Friday, February 21, 2014

Celebrate the Small Things: Wishful Thinking

Ever slip into wishful thinking, where you need a good kick-start to get you moving again in your writing or other goals? Is it a problem with the goal? A motivation issue? Some of the arguments I have with myself border on the ridiculous. It goes something like this.......



"Okay, 'little quacks', listen up. I can't move and you can't move.

All the staring in the world isn't going to change anything!"

There are days I cannot budge. I stare at the screen, my fingers frozen over the keys, my mind locked in time and space on characters I have never really met before except in my mind. Yet they are real . . . REAL as the people I sometimes hear talking in my dreams at night or playing out in my mind during the day.

 


"But I like hanging out in the loft," a small voice says.
"There are no pressures there. No agents or publishers to
worry about, no critiques to fret over. No queries to write or
that synopsis I need to rewrite. Safe, comfy and warm."
 
 

"And besides, I can just dream and dream . . . and dream."

(Some days I'm Ferdinand the Bull, lost in wishful thinking).

Timing can be a bit strange when it comes to fulfilling dreams. As is typical in the arts, fulfillment sometimes comes posthumously. I read in the paper this morning of a local woman who has self-published her deceased husband's novel. He was 84 when he died. The article showed a sweet picture of the couple and emphasized their years together. It was done is such a warm manner, I would argue that his dream of publishing a novel was fulfilled in a better, grander way, for he gave his wife a reason to go on with her life.

So where do I stand on the dream-fulfillment meter? Writing has
been the focus of my life for the past two-plus years. I had no idea I would love blogging as much as I do. In fact, I had no idea, I would gain confidence as a writer in sharing my life interests and dream of publishing a novel. I will get there, God willing, and if the world doesn't end tomorrow. And when I do, you will be the first to know!!

So.....celebrating holding onto my dreams this week and also the

big A-Z blog hop this April. I hesitated at the huge time commitment there, but last year's experience was so incredible, I just couldn't pass it up. Did anyone else sign up?

36 comments:

  1. Sounds like you have the right attitude! Keep at it, and one day it will happen... I'm going to be A - Zing again this year too, so I'll be there to keep you company!

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  2. I'm so glad you signed up for the A - Z Challenge this year. I'm with you, blogging is the best! This is such an inspirational, happy post. It's uplifting to see you moving forward with your dreams, and having such a good time doing it! I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the photo journalism in this post, Sharon. Very cool! Your pics fit in perfectly with this post :)

    MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
    Writing Tips
    Effectively Human
    Lots of Crochet Stitches


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    1. Thanks, MJ. I enjoy photo journalism and playing with themes.

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  3. I feel so motivated after reading such an inspirational post. Thank you so much for such an inspiring and motivating post.I wish you may achieve all your dreams :) Also I loved the super cute pictures inserted in the post

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    1. Oh, good. Really wanted this to be inspirational. Have a nice weekend!

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  4. What a wonderful uplifting post. We all need dreams to hang onto. Thanks for visiting my blog, it's lovely to meet you :)

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    1. Thanks. Dreams are important to me......to all us. Enjoyed visiting your blog :)

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  5. Very nice blog post. We all need to remember that dreams can come true for those who persevere. From my own experience, I can attest that determination is the key to success. Have a great weekend, everyone.

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    1. Thanks, glad you could stop by. It's the determination of other bloggers that keeps me going some days.

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  6. This was a lovely, inspirational post. Funny thing about dreams, though. I don't consider writing a dream. It's my job, and it's work, and I have to do it at least five, if not seven, days a week. Sometimes it is so difficult, I despair that it took me an entire day--6-8 hours--to finally get a single scene right. Other days, I breeze through several scenes, and that makes the hard day's efforts worthwhile.

    I've also begun to absolutely give myself time, almost every day, to scrapbook. Otherwise, I would be all work and no play. And that's no fun!

    Anyway--I wish you'd be more confident about your novelistic abilities. I just reread your chapter 17 today (after reading this post this morning) and it is so strong, Sharon.

    But even if you never get around to sending it off, you're having a lot of fun with writing--blogging--and all the rewards blogging gives. I'm glad you signed up for the A-Z.

    On a side note, I took the flower test. I so wanted to be a sunflower, because I LOVE sunflowers. Instead, I'm a Canna.

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  7. A job yes, but still a dream. I know it doesn't look like it, but I am gaining confidence. Thank you for your encouragement! Funny about the flower isn't it? It is my daughter's favorite flower, too----not necessarily mine, although I think I'll grow some this summer. The birds love them.

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  8. Such a lovely post! As fun as it is to dream, I agree, nothing will ever come of those dreams if you don't take some initiative first...

    As for the A-to-Z challenge, it's really tempting to sign up for it, but I've never done it before, so I'm afraid I'd just get overwhelmed!

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  9. Heather, thanks for the follow. Enjoyed your site today. You and Cathy certainly make a good point. Without initiative, the dream remains only wishful thinking....my point with the silly ducks....i.e., we become permanently stuck. At any rate, I'm working myself out of the muddle.

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  10. Holding onto your dreams: a great thing to celebrate!

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  11. God, I love wishes and dreams - they're often so much better than real life!
    And there's no reason they can't come true if you persevere. Good luck x

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  12. Such a lovely post, Sharon. And I love the story about the wife who published her late husband's novel. One of my favorite quotes is by Victor Hugo: 'Perserverance, the secret of all triumphs.' Keep pushing forward and the dreams will turn into reality!

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  13. Ah yes, that frozen feeling. I know it well.

    As for A to Z, I want to, but I'm not sure if I'm going to. I'm looking at a couple major papers due then, and I wonder if I'll have to skip out on some of it.

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    1. Too bad to miss the AZ, but priorities comes first when in school.:(

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  14. Oh I hear you...my goals are progressing...just not at the speed I thought. Meanwhile. lots of good stuff has happened along the way.
    Glad to hear you'll be joining us again. The A-Z really is a wonderful place to meet people, make connections, and keep on working on your goals. Welcome!

    Tina @ Life is Good
    A to Z Team @ Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2014

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    1. Hoping I enjoy AZ as much as last year. Busier this time around. See you there.

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  15. Good luck with the A-Z challenge. Too big for me, I'm afraid. Maybe next time. And keep on dreaming, sister!

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  16. love your characterizations!
    and we must keep dreaming! just make sure you have a note pad handy to write down the ideas when you wake up =)
    it's definitely a great community to boost writing encouragement! welcome to a to z!

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  17. Thanks, Tara, and very nice to meet you :) See you in the A-Z.

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  18. Joined the blog hop and love your blog!

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  19. I have been catching up and I am so glad I caught your post. Now I'm humming 'Daydream Believer' and nodding at the truth. I'll be looking to congratulate you on a dream come true. Perhaps soon!

    Diana

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  20. Oh, the song really fits. LOL. Thanks, Diana!

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  21. Hello, Sharon,
    What a great blog; added to my 'Favorites' and shall peruse at leisure as soon as I get out from under ghost ship, the "Lyubov Orlova," with cannibal rats and a ton of gold on board. "After the Cataclysm" is supposed to be out mid-March. I noticed that you have been visiting my Pasha blog; so I had to take a minute to dash over here...Good to meet you. Inge

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  22. Thanks, Inge. Nice to meet you, too :) How exciting your book is about debut. Congrats!

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  23. "But I love hanging out in the loft" oh, yes, I'll go with that! I loved your post. So glad you're doing the A to Z Challenge. Looking forward to much more :)

    Jemima
    #TeamDamyanti
    Join in the A to Z Challenge Theme Reveal Blogfest

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  24. Thanks for stopping by, Jemima. A-Z is starting to sound overwhelming, but still hoping I can manage. Will look for your posts, too :)

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About Me

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You could call me an eternal optimist, but I'm really just a dreamer. l believe in dream fulfillment, because 'sometimes' dreams come true. This is a blog about my journey as a writer and things that inspire and motivate me.