I write stuff for kids...and muse on writing, children's books, and the publishing industry in general

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Do you think big???

The other day, I looked up to see my 3-year-old daughter dragging my 5-month-old daughter on her back along the floor. By her hands! Of course, I quickly put a stop to that, but I also (perhaps foolishly) asked the perpetrator what she thought she was doing.
The answer, delivered in an isn't-it-obvious voice: "I'm taking my sister for a walk."


Needless to say, it's pretty hard to get cranky at your child when you're struggling not to laugh. And baby was fine, thank goodness...

That little incident got me thinking though. My oldest girl was thinking big, seeing possibilities rather than improbabilities. She knew my youngest couldn't even crawl yet, let alone walk, but she still dared to reach for the stars. In a manner of speaking.

That's what I'm doing as well. Reaching for the stars in my dream of becoming a published author. Hopefully, though, my dream won't be as impossible to achieve as a 5-month-old baby going for a walk with her sister!


Do you think big? What's your dream? Have you set concrete goals or milestones to keep you on track, or do you prefer to look at the big picture rather than the smaller details?

17 comments:

Michael Di Gesu said...

Your girls are beautiful Rach!

I would have laughed too....

I think my dreams are along the lines of most unpublished author's, and this is to become published.

When I finished my first novel a year and a half ago, I thought I'd have an agent within six months. I tried to be realistic. I didn't realize at the time I wasn't. MY ms needed major cutting down and restructuring which I have pretty much completed.

Now it's back to querying and pushing for an agent. I plan to go to the SCBWI winter conference in New York this January. I hope be able to network at least a few introductions and be able to nab an agent, That is my goal for 2011. Get an agent! The rest will hopefully fall into place.


Michael

Rachael Harrie said...

Hey Michael, great to hear from you. I'd better admit (*hangs head*) but they're not my girls (I still haven't worked out how to take photos and put them on my blog - will work it out soon tho cause I want to put a pikkie of me up) ;)

I love that you've thought out your goals and have a plan to achieve them. I have a feeling 2011's going to be a great year for a lot of us (*just saying*) :)

Rach

Joanna St. James said...

Hey Rach putting a picture up is easy, when you start to write a new post you just click on the logo that looks like a picture and browse from the collection already on your computer.
My toddler started walking at 9 months so if this is your dream you might only be a few months away from getting published hang in there

Bast said...

Taking her sister for a walk ... so cute. I would have laughed.

My dream pretty much matches up with yours ... getting published.

The Sisterhood said...

Interesting comparison, and what a cute story, Rach, but I think (and hope!) getting published is not as impossible as a 5-month-old walking! That's why we all keep trying!

Lorena

Julie Musil said...

Oh my gosh, I'm still laughing at this post. Kids...you just can't make this stuff up!

I am thinking big, because years ago I never would have dreamed that I'd be writing novels and preparing to send them to agents. The dream might be big, but it never hurts to dream big!

roh morgon said...

Very cute story. This made me think back to when my kids were those ages...thanks!

As for dreaming big...yeah. If being published, if having readers enjoy the story you've given them is a goal, you have to think big. Because then it's always in the back of your mind, and your subconscious will work to help you achieve that goal.

Here's to all of us hoping to someday see one of our novels in the hands of stranger who loves the story.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for stopping by my blog today!

J E Fritz said...

How cute! Here's hoping she'll still want to take her for a walk when baby is old enough!

Golden Eagle said...

Aw, that's such a sweet story!

I have goals; and right now, my main one is to finish my first draft. Then I'll really start thinking about the possibility of being published and how I'm going to go about it, etc.

Anonymous said...

Rach, you've got a great PB idea there! I hope you get a chance to play with it, because I think it's adorable.

I think the journey to publication is like a ladder - sometimes you can jump a rung - but rarely do you just land at the top. You climb your way up. Magazine publications and wins in comps are all part of building credibility and getting you to the top - a rung ont he ladder, and well worth celebrating.

Cinette said...

Is wanting to be published dreaming big? If it is, i'm aiming for the stars.

Sangu Mandanna said...

Ah, that is so cute! And those are gorgeous photos! Yes, I do dream (and aim) big and I'm happy to say that my hard work and persistence has by and large paid off in almost everything I've reached for!

Adina West said...

I'm not really sure how big my dreams are but I definitely do imagine a possible future which includes keeping up this writing game for a good while longer and even (shock horror) getting paid for it one day. Is that reaching for the stars?

Your story sounded so familiar because my older sister took me for a walk in much the same way when I was a baby. One small adjustment - she used a dog leash. Mum and Dad were NOT impressed. LOL.

Kari Marie said...

Wonderful story!

Like most, I have dreams of being published as well, but right now, my biggest dream would be to finish the first draft. Then I can really say, that I set my mind to do something outside of my comfort zone, and I did it.

Cheers to everyone! Here's to aiming high!

Abby Minard said...

Love that, it's so cute! My mom said my sister did that to me when I was a baby too. So innocent. Yes, I also have dreams of being published. Here's to dreaming big!!

Rachael Harrie said...

@Joanna, hey thanks. Woot!!!

@Quinn, it was hard not to. Go us!

@Lorena, I know we can do it :)

@Julie, it was hilarious. That's what its all about, dreaming big :)

@Roh, no worries. Here's to dreaming big and having heaps of people love our stories!

@JEFritz, so true.

@Golden Eagle, that's a great dream. I like the ones with goals on the way to your dream, then you can tick them off one by one :)

@Kat, ooh, hadn't thought of that. Might let it roll inside my brain for a while and percolate :)

@Cinette, here's to reaching the stars :)

@Sangu, thanks so much. Well done you, that's so cool!!!

@Adina, a worthy goal :) Here's to reaching for the stars together! LOL, love the dog leash incident - the things kids come up with!!!

@Kari, a worthy dream!!! Hope you get there soon :)

@Abby, oh dear :) Woot, raises glass!

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