Blow On The Embers

I still feel a little startled when I see Brenda Ueland's name on her book If You Want To Write. Because with the switch of just two little letters, it could just as easily say Brenda Leyland, do you see?

It's still vividly clear in my mind when Carrie Wilkerson once asked her audience the pointed question, 'How many of you have a book in your head? And when they nodded or raised their hands, she sez, What's it doing in there? Get it out of your head and on paper; nobody can buy it or read it if it's still in your head!'

Which reminds me of something else she said. She says she must implement quickly or it doesn't get done. Oh boy, do I know that! That's exactly what happened with some of my book ideas, not to mention a gazillion other brilliant ideas.

Too often I allowed other assumed duties and responsibilities, not to mention menial chores, take priority. So often I felt unable to pursue the idea while it was 'hot'. Eventually the passion fizzled.

If I would have just pushed through when it was fresh and full of fire, I could well be looking at a finished book with my name at the bottom of the cover, just like Brenda Ueland. And maybe you'd be wanting to read it!
But wait, there's hope! Surely it's possible to fan dying dreams? Try this. Imagine for a moment that perfectly wonderful cruise or holiday you took once. Imagine yourself back in that idyllic time and place. Can you feel? Smell the air? Hear the sounds? Are happy emotions flooding you as you image it?

Couldn't we do the same thing with our dying dreams..... fan the flames by going back to those first few hours, days or weeks when we were dreaming, sleeping, eating about the possibilities?

Couldn't we let those memories flood back, filling our mind and re-igniting our emotions.

I can feel the excitement rising. Do you?