I once bought a journal with the words “Dreams invited here” written on the cover. I was drawn to where it sat upon the shelf, and the words spoke to me. I later wrote a poem using that opening line.
As writers, we all have dream projects. Maybe it’s the great American novel, an award-winning short story, or a book of published poetry. Chances are, you have more than one. I know I do. My list of dream projects changes every few years. There was a time when I wanted to see my work published in a city newspaper. Once I achieved that, I moved on to magazine writing. After winning an award for feature writing, I transitioned to writing fiction. After completing a few different manuscripts for children, I now have raw material to continue working with to take the writing dream to the next step.
But about a month ago, I started working on Mari L. McCarthy’s “28 Days Weight Control” ebook. A lot of the journaling prompts focus on writing out specific goals you want to achieve with your weight and eating habits. The exercises have helped me hone in on what it is I need to do to eat healthier, but it also got me thinking about how writing down some of my other goals would be beneficial. As part of this process, I’ve seen another dream project unfold.
I want to work on a true crime piece. I often follow missing person cases and try to theorize what could have happened to the person based upon the clues. I love watching the TV show “Vanity Fair Confidential” and find myself on the edge of my seat, wishing I could be one of the journalists on the show who unearthed a big story. There are a few cases that have given me ideas for magazine articles in some of the larger women’s magazine. I think it might be time to flesh out one of these ideas and move forward. Don’t the things we’re passionate about always make the most compelling (and difficult!) subjects?
I’m thinking about starting a journal where I can keep track of cases that catch my eye and write down story ideas, both nonfiction and fiction. Call me an amateur sleuth, but maybe there’s a reason I’m drawn to such stories. There’s no reason not to try, right?
And now I want to hear from you. What are some of your dream writing projects? Have you achieve any of them, and if not, what steps are you going to take to do so?
4 comments:
What strikes me most is how Renee Roberson sets her sites on something and then tells herself, lets see if I can do this and...then does it! Winners never quit and quitters never win! Way to go, Renee.
As for my dream projects, I have two: write the second draft of my novel and get it published and complete my humor therapy book called, If It Hurts When You Do That . . . . Right now it's a struggle to write daily because my husband has terminal lung cancer. But with humor and love, I am nevertheless supported by him to reach my goals and he is reaching his: enjoying living one day at a time and seeking remission from further tumor growth. Miracles happen and are natural to those who trust. Thanks for sharing your uplifting process of dream writing, Renee.
I want to write a nonfiction, kind of inspiration book on being a single mom. I have a unique angle, I think. I want to blog a book! :)
Renee--Currently, my dream/nightmare project is the manuscript I'm working on. It's getting closer to the end (of the 2nd draft) but who knows what it will read like when I print it and actually look at it like a reader.
I also have a picture book I've tried to get published for many years. Maybe some day...
Nina, thank you so much for your kind words, and for sharing your projects with us. I hate what you and your husband are going through, but it sounds like you are definitely handling it with grace and an uplifting attitude! I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Margo, do it!
Sioux, stay the course. I can't wait to read your finished product one day!
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