Ananda Lima on Conquering Pre-Publication Anxiety With Crafting

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As an author, there’s no feeling quite like the mix of excitement and terror that comes with preparing to release a new book into the world. The anticipation of sharing your work with readers can be exhilarating, but it can also be overwhelming, leading to pre-publication anxiety that can be debilitating. For Ananda Lima, a Brazilian-American poet and writer, the solution to this anxiety lies in an unexpected place: crafting.

In a recent interview, Lima opened up about her struggles with pre-publication anxiety and how she’s found solace in crafting as a way to cope with the stress and uncertainty of the publishing process.

The Weight of Expectation

For many authors, the lead-up to publication can be a fraught time. There’s the pressure to promote your work, to build buzz and generate interest, all while wondering if your book will resonate with readers. It’s a high-stakes game, and the fear of failure can be crushing.

“I think a lot of writers can relate to this feeling of ‘what if this book doesn’t do well?’ or ‘what if people don’t like it?'” Lima says. “It’s a constant worry that can be really debilitating.”

Finding Solace in Crafting

For Lima, the solution to this anxiety lies in crafting. As a child, she was always drawn to making things – from knitting and sewing to painting and drawing. As she grew older, she began to realize that crafting wasn’t just a hobby, but a way to calm her mind and focus her energy.

“When I’m crafting, I’m not thinking about my book or the publishing process,” Lima explains. “I’m completely absorbed in the task at hand, and that’s really freeing.”

Lima’s crafting of choice is knitting. She finds the repetitive motion of the needles to be meditative, and the act of creating something tangible and useful to be incredibly fulfilling.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Crafting

Research has shown that crafting can have a range of therapeutic benefits, from reducing stress and anxiety to improving mood and cognitive function. For Lima, the benefits of crafting are twofold: not only does it provide a much-needed distraction from the pressures of publishing, but it also gives her a sense of control and agency.

“When you’re writing, you’re often at the mercy of your editor, your publisher, and your readers,” Lima says. “But with crafting, I’m in complete control. I get to decide what I want to make, how I want to make it, and when I want to finish it. That sense of control is really empowering.”

Crafting as a Form of Self-Care

For Lima, crafting is a form of self-care, a way to prioritize her own well-being in the midst of a chaotic and often unpredictable publishing process.

“I think a lot of writers forget to take care of themselves,” Lima says. “We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of promoting our work that we forget to prioritize our own mental and emotional health. Crafting is a way for me to do that, to take a step back and focus on my own well-being.”

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