Seeing Our Own Creations (Behind the Scenes of Lanterns)

Cheska in sunlight

Creative vision and process are funny things.

When I had the initial idea for Lanterns, I knew I wanted to celebrate friendships within creative community. I had a very clear idea of who I would ask to contribute and what topic I hoped each person would write on. In this sense, the whole project was very clear to me from the beginning.

As I wrote in the last post, everything came together beautifully and relatively easily, which I took as a sign that I was on the right path. As I immersed myself ever deeper in the work of creating a book in five weeks, my vision simultaneously narrowed and blurred. I was so focused on the details of what I was doing that I lost sight of the bigger picture. 

In the throes of creation, this type of vision isn't a bad thing. I needed that slim, tight focus to pay attention to every little detail that goes into creating, editing, selling, and shipping a book. The list of tasks was long, and I was worried about forgetting a crucial step; so I made plenty of notes and timetables. This kept me buzzing along like a good worker bee.

Then it was time to unveil the book to the world. I tried to describe what it was, why you'd want it, why it was so beautiful and important. But I was stumped. My vision was still stuck in the nitty gritty details of creation, even though it was time to shift back into big picture thinking. I knew all of the trees by name, but I couldn't find my way out of the forest.

It took reading Jen Lemen's beautiful description of the book and those of several contributors to refocus my vision, to remind me of what this book was all about. We need creative companions who can help us to see more clearly the value and meaning of our work. We don't always know what we're creating until after the work is done and we send it out into the world.

I thought I had a clear vision of Lanterns at the beginning, but I'm only now starting to really see it.

(Pre-orders started shipping on Monday 12/14/09. There's still time to order for Christmas delivery in the U.S. Order by Thursday 12/17/09 for first class delivery.)

Comments

[Beth]

I just received mine today- it's so lovely- I can't wait to really dive into it! Thanks for putting this together!

[Lisa]

Oh, great photo!!! How magnificent!

Dear Jenna, I am just LOVING these behind-the-scene posts! Each one is an additional gift, above and beyond the original blessing that is Lanterns.

(I feel like my heart is growing (kinda like the Grinch) with each step of this process ~ each new layer of revelation.)

I simply cannot wait to hold the book in my hands! I get teary just thinking about opening the package!

A true Christmas gift you have given us...and we have give each other!

[Leisa Hammett]

Beautiful. Yes, I know what you mean by much of this given my book came out this fall, too. Process was grueling but the Creative Vision was the beacon...er, lantern, in your case....I also resonate w/ the concept of needing creative community. I have worked solo for so many years of my career and even though still self-employed I have been at a point this last year--by necessity of entering the blogosphere--of seeking community again. I am also interested in seeking community with my future books. Perhaps an online group where I can progress in beginning a novel. And, a community to sharpen and hone my autism momoir. Plus, an online community to groom my photography skills. I hope it is okay to put that out there here....I got my copy of your book this week. It is lovely. I am enjoying reading it. Again, congratulations.