Monday, August 29, 2016

The Big Thing by Phyllis Korkki & Baby Moo's Great Escape!


Hello, all! I am excited to be a stop on the TLC Book Tour for The Big Thing by Phyllis Korkki today, and also thrilled to share the cover for my children's book Baby Moo's Great Escape. Isn't Moo a cutie?

The book will be released on September 8 by Native Ink Press. Huge thanks to everyone who said yes to my request to give the book a shout-out any time in September. I will have the info to you shortly!!

Now on to The Big Thing!


I had to laugh a little bit when I was first asked if I would like to read The Big Thing and be a host on Ms. Korkki's tour. I thought, how did she know I'm a "lazy, self-doubting procrastinator?" I felt like it was some kind of sign that the chance to read this book basically fell into my lap.

And maybe it was, because I have been a lazy, self-doubting procrastinator for much of this year and reading this book did inspire me to knock it off and get back to my own "Big Thing," my next book. So I'm very glad I learned of the book and got the opportunity to read it.

Ms. Korkki works for the New York Times and has had a long and successful career in journalism. Yet, she has always wanted to write a book. That goal was the "big thing" that inspired her to write this book, and the book itself is the completion of her goal.

Korkki has an engaging writing style and as I read along I felt almost as if we were becoming friends. I could relate to a great deal of what she discusses in the book, and particularly appreciated her candor regarding her struggles with depression and anxiety and the impact those struggles have had on both her life and her book.

We meet Korkki at the beginning of her decision to start her big thing, and the book takes us through her journey in many inspiring ways. She discusses her work to become healthier in both mind and body, and shares interviews and anecdotes from others who have forged their own paths toward doing their best creative work.

What inspired me the most was Korkki's realization that she needed to make her big thing part of the structure of her life, and simply start writing it instead of thinking about it. She relays how she often said "the hardest part is to start" out loud to herself before she started to work. I've been fussing over my writing for so long now that I was almost to the point of feeling like I was afraid to try it again, so this was a great reminder to me.

As was the simple truth that "creativity for creativity's sake feels wonderful." We all know that is true, yet that's something else I had forgotten.

I'm really glad I got to read The Big Thing and highly recommend it to anyone who may need a creative boost.


About The Big Thing

• Hardcover: 256 pages • Publisher: Harper (August 9, 2016) A New York Times business journalist explains why it’s important for people to pursue big creative projects, and identifies both the obstacles and the productive habits that emerge on the path to completion—including her own experience writing this book. Whether it’s the Great American Novel or a groundbreaking new app, many people want to create a Big Thing, but finding the motivation to get started, let alone complete the work, can be daunting. In The Big Thing, New York Times business writer and editor Phyllis Korkki combines real-life stories, science, and insights from her own experience to illuminate the factors that drive people to complete big creative projects—and the obstacles that threaten to derail success. In the course of creating her own Big Thing—this book—Korkki explores the individual and collaborative projects of others: from memoirs, art installations, and musical works to theater productions, small businesses, and charities. She identifies the main aspects of a Big Thing, including meaningful goals, focus and effort, the difficulties posed by the demands of everyday life, and the high risk of failure and disappointment. Korkki also breaks down components of the creative process and the characteristics that define it, and offers her thoughts on avoiding procrastination, staying motivated, scheduling a routine, and overcoming self-doubt and the restrictions of a day job. Filled with inspiring stories, practical advice, and a refreshing dose of honesty, The Big Thing doesn’t minimize the negative side of such pursuits—including the fact that big projects are hard to complete and raise difficult questions about one’s self-worth. Inspiring, wise, humorous, and good-natured, The Big Thing is a meditation on the importance of self-expression and purpose

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Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About Phyllis Korkki

Phyllis Korkki is an assignment editor and reporter for the New York Times Sunday Business section. Follow Phyllis on Twitter.

38 comments:

  1. Your book cover is cute.
    Lazy procrastinator. Yup, that's me. Sounds like a book I need.

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    1. Thanks! LOL seems like many of us fit the bill for this book.

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  2. That's great, congratulations :)

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  3. The cover for Baby Moo's Great Escape is charming! It certainly has me interested. Congratulations on your coming release. And the Big Thing sounds like an important book to read. I just finished a project and have another one to work on in September, and I so related to the procrastination. I love the project I'm supposed to be working on, but have been putting it off and putting it off. Thanks for posting about Korkki's book.

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    1. Thanks so much, Elizabeth! I'm glad it got your interest.

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  4. Love the cover, Julie!

    And this is so me, too - "I've been fussing over my writing for so long now that I was almost to the point of feeling like I was afraid to try it again, so this was a great reminder to me."

    I already have Korkki's book on my TBR list, and now I'm looking forward to reading it even more. :)

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    1. I think you'll like it. And thanks about the cover!

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  5. Love the cover! Cute book! Congrats! Shared.

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  6. Baby Moo is so cute! Congratulations!

    I've been procrastinating a lot lately. The Big Thing sounds perfect.

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  7. Huge congrats, Julie. Love Baby Moo. And if you still a blog to host you, let me know. I've been under attack by book launch lately and not paying much attention to anything else. :-)

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    1. Thank you, Lee. I will send you the info for the release, it's just a shout-out any time you have a chance to do it.

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  8. I agree with Alex the cover is cute. I have an Author Spotlight too if you need a space.
    Happy Writing
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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    1. Oh, that would be great to be part of your spotlight. I will send you the book info. Thank you!

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  9. So cool! Congrats to you both! :)

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  10. The Big Thing has a brilliant sub-title - it speaks to me :-)

    Baby Moo's cover is so sweet!

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  11. Procrastination is a nasty bugger. Might get this book one day myself. Congrats on your upcoming book Julie and the cover us so cute. Also congrats to Phyllis.

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  12. OMG...love that cute book cover! Perfect for a child's book and congrats. The other book sounds like one could use this for life not just book writing

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    1. Thank you! And yeah, it's really not just about writing but creativity in general.

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  13. I love the cover of The Big Thing and the Sub Title and I feel like it's speaking directly to me. I swear it's calling my name. I have big issues with procrastination and when I have to take time off from writing like I did after the A to Z challenge (my dad died and then my husband became critically ill and hospitalized on May 1st for the entire summer - three major operations), I find it very difficult to get back into the groove. This book is just what I need. Like Birgit said, the book sounds like one I could use for life and not just for my writing issues. Thanks for the introduction to author Phyllis Korkki.

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    1. Melissa, sorry you've have such a difficult time. I hope the book will help you if you decide to read it.

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  14. Cute cover! (And crud, I don't know if I signed up to help get the news out there, but I'd be happy to).

    This sounds good! I'm a mega procrastinator.

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  15. Hi Julie - love Big Moo's cover ... and his travels to Sydney ... that's a long way! We all seem to be needing Phyllis Korkki's book! Happy working days ahead .. cheers Hilary

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  16. Love the cover! Wow! SO exciting! And so happy to be back. I've missed your blog. <3

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    1. That's so nice, thank you! Great to see you on the blogs again!!

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  17. What a cute cover, Julie! Creativity for creativity's sake is definitely the best. :)

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  18. Love the cover!!! Tweeting! Will share your cover near the end of a post with Mark Noce tomorrow. :)

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  19. Adorable cover! Many congrats! :)

    And LOL, I tend to be a self-doubting procrastinator, too, so The Big Thing sounds like something I'd enjoy... XD

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  20. "creativity for creativity's sake feels wonderful" Oh my gosh yes I agree with this wholeheartedly!

    Thanks for being a part of the tour.

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