Linsey Lanier
Sally Kilpatrick
Sia Huff
Romily Bernard
Darcy Crowder
Marilyn Baron
Tami Brothers
Sandra Elzie
Carol Burnside
Debbie Kaufman
Maxine Davis
Tammy Schubert
Susan Carlisle
Pam Asberry
Lindy Chaffin StartYou’re Never Too Old to Dream
by Linsey Lanier
We all dream of being published one day, but my particular dream is making the New York Times bestseller list. I don’t know why. Since hanging with published authors in GRW and RWA, I’ve learned making that list won’t make me rich. Or even famous. It won’t make my critics suddenly like me. It won’t mean I’ll never get rejected again. And yet the desire lingers.
It’s the mystique, I suppose. The fantasy.
There I am, getting out of a limo in a fabulous bright red designer dress, with an equally fabulous designer body (NO idea where THAT came from). I’m sporting a long, glittering red cigarette holder (even though I’ve NEVER smoked and have been trying to get my boss to quit for years).
As I emerge from the car, a hundred cameras flash while reporters push through the crowd to ask a question, and fans shove copies of my latest gem under my nose and beg for an autograph.
Okay. Maybe that’s a little too Hollywood.
How about this one instead?
I’m sitting quietly in my upstairs office, the view of lush green trees swaying in the breeze outside my window. I hear the windchimes on the porch below. I smell the flavor of freshly brewed coffee in my cup beside me.
All the bills are paid. There’s money in the bank. Terrific ideas are bursting from my head. I have all day to work on them. And hubby is downstairs making a fabulous lunch.
Aaahh. Now that’s a real dream. The one I hope to make come true some day.
How about you? What’s your favorite dream?
About the author
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Linsey Lanier | http://linseylanier.com Writer of romantic mystery-suspense, romantic fantasy, and romance – with a dash of sass.
I'd like to say growing up on the tough streets of Chicago inspired my feisty heroines, but actually I was raised in a cozy little suburb, by parents who sheltered me. Guess it was other things along the way that gave me my attitude.
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June 8th, 2010 at 3:02 am
My favorite dream is about getting sleep. Lots of it. Is that redundant? Second favorite dream is writing a book worth starting new dreams about.
June 8th, 2010 at 3:24 am
I’m with you, Nicki…I need sleep What are you still doing up! I’ve got 2 hours on you…it’s only 1 in the morning here…
Linsey, I would say that my favorite dream right now is finishing all my coursework so I can get back to writing. Only 5 more months.
June 8th, 2010 at 7:31 am
What a nice dream Linsey!
My own dream has to do with finishing books. I dream that all 9 of my WIP are completed, and I’m submitting like a mad woman.
Of course, this dream is completely atainable…the only one standing in the way of fruition, is of course, me.
Have a great day!!
Tamara
June 8th, 2010 at 7:33 am
And man oh man ladies, I was up at 4 am this morning and I thought that was early.
You guys get some sleep, okay?
T
June 8th, 2010 at 7:42 am
Sleep! Yes, I’m there, Nicki. Don’t we all suffer from sleep deprivation? Not redundant at all, LOL.
5 more months, that’s terrific, Anna. I’m pulling for you. Bet you’ll sleep for a week once you get there.
I like that dream, Tamara. You’re right. You can do it! One book at a time.
Gosh, you guys are early birds. Everybody take a nap!
June 8th, 2010 at 7:55 am
My dream is to get a book published and walk into a bookstore and see it on the shelf.
Marilyn
June 8th, 2010 at 8:29 am
my dream,
A huge leather chair, a view of the ocean and my very own name on the cover of the book in my lap. And a stupid happy grin on my face.
Of course the cat who helps me write will be draped over my shoulder smiling too.
June 8th, 2010 at 8:59 am
This is a great post, Linsey. I can totally see you decked out in red or sitting at your desk. I completely believe in dreaming. If you don’t have a dream, you have no place to aim for.
I also believe in enjoying the here and now. If we keepy aiming for that dream, sometimes we miss what is happening around us. I am soooooo guilty of this. I have spent a lot of time wishing for something I’m planning 5, 10 years down the road that I’ve found myself missing out on some of life’s greatest gifts happening right in front of my nose.
I’m now working at trying to do both, keep that end goal in sight while also allowing myself to enjoy the life I’m currently living….grin…
Tami
June 8th, 2010 at 9:15 am
Lindsey, I enjoyed the post! Dreams. Some days I have more of them than thoughts. Yes, publish a book, hit the NYTimes BestSeller List. And to get the middle of the book done!!
Tami, I’m with you. Gotta keep my mind in both places.
June 8th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Love the post, Linsey! My dream is a combo of others stated here. Yes, I want to hit the NYT list. Yes, I want to walk into a bookstore and see my name on a book’s spine.
But when it comes down to it, I want to know that the words I create from my random imagination can touch and affect other people in some kind of way. So for me, the dream would be to be published and have fans say that what I wrote affected them somehow.
Great post Linsey!
Elaine
June 8th, 2010 at 11:07 am
Striving to achieve my dreams is what keeps me sane in the midst of paying bills and worrying about the kids. I never lose sight of my dreams. They are always there, right around the corner, and I know that if I work hard enough they’ll come true.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Great post, Linsey. I find it interesting that my dreams change as I get older. When I was younger, I wanted to be famous–my dreams were very much like the one you described first. As I get older, I dream about making a living as an author, about having enough time and energy to keep my house clean, about paying all the bills and still having enough to decorate my house and put nicer clothes on my children. I don’t want limos anymore; I just want a car big enough to cart my kids and their friends on fun outings. I don’t want a huge house; I want to fix up the one I have.
The other thing I’ve noticed is that the more control I give away the more success I have. The more criticism I accept, the better my writing gets. I’m so grateful for my first contest win, but that story idea didn’t come until I changed my prayer to “God, please help me to use the talent you gave me” from “God, please help me to achieve my dreams.”
June 8th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
I dream now is to go to Washington DC step up to the desk at the Library of Congress and ask to see Nick’s New Heart. I think that would be soooo cool. Right at this moment is to have my manuscript picked up. Great post. I can see you in all your glamour. Please let me be the one to open the door.
June 8th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Great post, Linsey! I’m right there with you…listening to the wind in the trees, smelling the coffee, having lunch made for me and the words flowing off my fingertips to meet my newest contract deadline. Sigh. It’s what keeps me plugging away.
Sally, your comment touched me as well: “The other thing I’ve noticed is that the more control I give away the more success I have. The more criticism I accept, the better my writing gets. I’m so grateful for my first contest win, but that story idea didn’t come until I changed my prayer to “God, please help me to use the talent you gave me” from “God, please help me to achieve my dreams.”
Amen sister, amen.
June 8th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
I’ve enjoyed reading all these dreams. I envision a quiet home overlooking a lake or beach with plenty of room for my family to visit. (That’s where the quiet part gets a little dicey
) And a room with a great view for my writing pleasure.
June 8th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Sorry I’m replying so late. As you can guess, my fantasies haven’t quite materialized — yet.
Marilyn, I can’t wait till that dream comes true. But I’ll buy my copy at a GRW meeting, so you can sign it.
Hi Katy, the quiet, contented dreams are the best, aren’t they?
Good point about dreams, Tami. And that’s great advice about here and now, too. I tend to be too oblivious to present joys myself. Thanks for the reminder.
Sounds like you’re in the dreadful middle, Maxine. Hang on, you’ll get there. Only way to get to NYT.
Wow Elaine, you know how to dream. That last part is the most important, isn’t it?
Hi Pam! Thanks for stopping by. Yes, burying myself in writing after a hard day has kept me out of the funny farm, I’d say.
Some deep thoughts, Sally. Thanks for sharing them. “The more criticism I accept, the better my writing gets.” I need to post that on my wall. You’re new prayer must be working. I see a strong voice emerging in your writing.
Aw, Susan. You’ll be riding right next to me. In fact, all my blog sisters will be there in the back of the limo, laughing and drinking champagne. And our readers, too. Isn’t that what stretch limos are for?
Another peaceful dream. I can see you there, too, Darcy. Yes, I agree with Sally, too.
Hi Debbie. Dream big. Imagine the family tiptoeing around being quiet because they know you’re writing.
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments. Keep dreaming!
June 9th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Linsey,
Sorry I missed you yesterday. Loved the post and it got me to thinking.
Like Sally, I asked God to use my talent and it wasn’t long before I published. HANG IN THERE SALLY!!!
I think my next dream is a multi-book contract. Don’t want or need the limo and all the trappings, just a quiet home…preferably cleaned by someone else, a cup of coffee made from freshly ground beans and my computer open to my current WIP. (hear me sigh contentedly?)
Thanks for giving me a pleasant thought.
Sandy
June 9th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Hi Sandy, glad you got to comment today. I think I’m going to try that prayer. Good luck with that multi-book contract. Freshly ground coffee and a house cleaned by someone else sounds like a wonderful dream to me. Hope it all comes true. For all of us.