A Dreamer's Soul

Every secret of a writer's soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works ~ Virginia Woolfe

You could exchange the word "writer" with the word dream and this quote will still be applicable to thousands of dreamers out there working on their dream goals.  Instead of written you might say is seen large in his/her works.

Your actions and work really are a reflection of your soul and experience.  I had to dig deep down and remember that this week in light of recent feedback I received on my manuscript.  I'm going to check a couple of facts, add some imagery, and then it will be time to send the manuscript to an editor and start working on the self publishing route.

Is your dream journey a true reflection of your soul, experience, and mind?

The Ability of Dreamers

The ability of writers to imagine what is self, to familiarize the strange and mystify familiar, is the test of their power ~ Toni Morrison

It's the ability of dreamers to imagine what is self that is this test of their power.

Can you believe the end of the year is almost upon us?  For my friends participating in NaNoWriMo, they are busy at work this month.  I continue to support them with Facebook messages and Twitter replies.  I reached my goal for the year, which was to finish the first draft of A Place to Call Their Own.  That was a goal four years in the making.

I hope your 2012 has been everything you wanted it to be.  You still have seven weeks to make a dent in your goal, if not achieve it.

What goal are you finishing up in the next seven weeks?

Change the World into Words

True alchemists do not change lead into gold; they change the world into words ~ William H. Gaas

We are truly living in historic times.  On Tuesday night, President Obama was re-elected.  The state of Wisconsin not only didn't vote for their home-state candidate, but also elected the first openly gay senator.  Three states approved marriage equality laws, striking down a conservative belief that marriage equality in other states was the result of liberal bias in state legislatures and courts.

I remember reading history books and stories as a kid and wondering if I would ever experience the wonderful things that I was reading about:  the westward expansion, the rise of the millionaires during the Gilded Age, Prohibition, wars, sweeping social change.  It pleases me to report to you that I, indeed, feel like I am living during wonderful times as well.

I hope you feel the same way and I hope you are pursuing a career or other goal that attributes somehow to a legacy that most of us want to leave behind.  Then you, too, can leave behind a piece of yourself to be remembered about the historic times in which we are living.

The Middle of Difficulty

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity ~ Albert Einstein

So it's been another week of some disappointing rejection emails.  I know that it goes with the territory, but I wonder what kind of response I might get if I told everyone who I was querying that I would be publishing their responses on my blog or in a compilation of some sort?  No worries, I'm fine, I didn't even read the whole email because it was so unhelpful.

And then a Twitter follower suggest I read a book about self-publishing, and I'm hooked.  I've finally been pushed over the edge and I think I'm going to self-publish my first few books.  It will get my work out there quicker, I'll have more control, and make more money.  And like a fellow indie author told me not too long ago, the manuscript won't make me any money sitting in the slush pile.  I'd planned to do a bunch of my own marketing anyway, so why not reap a bigger commission per unit?

So even though I'm not devastated over the rejection email, just a bit let down, I've found a better path anyway.  The universe works in mysterious ways and on its own time. 

How has the universe worked mysteriously for you lately?

The Aim of Life

The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely, aware ~ Henry Miller

I hope 2012 is everything you've expected it to be.  If not, it's not too early to think about your goals for 2013.  If you start thinking about them now, you'll have yourself psyched up to start working on them come January 1 or 2 (depending on the nature of the goal).

I hope you're enjoying the weekend!  Have a great week!

Sunshine Award

I've been blessed with another award!  First I must link back with Sharon and then answer some questions and nominate ten more people/blogs.  Here goes:

Sharon Jones

1.  What is your favorite Christmas/Festive movie?

A Christmas Story holds some special memories from growing up and seeing that movie with my brothers.  I still watch it as much as I can during the holidays.  A close second is Christmas Vacation just because we have become Clark Griswold with our indoor decorations.

2.  What is your favorite flower?

My favorite flower is the zinnia.  I wish I could get them to grow better in the pots on my patio.

3.  What is your favorite non-alcoholic beverage?

Coke with a bit of limeade.

4.  What is your passion?

My passion is writing and helping people.

5.  What is your favorite time of year?

My favorite time of year is Christmas.  For us that starts on Nov 1 and last until Jan 6.

6.  What is your favorite time of day?

I guess my favorite time of day is when I work on writing, that is in the morning after I do my workout.

7.  What is your favorite physical activity?

Taking walks with my partner, Thomas.

8.  What is your favorite vacation?

Our favorite getaway spots is Eureka Springs, AR or Branson, MO.

And the nominees are....

Rhiann Wynn-Nolet

Linda Jenkins

Christine Locke

SC Harrison

Jilly Andersen

Hemmie Martin

AV Barber

Jimin Han

David R. Slayton

Virgina McKevitt

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Preview of 2013

Imagination is everything.  It is the preview of life's coming attractions ~ Albert Einstein

I hope your 2012 is going well and you're finishing the year off strong.  It's not too early to start thinking about where you want to be at the end of 2013.  As Albert Einstein says, imagination is the preview of the future.

When I made my goals to quit smoking and to finish my bachelor's degree, I made both of those goals between Christmas and New Years and then it took four to five months to get going on both goals.  If you start thinking about your goals now, you'll be excited by January to start working on them. 

What's in store for you in 2013?  I'd love to hear!