Don't Go It Alone (Behind the Scenes of Lanterns)
Friday, December 11, 2009 at 12:11AM 
moonflower unfurled
So many creative arts appear to be solitary pursuits: the writer tapping out words in silence, the artist alone in her studio. We do much of our creation while by ourselves, but we hardly ever create alone. Lanterns celebrates and explores the ways that creative community connects us, empowers us, unfurls us. Friends who share our desire to create beauty and do good work sharpen our creative vision and restore our clarity when that vision starts to dim or tarnish.
I could not have created this book without community. This is not just because six other women contributed their words and images to fill its pages. Even if this were a completely different project, one filled with only my own words and images, so many hands would have gone into creating it. Since this was my first project of this kind, I had to learn -- and do -- many new things at once. The collective knowledge and support of those in my creative community guided me through every step of the process.
Friends told me where to find the best price on shipping materials, how to handle large mailings, how to set prices, how to configure the payment process. They brainstormed ideas and worked through roadblocks with me. They advised, collaborated, consulted. They offered up the best of their creative selves, asking for nothing in return. Many of these friends were contributors to the book, but others were not. Lanterns came into this world because a team of people cared to make it so.
The printer was the one piece of the puzzle that I had to find on my own through cold calling. I'd considered printing the books through an online service like Lulu or Blurb, but decided I wanted a local printer so I could interact with an expert face-to-face. I wanted someone who would become part of the team. I called several printers that I'd heard of before, and then called one on a whim because I liked the name: ArtCraft Printers. ArtCraft: If they lived up to their name, surely this would be a printer who would understand my vision, who would help me to create something beautiful.
Sure enough, they lived up to their name. They learned what the project was about and immediately offered suggestions on making the book look and feel like a little treasure -- all without me asking and before I'd hired them. I decided to work with them because they behaved like a consultant-collaborator, not merely a vendor or contractor. They cared about doing good work and about helping me to do good work.
I found Tilky Fernandez, the designer for the project, through a friend's referral. I'd already seen some of Tilky's work, so I felt good about hiring her. I knew she was talented and had heard she was detail-oriented, but I wasn't prepared for the heart and soul she would pour into the book. She took the project personally. I hadn't hired a designer so much as found an ally who excels in a skill set that I lack. She rounded out the team perfectly and brought my vision to the page.
One of my biggest downfalls is the fear that I'll appear to be unknowledgeable, which my insecure mind equates with "stupid," though the rest of me knows better. I like to have the answers and to be in control. When that's not possible, I at least like to look like I know what I'm doing. But this mixture of pride and insecurity only holds me back and shrinks my creative vision. I need help in my creative pursuits. And so do you. We all need each other.
No matter what you're creating, you don't have to go it alone. There is a time to sit quietly and do your work, but you do not have to be alone in the journey.
Reader Comments (3)
Your stories of this process from your perspective are warming my heart and inspiring my creative spirit. :-)