I had planned to share a new short story with you this week. The final draft has been printed, stored in the Cloud, and is otherwise ready to roll. So… you might be wondering: why am I reading this instead?
Well, not to get too cryptic, but, I suppose you could say it’s because the universe works in mysterious ways. Or, as Paulo Coelho puts it in his international best-selling novel, The Alchemist, because “… when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
As I’m sure you already know, what I want is to be a writer. And yeah, it’s true: on the one hand, I’m already there. I write, and thus, I am a writer. On one level, it really is that simple. And that’s cool. You’ll brook no argument from me: I am a writer. (You’re reading these words, ain’t ya?)
But let’s be honest, such sentiments aren’t going to pay the bills, are they?
No. They aren’t.
So, I trust you understand what I mean when I say: I’ve always wanted to be a writer.
And inclusive of being a writer, as I conceive it, is getting published. Again, don’t get me wrong—I’m incredibly grateful for Substack. I love the freedom it grants burgeoning creatives. But there are other worlds than these, dear reader, if you dig my meaning.
To that end, I’ve decided not to publish the aforementioned story here today in lieu of submitting it to several literary magazines first. If it gets picked up, you will, of course, be amongst the first to know. And if it gets rejected, I’ll just publish it here. Simple as that.
***
This is entirely new territory for me. I really have no idea what to expect. I mean… I think the story’s pretty good—I wouldn’t have submitted it, otherwise. But what the hell do I know?!
Mostly, I’m excited; although I’d be lying to you if I told you I wasn’t also somewhat trepidatious. The spectre of rejection looms large. And even though I’m braced for it, rejection always stings.
But I’ve decided to throw caution to the wind because, as Paulo Coelho also states, “There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.”
Oh—and he also says: “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream of.”
And what the hell, might as well throw this one in too, just for good measure: “You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say.”
So, no. I’m not sharing “The Second Pair” with you just yet. But, for once, the delay is a cause for celebration! Because you can’t convince me that all this isn’t the proof that’s in the puddin’.
Coelho’s right, the universe conspires.
For a little while now, I’ve kept my head down and stayed focused on my practice. And I’ve learned so, so much, it’s wild (about myself, about the craft, about life itself). I’m excited to delve even deeper, to keep hauling up the real treasure. You know, the good stuff, the stuff underneath; the stuff you can only learn from hard-won experience. Thanks to my practice, I’m starting to make some real headway there.
No matter the dream, you can reach it. You just have to take the journey one step at a time. The hardest step is the first.
You’ve just gotta believe.
***
“Unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them—the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.” — Surprise, surprise: Paulo Coelho again.
Now, at the risk of becoming unbearably corny and trite, as many have accused Coelho of being over the years, I turn to you, dear reader, and ask: What is your dream?
Are you chasing it?
Are you in pursuit of your Personal Legend?
Yes? Then keep going! May your path bless you.
No? That’s okay. There’s no better time to start.
It’s easy, if you try, as John Lennon would say.
You don’t have to take my word for it either. If you ask your heart, very kindly, it will tell you the same.
It’ll even show you where to begin.
- c.d.
Keep going! 💕🌷😎
I am a believer. Hallelujah. I owe you a response soon