In recent weeks, several people have asked if I had always wanted to be a writer. My first thought is, “I’m a writer?” I sort of laugh and muddle my way through a somewhat articulate answer. I started writing a blog, not because I think I’m a good writer or have an insatiable need to write, but out of a love for design and a desire to share my work with others. I had no idea how may people would end up reading what I wrote. I had no idea I would start receiving freelance writing offers. And I had no idea I would try my hand at writing a book.
Yes, this non-writer is writing a book. Crazy, huh? This isn’t just a bunch of posts smushed together in a PDF and sold to make some extra cash. I am playing author, photographer, layout designer, editor and all of the rest to put together a book that is like a real, honest-to-goodness home decor book.
It is an ultimate guide to my style, including before and after pictures of my home, things I love, my favorite decorating tricks, and tutorials on slipcovers, painting techniques and more. I’ve been working on it for several months and I probably have a few more months to go until it’s ready to hit the sale page. It’s something I’m really excited about, so I just had to share it with you.
To tell you the truth, I think I am writing this book more for myself. I’ve always loved decorating books and to see my home, ideas and pictures in book format (and hopefully on a glossy page someday) is just thrilling.
So, here’s a peek at the introduction…
“I loved playing with my doll house as a child, but, most of the time, the dolls sat lifeless as I decorated and redecorated the interior. While other kids played tic-tac-toe when bored in church, I would sketch pictures of homes with porches and symmetrical windows…always perfectly situated under a rainbow. When I was in middle school, I would stretch out on the floor in my room and draw house plans on graph paper and loved walking through model homes. In high school, I wanted to be involved in choosing the finishes for the house we were having built. I remember trying to sway my mom towards a cranberry swirl bath tub. (She ignored me and went with cream, which was a good thing, because I would now tell her to get rid of the cranberry swirl bathtub and she would probably make me pay for the replacement!) All of this to say that I have loved homes, decorating and design since I was a little girl.
My decorating taste has grown and evolved, but several things have remained constant. Blue & white, antiques, custom pieces, and making do with what I had. I hope this book is inspirational, encouraging, and informative for you in the journey of making your home all you want it to be. As you look at my finished spaces and projects, keep in mind that there are messy and unfinished spaces as well and that I made a lot of ugly things before I produced furniture, curtains, pillows, and painted pieces I was proud of. I live in a real home on a thrift store budget and have never taken a design class in my life. My look is affordable and attainable to anyone who’s willing to roll up their sleeves and dive in.
So, throw out the notion that good design is expensive, must be carried out by a professional and can only be bought in a fancy store. Get ready to go junking, tune up the sewing machine, and buy a good paint brush. Your home’s potential is waiting to be realized and you’re the one who’s going to discover it.”
Maybe when this book is finished, I’ll finally consider myself a for real writer!
PS – By the comments, I realize this post may have given people the impression that I have a publisher and this book is going to be at Borders in a few months. Well, that may be (Any publishers out there reading this?), but for now, it’s just me working on an e-Book that I’m trying to make look like an honest-to-goodness decorating book. Just want to be clear. 🙂
60 Responses
My goodness–a book! I hope to add this to my bookshelf when it is ready! Love your site and your work–I have lurked for a while and felt I needed to say hello. I worked for a non-profit in Chambersburg for 8 years–wish I had known about your shop then!!!
http://vintagepollyanna.blogspot.com
ooo yeah! I'm so excited for you! I can't wait to read it… It sounds great so far… and your first paragraph pretty much sums up what I did as a little girl! Best wishes on a successful outcome… not that you need it!
Did I miss the post where you said you were writing a book? I'm so excited!!
YAY YAY YAY!! OMGoodness how exciting, Marian!!! So proud of you!!! I can't wait to have my own copy!
SO COOL!
Can't wait to get it! 🙂
Layla
Very exciting! I'm sure it will be beautiful as well as informative 🙂
Congratulations … sign me up for the first copy!!! I love your style and would like to have a book on my coffee table to curl up with and sigh.
When can I order?! How exciting, you deserve to write a book and I can not wait to see it! Best of luck on your writing journey-
Kama
Good on you!
I am not a writer either, I just want to share my projects.
I cannot really relate to bloggers who say they have been working on several posts, needing to get them right, then publishing them at the perfectly scheduled time. I am like 'huh? I just finish a project then write a post about it.' I though that was what a blog was, not trying to necessarily entertain with my words 🙂
xx Karen
Congrats! You have the many talents to pull it off in grand style! When you need a reviewer, I'll be glad to help! 🙂
Amy
You are seriously conquering the designing, blogging world aren't you!? Go Marian! I will be buying the book when it comes out also! =)
how exciting!!! sign me up for a copy 🙂
When I was reading this I felt as though you were describing me as well(all but the cranberry bathtub part I would have had your moms back on that one:)I was just like this as a child and teenager. I used to drag my friends to furniture stores to pick out my future decor when I was in high school. Congrats to you on living your dream.
Maybe someday I'll live this dream too if it is the path God has for me. Somehow I know now is not the right time, even though I can't articulate why other than to say I honestly don't have the energy.
I am sooo excited to see God giving you the desires of your heart. I really relate to you! I remember picking up the real estate samplers in the bank lobby when I would run errands with my mom when I was little. I loved houses, design, etc. For my 21st birthday my parents gave me a Pottery Barn quilt and euro shams that I had been admiring for several months, and I was thrilled! In fact, it is still on my bed 10 years later and I still love it!
Best of everything to you. Can't wait for your book to hit the bookstores.
So very exciting!!!!
Very cool, Marian. Sold your first copy.
Don't ya want to just pinch yourself? True Value winner, success in your shops, now a book? I can not say I met a more deserving person. You go girl!
Wow Marion, Congratualtions! How exciting. I will definitely be buying that book when it hits the stores.
I think you and many other bloggers like yourself have proved that we don't have to buy brand new pieces of furniture or even curtains from some fancy big box store. You've shown us how we can take something old and make it new again….and that slipcovers are king! : )
Terrific Marian!!! It sounds like a must have that I will have:)
Hi Marian! I am so excited about your book and will look forward to getting a copy. I have enjoyed your posts for so long – your style, your creativity, your thriftiness, and the way you share all your ideas. In fact, my most recent post was on a sheet music wreath I made – with kudos to you! Keep those ideas coming. We love you in Blogland!! Linda
That's very exciting, Marian. Good for you! I will be buying a copy!
How exciting!
I too live on a thrift store budget and am very happy your book is going to be affordable.
I can't wait to get me a copy!
Way to go! I can't wait to see the end product.
Wow! That's exciting!
How wonderful! I certainly will be getting a copy! Awesome!
Wow! a book on top of everything you do…Amazing! am so looking forward to this now…Love everything you do…Lalo.
Can you spare some energy? I wish I had a 10th of yours. You go girl! Can't wait to read it!! 🙂
Congratulations…for taking on such incredible tasks, creating amazing things and sharing them with us, but especially, for your inspiration. Every time I get discouraged and think I can't do things; or I'm encouraged to expand my horizons, and I face this big ugly wall of doubt, I then get a breath of fresh air, like reading your blog, and you are always, ALWAYS are an inspiration. That is such a gift itself! Thank you! I really needed it today.
God bless you in your exciting adventure!!
what a great idea – you are a true inspiration!!!
Good for you!! That is super and I would definitely contact a publisher with what you have now and see!! Why not. You have gotten this far!! Go all the way!!
Hugs
SueAnn
You are so inspired! Just look at the title of your book! Move mountains in your home by Miss Mustard Seed. Your style is beautiful, your willingness to work hard unbelievable! I'm sure there are thousands everywhere who'd love to have an autographed copy of yoru book!
How Exciting!! This book is going to be the best.
Kathy
I hope it does get published. I would be first in line to buy it! In my view e-books will never replace a hardback book—especially a book like you are writing. I would love to have it on my coffee table.
Yayyyy that is so cool !!
I cannot wait to
see it when it is done ~
xoxo
Lori
I love your blog and will look forward to your book whenever it does become available. I really like your style and appreciate that not all of your ideas involve a lot of money. Thanks for making me want to get creative in my own home!
Good for you! And thanks for the little peek into how you came to do what you do
I think that's great! You've got all the ingredients…it was meant to be!! and I'm sure you'll have offers from publishers…they know you have quite a following.
That's wonderful! I will be looking forward to seeing it!
Marian,
Okay, an E-book is good, even great…but a real book with that exact cover for my coffee table is what I'm looking for so if there's a publisher reading your site I hope they realize that we, your fans, would love the idea of a hard copy book! Congratulations and good luck.
Karen at Garden, Home and Party
Congrats to you! No poo-pooing and E-book! The next step is hardcover!
WOW, fantastic you are amazing. When my kids were little it was all that I could do to keep up with them and get a few projects and sewing done.You are a real example of woman power.
I would wait in line to buy your book. I love your style so I can only imagine it's going to be awesome! I hope it's on shelves very soon!
SO COOL!! I can't wait.
Also, I'm about to reset my master bedroom. I did a quick 1-hour reset of my daugher's room yesterday, and it looks immensely better! THANK you for sharing your loves with us!
Very exciting, Marian! I feel like I'm hitching a wagon to your star (by advertising on your blog). It's going to be a fun ride!
Marian! I am so happy for you! This is just so perfect for you….I can't wait until it is finished and I will be buying one whether it be in hardback or e-book!! It will be inspirational!
Lou Cinda 🙂
Marian,
This is such awesome news! Congratulations! Your faithful followers will be all over it! I look forward to seeing it. And I bet it will end up in hard copy!
Sincere Blessings to you,
Missy
Marian, I really don't know you other than you are a young wife, mother of 2 who has an incredible talent which you love to share with all! I have been inspired many times by your writings and your work; and I really honestly enjoy watching your journey as each day opens a new opportunity for you from that work!! I am so excited for you and look forward to seeing the final product as always.
Blessings, Kathy
Excellent idea-you can do it- you must do it ! Your writing style is so natural and your tutorials are so great and comprehensive, it makes complete sense.I think Martha Stewart has to be afraid…. very afraid……
Your name Miss Mustard seed ring true every time 🙂
You go girl I say with Ophrah! Yeah!
I hate to bother you, especially since I'm the 50th comment on this post alone, but I'm just wondering what platform/software you're using to create your e-book? I've been kicking around the idea to do something like this too, just for the fun and experience.
Thanks for your time and all the inspiration you give.
April from HomeHinges.com
Hi Miss Mustard Seed, Glad to see you are breaking out into the book creating world. Perhaps when you are ready, you might like to check out blurb.com (if you haven't already). I've produced a lovely photobook using their free book design software, and they have a great storefront for you to sell your book. Good luck!
Wow! Congratulations! You are so creative and I just love your style. I hope to own a copy of your book some day. Please, keep us up-to-date on the status.
How exciting for you, MMS!!! It's so very important to follow your heart and instincts. I know that your book, whenever it gets published, will be very successful! Have fun writing it, and let us all know when we can purchase it! 🙂
xoxo laurie
Well, I think you can tell that we all want to buy a copy, so we hope that you DO get that publisher! Enjoy the process. We'll look forward to it. Blessings!
Oh yes! I believe whatever you put your hands to will be incredible! Bravo brave girl!
I love the cover ~ and I'm sure everything inside will be wonderful! 🙂
That's awesome for you! I loved the introduction. 🙂
Oh, boy! That's awesome!! Looking forward to seeing it. 🙂
Wow! Is there anything you can't do?!?!? 🙂
I look forward to reading your book – your blog is such an inspiration … I really can't wait to learn more tips from your book!