Doing the dreamwork.

Last summer, my husband and I built our dream home in PA. Mostly by ourselves. But it isn't finished yet. It's a work in progress. I especially remember this day. Truck after truck of concrete arrived and he and a few helpers rushed to smooth the messy stuff out before it dried. A lot stress, prayers and sweat that day.

Writing a book is like building a home. Stress, prayers and sweat. You lay out the story much like you do the blocks for the home's foundation. The pages grow and grow until you come to a successful conclusion. Your dream story. But like a home, if you don't get everything level in the beginning, by the time you add the siding or outside coverings, you could have a mess.

I'm there with my current WIP. I thought I knew where it was going but my story changed someplace in the middle. I'm finding I want to add extras and pick up the pace. It can be a grueling process. It is probably the part of writing most writers don't like.

We do it anyways.

I wish my home was finished. I wish I could spend a few weeks there, decorating the inside with my favorite colors and wall coverings. Sadly it's not ready yet. Just as my book isn't ready to pass to my critique partners or beta readers. It needs to be completed and edited a zillion times.

So I stop wishing and do the work. We rent a place here in Florida to earn money to finish our home. I don't always like being away from my friends and family but the plan works. In October, we flew back and sided the the house.

With writing, I schedule my hours, open my computer and type more words. Every day. I have a plan to finish this book by January. To get there, I must be diligent.

What are you dreaming about doing today? Do you have a plan? Do you have a partially finished book waiting to see daylight? Do you have a bucket list without any checks yet?

 Dreams don't happen by themselves. But they can begin today. One step at a time.