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?
I too am writing a book. Mine is about the relationship between food and the gospel. I need 50000 words. I am at 3800 not including Scriptures and quotes I have told myself I need to write 1800 a week and I already have an editor. Those are two goals.
Um, yeah. I’m writing my dissertation this year. I have started it and I found that the best thing for me to do is to just start writing so I’m not staring at a blank screen. That’s the worst feeling ever. You can always go back and re-write or edit, so I just throw something on the screen to get over the intimidation.
Good luck with the cookbook! Can’t wait to see what you do!
I have to have pictures in my cookbooks. I am very visual and ususally won’t attempt to cook something if I don’t have a visual. I love the idea of making foods veganized. I love that you don’t use all the fake meats, tofu etc. Just good clean food. You inspired me to veganize a dish that I had been craving. Dumplings and noodles (chicken & dumplings) no chicken, no fake meat and it turned out wonderful. Just keep doing what you do and it will turn out great!
Oh my goodness, if there’s one thing I excel at it’s procrastination! I am currently writing my dissertation proposal, and it is taking me forever. It took me far longer than it should have to settle on a topic, because I kept waiting for the ‘perfect’ idea to occur to me. Now, it’s such a rush and a stress to get it finished on time! So glad I’m not alone in this. :)
I have this vegan cookbook that includes ingredients like veggie scallops and veggie lamb. Ew.
I love your whole food, real food approach!!
This year I am living the motto- Take a Risk, Take a Chance, Make a Change that I saw on operation beautiful. So every week I need to do one thing that would qualify in each. Plus I am blogging about it all.
So today I was given a great project idea for my business- create a community health and wellness program (a challenge sort of event) At first I thought NO WAY! To hard. But then I thought of my motto and this would be one big mother risk that would lead to get ideas. So I am going for it. But like so many of those above me….. I will be chunking it down into doable piece and give it all deadlines.
As well I would LOVE to have kid friendly vegan recipies!!
Hi Angela,
Just this past weekend, I filled up my new 2011 planner with everything I have on the go. It took almost all day, but when I was finished I felt so much better about everything!
When I saw your drawings in your notebook, I was thinking that was your subconscious telling you to have a MARTINI!!!!
Your new cookbook will be amazing, just like your Glo Bars and your Blog! You’re so creative and word everything so nicely (and your recipes are so easy to understand), that it will be a sure best seller!
Have a great day!
Dawn
ps. Sending positive vibes to you and your Grandfather that all will be well.
lol @ the martini comment! ;)
As someone who loves ‘planning’ I think your approach is just BRILLIANT!!!
How exciting!!!! And not at ALL surprising ;-)
I’m bad about procrastinating with big projects too…I just have to force myself to jump in and START, and then it’s usually pretty easy from there!
I have confidence that you will work hard and create an amazing vegan cookbook! I think you already know what your readers like – you show that everyday! I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
In 2011 I hope to start a new chapter of my life with grad school. I don’t really know what it’s going to be like to be in school again, or what it will lead to afterward, but I’m trying to learn to embrace the journey and take it one day at a time.
I’m curious if you are still trying to build your Globar empire – or if that has taken a backseat to your cookbook dream. There hasn’t been much chatter about the bars lately, which is why I ask.
In other random news, I tried your salt & vinegar chips and they turned out great. I read tons of food blogs and although I make mental notes to try different recipes, I am rarely motivated enough to hit the kitchen. So bravo to you!
After the Glo bars made it successfully on their ‘own’, I made a decision not to blog about them on OSG as much as I did when I was in the initial stages.
I am SO excited for you to come out with a cookbook! I just KNOW it will be wonderful and I will be picking it up the day it comes out! I am working on a Social Media Makeover and am feeling a bit overwhelmed, but making lists of everything I need to get done and when, and also doing research is helping me feel less overwhelmed. I’m so nervous and intimidated because I just want to do a good job since there are other people counting on me. But, also, RUNNING helps clear my mind and helps me manage my thoughts!
Good luck on your outlines! Again, I’m so excited for you to have a cookbook!
Oh boy do I identify! Procrastinating is a toughie!
I love your open approach to recipies, trying different flours, veggies, and what not, but you almost always offer the option of using what ever one might have on hand (spelt instead of whole wheat, etc). I love that. I also LOVE that you seem to cook seasonally. I think that is really important and I’ve really only come across a couple of cookbooks (SOUP LOVE is a great example), that are organized by season. I’m a big farmer’s market person and I hate a mealy tomato so cooking seasonaly is my fav way to cook!
You also seem to be amazing at saving money and cooking on the cheap but with amazing ingredients. Maybe another idea!
I could see you having SEVERAL books!
What exciting new Angela! All your hard work on Project Food Blog is going to pay off!
I agree with lots of the comments above – vegan recipes with ingredients that are on hand are my favourite…it’s discouraging when every recipe you look at has odd ingredients that you have to seek out at a specialty store….maybe you could do something similar to Rachael Ray where she lists the ingredients she uses all the time, so people who try alot of her recipes know to have their pantries stocked and that stuff gets used in a bunch of recipes not just one random recipe and then never again. You also must do lots of photos because your photos make the recipe so much fun!
In the meantime, while we are all anxiously awaiting your FIRST cookbook of many, would you give us a list of your faves (the ones pictured on your shelf)….I need to get some more cookbooks on vegetarian/vegan cooking and would like to see what has inspired you for so many great dishes!
Good luck….can’t wait to see how this new journey unfolds for you.
I haven’t read all the comments but you could maybe make the book in the layout of how you got healthier… i.e. from betterish (good english eh?) simple things to cook for yourself to really healthy stuff then anyone reading the book can start off at page 1 making the transition slowly to more healthier lifestyle… just an idea but i’ll definitely be buying it
P.S. I hope you will still blog once it is published
Oh yes I will still blog of course :) OSG is my baby!
I know some other people have mentioned this too but as far as the cookbook lots of vegan recipes call for some strange ingredients that i wouldn’t normally have around. I want a cookbook that I can just pull of the shelf and cook from on a day when I want to make something new and not have to go shopping first. Also as someone trying to lose weight vegan I am always looking for recipes that aren’t loaded with nuts or oils or other high calorie things! I’m sure any cookbook will be great, just the recipes on here are great! Good luck and I can’t wait to see what happens!
I can’t wait for the book! Some things that I think would be great to include would be quick, easy, AND delicious recipes that call for simple ingredients. Maybe that’s kind of a tall order, but those are the recipes I look for when I open a cookbook. I also love the idea of making old favorites vegan–though I’m all for being introduced to new dishes as well. I guess I like a mix. :) Good luck, Angela. I know that it will be amazing. Like everything you do!
I can’t wait for your cookbook!! It will be genius just like your blog!! This year I am graduating with a Bachelor’s in Nutrition Science and will begin looking for a job in my field and a place to live. It seems overwhelming! I also plan to run my first half marathon in September! Good luck with your plan! I can’t wait to see the results!!
I think it is so easy to have that looming intimidation feeling…
Sometimes things seem so big and unreachable, but if you take
it a little bit at a time things seem to fall into place.
This is so exciting Angela! It’s great to see how far you’ve come since the start of OSG and I’m sure with all the hard work you’re putting in that the cookbook will be a huge success.