How to Write a Book

The #1 question people ask me

I just published my first children's chapter book, Born to Fly. It's the story of a caterpillar named Blossom who has a dream to fly. It's all about the power of dreaming big -- for children and grown-ups who can still think like children. :-) Which I hope is you.

"So, Diana, how did you publish it?" you want to know. "Did you spend months looking for an agent?"

No. I didn't have months.

"Did you spend years looking for a publisher?"

No. I didn't have years.

I published it on CreateSpace, which is a game-changer for indie writers. I published Audacious that way, and one of my writer's coaching clients, Bethanne Weiss, aka The Asset Queen, is about to publish her book the same way.

I love traditional publishers and agents, of course, and there will always be a place for them, but they can't possibly publish all the books that people are writing. So sometimes you need other options. And you do have them.

The #1 question people ask me

Whenever I teach a writer's workshop, the #1 question people ask me is not, "How do I write my book?"

This is what they ask: "How do I sell my book?"

My response used to be, "You can't sell what you haven't written so write your book already!" But people still want to know the end from the beginning, so I've started including that information in workshops.

If you want to know how you can sell your book, here are 3 pieces of good news I tell writers:

Good news #1: Even if a traditional publisher doesn't publish your book, there are dozens of co-publishers and self-publishers who will.

Good news #2: You can also publish all on your own via CreateSpace. And you'll have your copies in about 2 weeks. Seriously.

Good news #3: Even if a traditional bookstore doesn't carry your books, more books are sold outside bookstores than inside.

And #3 is HUGE news for writers. If you don't believe it, think about where you've bought most of your books lately. Was it at a real live bookstore? Or was it on Amazon? Or even on a website or blog mildly related to the subject of the book?

Chances are it was online. No matter who publishes your book, you can very easily position it to sell online. You still have to drive traffic to those sites, but that's another blogpost for another day.

So be encouraged. You really can sell your book! (So now get to work writing it, okay?)

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Want more tips and encouragement to write and sell your book? Just type your email address in the very empty little white box in the upper left. 

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Here's the cover of my new children's chapter book:

Pretty cute, huh? Shout-out to illustrator Leah Wiedemer for the cover pix and the 40+ illustrations inside the book. See more on Amazon.

 

10 things I learned about the creative process from a trunk of scraps

I'll be honest. I’ve never had more than a casual interest in quilts — until I went to an art exhibit called Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt.

It's amazing how much writing a book has in common with creating a quilt.

The quilts I saw, made by women in the rural town of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, were spectacular, modern, geometric works of art. Take a moment to click here to see what I mean.

Quilt by Mary Lee Bendolph (American, b. 1935)
Credit: Gee’s Bend Foundation/Collection of the Tinwood Alliance
Photo: Stephen Pitkin, Pitkin Studio, Rockford, IL

I saw about 50 of the breathtaking Gee's Bend quilts, watched a riveting video about the women who made them, and met 3 women from Eatonville, Florida, who have about 200 years of quilt-making experience among them.

For 3 hours, we listened, watched, and inhaled their creativity. It was quite an experience. Here are 10 things I learned from them about the creative process, writing books, and life:

1. “However the needle goes, I go.” Sometimes we have to break the creative rules and just see where the needle takes us.

2. “I don’t buy fabric; whatever I have is what I use.” Having or not having the resources shouldn’t keep us from creating.

3. “I never bought a book of patterns. I just put my own scraps together. The more I’d quilt, the better I got.”  Don’t stop; keep going.

4. “Alone.” That was the answer the local ladies gave to the question, “Do you quilt in groups or alone?” I've belonged to two writer’s groups and have many creative family members, friends, and colleagues, but when it comes down to it, the actual creative work has to be done alone.

5. “We just quilted.” Five generations of ladies in Gee’s Bend “just quilted.” They sold their work for $5 — until someone discovered them, and now their work hangs in museums and galleries around the country and sells for $30,000 per quilt. It may take generations for someone to discover your creativity, but keep working at it.

6. “You cannot beat out the creativity that is in you.” The first quilter in Gee’s Bend was a teenage girl named Dinah who arrived there in 1859 — to be a slave on a cotton plantation. Today, more than 20 of her descendants are quiltmakers in Gee’s Bend, including her great-great-granddaughter, whose work is included in the exhibit.

7. “We didn’t buy nothin’ because we didn’t have nothin’ to buy nothin' with.” Poverty, slavery, and injustice cannot stop the creative process.

8. “I make quilts from a trunk full of scraps.” You may not have anything but a trunk full of scraps, but you can use it to create something beautiful that will bless you and generations to come.

9. “We didn’t have the education you have today, but God spoke to us through wisdom and understanding.” If you need wisdom and understanding on your own creative project, who better to ask than the Creator?

10. “I asked the Lord what He wanted me to do in His vineyard.” He took her art and showcased it to the world.

So, what's in your trunk full of scraps?  I can't wait to see what you create with it.

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Don't forget:

If you're in Florida, the next "How to Write a Book" workshop and brunch this Saturday, April 25. Registration is limited to 20 people to keep it small, encouraging, and focused on your book, so click here for more information and then register today.

If you're not in Florida but would like me to teach a workshop near you, contact me at diana (at) peapodpublishing (dot) com.

And no matter where you live, we can set up a personalized writer's coaching session by phone or Skype. Email me for details.

 

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Perfection is overrated.

One of the reasons people put off writing a book is because they think it needs to be perfect. If it's not perfect, they reason, they shouldn't write it. And since they can't achieve perfection, they don't even try.

Here's an excerpt from Art and Fear, by David Bayles and Ted Orland, about our unachievable desire to create the perfect work of art:

"The ceramics teacher announced on opening day that he was dividing the class into two groups. All those on the left side of the studio, he said, would be graded solely on the 'quantity' of work they produced, all those on the right, solely on the 'quality' of the work.

"His procedure was simple: fifty pounds of pots rated an 'A,' forty pounds a 'B,' and so on. Those being graded on 'quality,' however, needed to produce only one pot--albeit a perfect one--to get an 'A.'

Which group do you think got the higher grade?

I figured it was the group being graded on quality. After all, they had to produce only one pot, and had all the time in the world to do it.

But read what happened:

Came grading time and a curious fact emerged. The works of the highest quality were all produced by the group being graded for 'quantity.' It seemed that the 'quality' group had sat theorizing about perfection, and in the end had little more to show for their efforts than grandiose theories and a pile of dead clay.

To require perfection is to invite paralysis. The pattern is predictable: as you see error in what you have done, you steer your work toward what you imagine you can do perfectly.

You cling ever more tightly to what you already know you can do--away from risk and exploration, and possibly further from the work of your heart. You find reasons to procrastinate, since to not work is to not make mistakes.

Believing that artwork should be perfect, you gradually become convinced that you cannot do what you are trying to do; so you quit. And in one of the perverse little ironies of life, only the pattern itself achieves perfection -- a perfect death spiral; you misdirect your work; you stall; you quit.

If you've been waiting until you can write the perfect book, you'll have to wait a long time.

More important than writing the perfect book is writing the first word. Like making pottery, it's a very messy process. You can't help it. If you want to produce, you have to get your hands dirty. You have to make mistakes. You will make mistakes. But you will also make pots.

If I can help you write your book -- including the first word -- just let me know.

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We're launching 2 new books -- with your help!

 

"Miss Diana, Miss Diana, when are you publishing more books in your Adventures With PawPaw children's book series?"

--Kiddos everywhere

Umpteen years ago I wrote and published 3 books in the Adventures With PawPaw children's book series, which artist Leah Wiedemer illustrated and graphic designer Cathleen Kwas typeset and designed.

Ever since then, parents and kids have been asking us for MORE books in the series.

Drum roll, please! We're about to publish 2 more books in the Adventures With PawPaw series -- and we're doing an Indiegogo campaign to fund it all. You can check out our Indiegogo campaign here to see what we're up to.

In case YOU want to use Indiegogo to fund your book (a lot of authors do), for the next 30 days while the campaign runs, I'll blog how-to's right here -- all the tips we learned, all the I-wish-we-had-done-that-differently lessons, and wow-who-knew-that-would-work deets.

Yup, my main focus is normally helping you write your book, but if I can also help you fund your book, so much the better.

Crowdfunding can help you publish

Indiegogo is crowdfunding -- reaching out to the cyberworld to help passionate people (including writers!) raise money for their projects. Zillions of people have launched their creative endeavors this way.

You can launch yours that way, too -- and you can also contribute to projects launched by other entrepreneurs (including mine!).

If you've never participated in an Indiegogo campaign, it's lots of fun because you get in on the action of a new venture -- and you get lots of great perks in the process.

Just visit our Indiegogo page here and you'll see what I mean. There are all different levels of funding and lots of pawfectly wonderful PawPaw perks, including free coaching time from illustrator Leah Wiedemer and moi.

So watch this space while I chronicle our adventures in crowdfunding. 

Meet PawPaw

On the off chance you haven't met PawPaw, let me introduce you:

PawPaw is a little dog who travels to a different country in each book introducing children to other countries and cultures. He's already been to China, France, and Costa Rica...

-- and he's about to head to Italy and Kenya! Go, PawPaw!

Watch this space....and meanwhile please help PawPaw out by clicking here. Our Indiegogo campaign ends October 9! (No ice bucket required :-) )

PS: PawPaw's first 3 adventures are available here.

PPS: A portion of all Adventures With PawPaw book sales helps support the Born2Fly Project to stop child trafficking.

PPPS: You can't publish what you haven't written, so if you need more personalized coaching to help you write your book, just email me.

 

Ta da! The wait is over!

For a few months I've been blogging about publishing my 1st ebook -- and I've kept you totally in the dark on the name of the book and what it's about.

Your wait is over! Your prayers are answered! You can stop bugging me!

Announcing:

 

It's called Born to Fly: The tale of a dream that would not die and it's a delightful story about what it takes to pursue your dream:

Blossom is in big trouble. Her grandfather warned her not to go beyond the village gates. After all, no caterpillar in Twig Valley has ever ventured there and returned to tell.

For centuries the caterpillars of Twig Valley have lived with a Dark Cloud over the land. For as long as anyone can remember, no caterpillar has ever become a butterfly. In fact, no one thinks about being anything more than a bug that crawls in the dust of the ground.

Until Blossom...

I like to say it's a novel for children--and adults who can still think like children.

Proceeds go to stop child trafficking

Born to Fly costs just $5.99. What a deal, huh? Proceeds go to The Born2Fly Project to stop child trafficking. In fact, the storyline is the same one in the wordless book that's the centerpiece of The B2F Project. You can download your own copy at:

• Amazon (for Kindle)
• iBooks (for iPad or iPhone)
• Barnes and Noble (for Nook)
• Sony (for Ereader)
• And many other readers

 

It's all about following your dreams.

The book includes 43 charming illustrations in soft pastel by artist Leah Wiedemer:

A companion website, www.borntoflybook.com, has games and activities for kids and a free reading guide/curriculum for teachers and schools.

You don't need an iPad, Kindle, or Nook to read it

For many reasons, I'm publishing Born to Fly only as an ebook. But you don't need an iPad or Kindle to read it--which is a good thing to know if you're thinking of publishing an ebook. Just download Kindle for PC on your computer (it's free) and you can read any ebook right on your own computer.

I enjoyed the process of working with BookBaby (disclosure) to format and distribute Born to Fly. Once we finalized everything, it took about 2 days for Born to Fly to show up on iBooks (for iPad or iPhone), another day or so to get on Amazon (for Kindle), and a week to show up on Barnes and Noble (for Nook) and Sony.

I'll continue blogging about this entire process because now we're in the sales phase when hopefully massive amounts of people will buy Born to Fly, so I'll tell you how that all works.

Create your own marketing buzz

I'm also in the marketing phase. Remember, you can have the best book in the world, but if no one knows about it, no one will buy it. This is particularly true with ebooks. You have to create the buzz about your book. There's no one else to do it for you.

So I created a website for my ebook, a Facebook fan page, and a separate Twitter account. And I'm sending news releases to media and fellow bloggers.

I'll continue blogging about how to market an ebook (or traditional book), so watch this space.

In the meantime, click on one of those links and get your own copy of Born to Fly. You can even give a gift to a child on your Christmas or Hanukkah list.

And remember, proceeds go to The Born2Fly Project to stop child trafficking.

 

 

 

 

 

Go ahead: Judge my book by its cover

I'm blogging about the process of publishing my next book as an ebook.

Today's episode: Designing the cover

I'm working with BookBaby (disclosure here) to format and publish my book, including designing my book cover.

At first I didn't understand why cover design on BookBaby is priced a la carte, but my customer service rep Nikola explained that many authors are creating ebooks from books they've already published in print form--so they already have a cover. My new book is, well, new so I need a cover design. That's why they price it a la carte.

They have 2 packages for cover design: $149 and $279. The higher price gives you more fonts and design elements. Frankly when I looked at the samples on their website (click on "view basic/deluxe galleries" at the bottom of that page), the lower-price covers looked pretty homemade to me. The higher-price samples were very nice, so that's what I went with. The price is high considering formatting your entire book is just $99. You could shop around and find someplace cheaper of course but I think most cover designers would start at $250 anyway.

What exactly do you want?

I liked the vetting process to help you describe the cover you have in your mind--or even if you don't have one in mind. Their online form asks you questions like:

• What is the mood or style your cover should have? (examples: corporate, playful, dark, earthy, futuristic, no preference)
• Do you have any color preferences? (examples: shades of red and pink, earth tones, I like yellow, etc.)

And there are a couple of questions about your font preferences. You can then upload any illustrations you need on your cover, or let the designer choose an illustration.

I try not to give too many instructions so that I can let the designer be creative.

Ta-da! My cover arrives...

I've edited a lot of books for other people and helped proof their book covers, so I'm really picky and know what I want. So when the first draft of my cover design arrived, I was expecting bunches of changes and many rounds of revisions.

I was pretty surprised by the first draft. In fact, I loved it. Absolutely LOVED it. 

I emailed it to about 20 people for their reaction and all but a few absolutely loved it, too. The few negative comments were with just one element of the design, which I tried to address in the 1 round of changes we needed.

A few days after I submitted my changes, I got the final cover. With the deluxe package, I was eligible for 1 more round of changes, but we never needed it.

I'm really really pleased with it and can't wait to show you. The big splash is coming in a few days, so watch this space!

 

 

2 great writers' (and illustrators'!) workshops coming up in Florida

 Workshop #1

Fiction Writers' Workshop
Sat., Sept. 24, 2011
10 am – 1 pm

Garden Gate Tea Room
142 East 4th Ave.
Mount Dora, Florida 32757

$45 early bird; $55 at door

                                           or click here

If you’ve always wanted to write fiction for adults or children but didn’t know where to begin, this workshop is for you! In 3 valuable hours, you’ll gain practical information that will help you:

• Plot a rough plot in an hour using 12 specific steps
• Give your characters depth by adding 3 key elements
• Organize your thoughts and ideas to keep from feeling overwhelmed
• Find publishers and agents interested in your book idea
• Fight discouragement, rejection, and self-doubt

Join me at this practical and encouraging workshop where you'll receive the tools you need to finally write the fiction book you’ve always dreamed of writing. Previous workshops have sold out, so don’t delay—register today!

Reminder: This workshop is for fiction writers only (adult and children’s fiction), beginners and pros.

Registration: Early-bird $45; at the door $55. Includes Garden Gate brunch. Register here or mail check payable to “Peapod Publishing, Inc.,” P.O. Box 951599, Lake Mary, FL 32795; include phone and email.

Location: The Garden Gate Tea Room, 142 East 4th Ave., Mount Dora, FL 32757; 352.735.2158.

More information: diana@peapodpublishing.com

 

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Workshop #2

How to Write & Illustrate Children's Books
Sat., Oct. 1, 2011
10 am – 3 pm

Sam Flax art & design store
1800 E. Colonial Drive
Orlando, Florida 32803 

$65 early bird; $75 at door

                                             or click here

If you’ve always wanted to write or illustrate children’s books but didn’t know where to begin, this workshop is for you! In 5 valuable hours, you’ll learn practical insights and vital information to help you:

• Move your book from dream to reality
• Overcome the pitfalls every illustrator & writer faces (beginners & pros)
• Organize your thoughts and ideas
• Create and design memorable characters
• Find publishers and learn how to contact them
• Learn options for self publishing and e-books
• Keep yourself motivated and moving forward

Join me and illustrator/author Valerie Kosky, who is creator of the Armor Dill’m Adventure & Discovery Club. We'll give you the tools you need to finally illustrate and write the book you’ve always dreamed of.

Registration: Early-bird $65; at the door $75. Register here or mail check payable to “Peapod Publishing, Inc.,” P.O. Box 951599, Lake Mary, FL 32795; include phone and email.

Registration limited to 25 people. Previous workshops have sold out, so don’t delay—register today!

Location: Sam Flax art & design store, 1800 E Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, 407.898.9785

More information: diana@peapodpublishing.com (writers) or mymasterworks@bellsouth.net (illustrators)

July workshop: How to write and illustrate children's books

If you’ve always wanted to write or illustrate a children’s book but didn’t know where to begin, this workshop is for you!

“How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books”

Workshop and Brunch

Sat., July 24, 2010, 10 am – 1 pm

The Garden Gate Tea Room
142 East 4th Ave
Mount Dora, FL 32757
map

Taught by writer's coach and children's book author, Diana Scimone
and
Children's book illustrator and author, Valerie Kosky

$56 advance; $66 at door
Includes Garden Gate brunch!

For budding and experienced writers and illustrators
of children's fiction and non-fiction

Register here via credit card or PayPal:

Other registration options below.

Questions? diana@peapodpublishing.com

This information-packed workshop is practical and encouraging, and will give you the tools you need to find the book inside you and put it on paper. In 3 valuable hours, you’ll learn practical insights and strategic information that will help you:

• Move your book from dream to reality
• Overcome the pitfalls every writer & illustrator faces (beginners & pros)
• Organize your thoughts and ideas
• Learn the practical aspects of children's book illustrating
• Discover 3 key elements of plot that will make your story sing
• Find publishers and learn how to contact them
• Keep yourself motivated and moving forward

Valerie Kosky and I can't wait to help you find the books inside you. Valerie is a professional illustrator and children's book author, and creator of the Armor Dill’m Adventure & Discovery Club children's books and curriculum. Here's Dill'm--pretty sweet, isn't he?

Valerie has taught art at all levels, including university, and has illustrated for national magazines and publishers. She's an encouraging and gifted artist and mentor who'll help you fulfill your dream of illustrating children's books.

You already know me. I'm a writer's coach, president of Peapod Publishing, and author of the Adventures With PawPaw children’s book series:

I'm also author of the soon-to-be released children's chapter book and wordless book, Born to Fly, and companion curriculum, all part of The B2F Project to stop child trafficking.

Valerie and I promise to make this workshop practical and encouraging--and give you the tools you need to finally publish the children's book you’ve always dreamed of.

Here's what past workshop participants have said (remember, none of them has ever written or illustrated a book before):

"This workshop was immensely helpful because it took [my] concept and made me understand the next steps I need to take."

"Very interactive and informative...and lots of fun."

"Helped me start the process [of moving] from 'vague idea' to 'real story.'"

"The information was very helpful [as was your] no-nonsense enthusiasm."

"There was so much information. It was great!"

"It assisted me with organizing my thoughts into an organized plan."

"You encouraged and inspired me."

"This was my first writer's event. It was so informative and encouraging. I wish it had been all day!"

Previous workshops have sold out, so don’t delay—register today!  Click here to register by credit card or PayPal, or mail your check payable to “Peapod Publishing, Inc.,” P.O. Box 951599, Lake Mary, FL 32795; include phone and email.

You can learn to write and illustrate children's books--and enjoy a really great brunch at the same time. Register today!

A lot of work (a LOT)

I'm constantly struck by how difficult the writing process is.

I used to think that writers were the only creative types who struggled with their craft. I assumed that artists, for example, would paint their paintings right the first time. Poets would jot a few notes on a page, and voila, a poem. Sculptors would know exactly where to tap the stone and a few days later would end up with a stunning work of art.

Then I became friends with a number of artists and I saw that painting is hard work. They plan; they sketch; they wrestle; they visualize; they research; they start all over again; they work; they work, and they work some more.

Why would I think that's any different from writing?  Because when we see a painting in a museum or hear a fantastic piece of music on the radio, we have no clue about the blood, sweat, and tears that went into producing it.

If you want to write something that's going to last a long time (and who doesn't?), you have to be prepared for a lot of work.  A lot more than you're thinking about right now.

You will get up early. 

You will go to bed late. 

You will miss TV shows, parties, and get-togethers.

You will hibernate from your friends and family. 

You will offend some of them. 

You will devote a lot of time to learning what you don't know.

You will think you are going crazy.

There is no way around that process. But if you know it ahead of time, you won't be surprised by how much work is required--and you won't be tempted to stop or be put off by the process.

I'm currently working on the curriculum that's part of The Born2Fly Project to stop child trafficking, and I'm going through all that and more. I'm on the 7th rewrite (yes, 7th) and frankly I wish it were finished.

And it could have been, but my writer's group won't let me stop rewriting. They know there's a lot more potential in the pages, and they're pushing me to make it the best it can be. I guess I'm grateful. :-)

There's no way around it. Writing is hard work. But like childbirth, once you hold your baby in your hands--your own book with your own name on the cover--you'll forget the pain. It will all be worth it. 

You'll see.

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For more tips on writing, follow me on Twitter: @DianaScimone

Italy! Announcing an artists' and writers' retreat in Tuscany (really!)

 

Poppies in Tuscany, by Leah Wiedemer

UPDATE:  We've postponed this fabulous retreat til June 2011--so you'll have plenty of time to prepare!  We'll have even MORE exciting events for you (can you say "cooking classes"??). Stay tuned for details--or email Diana or Leah if you simply can't wait!

"My next stop was a fairytale village called Barga in northern Tuscany. It’s a medieval town complete with 4-story palazzi hugging narrow curving lanes. From my 3rd-floor window I could see much of the town and surrounding mountains. It was magic. Enchanted. I felt light headed, as I climbed the winding stairway to the top floor where the walls are frescoed and the rooftop views stunning."

--by artist Leah Wiedemer, from Roaming Artist blog

If Leah's description of Barga, Italy -- or her beautiful painting of Poppies in Tuscany -- are too alluring for words, you can join her (and me) for an artists' and writers' retreat in Barga this September!

Let's say you’ve always wanted to write a book...

...but didn’t know where to begin. Or you wanted to paint but are convinced you can’t draw a straight line.

This retreat is for you! 

Your instructors

Artist Leah Wiedemer and yours truly will teach all the classes--and we promise you’ll be inspired and encouraged to paint the masterpiece and write the best-seller that you’ve always dreamed of.

Leah is not only my good friend but also illustrator of my Adventures With PawPaw children's books and the soon-to-be-released Born to Fly wordless book.  She launched her art career in 1987 when she took a watercolor class, followed by study of master artists working in different mediums. Since that first step she's garnered many art awards and much experience painting, teaching, and exhibiting. She's taught art to children and adults, painted murals, worked as a chalk artist at Disney MGM Studios, and continued to study, paint, and grow in her craft.

You can see her beautiful work, including her enchanting scenes of Italy, at www.lwiedemer.com and on her blog, Roaming Artist.

I'll teach the writing classes -- and you already know me. :-) As a writer's coach, I've helped countless people all over the world write the books that are inside them. I offer numerous workshops throughout the year, personalized writer’s coaching, and this blog to help people write the book they’ve always dreamed of writing.  And I'd love to help you write your book, too.

Classes perfect for you!

Classes are for beginning as well as experienced artists and writers. Leah and I will teach 2 classes each (in English) over two weekends in September. You can attend 1, 2, 3, or all 4 classes. The more classes you take, the greater your discount (and you also get a nice discount if you register by June 15).

All classes will be at beautiful Casa Cordati in the delightful town of Barga. Here's what you'll learn in this charming setting (remember, you can take any or all of these classes):

Saturday, September 18
Drawing with the Artist’s Eye: Learn proven drawing techniques used by artists all over the world
Taught by artist Leah Wiedemer
10 am – 6 pm

Sunday, September 19
How to Write a Book 101:  Learn 7 practical steps to help you write the book you’ve always dreamed of writing
Taught by writer’s coach Diana Scimone
10 am – 6 pm

Saturday, September 25
How to Write a Book 102: Explore 23 valuable tools to make your fiction and non-fiction sing
Taught by writer’s coach Diana Scimone
10 am – 6 pm

Sunday, September 26
Beginning Soft Pastel: Learn color basics and how to work with this wonderfully portable and forgiving medium
Taught by artist Leah Wiedemer
10 am – 6 pm

Want more info? 

Contact Leah or me. Registration is limited in order to keep classes small, so don’t put it off. Save up to 50% and register today.

That landscape is waiting to be painted and that book doesn’t want to wait another year!

Register by June 15 for Tuscany artists'/writers' retreat and save up to 50%!

Michela's View, by Leah Wiedemer

UPDATE:  We've postponed this fabulous retreat til June 2011--so you have plenty of time to prepare!  We'll have even MORE exciting events for you (can you say "cooking classes"??). Stay tuned for details--or email Diana or Leah if you simply can't wait!

Registration fees are in euros; PayPal will convert to your local currency using the rate for the day you register. In parentheses below are rates in US $ as of May 1; rate will fluctuate. Prices are for classes only, not transportation, food, or hotels.  (Email me for that information.)

	Register by June 15	June 16-July 15	July 16-Aug. 15
1 class	75 euros ($99)	100 euros ($132)	150 euros ($199)
Any 2 classes	125 euros ($165)	175 euros ($232)	225 euros ($298)
Any 3 classes	175 euros ($232)	250 euros ($331)	325 euros ($430)
All 4 classes	250 euros ($331)	325 euros ($430)	450 euros ($596)

HTML Tables

Registration is limited in order to keep classes small, so don't put it off.  That landscape is waiting to be painted and that best-seller doesn't want to wait another year! Register today!

What's in Your Trunk Full of Scraps?

Okay, I'll be honest. I’ve never had more than a casual interest in quilts—until I went to an art exhibit called Gee's Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt.

It's amazing how much writing a book has in common with creating a quilt.

The quilts I saw, made by women in the rural town of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, were spectacular, modern, and geometric works of art. (Take a moment to click here to see what I mean.)

I saw about 50 of the breathtaking Gee's Bend quilts, watched a riveting video about the women who made them, and met 3 women from Eatonville, Florida, who have about 200 years of quilt-making experience among them.

For 3 hours, we listened, watched, and inhaled their creativity. It was quite an experience. Can I share with you 10 things I learned from them about the creative process and life?

1. “However the needle goes, I go.” Sometimes we have to break the creative rules and just see where the needle takes us. 

2. “I don’t buy fabric; whatever I have is what I use.” Having or not having the resources shouldn’t keep us from creating.

3. “I never bought a book of patterns. I just put my own scraps together. The more I’d quilt, the better I got.”  Don’t stop; keep going.

4. “Alone.” That was the answer the local ladies gave to the question, “Do you quilt in groups or alone?” I belong to two writer’s groups and have many creative family members, friends, and colleagues, but when it comes down to it, the actual creative work has to be done alone.

5. “We just quilted.” Five generations of ladies in Gee’s Bend “just quilted.” They sold their work for $5—until someone discovered them, and now their work hangs in museums and galleries around the country and sells for $30,000 per quilt. It may take generations for someone to discover your creativity, but keep working at it.

6. “You cannot beat out the creativity that is in you.” The first quilter in Gee’s Bend was a teenage girl named Dinah who arrived in 1859—to be a slave on a cotton plantation. Today, more than 20 of her descendants are quiltmakers in Gee’s Bend, including her great-great-granddaughter, whose work is included in the exhibit.

7. “We didn’t buy nothin’ because we didn’t have nothin’ to buy nothin' with.” Poverty, slavery, and injustice cannot stop the creative process.

8. “I make quilts from a trunk full of scraps.” You may not have anything but a trunk full of scraps, but you can use it to create something beautiful that will bless you and generations to come.

9. “We didn’t have the education you have today, but God spoke to us through wisdom and understanding.” If you need wisdom and understanding on your own creative project, who better to ask than the Creator?

10. “I asked the Lord what He wanted me to do in His vineyard.” He took her art and showcased it to the world.

So, what's in your trunk full of scraps?  I can't wait to see what you create with it.

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Don't forget: 

If you're in Florida, the next "How to Write a Book" workshop and brunch is Saturday, March 20. Click here for more info.

If you're not in Florida but would like me to teach a workshop near you, contact me at diana (at) peapodpublishing (dot) com.

And no matter where you live, we can set up a personalized writer's coaching session by phone or Skype. Email me for details.