When I was an athlete, my coach encouraged me to write down my top three goals each year. He'd look at them, then tell me to reach even higher. If you don't aim high, you'll never know if you can get there, he'd say.
At the risk of turning this post into lyrics from a 1980s boy band, I'm going to take those lessons learned and apply them to my writing and my life. Today's Ten for Tuesday will be all about my dreams, because I do believe there's nothing wrong with wanting to reach the top -- as long as you don't rely solely on luck to get you there.
1. I want one of my books to be on The Times (or The New York Times) bestsellers list.
2. I'd love one of my books to be in the Top 10 on Amazon for at least a month.
3. I'd like to be able to make a living from my writing so I don't have to rely on my husband's income.
4. I'd like women to write to me and tell me how much they enjoy reading my books!
5. At some point in my novel-writing career, I want to have a swanky, Martini-fuelled book launch in a fab location with all of my friends and family.
6. I want to have a country house (one of those small cottages with a thatched roof) in Castle Combe -- or somewhere with a small tinkling stream in the back garden. Sigh!
7. I want to be able to eat vanilla sponge cake with cream-cheese frosting every day and not gain weight.
8. I'd love my husband's film to be purchased by a major distributor and for him to have a massive debut in the West End and walk the red carpet.
9. I want to have great ideas for new novels every week.
10. I want to be happy, healthy, sane and mobile until... well, until my time is up.
Wow, that didn't take long!
What are your dreams, in life or in writing?
(And on the topic of dreams, here's one that's coming true: the blurb for my debut novel The Hating Game is now up on Amazon!)
Those are some great dreams, Talli. I particularly like the one about the cottage and the tinkling stream.
ReplyDeleteKeep going, Talli! You're on a roll.
ReplyDeleteI've always thought a best-selling novelist should be living in luxury, wafting around in country houses wearing diamonds like Dame Barbara Cartland or similar. That'll do for me!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes & hope your dreams come true :)
You have wonderful dreams! I love every one of them! Fingers crossed that they come true for you.
ReplyDeleteLove these! Everyone should DREAM BIG!!! Because you never know, you just might get it all!
ReplyDeleteSweet dreams, Talli! : j
ReplyDeleteIn life, my only wish is to continue being happy.
Great dreams. I too would like to eat cake without gaining weight. lol.
ReplyDeleteIt won't be long before women are writing to you saying how much they love The Hating Game....one will be me. :)
That's an amazing list, Talli. I think they're doable ;)
ReplyDeleteEspecially the one about eating the vanilla sponge cake every day without gaining weight. If you omit other goodies and you walk it off every day ;)then voilá. No pounds/kilos added.
Beautiful dreams! Actually, they're realistic. The first time I visited England, I dreamed about #6. For a Yank, reading Agathic Christie became more realistic!
ReplyDeleteAny few of those would be quite an accomplishment. I hope you get everything you desire.
ReplyDeleteI've been able to check a few of mine off my list. The only one I really care about now, Is to live a long and healthy live.
I did mange to see my number one dream come true already...
I want to be featured in the Atlantic Monthly
ReplyDeleteI want to be able to sit down and write whenever...
those are the two I can come up with in a few seconds.
I really like the one where women contact you. I'd say that's my biggest dream: reaching people, having my words mean something to someone. I don't care much about fame and success; if mine and hubby's careers pan out, we'll make plenty of money that way. Money's not a big thing to me. But being heard? Definitely.
ReplyDeleteWhat were you an athlete in?
Looks good!
ReplyDeleteAlthough according to this:
http://io9.com/5407211/one-new-york-times-bestseller-per-year-will-barely-keep-you-above-the-poverty-line
...you practically have to achieve this:
1. I want one of my books to be on The Times (or The New York Times) bestsellers list.
...in order to achieve this:
3. I'd like to be able to make a living from my writing so I don't have to rely on my husband's income.
It reminds me of a joke I read the other day whilst reading Tied In: The Business, History and Craft of Media Tie-In Writing:
Q. What's the difference between a writer and a pepperoni pizza?
A. A pepperoni pizza can feed a family of four!
:)
Anyhow, I will try to dream big!
Number 7 is definitely one of mine, too. This is a good idea, listing your goals. I will try it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone, for chiming in with your dreams (and for making me feel good about mine!).
ReplyDeleteSummer - I did track and field. 400 metres. Ugh - I can feel the burn of the lactic acid even after all these years!
Jonny - I know! I've read that one... that's why it's a dream!
Good Luck with your dreams!
ReplyDeleteSo far, I only have one big one (asides from the obvious get published and live off it), I really really want to see out the RBS tent at the Edinburgh Book Festival. I'd feel loved. XD
I think all but #7 are possible. But if you figure out #7, please share!
ReplyDeleteI have a good feeling about your book coming out. It's got a great cover, it's a clever idea, and you're so personable. I'll help you promote it. Add my blog to your book tour.
Oh I'd love to finish my WIP! And I'd love a bestseller or three most definitely, and a big pile of bricks in the country! ;) Thanks for sharing your dreams, you can do it! x
ReplyDeleteTop two are to make a living from writing and to publish a novel.
ReplyDeleteTalli, it's so sweet and selfless that one of your top ten dreams is for your husband's film to be successful. Bless you!
I'm all for the cake one...
ReplyDeleteAwwwwww!!!!! Aim higher, aim higher! LOL!!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck Talli!!!! I love your book on amazon - so pre-ordered!! Lovely - it's looking really good and coming along nicely!
Brilliant. I really don;t doubt that you'll acheive all these and more, I really don't!!! :-)
Well maybe not no. 7. I mean if you discover how to do that.. my goodness!! :-)
take care
x
All of these just might come true! The only one that makes me shake my head is the cake and ice cream with cream cheese frosting. I'm afraid, that is totally not ever gonna become a reality. Sorry. : )~
ReplyDeleteAren't you on a roll, Talli!
ReplyDeleteRight now, I just want to get through college and one day hit publication. But I secretly wish my book will win some awards one day too...
See, now your boy band comment somehow had me thinking of a hair band instead- like, I'm hearing The Final Countdown by Europe when reading your list...
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful list and made me smile because I think they're all completely attainable for you- you seem to be well on your way already.
I would say that my wish for you is that before any of the others that your last wish comes true first and stays true- a long and healthy life above all else- that will make achieving everything else not only possible because it's much harder I hear to get published if you are in fact no longer alive (but it's all subjective!) but being healthy will make the rest of those goals so much easier to work toward.
Congratulations on the Amazon blurb I'm off to check it out now!
~bru
That doesn't sound unrealistic to me! I want to live in a big country house with my own chauffeur, maid, butler and cook (and Sweetheart and dog, and perhaps some kiddies), sell lots and lots of books, and just to prove how un-humble (is that a word) I am: I want to be called "the Agatha Christie of this generation". Yay:)
ReplyDeleteI love this list! I also love that the blurb for The Hating Game is on Amazon -- yay! I was just telling a friend about it and can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThose are great dreams hon! I'll have to put my thinking cap on to come up with some of my own :-)
ReplyDeleteC x
Talli,
ReplyDeleteThat's a very inspiring list. I hope they all come true for you -- soon! I know how it feels to have these big dreams.
I think #4 will happen for you as soon as your book is released. I also think you'll be getting on top of the charts on Amazon & the Times, either or both, is highly possible. Does your husband promote his film the way you promote your writing?
You currently are doing well, & as long as you continue to be positive & reach for your dreams then they will happen for you & your husband. :)
I dream of being a writer, sitting on my window seat of my cottage (not thatched tho..fire risk with my beloved big open hearth!)even though i haven't written anything scince high school..
ReplyDeletei dream of opening a book shop so i can read every day as my job
I dream of opening a vintage store (next door to my book shop) :)
It's good to dream :)
Now that I'm an old man my main dream is to wake up and have another cup of coffee tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI pray that God grants you everything on your list and more!
~Ron
I hope all of your goals come true, especially #7. I want that too!
ReplyDeleteI love all your goals and I would love to go to your fab book launching party held in said swanky place--may all your dreams come true!
ReplyDeleteFor me--I'd like to eat all the cheese and crackers I want and not gain weight :-)
I think if anyone can achieve their dreams, it's you. You have so much positive energy and you work so hard that you completely deserve that they come true. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThose are fabulous dreams Talli - and I think they're well within your reach! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, my husband doesn't have a movie but I would love to have someone I don't know come approach me on the street and say they enjoyed my book. That would be nice.
ReplyDeleteCD
I bet you can do it!
ReplyDeleteI especially like number 7 and number 10....except I'd like it to be (I'm going to spell this wrong) trecale cake.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I think I'm going to do this in my journal tomorrow. :)
I, too, want that spot on the New York Times Bestsellers List for a few weeks. I want my kids to grow to be healthy, happy, adults who give of themselves for others. And I want a world of understanding.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to your hubby. Just believe.
Love the list, Talli! I relate to many of them--including the summer house. Only I'd like mine on the beach. Wouldn't it be great if all you had to was place your order and then... bam!
ReplyDeleteI love your lists. I almost always agree with them! Hope they all come true!
ReplyDeleteAwesome list! I have to agree with you on pretty much every number listed. Those would be amazing accomplishments! I hope you reach every one of them! :)
ReplyDeleteKnock # 4 off your list, because it is not a 'big' dream. After following your blog for these few months, I know that any woman who reads your book would want to do that. The rest are dependent on sales,which can be fickle, but not # 4.
ReplyDeleteI love your list--not sure I could ever hope to achieve number 7 but all the rest somehow feel more possible! ;)
ReplyDeleteExcellent idea to make a list--if you can see it, if you can picture it, you can do it. (Do I sound really American saying that?!)
For me in life/writing is raising awareness about Autism :)
ReplyDeleteI dream of 1-5, 7, 9 and 10. With an added husband to help with number 5!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with them, if you're story for the Chick Lit Shorties comp is anything to go by, you'll be achieving them all soon :-)
What fab dreams, Talli. At the moment I'd just like to have enough money to take a career break and write my novel.
ReplyDeleteLove those goals! I've always believed in dreaming BIG! what's the point, otherwise, right???
ReplyDeleteI'm living my dream as a writer. Years ago, I just wanted to write all day. Swell! I am. I just forgot to add that I was published, making lots of $$ writer who writes all day. Must revise the dream.
ReplyDeleteKeep dreaming Talli you never know. I mean I am living mine :)
ReplyDeletehttp://lindyloumac.blogspot.com/
Oh man, I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this post! So brave to put your dreams out there as well! I usually keep mine locked inside for fear of... ehrm... I don't know for which fear actually. So I will say this today:
ReplyDeleteI would like to get 20 people on my fab writing identity course in September. There. I hope it happens. I love doing what I do, but I love it more when I've got someone to share it with.
Hi Talli .. one question arising out of #4 .. when you’ve written a book – do people contact the authors .. I have to say I’d never thought of doing it – but now with all the great bloggers, forums, conferences etc .. there don’t appear to be any place to meet the author except at book signings .. I guess now their blog will be the opening if their readers want to contact them.
ReplyDeleteI concur whole heartedly with #10 ... and essentially to be happy, wealthy and wise! Happy week up in a wet London .. a cottage in Castle Combe country sounds bliss too ... Hilary
my dreams are to be able to give up my full time job and become a write and to live in new yorkx
ReplyDelete