Toes in the Sand by Betsy Ashton

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined." 

~Henry David Thoreau

I had no idea when I started my path to be a writer where it would lead. My dreams were to learn to write, to tell a good story, and to entertain those who chose to read it.

I taught a memoir-writing class yesterday at a 55+ retirement community where I met eight outstanding people. I asked them to tell me stories about their parents or grandparents. Many focused on the values taught them as children and how those values shaped their lives. I asked them to think of a favorite smell from one relative. Smells ranged from sweat, machine oil and pipe tobacco (factory worker), cotton (textile worker), talc, perfume and Ivory soap (various grandmothers) and fresh biscuits with jam (home maker). I could see the people had never thought how important it is to capture scents to give a relative flesh and blood. I left them writing away, happily sharing memories with each other.

I had always written for business and pleasure, but when I became serious about writing fiction, I knew squat. I had no idea about the different ways to approach characterization or scene. I simply told a story, plopped in some dialogue, and called my draft done. Not so. It took the patience from a writing group and some beta readers smacking me upside the head to help me focus on the craft of writing. I'm pretty dense, but something finally came through.

I didn't dream of publishing a novel. I dreamed smaller in the telling of the story. Now I know the importance of showing that story through action and dialogue and less through plain narration. Beta readers now look forward to the next book or section of a book. They encouraged me to dream large.

I did. With one novel in print since 2013 and the sequel coming out on Tax Day, I am now living the life I imagined. From toes in the sand of writing to a couple steps on the journey, I'm on my way. I still don't know where writing will lead, but I'm willing to follow my dreams.

Now, if I could just win the lottery...

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Betsy Ashton is the author of Mad Max, Unintended Consequences, and Uncharted Territory, A Mad Max Mystery, which is now available for pre-launch e-book orders at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Dreams

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

What do you dream about doing or becoming?

Me?

I have lots of dreams. I have writing dreams, teaching dreams, relationship dreams, vacation dreams, gardening dreams, reading dreams, crafting dreams…

Yeah. Like I said. Lots of dreams.

I also believe in the power of intention to fulfill those dreams. I hear so many people saying, “I wish this…” or “I wish that…” but is wishing enough?

Nope.

Wishing is merely thought.

Intention, however, has an engine, if you will. A motor filled with fuel, roaring to make something happen. Intention has purpose and power and passion. It is so much more than tossing a coin into a fountain. It’s tossing the coin, making a plan, and doing everything possible to make the dream a reality.

It’s as Thoreau said. Living the life you’ve imagined.

I’ve read many books about this topic, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer’s Wishes Fulfilled being one of them. If you have not read this, I highly recommend. I saw him on a PBS special one night a few years ago and was in awe of him and his message. I later bought Wishes Fulfilled and read it cover to cover almost immediately. His ideas on “manifesting” make a great deal of sense and his stories are very inspiring. Dr. Dyer basically says that we are all divine and have the power within ourselves to make anything we desire happen.

We can be whoever we want to be. No limitations. Everything is possible. Imagine away.

I like that. Don’t you?

Some might say that living life this way is delusional. That you can’t possibly make your dreams come true by imagining. Hey, I’m a writer. I make money off imagining, off making stuff up. I entertain people by inventing characters, places, and situations. I dream on a continual basis and you know what?

I have never felt more alive, more content, more certain in my direction, more comfortable on my path. I think a combination of imagination and action can give you the life you’ve always wanted.

What do you think? Has the power of intention every worked for you? If not, are you willing to give it a try?

Toodles,

Chris

www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com