I am a huge proponent of dreams.

I’m not talking about the “while you’re sleeping” kind of dreams – although those are just fine. I’m talking about the “pursue them while you’re wide awake” kind of dreams.

I am living my dream – I have been for several years now. I’m not just writing stories – no, I’m a signed-on-the-bottom-line published author.

But here’s a little dash of writing reality: On this side of the contract, dream is a four-letter word. From where I’m sitting, dream = w-o-r-k.

Or, as I like to sum it up: Living the dream; doing the work.

I know all you published authors are nodding your heads in a “Don’t I know it” kind of way.

And you waiting to be published writers? You’re saying “Bring it on! I want to live the dream and do the work.”

You say that now … and yeah, I believe you. But when you take a dream and throw the work into it, well, it becomes something different. Sometimes you lose sight of the wonder of the dream. All you see is a four-letter word.

So what’s a writer to do when work overruns the dream?

Welcome it – Work is part of the publishing package. Rewrites. Deadlines. Sometimes it’s back-to-back deadlines where you say “Living the dream; doing the work” and figure out a way to juggle competing time demands.
Organize yourself – I have my own method for tackling my writing tasks. I write best earlier in the day – sometimes as early as 3 or 4 AM. If I only have a brief block of time, I work on smaller tasks, like blog posts. Another hint: Noise cancelling headphones – such a fun way to focus. (I only wish I had found these sooner.)
Refuel the dream – Yes, there’s work. But first there was the dream. It’s important not to forget your inspiration, your passion—your dream. So here’s the question: What helps you dream? Music? Good books? A long walk? Journaling? Talking with close friends? Take the time to do those things that keep your dream alive.
Keep accountable to someone – I have my safety net: a group of friends, both writers and non-writers, who know me best. They pray for me, encourage me, remind me I can do this, I must do this. They tell me to get off Facebook and get back to work.

With the fulfillment of the dream comes the work … but with the work, don’t lose the wonder of the dream.
How are you going to balance both?