Monday, November 03, 2014

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.





9 comments:

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I didn't know you were back online. Yay. Glad to see you're working on a new book.

Waiting that long for your house to be built. Wow and bless you. :)

Susan said...

Hi Terri....You will one day be in that lovely home, surrounded by the things, and people, who you love!

"Good things come to those who wait."

Today I'm dreaming of all that needs to be done for Christmas, but it's a happy dream.

My plan is usually contingent on lists, of which there are always a couple.

Definitely want to freelance more. Thanks for the inspiration. Susan

Great Grandma Lin said...

I'm recuperating from a hectic last week in a book festival and youth poetry contest. Time for a new project soon....

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

I've never built a house. It's such a huge task... and I love your analogy with book writing. Both are huge tasks that need diligence to complete.
I especially like your last line: "Dreams don't happen by themselves." So true.

Karen Lange said...

AS I was reading this post I was thinking exactly that - one step at a time! Contemplating my writing plan as we speak. Cheering you on in the journey! :)

Anonymous said...

Yes, one step at a time! I got distracted -- for about 2 and a half years! However God is stirring in me, correcting my path to write and do my photography again. But especially to write! I look forward to reading the progress on your house, and your WIP. Thank you for your words!

Saumya said...

What a beautiful and inspiring post. I enjoyed your metaphor between writing a book and building a home. Thank you for sharing this with us and best of luck with your projects!

anne said...

I'm so impressed you built it yourself! And yes, lots of dreams for me. Many involving book publishing. :)

Sally Wessely said...

Terri, you have my respect for you commitment. I admire how you work and work on your writing. You inspire me.