Working on the Book
After thinking for a while about it, and as part of the 100 post celebration a few days ago, I decided to take a look back at all the postings and how they can be put together to shape the book I want to publish. That is the main goal of this blog, to write the things that come to mind in order to write a book little by little. Better yet, writing pieces of the book. It is a big puzzle. Interestingly, the current posts were more than enough to put it all together. I am not looking to publish a 300-500 page book; not yet. Let’s build up to that with a smaller goal.
It is so exciting to be working on the book. It is taking form. I finished last night with the core content. The rough first draft is ready for me to read it and clean it up and make several revisions before I can send it to a few people for their revisions. I still have to cast the pieces of the new collection this book presents, and take pictures. The pieces will come together to create the graphic art work and select the pictures that would be included. It is going to be a long process but at least the most difficult part is done.
Someone told me years ago that I would be writing books. A short 100 page book is a very good start. I am really enjoying the blog and how it keeps my brain working actively every day. I like how it is enhancing an awareness of my thoughts. I am also more aware of my creative process. Nevertheless, the writing exercise is also helping me to listen more and observe more. A lot of inspiration and ideas are accumulating in the process but for now I am going to concentrate on my goal. I truly appreciate that you are reading this. I appreciate the comments as well. It is very encouraging when people make comments here and the messages I receive. Thank you for that.
I Believe in Dreams
People is always impressed when I tell them my story. I’ve been drawing since I was very little. In third grade I could already draw by looking at stuff. In fifth grade I spent the year painting history related murals in the classroom. I was always involved in something ‘artistic’ in school. However, when the time came to apply to college, I applied to study civil engineering. The day I was filling up paperwork for the application my father sat next to me and asked me what was I doing so I explained. His response was:
“Why? You love art. You are going to be miserable if you do anything else.”
He was right. After the first year I was already leaving civil engineering and moving into arts. (I’ll save the story of that transition for a different post.) Needless to say I’m here now with a long journey in front of me still. My dream is not complete yet, but I can say it is getting there.
This journey makes me think of Joseph. The first time I heard the story of Joseph I became fascinated with it. Yes, it is in the Bible (Genesis 37 and on). Joseph had dreams and the gift of interpreting dreams for others. His character also had to be tested because of that. First thing I learned from this story: Be careful who you share your dreams with and how. Joseph made enemies out of his own brothers because of his dreams. Sadly, we are going to make enemies because of our dreams, gifts, and abilities. Rest assured, “the haters” (it even sounds funny when I write it) will one day bow down. That’s not the point or what we are looking for. I am learning to pray for the success of “them” and grace, just like the one I received.
As I mentioned before, Joseph’s character had to be tested. We go through life trying to make sense of the paths we have taken and how it all fits into our dream. We might be living the roller coaster life and on each turn it seems like we are about to touch our dream and we miss it. We take another path, and another, and feels like just isolated experiences. Maybe we are collecting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and one day we will make sense of the bigger picture. Hold on to your dream!