Husband Says What?

"What are you doing tomorrow?" misterwrites asked. Given our list of house projects and the tone of his voice, I knew what he was thinking: I should tackle the guest room.

She could finish gutting the closet, tape off all the trim and windows, primer the walls, let it dry, and get the first coat of paint on, easy.

But I already had plans; a routine that a full day's labor by myself just wouldn't fit into.

"The usual," I said. "An errand or two, housework, laundry. There's the three-year-old who will likely need my attention."

He nodded with understanding. Those things come first.

"And writing." I shrugged, my shoulders conveying that I'd not get to the room.

Visions of all he'd hoped for vanished. "Writing isn't real work," he muttered.

I gasped. No he didn't. But yes, he did.

Why?

He supports me. He knows how important my writing is, and wouldn't question my long-term goals. He just doesn't fully appreciate the time and effort needed to meet those goals. Especially when something on his list takes more precedence.

"It is real work, whether or not you think it is," I said, my voice firm with finality, and whipped him with a fierce look.

We'll see if he tries to utter such things again.

*evil laugh*

***


Has your significant other (or anyone, for that matter) ever let an insensitive comment slip, in relation to your dream or passion?

How supportive does he/she typically tend to be with your hobby or pasttime?

Sometimes I Wonder

Fame

It was a great movie, and an even better 80s tv show (says me). I'm sore excited it's to be redone.

My high school show choir (you know, singing and dancing while wearing pretty dresses and heels, the guys in matching vests and sharp, black pants) did a medley of Fame's music my senior year. The lyrics from Own My Own - along with a memory of the moment I stepped forward on stage to sing some of them in the spotlight - came rushing back to me this past weekend.

I get pumped when I think about it. It.was.awesome. And I miss those days.

Every year when we watch American Idol (season 8 has gone to Hollywood!), any short-lived singing dream I may have once had thumbs its nose at me. What if... I'd gone on to college and studied vocal music? What if I sang every chance I got, or had enough confidence to try for a local talent show? I know I can sing, but can I sing? Sometimes I wonder.

I just don't put too much stock in that "dream."

Instead, I write. I love it most, and it suits me much better; the solidarity, the fact that I can do it without putting myself out there in such a visible way, the... well, the being on my own. It's where I really shine.

Where do you shine?

Do you have an underlying dream?


***


I missed everyone during my extended absence! My oldest got sick with the tummy flu on our trip, which delayed our return. (She's much better now, thank goodness.) Once we did get home, I got waylaid by another migraine, and after getting the house back in order and grocery shopping and the like, I'm just now hoisting back into the saddle. How's everyone been?

A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes

This weekend my oldest is staying with my parents, and Little One has been puttering around on her own. (She misses Big Sister.) This afternoon she decided to settle in for a rest and Disney's Cinderella.

I can hear snatches of dialogue and music as I move about the house, readying it for this evening's company. Just a bit ago, I heard the mice singing Cinderella's mantra ...if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true... from A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes.

And I had the thought to hop on here and share the lyrics with all of you. I think they're important words; ones we should all keep in mind, writers or not.

A dream is a wish your heart makes
When you're fast asleep
In dreams you will lose your heartaches
Whatever you wish for, you keep
Have faith in your dreams and someday
Your rainbow will come smiling through
No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

...the dreams that you wish will come true

No matter how your heart is grieving
If you keep on believing
The dream that you wish will come true

Here's to our dreams coming true.

In My Dreams

Last night I dreamed of an agent. She had no name; at least, not one I can remember. She contacted me via phone, offering advice for my book. And then BOOM! she showed up at my house, ready to represent me. She was warm and friendly and, despite having misinterpreted my book for Young Adult in genre (whereas it's more like Mainstream or Women's Fiction), she rocked.

I woke up perplexed. And excited. My interaction with her in the dream felt tangible, and I hope someday I see it happen for real. Even if it's not with my "dream" agent.

Har har. Get it?

New Ideas For The Back Burner

I spent some much-needed time with two friends today. During the lunch we shared, one told me she'd had a dream a few nights ago. In the dream she seemed an outsider, as we've all likely experienced before. A story unfolded in front of her and, subconsciously, she told herself, "I have to tell Janna of this. What a great book idea!" And as she relayed the dream to me, I had to agree. I absorbed all she could recall and quickly jotted down the most pertinent details. Maybe someday I can transform her dream into a novel.

It makes me feel good, as a writer, to place new ideas on the back burner. It means my inspiration and imagination are still intact, and I enjoy looking ahead to the publication of my current novel (it WILL happen!) with the reassurance that there's work to be done afterward.

***

The family and I'll be taking a short roadtrip over the next couple of days (yup, the one we had to reschedule due to snowy blizzards). As always, I'll be armed with my notebooks and pens, and I hope to do some handwritten work on the WIP... Which leads me to believe it's time to invest in an AlphaSmart, a magical word processor that weighs 2 lbs and lives on batteries for up to a year. Write on the go, then plug it into your PC at home, adding the new stuff to your WIP. Oh man, am I coveting one (I use that term 'coveting' loosely).

Sure, a laptop would do so much more, as my husband points out. But doesn't it stand to reason that a laptop would provide more distractions? And just look at how cute and compact the bugger is. One day, AlphaSmart, you will be mine. Oh yes, you will be mine.