How to turn your daydreams into reality
‘What do I want to do?’ ‘What do I want to be?’ We’ve all asked ourselves these questions, no doubt on many occasions.
For some people, the answer is clear and simple. Others will be drawn back to these questions at different times in their lives. In my case, I thought I knew the answer until a random idea came into my head – an idea for a children’s story.
“That’s not very remarkable,” I hear you sigh. But it was for me.
Storytelling for a living
I’ve always enjoyed writing other people’s real-life stories – and I still do. I’ve done it all my working life. But I never planned to write any stories of my own, especially fictional ones.
But one night – the night before World Book Day – everything changed. One of my daughters had complained that she couldn’t think of any leading book character that looked like her or her sister. I couldn’t think of any mixed-race characters either and suddenly an idea for a story started to form.
I felt compelled to get it down on paper and develop it. Then more story ideas came – and they keep on coming.
Listen to your whisper
I know I’m not alone in having these ‘lightbulb moments’. We all have them. But how many of us listen to our ideas and then act on them?
It’s not easy because life gets in the way. We are all busy with endless ‘to-do’ lists, commitments and responsibilities but maybe we should all try to make time to listen to our inner thoughts and ideas. Steven Spielberg certainly thinks so. He describes it as ‘listening to your whisper’
So, when a positive idea next pops into your head don’t automatically dismiss it as an idle daydream. Maybe you should think of ways of developing it instead.
Bring your ideas to life
I’m now on the verge of publishing my first book – a picture book called Tiger Tale – and I’ve got many more in the pipeline, including a series of chapter books about the character who first came to me all those years ago; a time-traveling mixed-race girl called Laurella Swift.
My amazing family and friends have given me the encouragement and confidence to bring my ideas to life – and maybe you can too.
Research a plan of action
So, once you’ve got your idea, what do you do next? Set aside some time to research potential ways to make your idea a reality. Start with the internet. Find out what other people with similar ideas to yours have done.
See what local support is available to you too, such as library resources, council initiatives and practical training courses. The British Library’s Business and IP Centre offers a wealth of information and advice to small business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors, including advice about how best to protect your idea.
It was through the Centre that I discovered the wonderful courses run by award-winning author Melissa Addey
Talk about it
Once you’ve done your homework and your idea is beginning to take shape start to tell people about it.
You don’t have to go into the details (and you probably shouldn’t if your idea is about creating something unique) but the sheer act of talking to others about your idea somehow makes it more tangible. You may find yourself talking to someone who can help you move your plans further forward. This has certainly been the case for me.
I’ve now included information about my publishing plans on my new website, created by the talented team at White Heat Design I hope you like it.
Believe in yourself
It can be scary to try something new. It’s an unknown. It takes us out of our comfort zone. But sometimes you’ve just got to try.
I’m at the very start of my publishing journey. It feels a bit like being on a rollercoaster, slowly edging up to the first ridiculously steep incline. I don’t know where my journey will take me but I’m strapped in and I’m ready to go!