When I was just starting out writing, I knew other beginning writers who would say, “Just writing a book is an accomplishment.” I agreed but then again…I didn’t agree. My dream wasn’t just to write a book (that was step one of many to get to my dream), but my dream was to be published by a real print publisher, preferably by a New York publishing house. That was my dream. By the way, those who said that statement about just completing a book only did that. They never went on to publish. So be careful how you phrase your dream.
When you are deciding, committing and disciplining yourself about your dream, be specific what that dream is. Yes, it is an accomplishment to complete a book. And if you are pursuing publication, then once you reach ‘The End’ of that very first book, you definitely deserve a celebration! But don’t pat yourself too hard on the back and for too long. The hard work is just beginning. Writing, someone famous once said, is rewriting.
Whenever you are pursuing a BIG goal, there are many smaller goals along the way that must be achieved. It’s all a building block and foundation for the bigger dream. Write those down, think about them, pursue each one passionately. Each step forward will put you that much closer to your goal. I’ve even known very visual folks who drew a map and marked off sections they completed so they could see how they were closing in on their dream.
So are you ready to share your dream? What do you want to do? If you still don’t know? What are you doing to figure that out?
I think a big part of pursuing your dreams is to acknowledge it publicly. State that you have a dream and are going for it. Sometimes we don’t say anything out of fear, but letting fear master us is giving up on the dream.
Hi Leanna, I have devoured your posts on reaching for your dream and what we have to do to make it happen! Thanks for sharing. Now tht my first book will be out next month, I am finding out how much time marketing takes, too. Any hints for that? Thanks!
Carrie, I agree! And it can be really difficult to tell people for all sorts of reasons. I remember not wanting to tell people that I was trying to write a book. I thought folks would laugh. And I’m sure some did. But it didn’t matter. I also think what held me back from saying anything for a long time was the ‘what if’ I don’t sell my book. So that fear of failure. It’s one thing to fail. It’s another thing to fail in front of a bunch of folks. But I think you will find most people are supportive and encouraging. And if they’re not…then you learn they’re not good friends. Also, telling folks can form a kind of accountability that pushes you forward.
Blessings,
Leanna
Hi, Rose! Glad you have enjoyed the new topic on reaching for our dreams. Congrats on your first book. Marketing can eat up a ton of your time. And the best thing is to not let it eat up all of your time. Limit your time to marketing because the best thing you can do is to have another book coming out. So keep your focus on your writing. If there was a magic marketing bullet, we’d all be firing it. But the reality is no one knows what works and doesn’t. Best wishes!
Blessings,
Leanna