To Wish Upon A Star…

Walt Disney was a dreamer with far-reaching goals. A fanciful visionary who truly believed in the magic of his beliefs.

"If you can dream it, you can do it." --Walt Disney

These days, hope and faith may feel like a lost dream. Yet in every era known to man there has always been two distinct choices: To believe in hope or to give in to despair. The greatest success stories always seem to feature heroes and heroines who take a chance despite the odds. Not only did they risk failure, they usually took an even greater risk. They strove to be unique in a world demanding conformity.

"Do not wish to be anything but what you are, and try to be that perfectly." ~ St. Francis De Sales

A struggle that many writers face is whether they will need to distort their vision or compromise their ideals in order to conform to what others believe in.

"He who trims himself to suit everyone will soon whittle himself away." ~Raymond Hull

There is much wisdom to be garnered by studying the rules of the craft, by absorbing the wisdom and advice of others in the field. However, writing is art. The ideas spring from your soul. You can learn how to create beautiful prose and how to construct a character arc. You can develop an ability to self-edit with the same finesse as a professional. What you can't learn is how to bring forth the stories that sweep you away. The only way to develop your art is to write without fear, without compromise, without worrying about conforming to anyone's standards but your own.

"Self-trust is the first secret of success." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Self-trust requires one very important thing. We must embrace our Self. So many of us struggle to fit in and to be accepted that we forget that our life is really our own. I remember many years ago, arguing with someone who wanted me to Be something I absolutely wasn't. Furious, I shouted, "Tell you what, next life YOU can be me but until then, I'm making my own damn choices!" *snort* Silly, I know, but my impulsive rant actually awoke within me a determination to not let others rule my life. As life lessons often go, this dilemma has popped up repeatedly as I come full circle and once again face others who insist my success or my happiness is dependent on me conforming to their ideals.

Wrong! *laughs*

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Trust in your dreams, trust in your own vision, trust that you can be and create exactly what you desire. There are times when you'll face rejection or criticism and believe me, it will sting. But those wounds heal much faster when you follow your heart. Many authors have heartily rejected the notion that success depends on conformity. Sherrilyn Kenyon is one author who faced countless rejections and persevered because she absolutely refused to place another person's belief over her own. She believed in her vision and because of that kept submitting until at last she found someone who took a chance. Now, she's a NY Times Bestselling Author. Sound good to you?

Believe in Yourself. Believe in Your Vision.

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." --Walt Disney

Yup, Dreams Can Come True. *smile* In fact, they do all the time. For some, the wait seems interminable, for others the journey is much quicker. One thing all people have in common is this. Happiness does not come as a result of success. Happiness comes from self-fulfillment. When Self-Fulfillment coincides with Success, my friends, you have created a dream come true.

"I prefer to be true to myself, even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others, rather than to be false, and to incur my own abhorrence." –Frederick Douglass

Be yourself. Believe in your Dreams. Know that Success Can Be Yours.

"Sooner or later, those who win are those who think they can." –Richard Bach

Now, I'd like to leave you a taste of Disney.

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you.

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do.

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true. --Ned Washington and Leigh Harline

There is good news on the horizon. *smile* Today on Facebook, agent extraordinaire Jessica Faust posted a link to a NY Times article suggesting sales are up for stories with a happy ending. Ms. Faust's blog is one of the best resources an author can hope for. Her perspective and her insights provide inspiration and a sorely needed solidarity in today's uncertain world. We're lucky to have her as an advocate—her track record speaks for itself. Thanks, Jessica!

Ready to write? Let's keep those dreams alive and put our fingers to work!

Here's to an inspired week of astonishing productivity. Go-go-GO!

Smiles,
Chiron O'Keefe

Also featured at Pop Culture Divas!