I often say that people should set short time achievable goals and crazy long term dreams. The thing is, we live in a world of small steps. Even though we don’t like to admit it, even though we often choose to search for a shortcut, progress is an extremely slow process. Excruciatingly so at times.
So it’s understandable that this year I set out to write. That’s the most important thing a writer can do. I wanted to publish 2 novels and a few short stories, which I did. Then, I wanted to sell a few books. Not a precise number… I just wanted to sell a few books. Self-publishers know how difficult it is to sell just one copy of your book. Not ten, not a thousand, just one.
This year, the goal was simple: don’t give up. No matter what, don’t give up. Not with my writing, not with this blog.
And that’s another important rule of being… anything, actually. You have to finish stuff. You have to keep going, even when you feel like standing still. Because no one else is willing to do the work for you.
This was the goal for this year. Write, don’t give up, have some fun, and be patient. No matter what.
Then irevuo happened. And I found an idea, an ideal, a dream, worth fighting for.
Believe me when I say that I want for my writing to mean something to folks. I want to make readers cry, laugh, fall in and out of love with my characters. I want for my words to change the world someday. That’s the ideal, the crazy dream, that thing no one can grant you; something you can’t buy.
So I had a crazy dream before, but I just added another one on the list. I thought about it, I tried to imagine what it would be and what it would mean to me, as a writer, to my career, how it would affect me. And I decided that the price, the time and work I would invest in this dream, were all worth it.
Because I knew I was going to have fun. I knew there was something I had to say, something that I had to change in this world.
The same way I felt when I first started writing 8 years ago.
I only needed to acquire the right tools. I needed a team, I needed some money to pay for all the technical stuff, I needed a logo, a name, and I needed to find people interested in this idea.
And I found all that. In just one month.
And today I spent a lot of time thinking about what this month really meant. What did I achieve?
A lot.
That’s the only way to answer this question. Just today I realized that people invested in this dream, people contributed to nothing more than a promise. They believed that I can do what I want to do.
Some times we lose faith, we lose confidence. It happens.
But this month, maybe for the first time in a long, long time, I knew everything was going to be okay. Because I knew that a lot of people believed in me. Their confidence gave me strength.
Yeah, I know, it’s a cheesy thing to say. But it’s true. The idea that you can spend all your life trusting and relying on no one but yourself is a lie. We’re social beings. We need others. We can’t spend all our lives fighting a war with everyone else.
The logical thing to ask is, what would have happened if we hadn’t reached our goal? If no one had contributed?
The answer is, I would have fought on. Remember my goal? Never give up.
What I’m really trying to say is that what happened with this project means more to me that the money we raised. It’s a vote of confidence from people whom I never met. People living half a world away.
Strange world we live in, with this Internet thingy and whatever.
***
With this post irevuo week is over. We still got 12 hours to go on our main Indiegogo campaign. Of course, any last minute contributions are more than welcome. You can also check out our irevuo magazine campaign here.
irevuo will go live before Christmas. That’s something I can promise, and I’ll do my best to keep this promise.
Tomorrow, life goes back to normal. Or close to normal, that is. I feel like writing a new blog series next week, but I don’t have any ideas on what. If you have any suggestions, please let me know in the comment box below, and maybe I’ll be able to write about it.
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You built a causeway for years with sweat and tears and then a moment of grace filled that causeway, overflowing with life giving, refreshing water in less that a month. Well done. Nothing like hard work blessed by grace; it is a powerful combination that will launch you into a brand new voyage. I am very excited for you
Nicely said!
You're an easy guy to believe in, Cristian…Your spirited energy and enthusiasm are contagious. Thanks for all your hard work. Keep having FUN!! xo
Three cheers to you, Cristian! You have great courage, imagination and determination and I wish you everything you wish for yourself.
I contributed today because your earlier words resonated: I wanted to be part of the start-up of something amazing. I used some money I had earned from some of my own writing and it made me smile. Like the mother in National Velvet who funded Velvet's entry fee in the race by giving her the prize money the mother had earned decades earlier by swimming the English Channel, I admire your passion and commitment; I support your dream. Mitchell Kyd
Thank you…very inspiring words from a person who walks his talk.
Thank you for dreaming big. It is inspiring to me as I continue to research the pros and cons of self-publishing … It is exciting to know others will continue to write and investigate ways to connect and encourage. I am praying for you, half a world away ;)
I've always found that what you believe deep down in your heart isn't so much a wish as it is a glimpse into your future. :)
I can't wait to submit! I bet it'll be awesome.
You've summed it up neatly – don't give up. It's something that so many would-be creatives overlook.
It is amazing what truly good, well meaning focused intention can do.
Congratulations and much success
Never give up
Your post is inspiring. So, an idea for a new blog series: As you say, "Tomorrow, life goes back to normal. Or close to normal, that is" ——so, write about "normal" and the first day/week/month of the rest of your writer's journey.
"Achievable" is the word that jumps out at me here. It sometimes takes more courage to dream realistically than to dream big.
Congratulations with your funding success, Christian! I was in the same boat a couple years ago, setting up a film project I really believed in, and found a whole crew of amazing people who believed in it and just wanted to help out. Now the same thing is happening with The Story Shack.
I wish you all the luck in setting up 'irevuo'. It looks like it will be nothing short of amazing!
Best of luck to you Cristian. As a visual artist I understand about the slow motion of progress!
What you discovered, is that "Rugged Individualism" is not where it's at, rather,forging something special with "Unique Ability" Team Players is where the power is, for all.
Congrats Cristian! You inspire. I'm sure more to come once it's up.
We believe in you because you are courageous enough to take great risks, to share your truth, and to keep going when it is tough to keep going. I love your primary goal: never give up. You will go far with that one.
Just the push I needed! Thanks for sharing! :)
Congratulations. You're continued support to your audience is what makes me want to support anything you do! Excited to see what the future bring you!
Love IT. You reached out to me as I began the LifeSchool Inc. project and this is how I found you. I am THRILLED for you and simply can't wait for the next leg of your journey. I'm in! I'm in because your passion reflects my own, it is contageous and it is fabulous to share this extraordinary adventure called life … in the pursuit of writing what is in our souls to write (whatever that might be). And you will find the perfect topic at the exact moment it needs to be born into this world. YES! YOU :) j
What hits me most in your words is that part about you have to finish stuff. You have to keep going. Yes, it helps when other people tell you that they believe in you. But doesn't it seem that they tell you that a whole lot more often when you believe in yourself?
Nicely done. I'm looking forward to the new site!
Congratulations on dreaming and making stuff happen…and finishing. I think that was the most important part of this post for me. I'm law school and every time finals come around or I get a grade back, I want to quit. And you're right: you gotta finish. I have a goal and I have to finish. Thank you for your inspirational words.
It's taken me a lot longer than you to believe in myself and have faith, but I got there eventually. Top guy and keep faith no matter what life throws at you.
We'll never give up on you, your writing is amazing and it does touch everyone's hearts I am super sure about that! You are so right on track and you have no idea how much inspiration you're giving to normal people (Like me.) who don't really write for a profession, but write because they love to write, and should probably give more effort in the field. Thank you for being true to your dream and helping some of us realize how important a dream can be. =)
What they said…. Totally agree
Your story has been truly inspiring Cristian. I think what you have done is great and I love the passion you display in pursuing your goals/dreams. I truly wish you all the best.
Cristian, you are an inspiration to me :)
Yes, small steps is how you get things done. A project is much more manageable and achievable when broken down into bits. Lists. :) Congratulations on achieving your goal with irevuo!
You are there, Critian and congrats!
Wow, at last, someone who has the same thoughts as me. Good luck, man. :)
I think the people who are really successful on the internet know how to really bring the human element into the electronic world… and you're doing it!
One of your best posts, Cristian. Best of luck with irevuo and the rest of your career, you insanely talented 22-year old. Dreaming is the start of working for a goal, no matter how unreachable it seems.
Thank you for your words. We do need each other as cheesy as it sounds and we are our brothers keeper as well. I am an idealist, but have lived long enough to be realistic and this reality that is global and electronic has many challenges. We promote the self made man, but no one really makes it on their own, we believe we can do it on our own just with the right tools. We need each other to stand with us, cheer us on, believe in us and actively help us make our dreams come true. I have often felt all those feelings you shared in this blog and over and over commit to not quitting and believing in my self, but getting someone to notice us and validating our existence and our capacity is so empowering.This helps me accomplish many things,but it is never totally on my own and this keeps us humble. There are many things only we can do, but when others give us a hand, it is truly a gift and a blessing. May you have the greatest success and promote giving each other a hand to make it in this global world while we stay in gratitude and creativity. Muchas gracias!
I admire your persistence, willpower, commitment… I want to be like you when I "grow up." ^_^
Congratulations for having achieved your goals.
Those are beautiful words of encouragement that should apply to everything anyone believes in in life. Great job. :)
Congratulations! And very nicely said :).
I love how things JUST COME – and we suddenly know. An epiphany, if you will! Love that.
You speak very true and inspiring words. A pleasure to read.
I've found it's fantastically amazing when we dare to dream crazy dreams and they are seemingly spontaneously realized during our lives. I can think of a few I've had that came true when I least expected it! I wonder if it's because by daring to dream them, our subconscious keeps them warm and ready to enact once opportunities arise that we might have otherwise overlooked…