In episode 608, Courtney Carey teaches us how to plan and organize the cookbook creation process while managing other life responsibilities. Courtney Carey is the creator of Cake Me Home Tonight, a baking blog designed to help home bakers elevate their baking game! On her blog and social media, Courtney shares easy and delicious dessert recipes along with baking tips and tutorials to make baking fun and stress-free. Courtney recently released her debut cookbook, Girls Just Wanna Bake Cupcakes, an 80's themed cookbook featuring cupcake recipes inspired by nostalgic and classic snacks and desserts. She enjoys sharing her love of all things dessert and all things 80's because there is nothing sweeter than nostalgia! In this episode, you’ll learn more about the challenges of balancing a blog, job, and family while writing a cookbook and how to meet deadlines despite setbacks. Key points discussed: - Plan and organize thoroughly: Carefully evaluate your work style, schedule, and responsibilities to set yourself up for success when writing a cookbook. - Break down the process: Create detailed checklists and spreadsheets to break the book-writing process into small, manageable tasks. - Leverage your strengths: Allocate tasks based on when you feel most energized and productive to maximize your efficiency. - Seek help from your support system: Don't be afraid to ask your family and friends for assistance to balance the workload. - Outsource tasks you're less confident in: Consider hiring professionals for photography, editing, or other areas you may struggle with. - Expect the unexpected: Be prepared to adapt when life throws curveballs. - Embrace imperfection: Understand that perfection is unattainable, and focus on creating a high-quality product rather than striving for flawlessness. - Take mental breaks: Recognize when you need to step away and recharge to avoid burnout and maintain your productivity. - Prioritize your commitments: Be willing to temporarily scale back on other responsibilities to dedicate the necessary time and attention to the cookbook project. Connect with Courtney Carey Website | Instagram