Imagine Your Life

The holidays are behind us now and most of you have reluctantly returned to work. Your bodies might be sitting behind a desk or working on the manufacturing floor, but your minds are somewhere else. Somewhere far, far away...lost in imagination.

Imagination is a writer's greatest asset. Novel writers use imagination to create characters, shape plot, and write dialogue. Poets make imaginative thoughts and visions come alive on the page. Copywriters and other non-fiction writers use imagination to create advertising or write articles. A writer's imagination is undoubtedly the most used tool in her/his repertoire, but how many writers use this tool in their 'real' lives?

Now, I'm sure you've often thought about what your life would be like if you were free to write. Most of us have from time to time. You've imagined what it would feel like to have your first article accepted, or your first novel published. There's your book on the New York Times Best Seller list. There you are on Oprah! Great feeling, right? But have you thought about your day to day life? How would you structure your daily writing activities? What would a day in your writing life be like?

Here is an exercise often used by Lifestyle/Creative Career Coaches to help their clients get a feel for living the life they dream of. This exercise can be used by anyone, but we are going to model it here for a writer:

Imagine you no longer have to work an outside job. You can now stay home and write to your heart's content. Drawing on the things you know about yourself, what would your perfect day be like? What time would you like to get up? Would you take some time to relax over coffee or breakfast before starting your day, or would you go straight to your home office? Where is your office? Is it in a room in the house, or outside (such as in a detached garage)? Do you work at a computer or writing desk, or do you take your laptop or a notebook and wander outside to write in good weather? How long will you write? You might have a set schedule, or you might write so many words/pages before stopping. Or you might not even write first thing in the morning. You might use that time to research, or run errands, and write in the evening.

The key is to use your imagination to create what you'd like your life to be like. Write it all down. Describe a daily work routine that makes you happy. This is about you and your unique personality. It's a new year. Start today. Imagine your life. Make it extraordinary.

Happy Writing!
StellaD

Winds of Change Blowing

In like a Lion, out like a Lamb? That's what they say about March, but this is January! I'm watching the Weather Channel as I write and there are a few snow flurries in Atlanta right now, but not expecting any accumulation. Not likely to get any this far down the I-85 corridor, though. The only snow I get to see any more is on the tv. Bummer. The North Wind ushered in the New Year and has been blowing steadily all day with gusts that sound like thunder rolling over the roof. The gusts remind me of the song "Winds of Change" by Starship (formerly Jefferson Starship) in the 1980's. As this is the beginning of a new year, and an election year to boot, I think it's quite fitting.

This is a good time to take stock of where you are, look back at where you've been, and think about where you want to go this year. Take some time to sit down and think about the past year. What were the goals you set to accomplish? Did you manage to accomplish them? What were the obstacles or challenges you faced along the way? If you were able to overcome them, how did you do so? If not, is there any way you can avoid them this year? Are you where you wanted to be, or at least very close?

Now think about what you would like to accomplish this year. Put your goals in writing and place them somewhere where you will see them often, preferably every day. Keep in mind, though, that nothing is etched in stone. You can change your mind, your goals, and your direction at any time. For now, just think about things that you would like to do, any place you would like to visit, anything you would like to accomplish and write them down. Take a break, then come back and review your list and try to determine what you would need to do to achieve those goals. Write those things down, too. This is probably the hardest part, at least it is for me, so don't stress. This is where researching and networking can help immensely. But for now, you just want to get an idea of what you want for your life in this new year.

The winds of change are blowing. This is a year of high energy. Tap into it. Make it productive, make it fun!

Happy New Year to all of you!
StellaD

On Christmas Day

Wow, haven't posted in quite awhile. Must make a resolution to do better in the New Year. My apologies to those who have enjoyed the blog and have encouraged me along the path for leaving you hanging after the last post. While I haven't been writing in the blog, I have been thinking about the direction I would like to take it in the coming year. But that is for another post....a New Year's post.

It is cold and raining here today, a typical December day. I've spent the morning sending off emails and making my ritual Christmas phone calls to friends and family. It's heartwarming to hear the smiles at the other end of the phone line. I've made new friends this year who have been added to my email and call lists. Friendship is one of life's greatest treasures. I'm not able to be with family this year, but my rambling bud, who lives nearby, has graciously invited me to her house this evening for supper. As I am bringing the roast beef, I think it would behoove me to show up on time.

Just want to take a minute to wish each of you a Merry Christmas. Wherever you are and however you choose to celebrate the season, may the spirit of joy fill your heart. I hope that if you don't have family to be with, you at least have friends who care, for true friendship is indeed a great and wonderful gift. Thank you to all my friends, old and new, who fill my life with joy and my heart with love. Peace be with you....now and always.

Happy Holidays!
StellaD