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I was thinking about reaching for dreams and goals, and it led to this inspirational doodle.
When I was younger, I used to think of reaching for a dream as reaching for a goal. The other day I mentioned that I went through a phase of trying to build a writing career. I knew it was going to be the most challenging thing I had ever done in my life. I’ve always had a great respect for people who make a career out of writing. Many professional writers dedicate their entire lives to their craft. I knew competition is incredibly fierce. I had experience building a career in art, which is probably just as fiercely competitive as the writing field, so I had a bit of an understanding of what I was up against.
There came a time when I decided that traditional publishing was probably not right for me. I believe it happened when I came to the realization that in order to continue to pursue traditional publishing, I would need to start writing in a different genre that I didn’t have a sincere interest in writing. I spent three years writing one novel, educating myself at writing workshops and conferences, manuscript critiques, and viewing free online classes available at i-Tunes. (For those of you who don’t know, entire courses from Yale University and other schools are available for free online at i-Tunes – it’s amazing! Everyone should check it out – many of them have full video, and it’s like sitting in on the class).
What I learned in the process of trying to reach my dream of a writing career was that I didn’t need to actually get a novel (or anything) published in order to reach that dream. I believe dreams should not be about reaching goals. If I have a dream of becoming a writer, it’s really all about writing, the joy and pain of writing on a daily basis. It’s not about all those other things that people might associate with writing, such as fame, fortune, and endless accolades. People might think that my failure to achieve those things is a failure in attaining a writing career, but I don’t see it that way. The dream is really about writing and creating art, and I don’t need anyone’s permission or approval to do that. Just by starting that novel, I had already reached my dream.
Caffeine for the Creative Soul 
🙂 This post hit a particular chord with me this morning, Tim, as I’m preparing to begin writing my first real ‘book’ idea. I’m using NanoWriMo for the initial push, even though I’ve never completed Nano any other time I’ve done it. LOL If I were to focus on all the hoops one must jump through to get a book published these days, I’m not sure I’d even attempt it. But because I’m so in love with the joy of writing itself, I focus on the day-to-day journey of the craft…where I’ve been, where I am, and where I might be going on this long strange trip.
Thanks for the inspiration today. (Have you considered publishing a book of your doodles?)
Hi Janece, Thanks so much for letting me know this struck a chord with you today. I’ve heard of NanoWriMo, but I’ve never participated – someday I will. When I read you would be tackling it, I felt the urge to try it, too, but my schedule is just too impossible right now – I have a major deadline looming.
I actually had thought of self-publishing a book of the doodles through Lulu.com after I’ve completed at least a year’s worth. I thought it might be a fun way to connect with some of the blog readers – so I’m really glad you asked!
Happy Writing and Best of Luck with NanoWriMo – I’m jealous!
Tim
Good Luck Janece, its all about the process. Enjoy the journey!
Allana
So true So true. It is all about your Spirit and only yours! Well done my friend!
Hi Linda, I’m glad you can relate to this today. I’m really enjoying this blog at least as much as I enjoyed writing that novel.
Tim
Thank you for the wonderful tip about iTunes courses, I didn’t know about them. Very exciting!
You’re very welcome. It’s a truly amazing thing at i-Tunes. You can search under iTunes U. You could also search iTunes for Yale courses or any other University. I mention Yale specifically, because they have a nice selection with full video. I wish I had more time to view more courses. I’m feeling inspired to get into that again!
Tim
Hi Tim, thanks for the inspiration today. It is indeed, all about the journey and the rest is the gracious bonus of Life. Best!
Hi Tati, You’re welcome – thanks for letting me know you can relate to this.
Tim
Wonderful post and sketch. My husband and I had a discussion yesterday about a situation. He said you have to stop believing the problem is not solvable and start believing that it does have a solution. He also encourages me by telling me it’s not how fast you arrive at your destination (ex: painting skills) as long as you are going in the right direction. I relate to your post in this way too. To reach a goal isn’t to fulfill your dream. Yes, it can be part of it but to even try to pursue your dream is success. It’s all about attitude really. Some see failure in not reaching a certain point. I see success in being brave enough to start. Have a wonderful day.
Hi Laurie, It’s amazing how many things we fret about can come to a resolution eventually, sometimes all by themselves. I was always very impatient with my career when I was younger. I was in a real hurry to reach goals. Now I see that the important thing is to keep at it.
Tim
Very well put my friend. I stretch my hands and cheer for believing in yourself and not following the traditional path. I am listening. A
Hi Jess, Thank you for the encouragement.
Tim
Beautiful! This is a quote I have on my About page. It could apply to any art form or writing:
Painters must want to paint above all else. If the artist in front of the canvas begins to wonder how much he will sell it for, or what the critics will think of it, he won’t be able to pursue original avenues. Creative achievements depend on single-minded immersion. – Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Hi Fergie, It is very true – a great quote. Thanks,
Tim
Such truth you write about! Its amazing how you explain this truth in todays journalling. I feel such a freedom from reading this and just letting go! I have been hanging on to other peoples dreams for me, or maybe its their expectations of me?? Whatever it is, its mine to discover and mine alone.
Thanks Tim for allowing us in, you are giving so much to us.
Hi Allana, It can be tempting to want to follow what you think other people expect of you – or to try to achieve things to impress certain people. I’ve fallen into that trap in the past, but it all comes down to what you really want to do with your time and creativity. Thanks for sharing!
Tim
I liked the wisdom/art work, but I truly like what you wrote, I often recall how I coin my writes as a hobby, there are to many talented/ writers with a pile of literary degrees that stand in line at the publishing house. Then I recall my favorite author, Mark Twain, whom in his time was coined a children’s book author, but now is coined one of America’s greatest authors. Samuel Clemons thought of nothing more than… to write. Like the post I had a couple days ago called “Destiny” like a rose unfolds, in time we will blossom. You, I believe could fill a book with your posts/art/ and witty one liners and I can only imagine the marvel you could create as a whole novel. (~_~)
http://zendictive.wordpress.com/2011/10/22/destiny/
Hi Art, Thank you for the link to your “Destiny” post – it’s a great one. Thanks for your confidence in my novel! It still needs a lot of work, but I hope to work on it again soon. Someday I will be satisfied with a final draft. In the meantime, this blog is my mind’s daily creative outlet.
Tim
True! Some dreams are not something you want to devote the rest of your life to. I think there are all kinds of dreams. A “life” dream IS something you are willing to devote anything and everything to. But there are a lot of dreams that are like mileposts on the trail. Feels just as good to reach them, but you don’t want to stay there. You have more hiking to do along your path. 🙂
That’s a good way of putting it – there are dreams you can call “life dreams” – up until this point I think I’ve been devoted to temporary dreams. The “life dream” is something to ponder. Thank you so much for that thought!
Tim
Dreams are what keep me interested in the next day of my life…without them, I’m not sure that I would have a purpose.
Hi Bonnie, Dreams certainly have a way of keeping life interesting. There’s no getting bored when you have dreams.
Tim
I know you know I am inspired by your work and that you don’t need to be reminded….but….awesome! Love your work. TFS
Hi Diana, I always appreciate your comments! It’s great to hear from you.
Tim
I love the doodle and the accompanying words
Also the piece of writing you add on to it was lovely
Thanks for the feedback!
Tim