I was recently interviewed about my experiences as an author and independent publisher on the website thebookdesigner.com. Answering questions about the lengthy process of getting Growing More Beautiful into print got me thinking about how we measure success. Usually the laudatory stories we read are about winners — people that come out on top and are recognized either on the Olympic podium or best seller list. But what about the athlete who comes in fourth and doesn’t win a medal? Is their experience any less valuable?

We need to hold onto the vision of being a smashing success when we are engaged in the daily process of making it happen. But if the reality falls short of our expectations, what can we take away with us? Here’s how I answered the question in the interview:

To read the complete interview and learn more about independent publishing go to Jennifer Robin Interview.

When you sit alone at your desk writing a book, you imagine what it will be like when you can finally share it with audience. As I’ve launched Growing More Beautiful I’ve had the pleasure of speaking in front of groups large and small. Seeing heads nodding in recognition and hearing the knowing laughter has moved words on a page into a shared experience. It has been a thrill.

I’ve seen firsthand that women long to learn and grow, to feel engaged, and that they would rather be supportive than competitive. Each of my talks concluded with a question and answer period, and audience members have raised the most intriguing subjects. When I finished my book, it seemed that I had put everything I knew into it, but clearly women are hungry for more information. I’ve been asked about everything from freckles to looking faded, from how to wear skinny jeans to surviving unsuccessful shopping trips. I’ll be answering some of the most frequently asked questions in my column in the months ahead.

As 2009 draws to a close, I’m looking back over one of the most surprising and eventful years of my life, filled with challenges and disappointments as well as celebration and festooning. I expect many of you had a similar year. Thank you for making the time to come to an event or to talk about my book with your friends and loved ones. I am truly grateful for your support. More than 100 people attended my talk at the Book Passage last month and that tells me the message of Growing More Beautiful is getting out there and it will continue to touch my readers. I’m just along for the ride.

Below is an excerpt from an interview that recently appeared in the lifestyles section of the Marin Independent Journal. The writer asked me how the ideas in Growing More Beautiful can be applied to tending your home or garden.

“The more you learn about design is that you discover that it applies to everything,” artist and image consultant Jennifer Robin says. “Design principles can be used in how you choose your clothes to how you decorate your table to how you create a home garden.”

And how people are choosing clothes, decorating tables and creating home gardens is today more innovative and design-oriented than in the past where, she says, following fashion was, well, the fashion.

It’s a mistake, she says, “to think that the experts are in the know and we have to run and catch up to them. It’s not natural.”

While her book primarily focuses on clothes and accessories, she insists it’s “not a fashion story.” It’s about guiding readers through their own journey as they explore design choices using an artful approach, getting insight into their personal styles, developing their eye and living more open, creative lives.

Remember, she says, “design principles have been around for thousands of years, and there’s a reason that people esteem great painters. Their principles of design anchor our ability to see and understand.” And, although not everyone will like the same thing, “good design principles are appreciated by all.”

So, she urges readers to “study closely design principles like texture, scale, proportion of the things that visually appeal to you,” she says.

“Everything that pleases you is something you can study and learn from.” Doing that, she says, “frees you from the do’s-and-don’ts that hamper confidence.”

And, even though a painter should make a bold, rather than a tentative, brushstroke, she says, “painting is not wildly slinging paint on the canvas any more than overloading an outfit, or a room with a haphazard mix of color and texture.”

With exposure to the good design principles that she explores in “Growing More Beautiful,” readers don’t have to “err on the side of caution,” Robin says. “You can always take it back a little. Life’s too short, let’s make a statement, let’s have fun.”

If you were facing the enormous challenge of rebuilding your life, wouldn’t you want to do it draped in a soft scarf with sparkly baubles on your ears and comfortable shoes on your feet? Imagine a discouraged job seeker dressed for success and feeling not only respected — but beautiful. This is the mission of Wardrobe For Opportunity (WFO). Next week I’ll be the guest speaker at a fundraiser for this worthwhile organization, and you can participate in a way that will help you too Grow More Beautiful.

“Every client is treated with dignity and respect, and everything we do here at WFO should reflect that,” said Mia Georgiou of WFO. Mia and I were chatting about the types of clothing WFO was most in need of. “Our clients may only receive one suit and they will need to wear it to multiple appointments, so accessories are really important. We need purses, shoes, jewelry, belts and ties for men. ”

As soon as I hung up the phone I challenged myself to find some great accessories to part with — ouch! I have no problem giving away clothes that aren’t flattering, but I hang onto accessories because they don’t take up much room, thinking perhaps I will make use of them “later.” But I asked myself: Did I really need more than one red purse? Could I possibly wear all of these black shoes? Plus, there must be scarves and jewelry I wouldn’t miss. I have so much. We all do.

As I dug deeper, I found more and more items I could part with. I started putting accessory “ensembles” together; a necklace and earrings with a pair of shoes, a scarf with just the right bag. A reservoir of energy spurred me on as I worked on my task, the joy of creating with the added pleasure of knowing a woman in need could go on a job interview feeling supported and worthy because she was wearing something pretty.

I love accessories for their expressive potential. You can share in the creativity by making a meaningful donation. For inspiration, visit WFO’s compelling website (www.wardrobe.org) and see the faces of real people who need our support. I’ve made it known that I don’t like celebrity make-overs, but these “before and after” photos are ones I can get behind.

It is hard to grasp what 4000 books looks like when they are neatly stacked floor to ceiling in your basement. Everyone who sees them for the first time gasps. It is a lot of boxes. In the months following their arrival, walking through the canyon created by these mountains/towers of books several times a day was not a source of pleasure. As I struggled to get Growing More Beautiful launched, running into roadblocks at every turn, the mute boxes only served to remind me of my naiveté. What had I been thinking?

Clearly such an attitude would not do. Then it hit me: The drab demeanor of the cardboard boxes needed some color. So I invited my friends over to help me decorate them. My gang arrived and began to festoon. They strung crepe paper, dangled ribbons, and sprinkled glitter, creating a giddy, joyous celebration. It totally changed how I felt about my book box canyon. Now when I walk past I no longer see the books as a monument to my naiveté but instead a testament to my courage. I think of the joy of festooning as the first step towards the joy that Growing More Beautiful will ultimately bring to those who read it.

I recommend festooning anywhere you feel stuck – tie ribbons on your bathroom scale, hang tinsel from your computer monitor, decorate your checkbook, festoon photos of loved ones who are having a difficult time. Bring color, positive attention, and a festive party atmosphere to any area in your life that could use a little help – and then stand back and watch what happens!

A couple of weeks ago I spoke to an auditorium filled with writers at the Stanford Publishing Course Writer’s Workshop about my experiences as an independent publisher. From the start it was clear that mine was not going to be one of those rare overnight success stories, but rather the tale of an in- process adventure, results not yet known. I shared with the group stories of the rejections I received over the course of the two years as I attempted to find an agent or publisher who believed in the message of Growing More Beautiful, and how I ultimately decided to start my own publishing company. Everyone was on the edge of their seats: Cue the theme song from “Rocky,” swelling in the background as I came to the exciting crescendo of books arriving at my doorstep. As I got more into the nitty-gritty of the time and expense involved, I could feel the audience shrink back in their chairs as if trying to get away from the reality of my words. At that point the music changed to the theme from “Jaws” as the shark arrived to devour my 401K and life as I knew it.

Doing a beautiful full color book is expensive and not a realistic option for most, but there are so many avenues available in self-publishing today that I didn’t want to scare everyone off. There are some distinct advantages to taking control of your project, including:

Anytime we are passionate enough to see something through there is the opportunity for tremendous personal satisfaction. Yet the question remains: Will Rocky triumph or will his shark-chewed remains sink slowly to the bottom of the sea? It’s too soon to tell. But most of us can’t help but root for the underdog. One woman come up to me as I was signing books after the talk and said, “I don’t even have to look at your book to know I want to buy it. Hearing you tell your story was enough.”

To learn more, visit Bay Area Independent Publisher Association at BAIPA.org. I also highly recommend the services of Cypress House, cypresshouse.com. And whenever your project is finished, crack open the champagne and festoon (see column above).

Stay tuned!