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No matter the craft, always make a swatch
What I learned from the 30-minute writing challenge
Have you ever made a writing swatch? What about a knit prototype? A code toile?
One thing I love about being a multi-passionate creative is taking an idea from one domain or field and seeing how I might quickly apply it to another.
I did that recently with an assignment from my book coach. My homework for the week: do 30-minutes of non-stop writing. The purpose of this challenge was to help me gauge my word count in preparation for writing my first book.
The word ‘gauge’ got me thinking. We use this term in fiber arts. Specifically, in advance of a knitting project, when you need to make a small swatch to know your gauge before launching into the full pattern. There’s math involved, but also getting a feel for the experience of making the thing.
Which leads me to design. We do a similar process in UX work — making and testing a prototype before building the real product.
This test swatch concept applies to web development, too. And countless other jobs I’m sure.
Regardless of the work you do, there is great value in all forms of swatch-making. This is my proof of concept.
Below is a writing swatch, lightly edited
The rest of this article is my actual writing swatch — the 30 minute non-stop writing challenge. I’ve edited it for clarity, brevity, and style. I’ve also cut over 300 words from the original version. Less is more.
I should also add that this article — much less this mindset shift — would not have been possible without the support and influence of two amazing craft business owners, Zoe of Check Your Thread and Saskia of Ja, Wol.
Always Make a Swatch
Like any new venture, you start with not knowing. But if you trust the process, you will inevitably get closer to your ultimate goal.
I’m taking a deeper dive into writing. I’ve been testing the waters a while now with blog posts and Medium articles, but I feel ready to write a book. Or at least give it a go.
