An Inside Look at the Book I’m Writing – 365-Day Personal Challenge

The book I’m currently writing is a how-to book about painting holiday windows. It’s my 2019 New Year’s Resolution and my 365-Day Personal Challenge to finish this book and put it on the market. In my blog this week, I’ll share some details on the artwork and content of the book, which is currently a work-in-progress.

Creating this book has taken longer than I’d expected. But it’s worth the long slog. It’s a true labor of love, an expression of my creativity, a bucket list item, and also an intellectual property side income project.

I’ve already finished the first draft of the book text this summer. I took a week vacation from my full time job, and I had a blast writing at Starbucks.

Right now, I’m working on the original window painting artwork for the book. One-by-one I’m painting my holiday designs on a big picture window hanging in my kitchen. Then I’m photographing the paintings.

Then I’m editing the photos to clean them up and make them “book quality”. The painting, photography, and editing process has been complicated. I’ve accepted some advice and help here and there. I’m still exploring and testing techniques to make great-looking photos for the book.

When the artwork and photos are finished, I’ll then return to my writing, revise my first draft, enlist help for editing, copyright, publish, and sell the book. I plan to work on this book almost everyday in 2019. I’ll use a calendar and big red Xs to mark my progress. I’ll try to never skip more than one day of book work in a row.

I’ll tell you a few more things about my window painting book project in the Q&As below:

What is “window painting for the holidays”?

You’ve probably seen holiday window paintings like the one in this blog article in your community. They’re festive painted designs featuring anything from snowmen to Christmas trees, reindeer to “Season’s Greetings!” These bright, whimsical paintings are all about holiday magic. Window painting is something anyone can learn to do with the right technique and instruction. It’s a great way to decorate for the holidays.

What inspired me to write this?

I’m a holiday window painter. My talented father taught me how it’s done. We’ve painted independently and together. It’s been a lot of work and an absolute delight. It’s a prized happiness-inducing skill I’ll always keep in my back pocket. Several years ago, my husband suggested I write a book on holiday window painting. This year, I decided to go for it. My husband continues to be my biggest supporter in this endeavor.

Who is the audience for this book?

This is a niche how-to book for creative-type people that have an interest in holiday window painting. I plan to share the holiday magic far and wide by marketing this book to a broad audience of people. This includes craft hobbyists, parents and children, teachers and students, creative entrepreneurs, and business owners who’d like to decorate their own storefronts. I don’t expect my own family or friends to purchase this book just to support me, unless window painting is a true interest. It’s all good. But I do appreciate your well wishes.

What will the book focus on?

This book will show you how to do holiday window painting yourself. You can use your new skills however you’d like. This how-to guide will give you everything you need to succeed: a list a supplies, free design template files, and step-by-step painting instructions. With this book, you’ll be transformed into a holiday window painter. My goal is to teach you and empower you.

Why am I sharing the topic of my book publicly?

Sharing what I’m working on energizes and motivates me. I want to create some synergy between myself and whoever reads this, so I can have an open discussion, see reactions, learn from others, and stay grounded in reality as I create this book. I also want the public accountability, so I can ensure I will finish this book. I know that my public disclosure of my book topic creates a risk I’ll encourage competition, but to me, it’s worth the risk. Besides, there’s enough room in the world for multiple window painting books. It’s not an easy book to make, so I don’t expect the market to get too flooded. I’m confident that regardless of competition, my book will offer unique and valuable window painting instruction to its future readers.

What’s next in the book creation process?

I’m going to paint and photograph an assortment of my original designs. I want my book to be excellent in quality. But most importantly, I just want to get it done, and set my perfectionism aside. There will be lots of trial-and-error, and wrestling with healthy problems, and I’ll slowly but steadily move the story forward. It’s going to be crazy difficult and it’s going to be crazy magical. I have the support of my husband, son, parents, family, friends, colleagues, and I believe in myself. I will get this done, and the result will be something I will be proud of for the rest of my life. I’m grateful this creative idea has chosen me and I’ve chosen it. I’m in crazy love with the idea, and by hook or by crook, I’m going to bring this book into the world in 2019.

I wish you all the best with your 2019 goals too. What are you planning to accomplish in the new year?