Dream BIG!

Well, I’ll Have Another… fantastic race!

Yep, our hero from a previous post, I’ll Have Another, checked off another victory.

I’m pretty sure that some of the folks around him are dreaming BIG right now… Triple Crown BIG.

Okay, I’ll admit it – I can get pretty obsessed with horse racing. I’ve been that way for as long as I can remember. In fact, back in the day, when other girls were dreaming of Donny Osmond, David Cassidy, and Michael Jackson, I was dreaming of Secretariat. And I could rattle off the bloodlines of the major contenders faster than a nicotine-stained bookie.

Once when my family was vacationing in Miami, I saw Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure breezing at Hialeah Racetrack, and I nearly fainted – Beatles groupie style.

Back then, one of my BIG dreams was to be a jockey. Of course, my body had other plans, as it ratcheted up beyond 5’8”.

So, is it any wonder that I became a writer? John Steinbeck once said, “The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a stable, solid business.”

Yeah, the writing life was another BIG dream of mine.

And I am a BIG dream believer.

I think that if you write for children, you’ve got to be. After all, most kids will not miss a beat when asked about their BIG dreams…

“Someday, I’m gonna build the first ice cream stand… on the MOON!”

“I’m going to create the world’s first sanctuary… for dragons!”

“I’m going to build a flying bicycle so I can keep track of my unicorn herd – they’re pretty shy, you know.”

Ah, kids – such BIG dreamers… and so incredibly, amazingly, wonderfully unrealistic!

But are they?

I’ve read quite a few biographies in my day, and one thing that always smacks me right between the eyes is that every single “great” person seemed to dream BIG well into adulthood.

Take Bill Gates, for example. In one interview he talked about the BIG dream he had… That one day there would be a personal computer for every desk. Considering that the smallest computer at that time was bigger than a refrigerator – that was a mighty BIG dream!

Today Bill still dreams BIG like a kid. In fact, from what I’ve read, I’m pretty sure he’s going for his own Triple Crown – as in, every single child has (1) good health, (2) a great education, and (3) a peaceful world.

Now that’s one BIG… and BEAUTIFUL Triple Crown!

.

PROMPT: What were your BIG dreams as a kid? These are terrific writing fodder. If you’re working on a novel, what are the BIG dreams of your main characters? Answering this is a great way to get to know them better.

What is your BIG dream today? Got it? Okay, now say “I’ll Have Another” and list out BIG dream #2. Then list yet another, to create your own BIG and BEAUTIFUL Triple Crown!

Sweet Dreams!

Don’t Fear the “R” Word

I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career.

I’ve lost 300 games.

Twenty-six times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot…

and missed.

I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life.

That is why I succeed.

~ Michael Jordan, Professional Basketball player

Failure.

It is a good thing.

No, scratch that.

It’s a GREAT thing.

Because if you’re failing, it means you’re trying. You are out there! You are making things happen!

For writers and artists, the “failures” are rejection letters – those little “noes” we all “knows” so well.

Or we should.

Because if you don’t have a rejection collection, you must not want to succeed.

Rejection, after all, is one of the necessary steps on the path to success.

Don’t fear it.

Say it with me…

Don’t fear rejection.

Yeah, your new mantra.

And just so you never, ever, EVER forget it, there are three more words you need to know…

BLUE. ÖYSTER. CULT.

The music is here.

But, my friends, the lyrics have been mindfully bent.

Crank it up, then read and rock on…

All the work is done
This could be the one
Seasons don't fear rejection
Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain…we can be like they are
Come on writers...don't fear rejection
Artists, take my hand...don't fear rejection
You'll be able to fly...don't fear rejection
Baby, it will be grand...

(you already know this part by heart)

La La La La La

La La La La La

All the work is done

This could be the one
Romeo and Juliet
Will be printed for eternity...Romeo and Juliet
80,000 books are published every month… Like Romeo and Juliet
80,000 books are published every month… Redefine happiness
Another 80,000 coming every month… we can be like they are
Come on writers… don’t fear rejection
Artists, take my hand… don’t fear rejection.
You’ll be able to fly… don’t fear rejection.
Baby, it will be grand…

(Oh yeah, sing it out)
La La La La La

La La La La La

Love of art is fun
Here but now it’s gone
Came the last NO of sadness
And it was clear she couldn't go on
Then the mail was opened and the YES appeared
Her doubts all flew and then disappeared
Her dreams all grew and then reappeared...saying don't be afraid
Come on writer...and she had no fear

She believed again...then she started to fly
don’t look backward or say goodbye...she had become like they are
She had taken a chance...she had become like they are
Come on writer... don’t fear rejection.

PROMPT: Sing it loud and proud! Just add cowbell for instant success. NOW is the time to get that manuscript, portfolio, or query letter on its way to YES!

(Special thanks to Grace, AKA Rock Star in Residence, for verse 3 assistance. That girl can JAM!)

Now THAT’S Creative!

Yesterday I received a catalog from a major clothing retailer. Well, the cover featured a new product that had me at hello…

Scratch & Sniff T-shirts.

Yes, I know. I had the same burning question –

Do they come in BACON?

Sadly, no.

Only orange, strawberry, and grape are available for now.

But we can dream.

Then I was struck by a few more questions, as well.

Like, will there be a line of Scratch & Sniff pants?

And if so, will my bacon T-shirt clash with minty capris?

Also, do they come with warning labels?

As in…

WARNING!

DO NOT USE WHILE CAMPING!

 YOU SMELL LIKE FOOD.

And what do teachers have to say about all of this?

It doesn’t take a deep thinker to imagine that this wearable would be a teacher’s worst nightmare…

“Suzy, stop flashing Timmy this instant!”

“I’m not flashing Timmy, Miss Harbuckle – I’m smellin’ my shirt!”

 And if a 6-year-old in Colorado can get expelled for singing “I’m sexy and I know it” (Yep, it really happened on May 4th) – then how is “Honestly, Mr. Hornblatt, I was just sniffing her shirt” going to go down?

But the most important question of all (besides that bacon inquiry, of course) is…

Can creativity go too far?

Answer:

OF COURSE NOT!

Take heart, Elbow Benders – if there is a market for Scratch & Sniff T-shirts, there’s a market for ANYTHING!

PROMPT: Go on a marketing mania brainstorming binge. Take a 10-minute timeout and list as many WILD and CRAZY products as you can. From platform heels for the petite Pekinese to alpaca scarves for the Alaskan anaconda – you never know when you’ll come up with THE BIG ONE…

Sara Blakely, the creator of Spanx, is a billionaire, after all.

Bacon stationary, anyone?

Treasure Map

Want a fun way to bend your mind’s elbow?

Treasure map your childhood!

Start with a large sheet of paper and plot out your old stompin’ grounds. Visual artists may have an easier time with this part, but nobody should sweat it. We’re not going for accuracy – we’re after STORY. Aye, for there be the treasure, Mateys!

Be sure to draw the home place the way you saw it back when you were about four feet tall. And remember, when you were that small, lots of things were probably BIG and SCARY. Add labels that bring to mind specific childhood memories – those places and events that tell the tales of your adventure in the Land of Little.

Here are some of the map markers on mine:

Frog Catcher’s “Crick”

The Attic Bats

What is THAT?

Fossil Ridge

The EVIL limping Rooster!

Crawdaddy Falls

The CREEPY Basement (Why was that lonely light bulb always swinging?)

Roly Poly Hill

The Kite-flying Field

The Kite-eating Tree

The Little Room (Haunted for sure)

And of course, the spot where I found the neighbor’s marijuana grow operation… When you’re 7 years old, NOTHING starts a conversation faster than bringing home one of those leaves!

PROMPT: Have fun making maps today! It’s surprising how the dual process of drawing and writing unleashes those tales that live within your skin. Begad! YOU’RE chock-full of treasure!

Bust a Move

Are you ready to ROCK this week?

I am.

I’ve got my goals.

I’ve got my to-do list.

And I’ve got my 5-minute happy music dance break.

Say what?

Remember that post about happiness? Well, here’s one quick way to get some.

First off, research shows that happy music creates positive perceptions even when there’s nothing “positive” to see (Jolij & Meurs, 2011). Another study (Salimpoor, Benovoy, Larcher, Dagher, & Zatorre, 2011) noted that brains release extra dopamine when people listen to music that they enjoy. And even if you don’t understand dopamine, trust me, right now your brain is saying, “BRING IT ON!”

Can you imagine what would happen if we added a little wiggle? Sure enough – current research from the University of London is demonstrating that dancing boosts mood beyond the effects of exercise alone.

Well, this is certainly news we can all use! So, get out your playlist of happy songs and crank ‘em up for just 5 minutes every day. Then prepare to be amazed. I can only imagine how many Prozac prescriptions could be eliminated if everyone just spent a little time shakin’ their groove things!

Try it this week – just for some creative fun. And you are here to have creative fun, aren’t you?

Note: Be sure to choose music that’s up-beat and positive. If you think that a 5-minute dance break playlist includes Beck’s Loser – WE NEED TO TALK.

Here’s a few that will get the job done. I’ve added links – you have NO EXCUSE.

Into Country? George Canyon’s Sunshine always makes me smile. (Probably because I am a big-yellow-sun-ball-addicted Northwester)

Funky Hip Hop?  Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti and Spearhead is wonderful.

Rock? Bon Jovi’s We Weren’t Born to Follow. Yeah, those Jersey boys can still rock the HOUSE.

And for those going through a rough patch – Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger is awesome.

Maybe you have a few happy tunes of your own.

Try it.

It's free.

It takes just 5 minutes.

What have you got to lose…

But the blues?

Even if you don’t feel like dancing,

DO IT ANYWAY.

Here’s a tip – Whenever I don’t feel like dancing, I take a moment to remember two very important facts:

This great big beautiful world comes complete with

OXYGEN

and

CHOCOLATE!

What more does a body need?

Well, a 5-minute dance break.

PROMPT: Energize that creative mind of yours with a dose of dopamine! Get down, shimmy, boogie, bust a move, and trip the light fantastic for a fantastic week -- guaranteed!