Tuesday, December 1, 2009

More than just a book review...much more


by Susan V. Bosak

This is a wonderful book about the power of dreams and the potential to make possible that which is considered impossible. We are led through the stages of life's journey - birth to death - by a star. At each stage she repeats the refrain, "Dream a dream with me". My heart hears it as a whisper, lifting from the pages and into my soul. That phrase has become a sort of mantra for the writing me, the me who dreams bigger dreams than the teacher me or the mother me or the wife me. The impossible made possible - through dreaming. "Dream a dream with me."

It's more than that, though. The star teaches us that in order to achieve such lofty goals, we are required to BELIEVE they can be achieved, to DO that which is necessary on our part to grow the seeds of dreams, and to THINK wisely along the journey. Even better, we are warned of the gray days that will inevitably come and are encouraged to accept the help of those who offer it. "Dream a dream with me."

There is so much more to this picture book - so many layers of depth and symbolism and intellect and wisdom - than I can share with you in a single post. It would require a series of posts in order to begin to do it justice. Seriously. It took five years for this little-but-huge book to be born. In fact, it has its own website at dreamstorybook.com, where teachers can find lesson plans for every subject area and its messages may be better explored. "Dream a dream with me."

The writer me sees the messages hidden deep and deeper within the folds of this book differently than the other me's see them. As we travel the long and sometimes uphill path of our writing goals and dreams, we must embrace the "believe, do, think" philosophy found within the pages of DREAM. Ultimately, we are the ones who make dreams happen...or not.
"Dream a dream with me..."

How do you see your writing dreams... how can you best help yourself maintain a "believe, do think" attitude?

11 comments:

Candice said...

Talking to my best friend who is also a writer helps me more than anything. We buoy each other up all the time. I also find reading good books keeps my dream alive.

Stephanie Thornton said...

I'll have to look this one up the next time I'm at Barnes & Noble. I've put myself in the mindset that I am going to be published. It's just a matter of time, but it's going to happen!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I rely on my critique group for support. I also remind myself that hard work always pays off in the end. :)

Bethany Wiggins said...

I think to accomplish ones dreams one has to work harder than they ever dreamed. Work+luck=dream come true.

BK Mattingly said...

I do a couple things but mainly if I had a day when I feel like I'm utter rubbish, can't write a thing, and there's no point in ever finishing my books then I spin why wheelie chair around and look at my bookshelf. I remind myself that all those people, with their names on the books I bought in stores, where in their own chairs thinking the same things...they didn't quit and I'm glad they didn't. I've learned a lot from what other people have to say in the stories they tell. Now, it's time for me to tell one of my own. :)

lisa and laura said...

Wow, this book looks amazing. It sounds like the perfect gift for a graduate or an aspiring author. Anyone who's set out on a journey.

As for reaching our dreams, we've known from the start that we would never ever give up. I mean, we've given up on lots of other things, but this felt too real, too important somehow. So here we are....

Roxane B. Salonen said...

It's interesting. I've found that my dreams change as my life meanders about on its intended course. Sometimes, the dreams I had in mind aren't the same ones God seemed to have chosen for me. I am learning, little by little, to trust in that, but to hold fast to the dreams that we're fashioning together. Dreaming is a good thing. Hope is huge. It's all we have some days. Thanks for introducing me to another group of dreamers. :) Oh, and ditto on the writing pals element of this -- that is huge!

Suzette Saxton said...

I love this concept. Thank you for letting me know about this book!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Thanks, ladies! It sounds like we writing women have a pretty good handle on our dreams.

"Believe...DO...Think!" ;-)

L. T. Host said...

I particularly like the last line about "ultimately, we are ones who make dreams happen... or not." So true. My favorite quote of all time is by Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can, or think you can't, either way you are right."

Shannon O'Donnell said...

L.T. - I love that quote too. I really believe it's often the truth of things.

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