Kelly KleinOne day, many moons ago, I had a dream. Like many kids my age, nine years old, I loved to play. Yet I had a hobby many kids didn’t understand: I loved to read. I would spend a lot of time biking or rollerblading, but I loved nothing more than to sit outside on a sunny day with my old friend, Anne of Green Gables. I loved her story, I loved her character. I wanted to be her. But more importantly, I wanted to write like her author, Lucy Maud Montgomery. She knew how to paint landscapes with words.
I devoured books like it was going out of style. So often I would throw the book across the room in frustration because of how it ended. I had so many ideas of how it would eventually turn out, and the author didn’t use one. Not a single one!
I wanted to control the story. I believed I could write better endings or include better scenes. I thought I could do a better job, so I started to write my own stories. I had a lot of fun coming up with my own scenarios. I fantasized a lot, and I wanted to remember the fantasies, so I wrote about them and elaborated on them. Ideas were always coming, and I felt I had to write about them.
It’s funny. Most people change their aspirations throughout their childhood, or don’t know what they want to be. For me, it was always writing. I learned to read and write at a very young age – younger than most – so maybe it was my destiny.
So, why specifically romance? I was never into sci-fi and fantasy, which seems to be what most writers are into these days. I always rooted for the protagonist to get her hero, and sighed when they finally kissed. I wanted to have that in my life.
I occasionally read Harlequin romances, but I feel they give the genre a bad name. They’re nice for beach reading or taking a break, but they’re too cookie-cutter. There wasn’t much to the subplot, if there was one, and very little action. I love romance novels where there is growth in both the heroine and hero, lots of conflict (both inner and outer), a climax, a dark moment, and a satisfying ending. I want the characters to go through so much that they deserve happiness in the end…they deserve each other.
A few decades later, I still write my stories. The dream is still alive. I battled with some confidence problems and never pursued my writing as more than a hobby. Despite that, the dream refused to abandon me. I never gave up completely. Even in the depths of depression, and through my lack of confidence, I still never let go. Perhaps it was my writing that saved me. It was my therapy.
I’m still in the early stages of turning my hobby into a business, but I am closer than ever to achieving my dream.
How can you take steps to achieve your own dream? Read on for tips!
- Never EVER give up.
- Keep at it.
- Find your tribe.
- Don’t wait for perfection.
- Let the world enjoy your gift.
- Don’t let dream-takers steal your dream.
- One small step every day will get you there.
- Celebrate milestones.
- Make goals.
- Know what you want.
- Adjust your plan if you get off course.
- Keep a journal of your progress.
- Have an accountability partner.
- Know that anything is possible!
Short, but sweet. I hope these tips help you in your own life.
What is your dream? Did you get there, or are you still working on it? Tell me in the comments! For more articles like this, sign up for my newsletter!
May your life be passionate!
