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Dream Big, But Dream Smart

Want to be a bestselling author? Start now and don't stop.

Kathryn Borne

Jul 31, 2017

Clarks Summit University

Dyaa Eldin

My life's dream is to become a bestselling science fiction and fantasy novelist.

That's it. That's the big dream. It's got a bazillion little side-dreams branching off it, like having at least one book turned into a Steven Spielberg-directed, Hans Zimmer-soundtrack-having blockbuster film, but those are moot. I want my books to be out there and I want them to have readers all over the world. It's not that I really want my name to be famous (I'm considering pseudonyms), and I certainly don't want public attention on my personal life--it's that I want my stories to have audience. I sink a lot into my books, and to have someone else enjoy them as much as I do would be beyond joyous.

So now to my current reality. I've been out of school a little more than half a year. I've got a Communications/Writing degree, I work in an office part-time, I freelance the other part-time and I'm still waiting to hear back about an internship for which I interviewed over a month ago. I have nineteen novels (written between 2013 and now) which still need editing. I have never published a short story.

The writer front is a little grim.

But the flip side is that I'm still working toward that ultimate dream. One cannot be a bestseller without publishing, and I've been editing my one science fiction novel like crazy for about two years straight now. I'm submitting flash fiction and short stories to publishers periodically (about one every three months). I'm reading a lot more now that I'm out of school, and in another couple weeks I plan to launch an online serial on a new platform that can hopefully get me some new readers. Oh, and my blog has 104 followers. I love those followers.

My dream may be wild and one-in-a-million, but If I wasn't actively working towards it, there would be no chance of its reality whatsoever. I've used this argument before when talking about writing in general. First drafts are important, writing at all is important. Otherwise you'll only have the dream with nothing working to make it happen.

People will tell you it's hard to make it as a writer. They're correct. I've had people laugh when I tell them what my ultimate goals are, but I haven't let it stop me. I'm using my skills in the most useful and logical ways I know how while I drag myself through the mires of trying to get published. I mean, come on. Words are my battleground--it'll take a lot more than a few critics' opinions to keep me from pursuing my passion.

So to sum: dream big, but dream smart. Finish that writing degree in a world that lifts its eyebrows at the arts. Pound out those short stories about weird worlds and strange characters. Sink entire years into books. When you reach your success, whatever its measure, you will smirk at the notion that you once might have given up.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Dream Big, But Dream Smart

Want to be a bestselling author? Start now and don't stop.

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The struggles of having an RBF are all too real

1. People asking if you're mad at them.

2. Those people who hand out flyers don't always try to stop you.

3. Creepy guys telling you to smile.

4. "I thought you were a bitch when I first met you."

5. People telling you you'd be "so much prettier if you smiled."

6. Doing your makeup and looking great, which somehow intensifies the bitch face.

7. Regularly explaining "it's just my face."

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

That moment that someone you never looked twice at suddenly makes you do a double take out of no where.

But you can't have a crush, that's outrageous. It's all in your head.

Because you don't have a crush, there's no reason to tell anyone about anything. Right?

But then they do something irresistible and you start to lose it.

Now accepting the fact you have a crush, you have to keep it under control.

Then there's the part where you tell your friends who will claim they called it.

They'll be excited and cheer you on. That's until they realize that your crush is all you'll be talking about.

Your obsession has become so bad, that your Facebook stalking is getting out of control.

But your friends will try and help move things along any way they can. That doesn't mean it will be any helpful though.

As time goes on, you start having fantasies about the two of you and it's starting to scare you a little.

You can't focus on anything because all your attention is on them and everything they do.

Anybody who comes near your crush is now an enemy, and you are willing to fight for your crush.

When you see them, you act like an idiot. Trying to hide your feelings may not be as discrete as you think.

Keeping your feelings inside will start to be harder and harder until you can't keep it inside anymore.

Who knows, maybe it will work out? Take a chance.

Everybody hurts sometimes.

May the odds be ever in your favor.

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2. You may feel lonely.

3. Senioritis is more real than ever.

4. You may feel a little down sometimes.

5. Fear of missing out won't be as real.

6. You are a college pro.

7. You'll have more free time.

8. You're happy you're still in school.

9. You feel like a guru.

10. You continue to grow.

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