What Do You Hope For?



When it comes to being a writer, we have hopes and dreams just like the next guy. And like the next guy, we may feel that our dreams are just that: dreams we hope for and wonder if they will ever come true.



Years ago I hoped I'd become a published writer, and my first article in a magazine was published. That was in 1987. More magazine and newspaper articles followed.

Later, I thought, why not a book? My first book was published in 2002.


Photo by: nicole.pierce.photography ♥ 

 

After that I wondered about attending college, so, putting my writing on hold (so to speak) I traveled almost daily to the University of Utah to finish my degree in Mass Communication. I graduated in 2009, and with that degree hoped to make a living in journalism.

But a (not so funny) thing happened that year. Newspapers were laying off staff members and no longer hiring stringers.

I hoped I could get another job. Perhaps at a magazine. Though I had a nice stint at Salt Lake Magazine as an intern, no job offer was issued.

And so the story went, me searching for something in the writing field and not finding.

A year later, I was discouraged and a bit older. I had traveled the lane of college in my 40s fully expecting a career. Sure, I had the degree now, and years of writing experience that I'd accumulated before that, but suddenly none of it mattered.

The career I'd hoped for never came. When my husband suggested I create what I wanted, I was aghast. And truthfully? I didn't believe creating a career in publishing (my long held dream) was really an option. It was a pipe dream really.

But here I am, and I'm glad I took my husband's advice. Idea Creations Press is a small company; I haven't hired anyone yet (other than my husband who works on the technical end) but I have hope that one day I will need editors, cover designers and more. I will no longer be able to work from my home. There simply won't be enough space.

But that's for the future.

What do you hope for?

Rugs and the Saturday Evening Project

If you've been following my recent blogs, you'll know that I've recently moved into a new house. Unfortunately or fortunately, (depending on how you look at it), my husband and I have been in remodel land.

Today we bought new rugs for the hardwood floor and new baseboards to finish off the floor project. It's been 101 degrees in Utah today, and my new home has a swamp cooler.

How I've been wishing for a central air conditioner today. Not even my new rugs seem as nice.

And that's how it is, isn't it? We're always wishing for something we don't have; especially if that 'something' will make our lives that much easier to live.

Someone once said, "The more stuff you have, the more you have to do, and the more you have to dust."

Not my veranda, but isn't it beautiful?
Photo by: bluekdesign, courtesy of Flickr

That said, I think I'll hold off for awhile getting new things for the house. Besides, the credit card is, well, you know taking a good pounding lately. While the sun is hot and I'm not even in the mood to sit still for very long (don't you hate it when you stand up and your back is sweaty?)

I think I'll have a Popsicle or a bottled water and read a good book on the veranda...Wait! I don't have a veranda.

At least, not yet.

Writing with your Eyes Closed

Ever get good ideas when you're off to dream land?

Grand-daughter Bekah takes a nap.
Who knows what she could write if she was old enough?

I know I do. The problem is, I think I'm going to remember the dream in the morning, but I usually don't remember much. Either that or I forget the dream completely.

When we're in a dream sleep, ideas may come that may not usually come. We may be searching our minds in the day time to find just the right idea for a book title, and receive it at night, but we'll retain the message only if we write it down.

I keep a journal by the side of my bed where I write down my dreams. Especially if the dream was poignant, I write down as many images as I remember about my dream and the dream's effect on me. Even if I think part of my dream is disjointed and really doesn't matter, I write it down anyway. Who knows when that particular kernel will be the catalyst for something amazing!

You'd better not have your eyes closed when you're driving (not in dream land but in the real world). Having a notebook handy inside your purse or glove compartment is never a bad idea either. Great ideas come when you're doing something besides writing; washing the dishes, doing the laundry, mowing the lawn...

And the best writers I know keep their ears and eyes open for all the opportunities to hear that come to them. They're never too busy to jot a plot down, or write down the name of their missing character, or even, glean some great ideas from a conversation overhead at their favorite restaurant.

And neither should you.