If Not Now, When?

How long have your dreamed of or talked about writing your novel?

Does that question make you wince like it does for me?

I’m sure I don't have to tell you that writing a novel is a complicated, messy process. Never does a writer sit down in her charming garret and write her first perfect sentence on through to the last. Jane Austen didn't do it and neither does any of our other current-day heroes. Art isn't born of ease or dreams. Of course you know this! And yet.

Dreams are so pleasant. There's no failure in them. No bad reviews, no friends or family who ignore your book. No disappointing sales. There's no hard work with dreams. Or doubt. Or endless revision. Dreams are safe.

My father dreamed of writing a book. He talked about it constantly. He read and loved Stephen King's On Writing. He was going to write the book when he had the time. Soon, he said. And then, I'm very sorry to say, he had a cardiac event before he could fulfill his dream. This was nearly 20 years ago, and I do wonder if he would have finished his book or kept on dreaming.

This example probably seems harsh--maybe even cheap!--but, my friends, this is the brutal, crucial the truth of it: If we truly want to do something and not just dream about it, we have to do it now.

Writing takes extraordinary bravery and consistency, especially if you've long been a dreamer and are only now taking those daily steps to bring your work into the world. You can do it. 💛

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