Publishing day began with a spectacular start. An early morning beach yoga session with Gemma the author. It was calming and invigorating and gave us the perfect start to the day. Fuelled with excitement, we were ready to weave some literary magic when we returned from yoga and pulled out our laptops.
After weeks of meticulously editing Gemma’s story, passing it back and forth like a treasured secret, I embarked on a six-week journey of painting and refining the illustrations. At the end of July, we were on the cusp of releasing our Book Baby into the world.
During our final readthrough of the completed book, something unexpected happened – we both cried. This book had been a real journey for both of us and the main character was someone we both identified with on an extraordinary level. At that moment, I realised that this book was more than just ink and watercolour on paper; it was a pivotal part of my journey of healing.
With our hearts pounding and anticipation building, we were poised to upload our masterpiece. But, surprise surprise…
It all went horribly wrong:
Our vision and formatting didn't align with any of the extremely prescriptive options available. Not a single one. And it was only three hours in when the formatting issue came to light. Three hours of work, with absolutely nothing to show for it.
We needed to take a moment to process the gravity of this error but after a time, we pulled ourselves together because we were determined to see this project through to the end. So we put on our big girl pants and proceeded to reformat the ENTIRE book.
Fast forward another three hours punctuated by snappy remarks, cries of frustration, and a few colourful expletives – the book had undergone a thorough transformation. It might not have been exactly what we had envisioned together and worked on for several months, but as Gemma's first published story and my first published book of illustrations, we were determined to bring our creation to life come hell or high water.
Our blood, sweat, and tears had been poured into this book, and it would soon be available for purchase. It was a testament to our determination and the power of storytelling that we saw it through to the end.
Although we are thrilled that Kali’s Little Light is now available for purchase, we hold onto the hope that someday a publisher will embrace our original vision with a full-colour spread of the watercolour images. But for now, what truly matters is that this story is out there and can serve as a reminder to everyone that no matter how dark life seems at times, we will always be able to find our way back to the light again. That’s exactly what it was like for me when I decided to take on this project.
Finding Inspiration After Life's Challenges:
One of the most difficult aspects of being a creative is recovering from the very real, and frequently dismissed “artist’s block.” You feel burdened by expectations and pressure and are rendered completely incapable of continuing with your creative pursuits.
What I've learned from my own journey is that sometimes, you need to release that pressure valve. You need to approach your creative pursuits from a fresh perspective and just have fun with it.
Challenges and traumas in our lives change us. So I needed to let go of the art from my past when I was somebody different and try something completely unlike anything I had ever done previously. Picking up my brushes was an insurmountable hurdle for me for an entire year, until I said yes to a project like no other, and was accountable to someone else. We created a goal and we set ourselves a date and the only thing to do was to get on it with it!
This project became my lifeline, my bridge back to the world of art and I had always dreamt of illustrating a book someday but I didn't think I had it in me!
Embracing this new challenge not only rekindled my passion for painting but also renewed my sense of purpose. It's incredible how trying a new creative pursuit can reignite the spark within.
Join us on this journey:
As I embark on this exciting journey with Gemma's first published story and my newfound passion for illustrating, we invite you to be part of it. You can purchase our book and experience the healing journey we've poured our hearts into here: Kali's Little Light.
For more updates, and behind-the-scenes content, or to connect with us directly, you can find me on: laurarobinsonwrites.com and Gemma on Instagram @soulfulsymbolism. Your support means the world to us. Our next book is already in the pipeline!
Thank you Gwen, for allowing me to share our story on your platform. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a guest blogger on a fellow published author’s website!
Xx Laura
