There’s a special kind of magic that happens when a story first whispers to you. It might come as a character name scribbled in a notebook, a scene imagined during a walk, or a feeling that lingers until you finally sit down and write it out. That’s exactly how my first storybook series began—with a quiet idea that gently asked to become something more.
Today, I want to take you behind the scenes of that journey—from idea to finished book. Not the polished, press-release version, but the real, vulnerable, joy-filled one. Because I believe that when we share how things really happen, it empowers others to start their own creative paths.
Where the Spark Began
My very first storybook began not with a plot or a plan—but with a feeling. I wanted to create a world where softness and strength could exist side by side. A place where little characters faced big emotions—and gently made their way through them.
I found myself returning to themes like hope, identity, belonging, and courage. And soon, those themes turned into characters. One of them was small, curious, and full of wonder. Another was sweet but unsure of their place in the world. Slowly, they started talking to me.
That’s when I knew: this wasn’t just a story. It was something true, wrapped in whimsy.
The Messy Middle
Here’s what they don’t tell you about writing a book: it doesn’t always look like a tidy outline and a linear timeline. Mine definitely didn’t.
Some days I’d write entire pages in one sitting, filled with emotion and clarity. Other days I’d question everything—wondering if the story made sense or if I was really the right person to tell it.
What kept me going was the feeling that someone out there needed this story. Maybe not thousands of people. Maybe just one reader who would feel seen in its pages. That was enough.
I wrote on index cards, in journals, in voice memos on my phone. I created world details that never made it into the book, but helped me understand the heart of the characters. I gave myself permission to explore without judgment.
From Manuscript to Magic
Once the story was written, the next phase began: bringing it to life visually.
Since Twinkle Ink is an independent studio, I wear a lot of hats—writer, art director, designer, and publisher. I carefully crafted illustration prompts, collaborated with artists, and made choices about how each spread would look and feel.
Every page had to hold both emotion and imagination. I wanted the visuals to help children feel safe, enchanted, and brave enough to explore their inner worlds. That meant soft textures, expressive characters, and enough detail to invite curiosity without overwhelm.
Formatting the book and designing a layout that works for readers of all ages became part of the journey. It was both exhausting and exhilarating, but I found myself waking up in the middle of the night filled with ideas—and rising before sunrise to keep working on the next part. And I can tell you this: I am not a morning person. But for some reason, I feel called to do this work.
That sense of purpose pulled me through every late night, every tweak to the margins, and every long decision about paper weight and page flow. Because this isn’t just about creating books—it’s about creating experiences that invite peace, wonder, and self-connection.
Why I Chose to Self-Publish
There’s something deeply empowering about choosing to bring your book into the world on your own terms. I knew I wanted full creative freedom—not just in how the book looked, but in how it felt.
Self-publishing allowed me to stay aligned with my values: gentle storytelling, emotional depth, and a visual style that’s warm and approachable. It meant more responsibility—but also more heart.
Every detail of the book was made with care, and with the hope that it would reach the right hands at the right time.
A Story that Keeps Growing
That first storybook became more than a finished product. It became the beginning of something bigger—an ongoing world of stories, characters, and themes I continue to build at Twinkle Ink.
Each book adds a new layer to that world. And each one begins the same way: with a quiet idea, a sketch in the margin, a whisper that says, “Let’s see where this could go.”
Thank you for letting me share the heart behind my very first series. If you’re a writer, a dreamer, or someone with a story tucked inside them, I hope this gives you a gentle nudge to explore it. You don’t need to have it all figured out. Just start where you are.
The story will meet you there.
With warmth and imagination,
– Twinkle Ink
