Young House Love

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Behind The Scenes Details Of Writing A Book

It’s Tuesday afternoon, which means it’s high time for some over-sharing (aw yeah, let’s talk about feelings, shall we?). The very first hot-off-the-presses copy of our book arrived via Fed Ex yesterday and it kind of melted my brain a little, I think.

Book Here1

We couldn’t stop beaming at it and saying things like “It’s real! It has pages! It has a cover! It has our names on it!” – but I’d be lying if I said that “crazy-pants excited” was my only response to seeing it there on the floor looking all real and book-like.

Book Here2

I’m also skeered. Really scared actually.

And since I’ve spilled my guts about 14 months of breast feeding, owned up to a bunch of my unglamorous $herdog quirks, and even a copped to a beyond embarrassing teenage moment caught on video with a certain platinum-haired rapper, I’m cool with dropping this whole “jittery sweaty-palmed fear is actively happening” truth bomb. I mean I think I can be described as a lot of things, but I wouldn’t call myself especially brave. I have normal insecurities and self-doubts and all that. The book is a really big thing, so it feels especially scary. And for some reason I thought that pouring my heart out in a little online ditty could be the emotional equivalent to owning it (and perhaps others who’ve struggled with similar things might chime in and make me feel less weird). So here it goes.

Book Styled

I think it’s one thing to keep an online DIY diary for the world to read for free, but somehow putting out a book that then exists in the universe forever feels a lot more intimidating. Sure it’s hardly a high-profile thriller or much anticipated non-fiction, but there’s something crazy about not just being able to toss up an update if there’s a sentence that’s unclear or a typo that sneaks through like we do on the blog. The words that we wrote in that manuscript back in 2011 are printed and soon they’ll be on a shelf. Lots of shelves. And it just feels a lot more weighty and permanent.

Book Editing

Plus people have to pay for it. We worked darn hard to keep the price down, and even though books are returnable or re-sellable (and we got on our publisher’s last nerve to keep that price down) it still feels a lot… bigger. More complicated than a blog post by about 500 percent. I mean it’s 336 pages long with 243 suggestions/tips/projects, so it’s sort of like secretly writing 243 different posts and then publishing them all at once for a fee and then not getting to update or edit them if anything about any of them calls for a little note. Wait, it’s not sort of like that, it’s exactly like that. Maybe that’s why it feels a lot scarier.

It was also pretty intimidating to plan the entire book over three years. Finalizing the outline a year and a half in advance (that’s when we pinned down every last project) and shooting all the projects nearly a year ago (in an epic three week marathon at our house where neither of us remember eating or sleeping) was definitely like nothing we’ve ever done.

ShootDay1 Messy Living Room

It was nerve-wracking in that “what if we regret these color or fabric choices later?” kind of way.

BookTimeline

I’ve even had nightmares that there were typos on every page, chunks of blank pages, and even a particularly vivid one about some fictitious magazine that somehow recreated every last one of our projects identically (same exact fabrics and colors!) and scooped us by publishing them before our book came out. Oh yeah, my brain can go a little nuts whirring away while I’m laying in bed thinking of all the ways this endeavor could make me want to crawl under the covers a la Burger:

DayLife 25 Burger In Bed

But this little freak-out fest does have a silver lining. The thing that I feel the most – even stronger that the jitters and self-doubt – is actually gratitude and pride. Not “I’m an author, look at me” pride, just “wow we actually did this” pride. Sometimes I can’t believe that I somehow convinced myself (and John) to put ourselves out there and write a book. Knowing that just like our blog not everyone will love it, and that’s ok. Blogging has taught is that we can’t please all of the people all of the time, so we want to focus on the positive and amazing aspects of this experience. Whenever I’m feeling especially clammy I just remind myself that there hasn’t been a single book on the planet that was beloved by everyone who ever read it (some of my faves have 5-star reviews as well as 1-star ones) so that helps me let go of that “be perfect or you suck!” voice in the back of my mind. Imperfect = real life. Like this crazy seconds-from-a-paw-yank family photo from last week:

About Picture3

So you can find me hiding under the covers with Burger when I get that guts-in-knots feeling, but don’t get me started about how excited I am for the tour. I know meeting you guys will be awesome and I’m literally giddy with excitement to thank you guys in person for the love you’ve shown us. And speaking of the tour, they added four more signings! Woot.

TourDates3

You can see more general tour info on our book page (just click the tour dates button), but here’s the news that we have so far on the new dates:

  • RIDGEWOOD, NJ: Friday, November 2, 7pm – Bookends, 211 Ridgewood Ave, book signing. More info here.
  • WASHINGTON, DC: Saturday, December 1st, Time TBD – Living Social, 918 F Street, Talk, holiday crafting, and book signing. More details to be released here.
  • RICHMOND, VA: Sunday, December 2nd, 1pm – Mongrel, 2924 W. Cary Street, book signing. Store information here.
  • CHARLOTTE, NC: Early February. Other details TBD

*There’s also serious talk about an Atlanta stop while we’re nearby in Charlotte, so we’ll keep you posted! And of course other places like Philly & Cali are still being chatted about. We wish we had more control over what cities we’re hitting! It really is all about who invites us where (so it has nothing to do with how big a city is, it’s all about if a certain vendor or bookstore works with the dates/times/etc).

Anyway, thanks to you guys for being so excited and supportive about this whole crazy book journey! It’s kind of a big deal in our little lives, and you’re just the best readers ever. So in return we’re burning the midnight oil to churn out a bunch of projects for ya (even when we’re slipping through 20 cities we’ll be doing our best to blog at our regular pace, with lots of secretly stockpiled makeovers & projects of ours along with house crashing & window shopping adventures a plenty). Not to mention that we have another before-and-after-fest in the hopper for you tomorrow.

Not sure how to end this ramble-fest, so… word to your motha. $herdog out.

Comments

  1. Jaime @ Queen of the Creek says

    This is your OFFICIAL invitation to come to Phoenix.

    PU-LEAZZE?!?!? I ordered your book on Amazon – and am just waiting for it to arrive on Nov. 7.

    Your fears are justified; however, please remember you are among FRIENDS. There is a reason why we come here every single day and there is a reason why we are buying your book. The brainwashing finally worked. ;)

    Okay, what I meant to say is that we do not judge, we love. :)

    Reply

  2. DIYnot Kelly says

    $herdog, you rock! Thanks for sharing the good and the bad with all of us internet folks – one of the reasons people like reading YHL is because you are honest and we can all relate to what you’re feeling. Congrats on the book; I can’t wait to get my hands on it and I’ll try to come see you in Tacoma.

    Reply

  3. LMN says

    CHARLOTTE wooohoooo!! And let’s be honest, I’d likely go to ATL if you went there, too. Oh the perks of South Carolina. :-)

    And yes, of course you’re nervous. so what. You are also awesome, which totally trumps nerves in the long run.

    Reply

  4. Kate says

    Glad you sneaked NJ in there… how could you not rep your home state?! :) Fingers crossed for a Philly addition – i’d so be there!

    Reply

  5. Rebecca says

    I’ve worked in publishing for 13 years. I think it’s pretty much impossible to produce a book without any typos. But isn’t there a school of thought that advocates leaving a little mistake so the art reflects life? Also, I think that anyone who’s fun and reasonable will fly right over that and enjoy what you’ve made! Congratulations on your accomplishment, and I can’t wait to see it! Sincerely, The woman who flips through every book I’ve edited after it comes off the press to look for mistakes I missed :)

    Reply

  6. Melinda says

    Sherry,

    I cannot tell you how excited I am about your book! I usually do not ask for anything for Christmas, but this year I definitely am! And if Santa doesn’t bring it, I’ll just go buy it myself:). Sherry,I rave about your blog and I know that I’ll be raving about your book. I really feel that you guys are going to do great. God bless your tour and everything you do! Hey, if you guys get bored in Chicago (yeah, right;))come on up to Milwaukee!

    Reply

  7. Lindsay Sweeting says

    Charlotte! It’s still a short-ish drive for me from Asheville, but I’ll make it {with bells on}! And I’ll do my best to bring friends. Can’t wait!

    Reply

  8. Christina says

    YES, Atlanta stop!! :) PLEASE! do I need to write a bookstore for you and request it?? I can! :)

    So I think I will pre-order today. Was waiting to see if you were going to do any promotions the week the book releases. Or do we need to buy one at the bookstore where you are doing your signing – maybe I should wait (or buy a Christmas gift) till then?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Every event will be selling books (and they love when you get them there to thank them for hosting us – for which we’re so grateful!) so if you think you’ll be at an event, definitely pick it up there – but if not pre-ordering it at any local store works too! They’re typically cheaper when you pre-order if you’re looking for a deal :)

      xo
      s

  10. Cara says

    I know your book will be great! can’t wait to meet you in Chicago. I know how you feel about the typos. One of my friends caught a typo in my master’s thesis before it went to print. I spelled United States wrong! I read it 100 times and didn’t notice. I never even read it after it was printed because I knew any error I found would drive me crazy. So maybe you guys should just look at the pretty pictures and not read it. You know what it says anyway!

    Reply

  11. Jessica Marsh says

    Congrats on the added tour stops. I’ve got tickets to the R*Home event, but am insanely curious as to how they are going to cram all your adoring fans into Mongrel! I’m imagining a line all the way through Carytown! Cheers!

    Reply

  12. Elisabeth says

    I just got so excited when I saw that you’ll be in Charlotte. I was trying to figure out a way to head to Richmond, but a five minute drive will be much more convenient since I’ll have a toddler in tow. I’ll definitely buy a copy or two (if I can actually be patient enough to wait) when you’re in town. If you love sushi and burgers or the combination of the two (which they call burgushi), I highly recommend making a reservation at The Cowfish in South Park area of Charlotte. http://www.thecowfish.com

    Reply

  13. emma says

    jersey in da houuuuuse.

    sadly i live in upstate ny now but grew up next to ridgewood! hope you enjoy your time home in the best state!

    Reply

  14. Kristen McD says

    Maybe this would help? Whenever you feel like hiding, read a REALLY awful book and console yourself with laughter. Red Pen: optional (if you’re feeling editorial)! Just search for some material on american book review or ask your local librarian. There are some horrible published things out there, so if you’re feeling crappy, at least you can try to turn that into laughter.

    Reply

  15. Erin says

    ATLANTA ATLANTA ATLANTA PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. If there’s some bookstore or home store you need me to send that exact message to, I would be more than happy to do so.

    If not, I may just have to make the drive to Charlotte. But I’m sure it would be worth it.

    Reply

  18. Kelly says

    I’m totally rooting for a Philly stop! The Philadelphia Free Library is an awesome venue and has been doing some really great things with book signing events lately- would love to see you there!

    Reply

  19. k says

    Congrats you guys! It’ll be the bees’ knees!

    And I finally figured out who John reminded me of (or who the actor reminded me of :P)- Michael Vartan a la ALIAS (Netflix marathon like whoa going on in my house!)

    Reply

  20. Beverley says

    I love your timeline that you included in this post. I’m actually in the middle of trying to make one for work and yours looks so much more professional! Can you please share with me the program that you made it on?
    Thanks!!

    Reply

  21. Leigh Anne says

    I don’t think that I can imagine two bloggers/book authors that are more thoughtful and real as you. The efforts that you make to ensure that the blog keeps rolling while your crazy-busy are sincerely appreciated. I absolutely cannot wait to meet you in Cincinnati! I’ll be the pregnant one with a creepy perma-smile on my face unable to form sentences properly:) So excited for you and your book success!!

    Reply

  24. Roberta says

    I’d love to attend the Minneapolis event! Is there a way to rsvp at West Elm without having to join Facebook?

    Reply

  25. Beth says

    you might say you’re not brave, but putting words/thoughts/projects out there everyday for someone to stumble upon and say what they will about = BRAVE! there have to be less people willing to buy a book just to bash it than there are people willing to pop in a website and leave a ridiculous comment. i feel an outpouring of love coming for you guys! and you totally deserve it! thanks for sticking with this mother of all projects, we’re SO excited about it

    Reply

  26. Rachel says

    (screaming!) Not one, but TWO dates in DC? I feel like doing some sort of Count laugh, with lightning strikes behind me. TWO! AH Ah Ah ah Ahhhh. (Yes, I made a sesame street reference.)

    Reply

  27. Tara S says

    Love this post. I can only imagine what the mix of extreme emotions feels like for you guys. Just remember we are all rooting for you and have complete faith that your book will be a success! On a separate note, I am beyond excited that you added NJ to the tour. I will be praying for no traffic on the parkway on a Friday night to get up to Ridgewood. Do you have any idea how long you will be at Bookends? Can’t wait to see you guys in person.

    Reply

  29. Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    Can I just say that I’m living a little vicariously through you?

    I’ve wanted to write a book -any book about any topic- since before I can remember. When I was little, it was story books. It became mysteries when I was in school, and now, I would love nothing more than to write a cookbook of wholesome, non-processed recipes for real families to use everyday.

    It’s incredible to see your journey and to hope, down in that secret spot in the pit of my stomach, that someday maybe I’ll get to write my own book someday, too. And if I don’t get to, I can always watch and live vicariously though you and John!

    Whew. Guess I really got into the Tuesday Over-Sharing, huh?

    PS. Can’t you just come to Dallas a second time? I’m so bummed I’ll be out of town!

    Reply

  30. Kate says

    I hope you end up coming to Philly! I am in love with your blog, and have already pre-ordered the book! I can’t wait to get my paws on it… Thanks for all the updates and fun projects and ideas.

    Reply

  31. Hunter says

    I started out writing a knitting blog, and somehow that turned into writing knitting books. I know exactly how nerve wracking it can be to take something from your head, put it on paper, and then hope that other people will find it useful or beautiful or inspiring (and will put their time and skill and effort into doing what you’re showing them how to do).

    The good news is that seeing other people do your projects will feel amazing. Every single time. You’ll be responsible for all sorts of new and wonderful things existing in the world.

    The bad news is that there is (likely) some tiny typo or some sentence that isn’t clear to someone hiding somewhere in your book. But that’s ok. I promise (and I speak from experience) that the world won’t go crashing into the sun. You’ll get over it.

    Now, go bask in the glory of that new book. Nothing feels quite as nice as holding the first one!

    Reply

  32. Vivian says

    So what if there might be a typo or two in a 243 project book? What’s the worst that can happen … the typo police show up at your front door? I’m quite sure your heart and humor will come through all 243 projects … and that’s why people love you guys! Big congratulations!

    Reply

  33. Sarah C says

    Not to make you more nervous, but have you heard anything about your book’s pre-sale numbers yet? It seems like most blog readers have already bought a copy (or two) so I feel like the book’s probably already a huge success!

    Reply

  34. Emma says

    Sending you lots of positive thoughts. I imagine that this book journey will be like a wedding, over in the blink of an eye. Remember to stop and enjoy it. You have worked hard for this. Super excited that your coming to Minneapolis! See you on the 14th.

    Reply

  35. Susie says

    Don’t be skeered, $herdog — take comfort in the knowledge that we’re all just as dorked out and nervous about meeting you two, the veritable Brangelina of the DIY/house blog world. ;) Hm…Jory? Sherjohn? $her-bomb? J-dog? The options are endless…

    Reply

  36. Janelle D says

    I’m so torn between buying the book from my local bookstore the morning it comes out or adding it to my Christmas list, since it’s an easy buy from my Grandmother or parents.

    Also, the boyfriend and I are toying with the idea of visiting the States in the winter for an NBA game and I am trying to coordinate our location & date with your book tour. Hahaha. Blog nerd true confession. No shame.

    Reply

  37. Amanda E. says

    Do you have any way to show readership in specific states? Might help those of us who aren’t lucky enough to have a tour stop convince a bookseller that you guys are worth bringing down!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, we’ve done that! It really all depends on dates and travel and all that stuff that has to be coordinated (along with costs of travel and all that stuff). We wish we could go everywhere!

      xo
      s

  39. Jamie says

    I just pre-ordered my copy! I am so excited!!!! My husband and I just found out that we are being relocated to Wisconsin around the first of the year, which means I will have a new home to decorate! You guys have such great style and ideas, I’m sure I’ll wear out those glossy pages :)

    Reply

  40. Rebecca S says

    Congrats, it is going to all be great! All that travel sounds exciting, although I’m sure it will be a little stressful too. I hope you guys have safe travels, looking forward to seeing you at the Home & Garden show in Tacoma!

    Reply

  41. Michelle says

    Sherry, Big Props to you on sharing your fears with us!

    Your post comes at a perfect time when I need a pick-me-up…I’m dealing with uncertainties and which direction to go with my Thesis I’m writing, not to mention it’s midterm season! On top of that I have an interview this week for a job i’ve been wanting for the past 3 years (I’ve been an intern there, and ready to take the next step at my dream job)….So yeah, very related to what I’m feelin right now.
    And skeered too!

    Anyway, I’m SOOOOO EXCITED that Atlanta and Cali are being considered for your book tour. One way or another, I’ll find a way to meet you guys at one of the stops!

    Thanks so much for all your inspiration, both home and life-related! I have so much love for you and your sweet family.

    All the best!

    Michelle
    Long Beach, CA

    Reply

  44. Erica says

    Will there be an RSVP for the Mongrel event? I’m so excited to be able to meet you all and have my book signed!

    Reply

  45. Claire Parker says

    Please make an Atlanta stop! I am a vintage dealer here and have lots of fun shops to tell you about! Maybe even a house crash!

    Reply

  46. Corie says

    *chants* Phill-y! Phill-! Phill-y!

    I’d go! But I’ll be all awkward and weird and, well… that’s no different than how I normally am. :)

    Here’s what I have to say about you being nervous about the book hitting selves: If people don’t like it, just say “Do YOU have a book? No? Oh, well, WE DO.” and then walk away. :) It would so rude and hilarious. YOU HAVE A BOOK ON THE SHELVES! That’s SUPER!

    And, you are humans! If there are mistakes or whatever, it’s the editors faults! Not yours! YOU HAVE A BOOK ON THE SHELVES and that’s incredible. Easier said than done, I’m sure, but you two should be nothing but Very Proud. :)

    Reply

  47. Anna Hernandez says

    Congratulations guys! I can’t wait for my book to arrive! I’m a little sad that your book tour wont take you to the UK this time, but maybe next time! Also, you mentioned you were a little anxious about people not being able to ask for a note on your book and it feeling more permanent…will you be able to do follow up posts on the book? For example a ‘most asked questions about the book’ video or something? That would be cool!

    Good luck and well done!

    x

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Sure! We definitely can post updates both on the blog or on our book landing page, I think I’m just nervous that if one part of the book is confusing to people I’ll totally have the urge to correct every single copy out there with a sharpie! Haha!

      xo
      s

  48. Nadine says

    Super bummed about your Minneapolis stop! I used to live there but now find myself in the fields of Iowa…I will be in Minneapolis for a wedding Nov. 9-11, JUST MISSING your stop. :( Excited for the book….it’s on my Christmas wish list! Yay!

    Reply

  49. Deb says

    You might as well stop in Raleigh on your way back to Richmond from Charlotte. :) If the blog is any indication, the book will be fantastic. Don’t sweat it!

    Reply

  50. Beth says

    Leaving my first comment to say that that the reason you are both so popular and beloved is because you are not attention-seekers! You’re both so authentic and down-to-earth and uniquely you, and you have stayed that way throughout your many years of blogging. You have thus far managed to stay humble and to do what you love and to share it in a you-can-do-this-too! kind of way rather than a looky-what-wonderful-things-we-can-do kind of way. It’s a unique gift in this uber-egotistical media world we live in. I don’t know, though–with a second book in the works and adoring fans mobbing your book signings at every stop across the country, plus begging for more! Yikes–how can your heads not expand? ;-) All kidding aside, I think it’s obvious that you both work really, really hard, and you absolutely deserve this amazingly successful book and all the adoration!

    Reply

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