Taking the time to dream...

At this time of year most people look back on the past twelve months, think about what the New Year might bring, what they are hoping to achieve and how they might fulfil their dreams. I have been very lucky this year both personally and professionally. As a mother, I am thankful for the love and the immense joy my children and family bring to my life. As a writer, I have achieved my childhood dream and ambition to have one novel published and sign a contract for the publication of another.

I hope 2013 brings yet new contracts and new adventures, because every story is a fantastic and thrilling adventure...but I am yet to complete any of the three new ms I started with great enthusiasm. The problem has been the lack of time - time to sit down and write, but more than anything, the lack of time to relax and dream, and work things out in my head before I actually write.

I know this is down to holding a full-time teaching job these past few months, and having to plan lessons in the evenings, mark books, think about what went well or not so well that day and what I could do better... So when I finally sit down at the computer in the evening, I rush into the story because I feel I must make the most of the little time I have. The result is that more often than not, I'm dissatisfied with what I've written and end up deleting everything. I then get frustrated and anxious.What if I never complete another story?

So this has got to be my writing resolution for 2013.

To take the time to dream, even if it means not typing or writing a single word!
To let my mind wander, follow improbable paths, enter a world of fantasy and infinite possibilities. 



Because good things do happen when you follow dreams and improbable paths. At least sometimes.

If there's one thing I learned this year, it's that dreaming is never a waste of time. Rushing is.

Happy 2013! Bonne Annee.