment too often, I love reading your family's story. You are very inspiring and so encouraging about family, learning and life. Thanks for sharing with us!

    reply
  • Teresa

    Teresa on March 16, 2012, 6:56 p.m.

    Sounds like it might be good even for non-parents who are still overcommitted and trying to make time for creativity in a busy life (like me!) Congratulations!

    reply
  • Bethany

    Bethany on March 17, 2012, 9:40 p.m.

    congrats, and can't wait to read it! been musing on the lack of it, and wondering both how to coax it out of the "required" parts of my life (i hand write my daily planner now, just to doodle it a bit) and how to find time for the non-necessary but oh so soul-satisfying making of beautiful things. just because.

    reply

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