Background information
She didn't want to make hidden object books, now she owns the genre
by Ann-Kathrin Schäfer
Sabrina Müller: A craft book author talks about life as a mum
20.7.2020
Translation: machine translated
She is a mum, a teacher and, most recently, a book author. Sabrina Müller talks about working with her book publisher and how much she earns from the sale of her book.
Do you have a whinging child yourself or where did you get the educational know-how to write a book like this?
No parent can claim that their child never whinges. There is no such thing. And I have a lot of experience with this. I also gained a lot of knowledge during my pedagogical training, but my understanding of it has grown through trying it out with my own children. So yes, I have had a lot of experience with a whinging child.
While Sabrina smiles and talks about her own experiences with a nagging child, she looks over at her daughter. The little girl is still drawing her favourite character from Paw Patrol. Sabrina's look reveals that the current quiet phase will not last. She will soon want to find something else to do.
Why do children whinge at all?
Children whinge because they don't have the vocabulary to express their wishes, feelings and needs. This then manifests itself in nagging, whinging or even screaming. Since becoming a mum, I've thought to myself that there must be a solution that works for everyone. For the parents as well as for the child. That's why I like the new authority approach as a parenting style.
«Children whinge because they don't have the vocabulary to express their wishes, feelings and needs.»
Back to your book. Have you wanted to write a book for a while and why exactly this one?
It was a childhood dream. I used to always want to write a book with my mum. Now I was quicker. But it was also coincidence and luck that the publisher asked me.
«I used to always want to write a book with my mum. Now I was quicker.»
So the publisher already approached you with a finished idea?
Yes, the EMF publishing house suggested a concrete idea to me. They know the book market and know where there is demand and which books sell well.
So the publisher also exercised the new authority over you.
So to speak, yes. They gave me the framework conditions and I was free to collect the ideas and deliver the content. But I was in constant dialogue with the editor.
So the craft ideas came from you. What criteria did you use to curate the content of the book?
I defined the content topics together with the publisher. We wanted topics such as rainy weather, car journeys or boredom in the book. In other words, typical moments when children whinge. I then searched through my repertoire of craft ideas and picked out ones that were suitable for these situations.
How long did it take you to finish writing your book?
The publisher gave me a very tight deadline. I came up with all the craft ideas, realised them, photographed them and wrote the text within three months. It was a very tough time and I had to concentrate fully on this project. But I also enjoyed it.
In hindsight, do you wish you had more time?
I was very lucky that my family supported me. My husband was always at my side and my children helped me with my handicrafts. So it was doable in this short time. Of course, I could always work on it a little longer or make more things. But at some point you have to draw a line under it. Otherwise the project will never be finished.
You published your book through a publishing house. Why not do it yourself?
At first I was torn as to whether to publish with or without a publisher. But now that I've worked with a publisher, I would do it again. It was a good experience for me. I learnt an incredible amount. The publisher also did a lot for me.
After the book is before the book. Do you already have plans for another one?
Yes, I already have a few thoughts floating around in my head. I would definitely like to write another book and am already in dialogue with the publisher. So I can well imagine that there will be another one. But I don't have any concrete plans yet. I want to savour my first book first.
What tip would you give to someone who would like to write a book themselves?
The best tip: Just do it. Because most of the time you're standing in your own way. Ignore your fears. Yes, you can do it. Yes, people want to read this. No, it's not the wrong time. And one more thing: talk to someone who already has experience in the book business. Either with a publisher or someone close to you who has already done something along these lines.
«The best tip: Just do it. Because most of the time, you're standing in your own way.»
Is there anything else on your mind that you would like to say?
Yes, I would like to address my words to all parents. I hope and wish for you that you will find creative ways of parenting. To accept that children have feelings and needs and that they are allowed to do so. The aim is not to switch off the children and the nagging, but to walk the path together and find a joint solution.
