The cover of Pip Lincolne’s new book Make Hey! While the Sun Shines, published by Hardie Grant

I wonder if there is ANYONE in the blogosphere still remaining who does not know about Pip Lincolne‘s brand new BOOK!?

Well I hope there are at least 5 of you left, because multitasking mama / author / blogstress / craftaholic Ms Lincolne, in conjunction with her publishers Hardie Grant, have generously offered 5 copies of Make Hey! While the Sun Shines for 5 lucky TDF readers!

To be in the running, simply leave your comment on this post before 10.00pm tonight. Five winners will be drawn at random and notified by email tomorrow.

*UPDATE: THANKS SO MUCH for all your lovely comments guys!  5 winners have now been drawn at randome, the lucky winners were Amanda L, Dana M, Barbara D, Melinda W and Rachel D.  Massive thanks to Pip Lincolne, Hardie Grant and everyone who entered!

This is Pip’s 3rd book in as many years, and that in itself is seriously impressive!  With this in mind, we thought we’d ask Pip a few questions about her super efficient daily routine, and how she squeezes so much into a day!  (Aghh 5.45am starts!?)  She’s also given us an insightful rundown of how writing a book actually works – very interesting for any budding writers or publishers out there!

Big thanks to Pip for sharing some of her secrets with us, and to Hardie Grant for the generous giveaway!  You can buy Make Hey!  in pretty much EVERY bookshop in Melbourne right now!  Get cracking people.

You’re onto book number 3 in as many years!?  That is an epic effort!  You are very prolific!  What is your secret tip for booking-writing, craft-making, child-rearing, multi-tasking efficiency?

I have a heap of tips, really! I am always changing my strategy to suit my life. First and foremost I want to be happy and healthy, so I try very hard to do that by eating really healthy food, not drinking too much booze, avoiding coffee and sugar and guzzling plenty of water!  I also make sure I do heaps of stuff that I love to do. Lots of great telly, good books, long walks, hot baths, that kinda thing!

I am super focused and pretty hard on myself, so if I set myself a goal there has to be a monumental reason not to achieve it.  I think I am very lucky to be able to do the kind of work I do, and I know that doing what I enjoy keeps me super motivated.  I count my lucky stars and get on with things.

I am a reformed multi-tasker, in fact I am a double-tasker. I get lots done by only doing one or two things at any one time, because that helps me to be more focused and less flustered!

Pages and projects you can expect to see in Make Hey!

You sure seem to squeeze a lot into every day!  What time do you wake up in the morning, and what is your morning ritual?

I wake up at 5.45. Ugh. But I can’t help it.  I get dressed and walk for an hour while I listen to podcasts and take in the day.  At the moment I am loving This American Life, The Happiness Project, BBC Women’s Hour, SALT Seminars and NPR All Songs Considered. This is one of the best parts of my day, as I get to have some time to myself, meet wet dogs and get myself moving a bit (crafting can be a very sedentary pursuit!) I get all kinds of good ideas early in the morning!

After that I come home just before 7am and turn on my laptop. I write down any brainwaves or story ideas and then I go through my inbox and deal with any lingering or fresh emails.

Next I eat breakfast with my family, check The Age and Most Emailed News sites, drink 3 cups of tea with soy and honey and then moan a lot about getting dressed! Once the kids have gone to school I either work from home or go to the studio (which I share with the super ace Victoria Mason and the super fab Bec Smith.) Every day I have a soy chai latte from Radio, because I love the way they make it!  Yum!

What can we expect to see in ‘Make Hey!’, and how does it differ from your other two books?

Make Hey! is a super colourful craft compendium, for creatives of all ages and abilities. It’s full of simple, design led projects, delicious recipes and other helpful hints for nice times. I’ve included a reading list gathered from all my favourite people, a watching list for those quieter crafty days and I even asked RRR’s Steve Wide to compile a playlist for the best kind of sunny days. Michelle Mackintosh design the book (she designed Sew La, too!) and she went wild with the mid-century props and 70s nostalgia! I like it when she goes wild!  Think Cathrineholm pots sidled up next to Barbie horses. Alexander Girard hanging out with Blythe. That kinda thing…!  John Laurie took the photos (again!) and of COURSE they are super great! Thanks John!!

Behind the scenes of the making of Make Hey! documented by Pip Lincolne.

Many aspiring writers out there would love to know the nuts and bolts of publishing…  can you give us a little rundown of how it works for a book like yours?!

It takes about a year. The project development starts well ahead of the book even being confirmed, really!  And once I get the okay from the publisher (in this case, Hardie Grant Books!) and a schedule for manuscript delivery, shoot, editing and going-to-press date, I go like the clappers. I worked on Make Hey! full time for six months and part time for the other six months. I started writing in August 2010. The photos were taken in March 2011, the book finished by June the same year and now out in October. It’s pretty intense for me. Probably even more so for my editor, Jane Winning!

Once a book has gone to press, I usually have a few weeks off  the published part of my life (although I still write my blog!) and then start hatching plans for the next book. I can’t help myself. I really love making books. I love the whole process, as intensive as it is, and I can’t imagine NOT doing it!  And who WOULDN’T want to have a job where you get to show people how clever and creative they really are?!  Or hang out with amazing crafty types?!  I’m super lucky.

What’s next for Pip Lincolne?

I’m writing a book! I’m growing my blog into a fully fledged website! I’m doing lots of other writing for various blogs and mags (like Frankie!) I’m working on having more happy times and doing more good stuff. Watching plenty of highbrow and trashy things on telly. Finishing my Space Invaders crocheted blanket…  I think that is a LOT!

Phew – so do we Pip!  x

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