When a self publishing mistake opens up a new direction - self love one drawing at a time
Determination is the only way forward
I once read that there’s at least one book inside every person, and I wholeheartedly believe that’s true. It's not just about telling your own story, your family's history, or even crafting something fictional. It is much more! I have to tell you that there’s a certain magic in holding a book or workbook you’ve created—something you’ve thought about day and night for months, sometimes even years.
A few years ago, I unexpectedly started doodling in my journals—sketches squeezed between recipes, stories, and plans for the future. At the time, I was using Moleskine notebooks, the unlined ones. They came in packs of three, large-sized, with smooth, creamy pages that made writing feel effortless.
A Seed Was Planted
A simple conversation with a friend sparked the idea of creating a coloring book. I knew nothing about self-publishing, had no experience with tools like Canva, and none of my friends could guide me. But I was determined to learn—one step at a time, with YouTube as my teacher.
I began by dismantling my notebooks, selecting my favorite designs, and scanning each one. If you think the process was smooth, think again! Scanning alone took weeks because I kept making mistakes. But I persisted, driven by the dream of holding my first workbook in my hands.
More weeks passed. I used Pages to add the scanned designs, saved them as PDFs, and eventually combined them into a single file. Seeing 24+ pages in PDF format was exhilarating—the dream was finally taking shape.
As I researched further, I discovered Amazon's self-publishing platform, KDP (previously known by another name). It took time to navigate all the steps, but I figured it out. Then came the cover. Without any experience in Canva, I used the tools provided by KDP, experimenting with colors until I finally settled on one.
Getting the sizes right took some effort, but eventually, my book was approved for publication. The excitement of waiting for the first physical copy was immense. When it finally arrived, the cover was glossy and beautiful. I flipped through the first few pages—everything looked great... until I reached the first drawing.
Oh no! The images were smaller, but nicely centred on the page. Clearly, something had gone wrong with my scanning process. But instead of giving up, I picked up a pencil and started extending the lines, finishing the drawings, and creating new patterns from my imagination.
And just like that, a new concept for coloring workbooks was born. I offered people the opportunity to embrace their own creativity, to be bold and extend the designs in their own unique way before coloring them in.
I love using bright, bold colors, and Sharpies are my favorite. Of course, Sharpies are alcohol-based, so they bleed through the paper. But that doesn’t bother me, and it doesn’t seem to bother the people buying the workbook on Amazon either.
Here is the review Dolores left on Amazon, about the “We are many people” colouring workbook
“This is a nurturing and inspiring book for writing, drawing and colouring, with the quotes acting as prompts for the imagination and for memories. Members of my visiting family, from the children to adults, quickly took possession of it, working two at a time on the opened pages. They loved it so much, I bought them their own copies of the book. While the colouring is calming, the blank pages provide the opportunity to explore personal stories and emotions either in words, pictures or even collage. A good balance that offers you something whatever your mood and you can open it and use it however you wish. Pick up your pens, relax and have fun.”
This is one of the pages coloured in by Dolores.
This is my interpretation of the same page
And, yes this is the starting point
The beauty of it all is that each time you continue the drawing, you’ll create a unique, one-of-a-kind design. I always encourage letting your imagination take the lead—set aside any self-criticism and just fill in the page, however it comes to you. Sometimes, I enjoy writing a story around the blank spaces, weaving words, ideas, and plotlines around the drawings. There are countless ways to use a design like this.
And yes, it all began with my inexperience. Of course, I could refine the workbook, and I plan to do that with the next one. But this is my first, and it’s a perfectly imperfect product—a labor of love, passion, and determination.
Coloring has several positive impacts on the mind, particularly when it comes to stress relief, emotional balance, and mental clarity. I know this first hand, I’ve experience its benefit for many years and I still do. Here are three key benefits:
1. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Coloring can help calm the mind by focusing attention on a simple, repetitive activity. It induces a meditative state, which lowers cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress. This soothing process can help alleviate anxiety, giving the brain a break from overwhelming thoughts.
2. Enhances Focus and Concentration: When you engage in coloring, your mind is focused on the task at hand, improving concentration and mindfulness. This practice helps quiet mental chatter, leading to better mental clarity and increased attention span.
3. Promotes Emotional Expression and Healing: Coloring provides a safe outlet for self-expression. Choosing colors and creating patterns can help process emotions, offering a non-verbal way to explore feelings and release negative emotions, supporting overall emotional well-being.
If you're curious to dive deeper into the story behind *"We Are Many People"* and see the creative process in action, I invite you to watch the video below. It's a journey filled with inspiration, imagination, and personal discovery—don't miss the chance to experience it firsthand!
Until next time, be well!
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