The Dreams of Aspiring Writers
You can be a writer!
Hello and Welcome to JQ’s Substack Focus on Story!
Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote about dreams has guided my writing life.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. ―Eleanor Roosevelt
I bet you’re here on Substack because you’re a writer. I also bet you have dreamed about being a writer for a long time.
My dream of writing began in second grade when I fell in love with crafting stories and imagined myself one day penning a bestselling book.
This morning, something shifted for me. A friend stopped by to pick up a copy of Girls Succeed! Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women, my book for middle-grade girls. As I signed it for her granddaughter, I felt an unexpected wave of happiness. That small moment reminded me that, while I appreciate online book sales or book signings, nothing compares to the joy of giving my writing as a gift.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined
―Henry David Thoreau
I hope you are living the life you have imagined. If not yet, please don’t quit. You can’t just dream about being a writer. You must commit to being a writer. That means you select a time to write and do it.
Go to your calendar or planner now. Find a time and day each week that fits your schedule. If you can’t squeeze it into your busy days, then plan to get up earlier or go to bed later to get that precious time you need.
The next obstacle you may encounter is sitting down in the chair and writing. Work, school, and family responsibilities take precedence over the writing. But don’t let procrastination stop you. You may suddenly decide that cleaning out your closet in the basement is more important than writing. Even if that closet has been packed ever since you moved in six years ago. Write or scroll through Instagram? It’s your choice.
How about the time you spend reading craft books or watching videos on writing? I love discovering trends for authors or new, shiny things for writers. But that is not writing. Handwriting with a pencil, dictating your story, and clicking on the keys means you are writing. Whether good or bad, it makes no difference. The point is that you are filling up the blank page or screen.
Check out my article on Freewriting, so helpful in filling up those blank pages.
You can always edit a bad page. You can't edit a blank page. ―Jodi Picoult
You’re the only one who will see your writing unless you share it. And you don’t have to share your work. Not until you’re ready.
Just as there are four seasons in the year, there are seasons for writing. You may be in a season when it is impossible for you to take time to fill up a page. That’s okay. There will be a time for you. My first novel was released when I was 63. Oh, please, don’t call me Grandma Moses…
If you are a writer, leave a comment below with wise words for aspiring writers.
Girls Succeed: Stories Behind the Careers of Successful Women encourages middle grade girls to Dream BIG! You can dream big, too, and focus on making your dream come true. Yes, you can!!
Connect online with JQ Rose:
Email: jqrose02 @ gmail dot com
Thank you for your support.
Picoult's quote is perfect!