Today’s the publication date of Through the Thought Clouds and I wanted to cherish its creative journey with you.
I view my creative projects as if they were plants, so let’s look at my most recent book journey as if it grew from a seed (a dream), to sprout, then a sapling, full-grown plant, and beyond…
When Was the Seed of Through the Thought Clouds Planted?
It was back in 2014 when my doodle character, Mira, was born while I studied A Course in Miracles Workbook. I witnessed how other ACIM students struggled studying the daily lessons, so when Mira helped make my studying became effortless and fun, I started sharing my doodle notes online and people loved them! I realized that this seed could indeed become something bigger!
But it took self-publishing four books and studying ACIM Workbook through many more times with Mira’s help before I felt ready to put my study notes in between covers.
The idea of this book rested as a dream/seed for ten full years before it came to fruition!
What Made the Seed of My Book Dream Sprout?
Even if it feels like the seed is dormant for a long time, its roots grow in the dark. It may feel like there are always setbacks and various curve balls that life throws at you when you go for a dream. But when you hold onto your dream and nourish the seed it has no other choice than to sprout one day!
On the left the original study notes from 2020, an early draft in the middle, and on the right, the final version.
In the dreaming phase, when the seed was planted, but it wasn’t yet ready to germinate, I had big visions for it. The first drafts were pulled together years ago. A couple of years later, I spent one spring writing a book proposal for the book. I also planned on looking for a literary agent.
Then life happened and my energy and presence were needed elsewhere.
These past few years have taught me how fragile life and health can be, and how if we truly want something, there’s no better time to go for your dream than now.
I ditched the grand vision I’d had for the book, because it felt like too much, and decided to start where I am, use what I have, and do what I can.
Mira’s ten-year anniversary was quickly approaching and I felt inspired to do something big to celebrate!
The sprout was finally peeking from the ground!
Originally posted on Patreon in 2016.
The Growth Spurt
When the decision was made, it was effortless to jump in and start the process. For a good portion of the beginning of 2024, I kept examining my study notes for the bigger picture, writing, scanning, fixing, editing, and redrawing the doodles.
The previous books I have self-published have taught me the steps to take, how to avoid bumps on the path, and most importantly how to keep going.
You can find my monthly book journey updates on Patreon in the Monthly Mira(cle)Doodles Collection, if you are curious to find out how the journey went in more detail.
The busy growing season for the sapling of Through the Thought Clouds was filled with gathering my notes, looking for the right words, redrawing old doodles and inventing new ones. It was about editing, “killing my darlings”, getting feedback from test readers, and killing even more darlings to make the book better.
Next, I started to look for a new cover picture. I had had my idea for years, but decided to ditch it. I didn’t have new ideas, though. And when you don’t have ideas, you ask for help!
On the left was my first initial idea for the cover. On the right the final cover.
I asked my eldest son (now an adult!) to draw me some sketches for possible covers and got inspired by his many fresh ideas. My youngest child then helped me discuss the various alternatives metaphorically and as a result the new cover was made! I love it!
In June, I finished the edits and layout and sent the book to print.
Full Bloom in the Quiet of the Summer
Receiving the first copies of the book is always exhilarating. I sent the book then forward to people asking for blurbs.
The Dream Bears Fruit…
Even though a plant in full bloom is usually gorgeous, that’s not the end of the journey!
I think that the plant of a creative journey is most likely a fruit tree. After their glorious full bloom, they start to develop fruit. And these sweet fruits can then be harvested and made into juice, pies, jam etc.
This is when the book was launched!
For Through the Thought Clouds it happened on October 30th!
…And the Seeds Get on New Adventures
When we enjoy the fruits of any creative journey, that’s when a creative project starts to live a life of its own—nourishing people who get in touch with it.
The possibility of the fruits of your creativity to metabolize into something new as the reader gets new insights from experiencing it, is what makes the journey worthwhile for the creator.
It’s no longer your own anymore, but a shared harvest feast!
On the left are my original study notes from 2019, on the right the final page.
In the end, it took me ten years to make Through the Thought Clouds, and I can’t wait to get it out there and let it start life of its own! I can only imagine all the adventures Mira will have with you!
Long Live the Dream!
Early on when I felt the seed for this book starting to sprout, I was on a forest walk, and saw a revelation from the future in my mind’s eye—about hundred years from now—someone finds a copy of Through the Thought Clouds from their attic. They flip through it and suddenly they pause on one page to examine it in detail. Something clicks and all the confusion they have had clears away. This page is the last missing piece in whatever it was that they were trying to understand on a deeper level about humanity. They go on and change the world.
Wouldn’t that be something, if the seed of your dream grew into a hundred-year-old (or even older) fruit tree that kept on giving new insights and expanding consciousness to help us all live a better life and be better for each other?
But future aside, I’m really, really happy if my book will help even one person to shift their perception and bring more miracles into their life.
I hope It’s You!
Get a copy of Through the Thought Clouds.
Also, check out my book The Four Phases of Creativity where I guide you through this framework for creative journeys that honors the seasons and moon phases.
0 Comments