Do You Write Every Day? (short story) by Leanne Dyck

 Dreams help keep me motivated. This short story was inspired by one...

Beautiful Abby posing for you

Photo by ldyck

Do You Write Everyday?

I dreamt that I was a guest on a talk show and the host asked me, “You’re rather prolific. Do you write every day?”

“Every day. In fact, I wrote something just before I joined you.”

“Really? Well, I’d like to—.”

The audience cheered.

“Apparently, we’d all like to hear what you wrote.”

Applause and laughter.

“Okay, sure.” I pulled a scrap piece of paper out of my pocket, unfolded it and read, “She hid backstage, fearful to take the plunge, but her name was called... She pushed herself forward—one step, two. Supportive applause greeted, warmed her. She made it across the stage to a chair. A friendly face smiled at her and he asked, ‘Do you write every day? What was the last thing you wrote? Can you read it to us? We’d all like to hear it.’”

What's your dream?

"Dream Big" performed by Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand

On the Blog in December

Sunday, December 15 

Playing the Cello (short story)

 The cello stands in the corner, waiting to sing her song. Who will help her sing it? This short story was inspired by a friend's relationship with her cello.

Sunday, December 22

Carry Me Home (children's story)

Mitten happily rests beside his brother in the girl's pocket, but then he falls...  It's cold... It's dark... Who will help Mitten get home?

Sunday, December 24

Alone on Christmas (short story)

During this time of joy, of merriment... When we gather with friends and family, it's important to remember those who are socially isolated. 

Sunday, December 29

Holiday Office Party (short story)

 Especially for spouses, Christmas parties can be challenging. What do you say to people you barely know but who may be important to your husband's career?

Finely writing...

Making Writing Pay by Leanne Dyck

(me and my friends playing 'row, row the boat' photo by a co-worker, circa the 1990s)

That day's guest lecturer had been in the field of child day care for many years. No doubt, she shared a lot--the highs, the lows. But what hit me was:  "After graduation, as a child care worker, you'll earn less than a general laborer."

I pipped up with, "Money doesn't matter to me. I want to give quality care to the children who need me. I want to support families."

Early Childhood Educators 'work is undervalued and they in effect subsidize the service they provide through their low pay.' (Beach, Costigliola, 2004)

'Across all national surveys, low wages have been consistently identified as the primary reason for leaving the field.' (Halfon, 2014)

'The high turnover rate in child care creates instability and negatively affects the quality of child care.' (Beach, Costigliola, 2004)

I graduated from the University of Winnipeg's eighteen-month program and sought work in rural Manitoba--because I thought that was where I was most needed. I quickly became aware that many people viewed me as nothing more than a glorified babysitter. Because I focused on intangible rewards, I had a fourteen-year career--only retiring when a family tragedy forced me to make lifestyle changes. 

And now I write...

'Don't write to become famous or to make a lot of money. Write because you love it.'

-Joe Beernink

Wait a second. What's wrong with writing for money? Love--money, can't you have both? Most writers start with at least one (love). Why can't you dream of attaining the other (money)? What's wrong with dreaming. Sometimes it makes for an excellent motivator. 

Some may say, "But what if you don't achieve the type of success that you dream of?"

What if you do?

And we're all grown-ups. We've had our dreams dashed before. We've learned how to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off.

Dreaming of success shouldn't stop us from celebrating the small successes we make daily. Turning on the computer... Picking up that pen... Writing that sentence, paragraph, chapter, book.

Yes, I'm writing to build my readership. Yes, I hope my books sell. No, this doesn't make me a sell-out.

'Real art has positive value, which means it has Commercial value. We perversely define artists as those who Don't create for money (as opposed to nearly every other vocation, where skill, experience and quality for a craft would boost your income), based on the idea that great work transcends commercialism.' -Derek Murphy 

More...

In 1985, broke and depressed, Jim Carrey wrote himself a cheque for 10 million dollars for "acting services rendered". The cheque deteriorated but Carrey eventually made it. 

Read the entire story here.

(me completing my studies, circa the 1980s)

Next Post:   Sunday, September 9th
(at approximately 5 PM PST)
To honour those who have returned to their studies, I wrote Magdalene College's bell tower--a short story. I hope you enjoy reading it.

(my husband and me waiting for a parade, our dog wondering, what? photo by T Hobley 2018)

Sharing my author journey...

I know it looks like I have a demanding workload, and I do--especially this summer. But I do aim for a balance between work 

Caterpillar (short story) by Leanne Dyck

Do you find change or transitions difficult? I do--and to help me try to overcome, I wrote this short story...

(photo by LDyck)

One fine day in early spring an ant met a caterpillar. 

"When are you planning to spin your cocoon?" The ant asked.

"I'm not," the caterpillar told him.

The ant just stared at him. "Pardon me?"

The caterpillar spoke louder. "I'm not!"

"I heard you. I just don't understand. Why would you continue crawling in the dirt when you can fly up there in the beautiful blue sky, among the fluffy white clouds?"

"I like it down here in the cool black soil," the caterpillar said.

A bird perched on a branch overhead flew down to the caterpillar. "Ever since I broke out of my egg there's nothing I'd rather do than fly. Caterpillar, you have a right to be apprehensive. Change is scary, but don't let that fear limit you. Listen to your friend, the ant. Embrace your destiny," she sweetly sung to him. "Close your eyes."

The caterpillar closed them.

"Imagine the sun shining on your beautiful wings. Imagine the wind carrying you. All that can be yours if you only believe in yourself--in your potential."

The caterpillar felt the sun on his face, the wind on his wings. He spun his cocoon; he rested; his wings grew and then he flew.