Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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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. Anne says

    I’m one of your (few) older readers, easily old enough to be your parents. Reading your blog is a delight and you two are a breath of fresh air – authentic, enterprising, energetic, capable and totally adorable. What I would say about the book jitters from my perspective way further down the road is: hey, new stuff makes everyone nervous, just keep breathing deeply! You’re not going to have regrets about having done this, later; regrets are usually about what you haven’t done. Good for you both for jumping in with both feet and trusting the water to hold you up!

    Anne

    Reply

  2. Lisa says

    I can’t say for sure, but it seems like you’d be really welcome in Salt Lake City. King’s English book shop would be a great place to stop. Just a suggestion, and I’m sure I’m not the first to suggest it.

    Congrats on all your hard work!

    Reply

  3. Eileen Catherine says

    I know you have no control over who invites you to what cities, but PLEEEEEEEEASE come to Philly!!! hahaha My fingers are crossed you get an invite to the city of Brotherly Love soon! I’ve already pre-ordered my book, and am going to purchase another for my bestie who’s in the process of buying a new home… Very excited to get your book in the mail, and start the projects! :o)))

    Reply

  5. Amanda T says

    I love your blog and I am so excited for the book! I’ve already preordered it and can’t wait for it to arrive! It’s totally understandable that you would be nervous, but if you’re never uncomfortable it just means that you aren’t pushing yourself to take chances. I’m sure the book will be a huge success and I’d really love to make it to one of your tour stops. I’m expecting a baby in early February though so it looks like we might not be up to traveling while you’re somewhat in our neck of the woods. If you were able to add a stop in Jacksonville, FL that would be so awesome!

    Reply

  6. Amanda says

    3 more days guys til your official book tour starts! Whoo-hoo! So excited for ya’ll! And I think I just barely noticed this, but the book looks tiny, cute, and fun-size compared to John’s(?) hands? Is that just me, or am I looking at the photo funny? Either way, can’t wait to buy it at West Elm when you come to Dallas!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, he just has big hands! The book is a pretty standard size (the same size as the Domino book, for example). We didn’t want it to be a giant hardcover book because those are $50, so we got it down by keeping the size from getting giant.

      xo
      s

  8. Chelsea @ two twenty one says

    I’m so excited for you guys! And I’m even more excited to get my paws on a book AND have you sign when I see you in Chicagoooooo! (said like Oprah) We should do dinner or drinks. Just sayin, BFF.

    I know what you mean about being skeered though. I’ve gone back and edited almost every post I’ve ever published. But I’m pretty certain everyone who purchases your book will love it, because what’s not to love about the Petersik’s and their mad skills and ideas? I’m sure you’ll have some stinkers out there who want to hate, but I’d like to see them write a book.

    Reply

  9. Tracey says

    How about adding a Vancouver, Canada stop? It’s my birthday tomorrow, and if you added that stop, it would still be the best thing to happen to me all week!

    Reply

  10. Erica Blackburn says

    Sherry,

    Reading your post really made me appreciate you and your family that much more. I’ve been reading now for a little over two years, and I visit Young House Love every single day. I have had some pretty rough days in those past couple of years (including when my mom was care-flighted to a local hospital after a critical wreck), and the one thing that took my mind off of all the pain I was experiencing was reading your blog and watching your videos. I stayed with my mom for twelve days in the hospital (2 in ICU, 9 on a critical care floor), and I was so scared I was going to lose her that I drove myself crazy with worry. It wasn’t until my husband brought my laptop up and put it on your blog that I felt even a smidge of something other than complete pain. I don’t know if you all realize how much joy you bring to some people’s lives. Not only have you helped me emotionally, but you have also inspired me to (finally!) choose what I want to be when I “grow up.” Because of this blog and this blog alone, I, too, have decided to start up a blog and switch my major to interior decor/design. I have switched my major six times (everything from Undecided to Nursing to Accounting), but now I’m going after my passion. Decorating and home improvement has always been one part of my life that made me smile and genuinely happy. I had thought about writing a blog before, but feared that I would be too quirky or that nobody would read it. It was when I stumbled upon your blog that I felt like I was wrong! You guys are so personable, but still maintain a professional vibe. I really love that about you. Anywho (I ramble; that’s my thing.), I don’t think you have any reason to be nervous. So many people read your blog and love you guys! Heck, I even pre-ordered your book as soon as I could as a gift to myself for my birthday (November 9th!). That is one gift that I KNOW will truly bring my happiness.

    Thank you for bringing me back to life,
    Erica

    P.S. I wish you were coming to Indiana! Though, I’m afraid I’d be a bawl bag when I met you! Going to try for Chicago!

    P.S.S. My blog should be up and running by the beginning of next year. I hope you guys will check it out!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh Erica! Now you have me crying. Full circle! Haha. You’re amazing and I’m so glad that our blog could be a little smidge of light in a dark time. Lots of love!!! And I hope we get to meet each other someday. We can cry together and laugh at each other. It’s all good!

      xo
      s

  11. Paige says

    I read your blog every day. Not in a scrollthroughitonmygooglereader kind of way, but in a bookmarkrightbetweenpinterestandfacebook kind of way. I visit the page at least twice every single day. We recently moved into a new apartment, and before I do any sort of DIY/decorating project I always come here first to see if you guys have done a post about it. More than once the words “Well, John and Sherry did it like this…” have made their way into home improvement discussions.

    You are awesome at what you do. Not just at the DIY stuff, but at blogging. I don’t care how great someone’s content is, if I don’t like them I’m not going to read their blog. I think most people feel the same way. Books are different though. No one cares about some random author’s breastfeeding timeline or will laugh with them at some embarrassing teenage rap video. Your book is going to stand on the merits of your DIY skills (which you have boatloads of!!) and your blog will continue to function on a mix of how great you are as people and those awesome DIY skills.

    In short who you are as people is what keeps me coming back to the blog every. single. day. The DIY projects are what makes me want to buy the book.

    I started reading this blog about a year ago. Like I always do when reading a new blog, I read the ‘About’ page first. I couldn’t get enough. I read your most popular posts, then the recommended posts from those posts. Finally, I just went all the way to the beginning and read every single post in order. (Seriously.) There is one post that is the reason I come back twice a day. A year later, it’s still the first thing that pops in my head when I see “YHL.” Clara’s birth story. I cried like a baby, sobbed hysterically. In two days of reading your blog, you had made me feel a connection to you strong enough for me to literally boo-hoo at that post. In my opinion, that’s a gift. Who cares if your book sucks? (Which it won’t.) Who cares if there are a trillion typos? (Which there won’t be.) Who cares if people set you book an fire, and call it a disgrace to the country? (Which obviously won’t happen.) People come to YOUR blog for advice, your help. People are inspired by YOU to tackle bathroom demolitions, and kitchen renovations. People like me are blown away by YOU and how awesome YOU are as parents and as people. I am inspired by YOU to become a mom one day, fearlessly tell whatever birth story God gives me, & cloth diaper and breast feed that baby. No book success or book failure can ever take all of that away from you.

    But, all of that was just my opinion, and if you want to keep stressing about your book & feeling like a couple of typos make you a failure, then that’s cool too.

    Reply

  12. Claire @ Claire K Creations says

    Aww you’re so cute Sherry! I get that feeling and nightmares just hosting a party so I can’t imagine what you must feel like.

    BUT… you guys have so many fans that we cancel out any possible bad reviews (not that they’ll happen) and really at the end of the day it’s your book so as long as you guys are happy you should just be super super proud and pleased with yourselves for such a mammoth, fantastic, wonderful, exciting achievement! Oh and maybe frame a few covers… how about a wall (because I know this will be the first of many books)?

    ps… when is your Aussie tour?! :-)

    Reply

  13. Pie says

    I think I’m going to have those same feelings when I (hopefully!) meet you in person in Toronto! “Wow, these internetz people are real!” Can’t wait!

    Reply

  15. Janet says

    You said something about comparing your lowly book to a high profile thriller or the latest non-fiction…what -evah! I don’t stand in line for those or anxiously anticipate their release! I can’t wait for your book and I guarantee this will be a million times better than anything else! We’ll all have copies that aren’t coffee table perfect, unread or untouched… I’ll bet folks will have dog-eared, paint splattered, book-marked copies and a few awesome projects under their belts, thanks to your book. What best selling novel could claim that much love?

    Sending lots of book love from Kansas…Hundreds of miles away from the closest book signing :-(

    Reply

  16. Courtney says

    It kind of sounds weird for me to say “I’m so proud of you two!” to people I’ve never actually met, but whatever. I am. Super proud in fact to see how far y’all have come! That said, it’s always terrifying when you put something you’ve worked so hard on out for all to see (especially something big that you can’t really change) and there are bound to be a few people who are never happy and didn’t learn the “if you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all” lesson, but despite any of that it’s going to be wonderful. You two are such awesome people and I can only imagine that the book is just as amazing. I can’t wait to read it! Congrats!!

    (Also, I may go pester pretty much every bookstore in Denver in order to get you guys out west.)

    Reply

  17. Jasmine says

    I can relate to that ‘so proud, but freaked-out-so-much-I-might-pee-myself feeling you got going! Maybe seeing how brave you are will get me to take a few more pics of my house (since you asked so nicely) and put myself out there again. Aside from that, there’s a teeny-tiny chance that I may be in Houston at the same time as you (especially crazy because I’m from Canada!)and would LOVE to meet you in person armed with your book. Fingers crossed!

    Reply

  18. Jennah says

    That photo with the chevron background, white rhino, and butterflies on the shelves…did you recentlyish give permission for a magazine to use it? Redbook or MORE, maybe? Bc I recently saw it in one of those and immediately thought it looked TOTALLY inspired by you…but apparently it’s actually YOUR pic…It was on the TOC page, I think?

    Reply

  20. Katie says

    Oh. My. Goodness!!!!! I’m beyond excited!! I can’t wait to meet you in Houston!! Sorry for the exclamation overload, you should have seen my reaction in real life!! I’d like to think that my optimistic white ceramic flying pig had something to do with this!! Or the fact I live in one of the most populated cities in country….nah, white ceramic flying pig. :-)

    Reply

  21. Stephanie says

    GUYS!! You are coming to CHARLOTTE!! I am so excited. I have actually seen you both in person before, when you were on vacation in the area and Sherry was pregnant with Clara at Zada Jane’s (breakfast spot), but was waaaay too nervous to say hi. Anyway, I will be the dork jumping up and down in line to meet you and have you sign my book. SO.FREAKING.EXCITED!

    Reply

  22. Carla T says

    Congrats u two…er 3, or is it4??!! Lol! I am truly proud of u and will be there in Chicago. Will Burger be coming with? also West Elm has a different time on FB events than on the blog. Someone wrote on their will but its still the same.

    Reply

  23. Nikki says

    Congrats on such a huge achievement guys!

    Sorry if you’ve already answered this, but is your book slated for an International release? I know you’ve got heaps of fans down here in Australia, not to mention the rest of the world, and I was just wondering what the best way to get my hands on your book is going to be.

    Reply

  25. Sarah says

    So happy to read you’re post the other day. The way, both of you write makes me feel like I know you (as it seems so do others). I live in Australia, so won’t be making any book tour events but I pre-ordered a while back and am eagerly anticipating the arrival of my book!

    Well done! I hope your travels are safe, and you don’t miss Clara and Burger too much when you’re apart.

    xo

    Reply

  26. Allie.Duckienz says

    Congrats on being vulnerable! It is awesome when people like yourselves who are ‘real’ and celebrities own up to feelings. It makes life a whole lot easier for everyone! Congrats on the book. I am sure that it will be wonderful! At least if there is a typo you can blame your editor LOL

    Reply

  28. Jamie says

    I’m so proud of you guys! I just requested a vacation day on Jan 10 so I can drive 1.5 hrs to see you guys in Ft. Lauderdale! So excited!

    Reply

  29. Jan C. says

    Don’t worry about the Cincinnati stop–we’re just regular people around here! But seriously, congratulations on the publication of your first book. I don’t know how you guys do it all, much less with a little one in the house. The book has a great design, and I’m sure it will fly off the shelves. I know I’ll be putting it on display at our branch of the library, because people will be attracted to grab a copy and check it out. Good luck with the tour! Oh, and if you have a chance to check out Wooden Nickel Antiques on Central Parkway, it’s a fantastic salvage place. You’d be in heaven.

    Reply

  32. Amy says

    Working on bribing my brother and sister-in-law to get a signed copy for me (they live in Richmond). Guessing that Burger won’t be there, otherwise I’d totally have him “sign” a rawhide toy for my labrador Auron. He’s a big fan. ;)

    Yeah, we’re dorks…

    Reply

  34. Jill says

    woot! Charlotte is close to me! hopefully you’ll be signing near the IKEA and i can kill 2 birds with one stone! as much as yall love ikea, you should be signing in their stores nationwide! :) how sweetums would that bezzle, $her-dog?! supposedly my book should be here today!

    Reply

  35. Rachael says

    Just wanted to say as soon as I found out you guys will be coming to Tacoma, WA on Jan 25 I requested the day off work!!! I have never been to the Home & Garden show there, but seeing you guys there will totally make my year!! :) I know you two don’t see yourself as “celebrities” but you totally are!! Just counting down the days now….. Can’t wait!

    Reply

  36. Janel says

    Even if there is a typo on every page, your book will be amazing because its YOU guys, and thats why your readers love you! Typos = real, and you guys are some of the realest (is that a word?) writers out there. Can’t wait to meet you in Boston!

    Reply

  37. Janice says

    That’s so exciting!! Congratulations guys!

    One question: Come to Canada? West of the rockies, preferably (British Columbia)! ^_^

    Reply

  39. susan says

    I just joined a Facebook group for a local book store in Monmouth County NJ to see if I could start some sort of grassroots effort to get you to our neck of the woods in NJ! We have great thrifting and shopping (hint hint). They asked if I had a connection… We need you at River Road Books in Fair Haven!

    Reply

  41. Tania says

    I think there’s a saying about the big things worth doing in life will scare you a bit. And that’s a good thing, forces people out of their comfortable zone and makes them stretch to what’s possible. Just know that your many many readers are so very excited for you guys and can’t wait for the book to come out!

    Reply

  42. Corinne A. says

    I’m not even a DIY-er, I just love your blog so I’ve pre-ordered your book! I wish you were stopping here, but I live in the middle of nowhere, and no one stops in the middle of nowhere. Not even Santa Claus. Okay, just kidding, he totally comes here.

    Reply

  43. Stacy says

    Yay! Can’t wait for the book to come out…so excited to see you in Tacoma, WA at the Home and Garden show. Eeek!

    Reply

  44. Kristy says

    So excited for your book. I loved the sneak peak in COuntry Living this month. Also, hooray for charlotte, you’ll be right in my backyard. Congrats again!

    Reply

  45. Victoria says

    Thanks Bookends (Ridgewood, NJ) & you guys for arranging a signing on this side of the Hudson. It was mental torture thinking I had to drag all the way into the city to see you & fetch a book.

    Reply

  46. Brittany says

    Tears in my eyes of joy in my eyes that you will be coming to Charlotte!!! maybe you will have time to house crash?! we have been redoing our old home for a year now. Would LOVE to show you guys how you helped us along the way:)

    Reply

  50. Emily Y says

    Aww, super sad you aren’t Colorado-bound, but just saw that the book is available on pre-order from Amazon (speaking of which- I love the preview video about some of the projects and ideas that can be found in the book. You two are so cute!).

    Reply

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