“I’m open to the guidance of synchronicity, and do not let expectations hinder my path.” ~ Dalai Lama

Expectations Can Make You Shortsighted

Becoming a best selling author is a dream come true for any writer.  It’s easy for us to let our minds wander seeing ourselves sitting on stage with Oprah or Ellen DeGeneres talking about our hot-off-the-press book. Fortunately, they are more than enthusiastic about our contribution to the literary world. They offer a copy to everyone in their audience. We then become the number one selling author on Amazon, and we’re set for life. If you’re smiling, this scenario has more than likely played out in your mind. I know many of my clients refer to this laughing, only half in jest, when they talk about the vision for their book.

Why not dream? You never know. But if that is the only outcome you’re counting on to make writing worth your time and effort, you’re missing out on all the other benefits an author’s journey bestows.

When working with writers at the beginning of their book project, I find that many are focused solely on winning the Oprah/Ellen lottery. However, by the time they reach the end, although they may still have dreams of fame and fortune, those who have enjoyed the process – smelled the roses along the way – realize they have reaped huge benefits that have nothing to do with making the New York Times best seller list.

One memoir-writing client talks about the enormous healing she experienced while sharing her ‘work in progress.’ Just the fact that she could reveal who she’d been without feeling shame was life altering for her.

Another client who finished writing a 300-page novel, couldn’t wait to begin the sequel even before seeing if the publishers were interested in his first. Enjoying the creative buzz, he was excited about taking his characters on their next journey.

Yet another client said that what she learned about focusing, opening to critique and the thrill of putting concepts into words that arose from “God knows where” were the real gifts.  She learned she could create something from nothing.

What I find rewarding about writing, whether writing a book, a newsletter, or marketing copy, is entering the creative process. It is a world that has no boundaries while at the same time, allows for total immersion within a palpable field. Time seems to disappear.

More often than not, I work the keyboard barely aware of the words that form paragraphs on my computer screen. But when I come to a stopping point, there’s a beginning of a story or a piece of work that wasn’t there before I started. I gather a great sense of satisfaction from the experience. The only way I know time has passed is by looking at the clock.

When words are your artistic medium of expression, there is nothing quite like writing.

My personal dream of producing the next best self-help book on the planet didn’t pan out. But after two years on Amazon and in stores, I’m still getting orders and positive feedback from readers who thank me for the stories and examples that changed their life. Having the transformational experiences that inspired me to write the book and sharing them with others, made the journey more than worthwhile.

We don’t all win the lottery, but if we don’t buy a ticket, we’re not even in the game. So write your book. Dream the ‘writers’ dream. And periodically stop, take a deep breath and enjoy your artistic process.

For those wondering why some books succeed and others don’t, the following links explore the mystery that prevails– even for experts.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/13/business/yourmoney/13book.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

http://www.genreality.net/the-reality-of-a-times-bestseller