“You always say you want to write but when are you actually going to do it?”
I was sitting in a café in central London when my friend asked me this. I can still see her face, still smell the coffee, still see the traffic passing outside the window…..
I had that horrible sinking feeling you get when you realise you’ve let your life fall into a rut. She was SO right. I’d wanted to write since I was a kid but somehow “stuff” always got in the way. I admit that the “stuff” was all positive, I was juggling a really demanding job, a hectic schedule and a full social life …. but there was still that nagging gap.
I probably didn’t have to resign from my job and change country but hell, as we say in Scotland “In for a penny… in for a pound” – if I was going to do something different I figured that I might as well go the whole hog and take a risk.
Now, I’m not a risk taker..... Not normally! But I was 36 years old and my life clock was starting to tick. I’d had a few friends leave this world too quickly and with a rude lack of notice. What if that happened to me? Was a good job and nice flat really all I wanted?
I’d grown up in Scotland although moving back home wasn’t all that easy. I’d lost contact with most of my school friends and I hadn’t lived here for 20 years. BUT I did have a dream and if I wanted to write, I needed somewhere cheap to live!
Once I started writing there was no stopping me. I wrote the first draft of Daring to Dream in about 2 months; reliving the pain of all my first dates and failed attempts at attracting the opposite sex as they poured out in the actions of Sarah, the young protagonist (although I have to confess I don’t have her endlessly long legs!) and as for Jason….. I’ve not met a woman yet who wouldn’t like to become more intimately acquainted with a body like his!
Daring to Dream was an absolute pleasure to write and came from having the courage of my own convictions. I hope you enjoy reading it and please let me have your comments – feel free to share what dare! - I’d love to hear from you!
Grace
I was sitting in a café in central London when my friend asked me this. I can still see her face, still smell the coffee, still see the traffic passing outside the window…..
I had that horrible sinking feeling you get when you realise you’ve let your life fall into a rut. She was SO right. I’d wanted to write since I was a kid but somehow “stuff” always got in the way. I admit that the “stuff” was all positive, I was juggling a really demanding job, a hectic schedule and a full social life …. but there was still that nagging gap.
I probably didn’t have to resign from my job and change country but hell, as we say in Scotland “In for a penny… in for a pound” – if I was going to do something different I figured that I might as well go the whole hog and take a risk.
Now, I’m not a risk taker..... Not normally! But I was 36 years old and my life clock was starting to tick. I’d had a few friends leave this world too quickly and with a rude lack of notice. What if that happened to me? Was a good job and nice flat really all I wanted?
I’d grown up in Scotland although moving back home wasn’t all that easy. I’d lost contact with most of my school friends and I hadn’t lived here for 20 years. BUT I did have a dream and if I wanted to write, I needed somewhere cheap to live!
Once I started writing there was no stopping me. I wrote the first draft of Daring to Dream in about 2 months; reliving the pain of all my first dates and failed attempts at attracting the opposite sex as they poured out in the actions of Sarah, the young protagonist (although I have to confess I don’t have her endlessly long legs!) and as for Jason….. I’ve not met a woman yet who wouldn’t like to become more intimately acquainted with a body like his!
Daring to Dream was an absolute pleasure to write and came from having the courage of my own convictions. I hope you enjoy reading it and please let me have your comments – feel free to share what dare! - I’d love to hear from you!
Grace
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3 comments:
I know a few people who keep saying they want to write a book....for years and years. They come up with every excuse to not sit and actually write. I feel so much pride in the fact that I said I was going to write a book and I actually did it!! And something that started out as a hobby..just something to do...has turned into an amazing journey and made me change my entire view of my career.
You book sounds fantastic, btw!!
It's encouraging to know that you really did it. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thanks for such great feedback! I hope my story inspires others to follow their dreams too!
Grace :)
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