Good morning!
As you may have seen in my 11 in 2011 resolution list, one of my goals for 2011 is to write a vegan cookbook proposal and sell the idea to a publisher. During Project Food Blog, I was contacted by a few literary agents and I am currently in the process of figuring out my next steps.
I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed with the idea of ‘where to start’ with my cookbook proposal and these feelings have taken me back to my thesis days. My undergraduate thesis and my Master’s thesis were both huge undertakings and I remember how I used to feel so overwhelmed whenever I had to take the first step and get started.
For me, starting a big project has always been the most difficult part.
Once I have started and I have a plan, then it seems to get a bit easier. That is just how I work.
My fear of beginning large projects has something to do with the high expectations I place on myself. I tend to put off big projects for fear of not doing a good job; if I can put it off, maybe the right idea will just ‘hit me’ and then I can move forward. But, that is rarely the case. It takes work, and lots of it, to get big projects off to a good start. Sometimes, I wait and wait for the ‘perfect’ idea, when I already have very good ideas to work with. Every project needs a solid foundation and while they shouldn’t be rushed, procrastination doesn’t do any good. I am really guilty of procrastination with large endeavors.
I mentioned ‘once I have a plan’ things seems to flow more smoothly. Having specific and attainable goals are always present in my life, but every good goal must have a plan to go along with it too! The reason why I have felt overwhelmed with my cookbook proposal is that I did not have a plan to guide me.
Every specific goal must have a specific plan to go along with it.
I would like to share my experiences with this process as much as I can. I also want my book to be largely based on your feedback. What types of recipes do you want to see in a vegan cookbook? What ingredients do you like to cook and bake with? What questions do you have about vegan cooking and baking? All of these things are things that I think about and I hope to address many of these things as I go through the process. (Don’t worry about answering the questions now as I will be creating a survey at some point). I want the book to be not only a reflection of my fun approach to a vegan diet, but also a reflection of what types of things you would want to see in a vegan cookbook.
I thought I would show you how I was finally able to get this project off the ground and running.
I have been brainstorming cookbook ideas for over a year now, but my brainstorming never translated into much more than that. I finally realized that I needed to take the next step and create an outline, so I started a Word document and I created a chapter outline of how my cookbook may look. What sections do I want? What would I call them? What types of recipes do I want to focus on? How many recipes per section? How would the order of the sections flow?
While I always do my brainstorming on paper, I prefer not to use pen and paper when doing a large outline. I find an electronic Word document is much cleaner because I can easily delete things and have a clean looking document at all times.
I have half a notebook filled with brainstorming ideas from Project Food Blog!
and weird diagrams apparently! haha
Don’t ask. I really don’t know what’s going on in these diagrams. I think I wanted to make a raw layered pumpkin pie at one point. Then I realized the challenge was to make a BAKED good. Doh!
I worked on my outline this weekend and I am already feeling so much better about things. Once I planned out the chapters in my book, I started to place recipes or recipe ideas underneath each chapter that I may want to include. Over time, this is how my cookbook proposal will grow. Of course, what I plan now will likely change many times over, but at least there is a plan there to guide me and that is all that matters in the initial stages!
Do you have any big projects looming in 2011? Do you suffer from procrastination or fear of failure when big projects loom? Have you ever been intimidated by a large project? How did you begin?
The way I start a big project is to just visualize and think about it in my head. What do I want it to look like, what do I want it to contain, what makes it so special? Then I sketch or write a few things out by hand, and eventually it will go to the computer. For some reason, its harder for me to get the original ideas out when typing on the computer.
I experience the same challenge with procrastinating… it seems the MORE I want something, the more perfect I want it to be the harder it is to start. I think, as you said, it stems for the OCD perfectionists in us.
I think you’ve already been give a lot of amazing advice. Personally I think there are a few key things that I do: 1. setup a plan (as you are doing) and break it into major milestones and smaller steps and assign timings or due dates to those steps and milestons… then share that plan with someone (like us :)) to keep yourself accountable. Personally, this works for me b/c even after I have a plan I sometimes will procrastinate on certain steps that are overwhelming in themselves. 2. Whenever things get too complicated take a step back and review your initial goal/vision… keep it simple, always.
Best of luck!!
The cookbook project is so exciting! As most people said, what I love about your site is how you show people eating vegan is easy and accessible. Most cookbooks suggest dozens of ingredients, half of which are impossible to find and will never be used after that one recipe.
Reading your blog shows that a salad can be feeling and give me energy, that a (vegan) cake can be easy to make and taste delicious, that mac and cheese don’t have to be a “sin” or that a “healthy snack” doesn’t always equal an apple and three almonds. The way you approach your blog and posts is the same approach I’d love to see in a cookbook.
As for ideas, I loved a line from your notebook photo (what would people want to eat on a fall day): food isn’t just food and calories, it’s comfort and atmosphere too/
I’d also love to see a seasonal theme in a book (I often go back to Jamie Oliver’s Jamie At Home because it’s organised by seasons): for me veganism (or in my case vegetarianism) isn’t simply about cruelty against animals, but about finding tastier meals and understanding where food comes from. It’s my pet peeve to see winter recipes recommend dozens of fresh tomatoes or peaches! They may be organic, but getting those in December most likely means they didn’t grow in a very natural process!
As for the projects question (sorry for the long comment), I usually delay tackling a project because I feel overwhelmed by how much work it’s going to be. When I finally sit down and start working, I realise it’s actually not a big deal and I really enjoy it!
Thanks very much for sharing your tactic, Leanne, that’s exactly what I need!
So excited that you are finally moving for with this dream. No doubt that it wil be a fantastic cookbook! I’d suggest, if you need inspiration, do just look at cookbooks that you enjoy and make a list of things you like about them and things you don’t like.
I personally love cookbooks with photos of the cooking process, not just the end project. I’m a visual learner!
Oh man this is such exciting news!!! I can’t WAIT for your cookbook!
I had this whole comment written up just now about how I conquer huge projects that I’m scared of and it seems to have disappeared. Uh… if you get a comment in a different post about setting rough milestones then know that it’s meant for this one. ;) Looks like you’ve already gotten spectacular advice from other readers though!
wow, congrats on being contacted by some agents! that’s a huge first step in writing a book, and you totally deserve it :) i have some big things up my sleeves for this year, but you’re right in that planning it all out is a HUGE part of being successful!
I am so glad that you are doing this. I have wondered for a while how you don’t already have a cookbook out there! You are going to do great, I know it!
Hey, Angela! I am really excited to read about the progress of what I am sure will become a WONDERFUL cookbook! =)
You asked for our input, and I haven’t read the comments, but if this hasn’t come up, I think it will be an important one to address in your cookbook.
My mother and I are almost always at loggerheads because of my vegan diet. Quite simply, she doesn’t feel comfortable with the idea of “vegan food”, and doesn’t feel confident baking or cooking it. Thus, I am almost always on my own when it comes to making meals at home, and I don’t get to share meals with my family.
Recently, she baked a cake for my sister’s birthday. However, even with my help and written instructions, it was a challenge for her to substitute ground flax seed and almond milk in the cake, and make a vegan ganache (the latter of which I actually did, because she didn’t want to).
I think it is still hard for many people to understand the vegan lifestyle, much less live with or have to cook for someone who is vegan. It would be great if you could devote a chapter of the book to “No Fear Vegan Cooking”, or some equivalent, that would address the issue of becoming familiar and comfortable with vegan cooking, as well as a list of substitutions and tips for those who are unfamiliar with the lifestyle.
(Note: This story has a happy ending. The cake was a delicious success! =) )
awesome idea!
I’m so similar to you, I get intimidated by big projects and therefore, don’t start them for far too long. This has been the case with applying to nursing school this year, I meant to get all my apps done way ahead of time, but haven’t been able to accomplish that. I get overwhelmed if I have so many different things to do all at once! Really liked this post–needed it today, because I told myself I was going to finally get started on one that I have been avoiding!
The best advice I ever got was from my husband. He said two things, “Just show up every day and do the next right thing.” Most people can’t do that. You know what, he’s right! I built a successful business that way. But the going gets tough, really tough, sometimes. But if you show up the next day and you do the one, next right thing, you will get there. I see that you are on the right path and doing the next right thing–the outline–you don’t need to do everything all at once.
And take a deep breath, that one comes from me!
My goal for 2011 is to finally get my B.A. degree. Not such a huge task you might think, but it actually is very hard for me to start writing my last term papers and finish! them. My stomach hurts when I think about it – and I don’t even know why exactly. I really love reading your blog, even though I don’t live a vegan life. But I want to start cooking some of your mouth watering recipes and really look forward to your book. Good luck and a lot of success of course! Best whishes from Germany!
Hi, Angela!
One thing you clearly excel at is adapting new and intriguing/your former favorite non-vegan recipes into new (better?!?) vegan versions thereof.
So. Here’s my pitch. “Vegan Without Sacrifice: A How-to Cookbook sharing My Favorite Tips for Veganizing Any Recipe and some of My Favorite Recipes” . . . or something. :)
In terms of format, you could either have a whole section at the beginning devoted to tips/techniques, or perhaps more entertainingly, you could accompany each recipe with your “inspiration” non-vegan recipe, and then discuss your trials/tribulations in veganizing the recipe (in your uniquely entertaining manner) followed by the successful vegan recipe. Just like on your ‘blog! ;-) OR, you could start each section (bread baking, or something) with a discussion of the specific issues one faces as a vegan cook/baker working in that genre — how an egg substitute in a cookie recipe will not be the same as an egg substitute in a custard recipe, etc.
I think you would rock. this. out. And I would buy it. Looks like other have suggested something similar in the comments.
Good luck with the book! It’s such an amazing opportunity and I know without a doubt you will do great.
Yeah. I take it back. That other suggestion should be for your _second_ cookbook. This one should definitely be called:
“Oh She Glows – Vegan Recipes to Help Get Your Glow Back”
Or something more branded. Right? Like a self-titled first album? Okay, I’mma shutup now. :)
Congratulations Angela! I had no doubt you’d be writing a cookbook soon, but I’m so glad to hear that it’s actually happening!
Thanks for sharing your process of writing it with us – I’ve always wanted to know what it would look like to write a book. Also, this post is really helpful to me. I totally agree that taking the step to actually put stuff down on paper is huge. That almost always gets the ball rolling for me.
Can’t wait to follow along on this project with you!
I am a long-time reader of your blog, and I LOVE making your recipes at home! Unfortunately, I am allergic to peanuts and almonds, so many great vegan recipes are off limits for me. Can you suggest substitutions for those of us with allergies to nuts or gluten??
Lots of love & good luck!
I would love it if you wrote a cookbook! All the recipes I have made from your blog are simple, delicious, and fast. Good luck!
I cannot WAIT for your cookbook! All of your recipes are amazing so I’m sure that any format you come up with will be fantastic.
How exciting! I can hardly wait for the book to be done. I have used so many of your recipes and even though I’m not vegan, I love how easy you have made it to cook delicious food.
Congrats! I absolutely love your recipes and will be first in line to purchase your book! I made the In A Jiffy Spelt Burgers for the second time last night and I just can’t get over how delicious they are! Plus there are so many ways to enjoy them…over salad, wraps, in a quinoa bowl. I would love to see you incorporate different ideas or ways to eat the final product in your book. Or even ways to use left-overs in the next days’ lunch or dinner. I love when you blog about that!
I love those ideas :)