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

  4. Celia says

    Atlanta, Atlanta, Atlanta….please?! Super excited for you guys. Can’t wait to read the book! You guys are going to be on NY times best seller :)

    Reply

  5. Ingrid says

    I am so very excited about getting your book! I wish you were able to visit Australia on your book tour (if only we weren’t so far away!) but getting your book will be wonderful – I’ll be waiting by the mailbox in anticipation.

    It is such a marvellous achievement and you both have so much to be proud of. YHL is my favourite blog – your great style, humour and enthusiasm for projects is infectious!

    Reply

  6. Alison says

    Listen, I’ve got to tell you, people like you. People like you two because you’re real, tangible folks, out there, doing real things, and sometimes, really screwing up. We like that. We DIG that about you. I personally think that anyone who takes the time to point out your typos (really?) should get their nose hair yanked with pliers. Because seriously? You are not a Harvard English professor. You are real people, living a real life, with a really adorable kid, and a really odd-looking dog. So chill your buns. This will be nothing but good. People will tell you what they don’t like about your book, because frankly, a-holes cannot help but share their misery. Ignore them. We dig you because you’re two odd people, doing awesome practical things, and most of us pre-ordered the book, not because we’re all dying for a DIY book, but because we emphatically support you two. Rock it.

    Reply

  7. Jenny says

    Just wanted to check in and express my support, love and encouragement to your little family. I guess the right words would be “It’s ok to be scared and nervous, Sherry. This means you are being real and you are just a [super]human after all” :)

    Reply

  10. Renee says

    You guys need to just enjoy your book tour and not stress about having projects done in advance to keep us occupied. Maybe you ban blog about your travels and the tours. I really really wish your publishers could work in a stop to St. Louis MO. I would even invite you to crash my house!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Renee! We think it’ll be a fun little whirlwind – which will definitely include details about the tour and things we see along the way along with projects we did ahead of time, just because we’re nerds for DIY.

      xo
      s

  11. Jenny says

    I am sure it’s amazing! Being a book designer I can totally relate to that moment when you get your advances and think: is everything the way it should be?? But I can tell you, it’s an unbelievably great joy to walk into a bookstore and see your blood sweat and tears proudly on display. I am sure it’s times a hundred for authors! xox

    Reply

  12. Maky says

    Still no London stop on the tour, then? *sniffle*

    I still don’t get people who don’t love your blog. If I ruled the world (a plan is in the works), this would be akin to blasphemy!

    Never fear with your book – it will be a huge success! There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that you’ve put so much love and so much of yourselves in it and for that, everyone will love you even more (if at all possible).
    You should be so very, very proud of yourselves – book or no book. You simply are making this world a better place, blog post by blog post and I thank you for that :)

    Reply

  14. Lani says

    OMG COME TO PHILLY!!!! I know you have no control over who asks you….but COME TO PHILLY ANYWAY!!!! I’m across the bridge in Jersey…but I’d be SO EXCITED! And don’t be scared…this is an awesome step and a great accomplishment. Without fear, we would do everything but accomplish nothing. You guys are amazing and inspiring to all us little people out there!

    Reply

  15. Louisa T. says

    Holy cow!! I’m gonna be coming through Richmond on Dec 2!! We get off a cruise that morning in Baltimore. Might just have to make a stop. Yay me!

    Reply

  16. Mollee says

    Aww, don’t be skeered, $herdog! I’ll be at R•Home for the Holidays (I work for the mag), and I’ll bring Oreos to calm your nerves. And water so that if we sneak a few before the event, we won’t have black stuff in our teeth for pictures. Can’t wait to meet you guys!

    Reply

  17. Andria says

    Just pre-ordered a copy. So excited!!! Too bad you won’t be coming to the panhandle, but maybe next time. And I’m glad you feel scared, because it means that you’ve invested a lot of yourself into this book. It’ll be one awesome book.

    Reply

  18. the S's Beach House says

    Just to let you know, this post makes me want to buy your book even more. You guys deserve it, be proud and do not be afraid to flaunt it. Now please add a Cali book signing, specifically Orange County if possible ; )

    Reply

  19. Leslie says

    Congrats! I can’t wait for my (preordered) copy to arrive!

    And I was excited to hear about the extra tour dates/locations….but how is Los Angeles not on the tour?!

    Reply

  22. Maureen Bellino says

    Congratulations! I am in the very very small 55 aged demographic, and I really enjoy your blog (read it every day). My daughter, who is also an avid reader of your blog, ordered your book for me for my birthday and I can’t wait to get it. Enjoy this exciting time.

    Reply

  23. Meg says

    I pre-ordered your book months ago, and am so excited that I’ll be seeing it soon. Still waiting for the book signing date in Tokyo, though…..

    Reply

  24. GreenInOC says

    I think this will be the first book where I feel I have an actual connection with the authors!

    I’m so excited for you, for your fans to finally be able to see what’s inside that treasure trove of a book and for those who are about to learn about the YHL brilliance and sense of fun!!

    Reply

  26. Marissa C says

    This is one of the few books I will be ponying up $$$ to buy–that is a big compliment! Helps that I’m a new homeowner!

    A friend and I already signed up for your stop at West Elm in Dallas. We are super excited!

    Reply

  27. Emily | Sparkle Meets Pop says

    You both are definitely so very brave! You have every right to be proud of your hard work and for putting your ideas and bits of yourself out there. You’re by far my favorite blog read each day, but also (in a hope-this-doesn’t-make-me-an-Internet-weirdo way of saying so) I feel like you’re friends. So if you ever do come to California, I would be so glad to support you guys. I’d host you myself, but alas I don’t have a bookstore and I don’t think your devoted fans could all squeeze on our sectional. :)

    Reply

  28. mtor says

    What about the (other half) of the left coast??? Don’t we get any love? How come there’s no stops in Cali? :( isad

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We wish we had control over this stuff, but it’s all about coordinating schedules and finding places that want to host us on certain days that work with the whole tour – it seems like a crazy thing to organize so I’m grateful for our publisher for taking it on!

      xo
      s

  29. Elizabeth says

    Can’t wait to get my hands on the book! It will be on my Birthday list and my list to give for Christmas! I couldn’t be more happy to support such a wonderful family.

    Reply

  30. Tracey says

    PHILLY!!!! PHILLY!!! PHILLY!!! Hey, a girl can wish, right? Love you guys and I am counted the days. So excited for you both. It will all be ok. Just know we love you and we’ll love your book too. So, when do you start the next book and will it be like the first? Not rushing you,just wondering.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      No idea! No one has said a peep about it, so I think they’re very smart (as it might make our brains explode). Ha! Probably waiting to spring the next assignment on us until after the tour!

      xo
      s

  32. Julia says

    will you guys have a place on your blog where book readers can leave comments or ask questions about book projects? or maybe where you can showcase some reader redesign projects that are based on book ideas?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, we love both of those ideas and we’re actually working on seeing if they’re possible! It’s hard to get folks to upload things without running into serious spam and crashing issues (its just a lot of data to host, people can upload porn, etc) but we’ll have to see if we can make it possible!

      xo
      s

  33. Holly says

    Oh my heavens I can’t even tell you how excited I got a few months ago when I found out you were coming out with a book!! I ordered it right away and I am counting down the days til it comes in my mailbox! I seriously cannot wait! It’ll like being able to flip through your archives but so much easier and I can hold it in my hands. It is arriving about a week after we close on our first house, so I can’t wait to see all the projects I will bookmark to do in our own house. There will always be haters, no matter how incredible and wonderful something is, so just continue to see the brightside like it seems you do! Thanks for all the inspiration that you guy give – you really are the best! I hope some day you make it out to Utah!

    Reply

  34. Julia says

    My last comment was not at all meant to add more pressure/work for you guys – just wondering since it might be a way to let readers interact a little more, plus in the same way that comment responses can help further explain some projects on the blog, maybe that could help for the book too. Would be great for us but also might be a way for you to not feel as constrained/scared by the “permanency” of the book in print. I have pre-ordered and can’t wait – just love your blog and so happy to support you guys by purchasing your book!

    Reply

  35. Taylor says

    Please come to Atlanta, Katie and I need you! I say that like I know you both. As a fellow Georgian, Katie has won my heart through your blog. I am so excited for your book. Please come!

    Reply

  37. meredith says

    darn it– you’re going to all the cities i USED to live in (Austin, Boston, Charlotte) but not the city i live in NOW– Denver! any thoughts about trekking out to the mile high city?? we’re not near as far as Tacoma! :)

    Reply

  40. Leiann says

    Don’t take this the wrong way, but I think it’s awesome that you are so nervous/scared. It makes you human! And it’s that that makes everyone love your blog so much. If you didn’t feel this way and write these little insights about your inner self (rather than just your decorating-self) people may wonder if something huge like writing a book is just another “day in the life” of John & Sherry, you know? This may not make sense over type, but believe me, it’s great to hear and I like reading your guys’ posts that get a little more personal.

    On another note, I had to laugh at your “book dreams” you have. I was a waitress for 7 years and I would have waitress nightmares a lot. I couldn’t keep up with my tables, I had tons of tables to wait on in every section of the restaurant and the drinks were taking forever to get made! Even to this day (4 years later), I still have them sometimes. So I can kind of relate! Again, it’s kind of nice to see that you are normal too and have normal fears!

    Don’t fret, the book’s gonna rock! I can’t wait for my copy to arrive and to meet you guys at West Elm in Mlps. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ahhh, I used to have waitress nightmares! I also had clothing stocking nightmares from when I worked at Express and life-guarding nightmares when I worked at a pool! Haha!

      xo
      s

  43. Janice says

    Just had to let you know that while I was reading this post I had to jump up, grab the kids and find a doorway! Just had a little earthquake up here in Maine! Good luck with the tour. Would love to make it to the Boston signing.

    Reply

  44. Stephanie N says

    Awww….I am sure your publisher isn’t going to pay you those millions of dollars if they thought you weren’t going to live up to the hype.

    AND to think, you have a whole ‘nother book to write!!!

    :)

    Ha ha about the millions. Maybe on the next one?

    Oh, it would be great if you did blog posts about your book signings along the way. Day in the life kinda thing, what you like about the city, whatever comes up that you found funny, etc etc.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, yeah… no millions, but lots of fun! So it’s totally worth the effort :) We definitely plan to make a tour video and post about the whole experience, so stay tuned for that dorkiness coming to a blog post near you in a month or two…

      xo
      s

  45. Jane B. says

    Hey, Sherry! As far as the “but it’s not free. gulp! it costs real money” — only people who want to shell out the dough to buy it are going to buy it, so it’s on us. Not you. I couldn’t part with my $$ fast enough to “show you the LOVE” I feel for the goodness Young House Love brings to my MacBook everyday. It was an honor to give you the shout out by buying your book. Dudette and Dude, you two simply rock my world. So don’t sweat it. Just have a blast connecting with all of your fans (and you really, really have a lot of them!) on your book tour. Oh, and hey, come to Charlottesville, pleeeeeease. I’ll host you myself. Really. If you’re willing to come, I’ll find a venue, do the marketing, and get you guys here for a big ol’ welcome TJ style, Wahoo style, we love ya style…..

    Reply

  47. Jill says

    OK, I am begging my favorite independent bookseller to invite you to Denver! Hope it works. I would love to meet you.
    Love from one of your 3% (an oldie)
    Jill

    Reply

  49. katie says

    First and foremost…CONGRATS!! Y’all are awesome and I am so excited for you!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on that book!! Sadly there is going to be some jerk face out there with a bad review BUT don’t take it to heart. Whoever it is will just be jealous of your awesome-ness (yes that is a word!). You guys are seriously terrific and have worked your tails off for this, so ENJOY!!
    Second, I am SUPER bummed that I won’t get a chance to meet y’all in Dallas. I have to work and won’t be able to make it by 1:00. Do you think there is any chance y’all will be staying later?? Could you post on FB or instagram if y’all are still there after 1:00 b/c I would definitely drive up there if you were running late!!! :D Congrats again!!

    Reply

  50. Taya says

    1. I’d be worried if all this book business didn’t make you nervous! It’s a bog deal!

    2. I’m so excited about your trip to CT in November, partially because I want to meet someone as mutually nerdy as myself!

    3. Take a breath because tons of people already think you guys are awesome and if other people don’t that their loss! You guys add humor to home ownership, and that take talent and guts!

    Reply

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