Dreams Imagined and Pursued by Donna Michaels

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” ~ Henry David Thoreau 

I know several Roses have posted about this quote this month, but it’s a goodie! One that I encouraged my children to follow. As long as their dream is legal, of course.

When my children were in high school, I asked them to think about what they wanted to do after graduation, and what they enjoyed doing for fun. Then I suggested trying to find something that combined the two, because they were going to be stuck doing that for the rest of their lives. Work is more satisfying when it’s something you want to do.

My daughter has always loved to entertain and was in every pre-school, grade school and high school concert, performed in her sending school district’s Drama Club productions, and even auditioned and performed for local theaters. Am I worried about her choice to pursue a career in entertainment? Yes. Absolutely. It’s such a fickle business. Will I try to deter her from following her dream? Heck no. I was a housewife with four, very active, school age, children when I decided to pursue mine. No one told me it was stupid. (I wouldn’t have listened anyway.) I would never try to make her change her mind.

Now, she’s in college, majoring in acting/directing, and is considering a minor in writing. She is extremely good at it. In high school last year, she was asked last minute by her teacher to write an essay for a local American Legion Contest. She won first place. It then went on to regional. She won first place. It then went on to state. She took second. All from a quick essay written the night before the deadline. So, yeah, if she ever gets the bug to write like I did, then look out. She has a bright future. I’m excited to see which direction her imagination and dream takes her. One thing is certain, Jestina will be a name to remember.

But she isn’t my only child to follow her dreams. One of my twins has been in college…forever. Okay, seems like it. Zach is a super senior (because he’s been in college forever). He started out pursuing computer programming, but switched several majors and colleges, until he found a major that spoke to him. When he first told me he wanted to switch colleges, yet again, and this time, to one four hours away, so he could major in Asian Studies, I admit, I blinked and asked him to repeat himself. Then I asked him what he could do with that major because I hadn’t really even heard of it. He said he wanted to go to Japan and teach children to speak English.

And I thought, yes! Finally! This is so Zach. He loves children. Loves Japan. He’s finally found his passion. He has always loved the culture, anime, gaming, music, and geography of the country. I can see him very happy doing this. Am I freaking out about him living on a continent prone to earthquakes and tsunamis? Heck yeah! Will I try to stop him? Heck no! I want him to go confidently in the direction of his dream.

What about you? What is your dream?

You already know I’m pursuing mine, and I’m thrilled to hear from fans who thank me for writing. It is so humbling, and those emails keep me going when exhaustion sets in. All part of pursing my dream. In my latest release, Wyne and Chocolate, my heroine is pursuing her dream of making chocolate confections for everyone to enjoy, but the road there was not easy.

I appreciate each of the 38 reviews I've receive, so far. Thank you!  Here's one I'd love to share:

 

 

“Donna Michaels never fails to impress me with her writing skills, & Wyne & Chocolate is no exception. Absolutely fabulous story, it was funny, romantic, a bit sad in places, & very sexy. Talking about sexy.........Mason has it all going on, my new bbf I think, he's very sincere, caring, loving...the list goes on, I'm so happy he could get over his abandonment issues, with Jill. She also has issues of her own, but is still a down to earth, loving & caring person. I definitely recommend this book, & am really looking forward to the next in the series.”   ~jacqueline shaw

 

Available at Amazon

 

Are you living the life you imagined? Sometimes, that changes, and the one you started out on isn't quite right. Like my son. Things come out of left field and just...click.

 Thanks for reading,
~Donna
www.donnamichaelsauthor.com

Should You Follow Your Dreams Or Make Them Follow You?

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. ~ Henry David Thoreau

I love this sentiment. We use it often enough. Right? Follow your dreams.
But what if we twisted it a shade or two and worked so hard, our dreams had to chase us? I mean, picture it. Wouldn't that be wild?

Yet, isn't that what many writers do everyday? We don't just work to become writers, we overachieve by spending hours on promo, writing and rewriting and then editing what we've rewritten.

I listen to people bragging about working on a book for three or four years, and how hard the writing is. I smile inside. I write three to four books a year. How about you? Granted, I'm retired and have the luxury of time. Even so, I'm making my dreams chase me. Four years ago, I was waiting for my first book to release with a small publisher. Now, I'm waiting for my second book to release with Random House, the largest publisher. I do confess to my dreams having an easier time of chasing me nowadays...I'm slowing down a tad.

Book two of my Highlander Beloved Series comes out in a little over 3 weeks. Bryce, the youngest of the bear-shifter brothers, has a dream--to win back the woman he broke up with a year earlier. He'd mourned the death of his first wife, who'd died in childbirth, a long time. Too long. First, however, secrets must be revealed. Identities challenged. Pain shared and forgiven. And a demon to conquer. All while he follows his dream: to make Kenzie his wife.
His 5-year-old daughter, Colleen, gave him instructions the night he was to propose. This snippet takes place the next morning.

     Colleen dragged her little stool in front of the antique buffet server so she could reach the silver food warmers. Cook quickly removed the lids for her. His daughter grabbed a plate and filled it with scrambled eggs, toast and salmon. Bryce extended a steadying hand to help her from the small wooden bench. She plopped the plate in front of her da’s chair, hurried back to the server to spoon out a bowl of porridge and placed it next to his plate. A leap, a twirl, and then she practically corkscrewed herself into the ancient floorboards.

Och, me sweet girl canna wait fer the news.

“Colleen.” Her uncle Creighton’s eyebrows wrinkled and the corners of his mouth quirked. “What is wrong with ye this morning? Do ye have a rash on the soles of yer feet that itches?”

“Nay, I’m waiting fer verra important news.” She cupped her wee hand to Creighton’s ear and whispered loud enough fer half of Mathe Bay to hear. “I might be getting a new Mummy.” She scowled at Bryce. “If me da behaved himself last night. His black eye has me worried, so it does.”

Ronan choked on his coffee. “If yer depending on your da being a gentleman, ye might be a wee bit disappointed, me darling sweet one.”

Bryce patted his knee and she darted over to crawl onto his lap. “I’ve got the smartest little girl in all of Scotland. She told me how to propose to Kenzie and it worked.”

“At last! These two I’ve worried over fer years are getting married.” His mum smiled over her tea cup. “So, she liked the ring?”

Before Bryce had a chance to respond, Colleen placed her wee hand on his cheek and turned his face toward her. “Did ye put a pillow on the floor and place one knee on it like I told ye?”

Och God, the daughter inquisition was about to begin, and in front of the brothers too. “Aye, I did. And when I asked—”

“Ye untied the ring I had put on yer hat?” Her little arm wrapped around his neck.

God, he had to get her mind off her proposal list. “Yes, me sweet one, and when I asked her, she said—”

A small hand covered his mouth. Buzzards and bats, there was no way she was going to let him out of this embarrassing situation. “And did ye wear the golden satin breeches and matching gold shoes with heels and buckles?”

He cut his eyes to his two brothers who were leaning out of their chairs, hands over their stomachs, laughing like the numpties they were. Both Cook Edweena and Butler Bean were having a mighty fine chuckle at his expense too.

“The important thing is, ye shall have a new Mummy in a little over two weeks.” Her little arms viced around his neck as she peppered his cheek with kisses. He closed his eyes. Let the rest of the buffoons laugh. He’d made his little girl happy. Nothing could be better.

YOU'RE ALL INVITED

APRIL 7TH, 11am to 9pm

LINK to the event -- https://www.facebook.com/events/1627811187442281/