I wrote a book - here's what nobody tells you about the process

Not all creative projects make sense before they do

Hi there,

The title is quite explicit: I wrote a book!

It was a project that started in September last year following a huge surge in inspiration from various Kickstarter projects that took place last summer.

Dare I say it… I got influenced, which would turn out to be both good and bad.

The good side is that I now have a 200-page art book that I’m incredibly proud of. I did it. I stuck to my devotion for my work and word and made it happen (still in slight shock).

The book is the culmination of the embroidery artworks and journey my husband and I went on roughly 2016-2020.

Here’s what it says on the backside:

Embroidery Wanderlust; Tales and Stitches Through Europe is a part visual and educational treat, part memoir of what went on behind the scenes while creating the vast library of embroidered artworks.

Through intimate narration you’ll get to glimpse into Elin’s creative process as she developed her distinct embroidery style, while relishing in fun anecdotal stories from around the continent.

This is a unique kind of art book that aims to open your heart and soul to the artist's life, which hopefully leaves you inspired and encouraged to pursue your own artistic dreams.

Get your e-book version here! (There will be physical copies available as well, stay tuned)

To say that I’m proud and excited is an understatement. It would also be an understatement if I said I was tired. I am actually MEGA EXHAUSTED.

This is the truth about creative projects and why we often refer to artworks as babies.

Large creative projects tend to take on a life of their own. This particular book took about 8 months of production, writing, editing, formatting, editing, editing, re-reading, editing… Almost a full pregnancy and birth (this feels symbolic).

As with everything, had I deeply considered the amount of work involved I may have made another decision. But that’s the thing with art. Very few (if any) artistic ideas make sense in advance.

Even more so… They rarely make financial sense in advance.

I am publishing this book independently, which means that I will retain all the copyright and be able to generate income from it in the long-run. But in the short-term it has been a huge time, energy and money sucker. That’s just the truth and I don’t want to overshadow that with some big trumpet.

In the online business world it’s very easy to get blindsided by the big and flashy, when in reality the vast majority comes down to a labour of love.

Here’s the thing:

• Few things make sense on paper

• Few things make sense for the wallet

• Art always make perfect sense to the heart

Sometimes (oftentimes) it’s those heart projects that will propel you into the next phase and not the projects that look right on the paper.

Whether it will serve as a door-opener to other paid opportunities (I recently had a publisher reach out for a potential book deal… I don’t know more and can’t share more either), or whether the main purpose is to re-awaken your artistic soul to keep going, all creative projects have their place.

Sometimes, all you really need to win is to show yourself that you made it happen. Because to complete projects may be the second hardest thing after daring to start them…

Do creative souls without multiple projects on the-go exist?

Honestly, I’ve never met any. It may be projects that have been lying around for years, yet you still tell yourself in the back of your mind that you’ll get to it as you set on to start something new.

The rush of the new is thrilling. But it can also be a distraction to never finish anything at all. This may sound provocative, but through the past almost decade of independent artistry, I dare to say that one of the key distinctions between those who make it (as in make money with their work) and those who don’t is whether they continuously finish as much as they start.

You don’t have to finish it all at once. One thing at the time is enough. But if you want to see progress and especially feel the fulfilment from having made something happen (and reap the rewards) you must stick to it til the end!

I believe in you, so you should believe in you too.

Thank you for reading!

Let me know, have you written a book? Or do you want to write one?

Ps. I’m already 30,000 words into a fiction novel about reclamation post-motherhood… But this time I won’t pre-sell it to avoid the added pressure. Let’s just say I learn that the hard way, haha.

Pps. Don’t miss to check out the e-version of the book Embroidery Wanderlust via this link.

Elin, xx

Little glimpse inside the cover…