Indie Chick - Cheryl Bradshaw
Cheryl Bradshaw
Just Me and James Dean…by Cheryl Bradshaw
When I was a little girl I used to make up stories atbedtime for my younger sister, Michelle. The most vivid centered on a boy and agirl who received a piece of gum for Halloween in their trick-or-treat bag, andwhen they chewed it, they were transported to a magical land where they weregranted unlimited wishes. Even at such ayoung age, the process of concocting stories was effortless. My mind revolved like the reel of a moviespinning inside my head.
I spent many hours daydreaming as a child. Back then everything was as beautiful andwhite as a freshly painted fence. Ifantasized about the day I would get married, the children I would have, thehouse I would own, and the life I would live when I was all grown up.
When I was a teenager,my mind still swirled with girlish hopes and dreams. I remember lying on my bed in my room staringat a poster on my wall of James Dean. Hewas hunkered down on the seat of a motorcycle, and Marilyn Monroe was perchedbehind him with her arms wrapped around his waist, and her head resting on hisshoulder. I wanted to jump into theposter like the girl in A-Ha's Take on Mevideo and ride off into life's highway, just me and James. Together, forever.
When I became an adult and moved out on my own to attendcollege at the tender age of eighteen, I thought I had my whole world figuredout. I'd developed a slight obsessionwith Agatha Christie and knew mysteries and thrillers were the perfect genrefor me as a writer. All kinds of ideasflowed for the first novel, and I thought I was on my way. There was just one problem: I never startedwriting.
Why?
I wasn't prepared for the events that were about to takeplace in my life or how they would affect my journey. Life didn't turn out to be the dream Ithought it would be, and I struggled—a lot, and faced challenges and trialsthat at times seemed more than I could bear. My relationships didn't always work out, and all the babies I hoped tohave didn't come like I'd planned. There were times when I felt like my life waslike a shattered mirror, and I was on my hands and knees desperately searchingfor all the pieces of myself so I could glue them back together and feel wholeagain. During those times I wondered howmany other women out there in the world felt the same exact way.
Time went on and I struggled, but eventually I picked myselfback up and I healed. With a new leaseon life and a positive attitude about what I'd overcome, I thought aboutwriting again. In 2009 I wrote Black Diamond Death, the first novel inmy Sloane Monroe series. Sinnerman followed six months later andnow I'm hard at work on the third, I Havea Secret.
As I sit here and write this, I'm shocked that I am being socandid. Normally, I safeguard myfeelings. To say I'm a private person isan understatement, but I feel compelled to get this out. My message in all of this is to never losesight of your hopes and dreams. Neverforget who you are, where you came from, and what you are capable ofaccomplishing in your life. And if youhave a passion, foster it with everything you have inside you. Let it shine. Let it breathe. Let it be.
When I pondered about the dedication I would use for Sinnerman, my direction was clear and Iwrote the following:
Thisbook is dedicated to anyone who's ever had a dream. We have but one life, andone opportunity to live it. Make itlast, make it count, and make it the best it can be. Live your dreams, I know I am.
Today, I'm no longer waiting for James Dean to ride up onhis shiny black motorcycle. I've fallenfor a different kind of boy now, one who dreams of wide open spaces and asimple life. One who wants to be acowboy when he grows up. Now the posterI see in my visions is one of man hoisting me up on the back of his trustysteed while we ride away together into the Wyoming sunset.
If you asked me ten years ago if this was the life I thoughtI wanted, my answer might have been no, but if you asked me today I would sayI'm right where I'm supposed to be. Mylife isn't perfect, the challenges are still there, and I still have a lot tolearn about myself. But no matter whatthe future holds for me, I know one thing for sure: I'll never stop writing.
*******
This is one story from Indie Chicks: 25 Women 25 PersonalStories available on Amazonand Barnes& Noble. To read all of the stories, buy your copy today.
*******
Email: cherylbradshawbooks@yahoo.com
Web: cherylbradshaw.com
Blog forReaders: cherylbradshawbooks.blogspot.com
Blog forWriters: unearththeclues.blogspot.com
Cheryl's book's on Amazon:
Black DiamondDeath: Buy it today at Amazon
Sinnerman: Buyit today at Amazon
Whispers ofMurder (Novella): Amazon
Black Diamond Death (Sloane Monroe Series—Book One)
Sinnerman (Sloane Monroe Series—Book Two)
Whispers of Murder (A Novella)
Twitter
Facebook
Thank you Cheryl for yet another inspiring Indie Chick story.
Cheryl BradshawJust Me and James Dean…by Cheryl Bradshaw
When I was a little girl I used to make up stories atbedtime for my younger sister, Michelle. The most vivid centered on a boy and agirl who received a piece of gum for Halloween in their trick-or-treat bag, andwhen they chewed it, they were transported to a magical land where they weregranted unlimited wishes. Even at such ayoung age, the process of concocting stories was effortless. My mind revolved like the reel of a moviespinning inside my head.
I spent many hours daydreaming as a child. Back then everything was as beautiful andwhite as a freshly painted fence. Ifantasized about the day I would get married, the children I would have, thehouse I would own, and the life I would live when I was all grown up.
When I was a teenager,my mind still swirled with girlish hopes and dreams. I remember lying on my bed in my room staringat a poster on my wall of James Dean. Hewas hunkered down on the seat of a motorcycle, and Marilyn Monroe was perchedbehind him with her arms wrapped around his waist, and her head resting on hisshoulder. I wanted to jump into theposter like the girl in A-Ha's Take on Mevideo and ride off into life's highway, just me and James. Together, forever.
When I became an adult and moved out on my own to attendcollege at the tender age of eighteen, I thought I had my whole world figuredout. I'd developed a slight obsessionwith Agatha Christie and knew mysteries and thrillers were the perfect genrefor me as a writer. All kinds of ideasflowed for the first novel, and I thought I was on my way. There was just one problem: I never startedwriting.
Why?
I wasn't prepared for the events that were about to takeplace in my life or how they would affect my journey. Life didn't turn out to be the dream Ithought it would be, and I struggled—a lot, and faced challenges and trialsthat at times seemed more than I could bear. My relationships didn't always work out, and all the babies I hoped tohave didn't come like I'd planned. There were times when I felt like my life waslike a shattered mirror, and I was on my hands and knees desperately searchingfor all the pieces of myself so I could glue them back together and feel wholeagain. During those times I wondered howmany other women out there in the world felt the same exact way.
Time went on and I struggled, but eventually I picked myselfback up and I healed. With a new leaseon life and a positive attitude about what I'd overcome, I thought aboutwriting again. In 2009 I wrote Black Diamond Death, the first novel inmy Sloane Monroe series. Sinnerman followed six months later andnow I'm hard at work on the third, I Havea Secret.
As I sit here and write this, I'm shocked that I am being socandid. Normally, I safeguard myfeelings. To say I'm a private person isan understatement, but I feel compelled to get this out. My message in all of this is to never losesight of your hopes and dreams. Neverforget who you are, where you came from, and what you are capable ofaccomplishing in your life. And if youhave a passion, foster it with everything you have inside you. Let it shine. Let it breathe. Let it be.
When I pondered about the dedication I would use for Sinnerman, my direction was clear and Iwrote the following:
Thisbook is dedicated to anyone who's ever had a dream. We have but one life, andone opportunity to live it. Make itlast, make it count, and make it the best it can be. Live your dreams, I know I am.
Today, I'm no longer waiting for James Dean to ride up onhis shiny black motorcycle. I've fallenfor a different kind of boy now, one who dreams of wide open spaces and asimple life. One who wants to be acowboy when he grows up. Now the posterI see in my visions is one of man hoisting me up on the back of his trustysteed while we ride away together into the Wyoming sunset.
If you asked me ten years ago if this was the life I thoughtI wanted, my answer might have been no, but if you asked me today I would sayI'm right where I'm supposed to be. Mylife isn't perfect, the challenges are still there, and I still have a lot tolearn about myself. But no matter whatthe future holds for me, I know one thing for sure: I'll never stop writing.
*******
This is one story from Indie Chicks: 25 Women 25 PersonalStories available on Amazonand Barnes& Noble. To read all of the stories, buy your copy today.
*******
Email: cherylbradshawbooks@yahoo.com
Web: cherylbradshaw.com
Blog forReaders: cherylbradshawbooks.blogspot.com
Blog forWriters: unearththeclues.blogspot.com
Cheryl's book's on Amazon:
Black DiamondDeath: Buy it today at Amazon
Sinnerman: Buyit today at Amazon
Whispers ofMurder (Novella): Amazon
Black Diamond Death (Sloane Monroe Series—Book One)
Sinnerman (Sloane Monroe Series—Book Two)
Whispers of Murder (A Novella)
Thank you Cheryl for yet another inspiring Indie Chick story.
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