Inspiration vs. Expectation (And the Excuses that Cloud Our Dreams)

Since my author journey began, I have attended quite a few book signings and events. I’ve met so many interesting people. I’ve given them my best book spiel and talked a lot about the inspiration behind my books, as well as writing in general. It’s been wonderful to see such a wide variety of opinions on the state of literature in today’s world and to discover what readers in the wild really want from their next favorite book. Among the comments and general discussion, I have found that people who stop by my table are excited to share their love of reading, what inspires them, as well as their own personal literary journey. The most common comment I hear from those who visit my table is, “I’ve always wanted to write a book, but…”

For me, it’s always disheartening to hear the “but” that follows. It seems so final, so resolute as if there is no other option. It is a defining nail in the coffin of a dream. Of course, there are usually very legitimate reasons for the book not having materialized: jobs, family, kids, and life itself. Life and dreams can often get away from us as we struggle to keep our heads above water. Surviving life’s manifold surprises and setbacks can often stifle dreams, all very understandable reasons for that someday book remaining exactly that: a someday wish, a put-it-in-your-back-pocket-for-a-rainy-day desire. Unfortunately, for many, it is a dream that is never realized. It is a dream that is so often never even explored. More often than not, for many, it remains just that, a dream.

Writing a book is hard. At times, I have found it an almost insurmountable task to make myself sit down and fill in those empty pages that await a new story. At times, the words I need are buried beneath a thousand layers of complex feelings, overworked nerves, and exhaustion. It would be very easy for me to tell myself that it’s an impossible task and to put it off until it is forgotten. However, I think it is often adversity and real-life struggles that help to create the best environment for dreaming. Despite my protestations, every day I sit down at my laptop or notebook, and I put thoughts down on the page. Inevitably, some of them I immediately rip out and destroy because they are truly that terrible. Some of them become the genesis of a brand new adventure, a new story to tell.

Perhaps this is a long-winded way of saying, there should never be a “I’d like to, but…” at the end of a dream. If it is worthy, if it is good, and if it truly means something to the dreamer, then just do it. Make the time for it. Fight for it and dream the dream. It could lead to something incredible, a grand, yet unexpected adventure. Never leave a dream hanging at the end of an excuse. Do the work. I guarantee it’s worth it.

 Keshia C. Willi