When we were at the beach a week and a half ago, Curt had the kids outside swinging. "Daddy," my youngest said as she soared high on her swing, "I can dream with my eyes open!"
Curt thought he knew what she meant so he probed a bit to find out if he was guessing right. "Are you dreaming right now?" he asked her.
"Oh yes!" she said.
"What are you dreaming?" he asked.
She proceeded to tell him an elaborate tale about knights and kings and princesses and dragons. And, she pointed out, it was all happening in front of her eyes even though she wasn't asleep. Curt later told me this story and smiled as he said, "She's just like her mama!"
I admit. I dream with my eyes open a lot. While I am running. While I am driving. While I am washing dishes or sitting still. As I told someone recently: I am never idle and never bored. I get to go places, meet people and live adventures. Who cares if the places, people and adventures aren't actually happening? They are to me.
Novel writing has been a great extension of the dreams I dream with my eyes open. I get to tell the stories that entertain me and hope they entertain others as well. I love the possibilities that lie in front of me as I spend time this summer investigating ideas and fleshing out characters, determining what my next steps will be, my next novel-writing adventure will be. The world of storytelling is filled with potential. New ideas wait around every corner, hiding within the "What if?" question most writers are very good at asking.
I love dreaming with my eyes open. My life is all the richer for it.
10 comments:
Marybeth -
I wanted to tell you that I just finished your book. I started it yesterday and finished it about five minutes ago. It was such a good book and I hope that you have already started on another one.
Sincerely,
Pat
Another reason I think we are very much alike Marybeth. I dream with my eyes open too. One time I missed my freeway exit because I was imagining a story in my head.
I LOVE this label of what is going on. Looks like you are raising another author!
I only just started exploring this writer within me and I find myself asking "what if" all the time now. It's like I opened a flood gate or something!
Josey
jbozzoblog.blogspot.com
I started your book yesterday, and finished it last night. I loved it, and am looking forward to your next one!
Totally unrelated, but I love your blog and need your prayers. Could you please pray for my MIL, Ellen? She has a tumor behind her eye and others in her brain and we are seeking the Lord to protect her vision, and remove the tumors, as well as give the drs. and nurses His wisdom. We need the Lord to perform a miraculous healing and are believing He will. Thank you so much--I truly covet your prayers, knowing with your righteousness, they will avail much. God bless!
Love this post, Marybeth. What a lovely way to be, isn't it? Dreaming with you eyes open makes life just that much richer.:-)
I would also like to let Victoria (above) know that I will be praying for her MIL, also. God gives us so much power. All we have to do is use it for the good we can achieve.
Thank you, Marybeth
Victoria, I will pray for Ellen. That was my grandmother's name and one of my daughter's middle names. Please keep us posted!
I love this.
I do this a lot too when I'm organizing something - thanks for sharing :)
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