Diana's Blog: Quirky Words and Book Reviews

December 26, 2008
In a few days, I'll be interviewing Peggy McColl about her new book BE A DOG WITH A BONE: ALWAYS GO FOR YOUR DREAMS. So I read the book -- a tiny thing at just over one hundred pages, and those pages are packed.
What strikes me first is the chapter on Dogged Determination. Peggy McColl lists several examples of dreams and the final one resonates deeply with me. I've been thinking lately that I am not focused on one goal, and I must be. This chapter speaks of figuring out your dreams and being as determined as that dog with a bone. That example reads I am a New York Times best-selling author. I am known throughout the world in a very positive way, as well as being highly respected in my business. My work is making a positive and beneficial contribution to the lives of millions of others.
Just as my eyes light on that paragraph and connect with my memoir which I wrote this past year and which is with my literary agent...just at that very moment that the thought becomes a feeling connecting with my passion...just as I smile with recognition that her words work for me...a message pings in.
It is from Richard Evans. I interviewed Rick last week about his book GRACE, about a girl who was raped by her stepfather, and I revealed to the author -- as I did in a book blog on this very site a few days ago -- that my childhood was much like Grace's. And Rick asked me to send him my manuscript of my memoir BookMark:Life-Changing Secrets I Learned from Interviewing Authors, which I did a week ago.
I find it fascinating that incidents beyond our control occur at perfect moments, supporting us when we declare our dreams. Suffice it to say his email is positive, and I have goose-bumps at the timing.
The second I connect with my intention, an email affirming my choice pings in. The Universe/God works that fast. The content of the email matters less in this situation than does its timing -- it indicates to me that I am on course.
It is magical to declare your intention.
Years ago when I interviewed Chuck Palahniuk about his book LULLABY, asking him about magic, and he said it was really about intention, and that, at a New Year's Eve party years earlier when his first book was out, he had declared what he called a ridiculous goal that FIGHT CLUB, which had not even sold out its first printing would become a New York Times best-seller. It did become a best-seller, and Chuck has knocked them out of the park every time since.
Intention, Chuck calls it.
Magic, I call it.
Dreams, Peggy calls it -- and I'll have more on this Monday.
Know what you want. And then doggedly hold onto your dreams.

Labels: BE A DOG WITH A ONE ALWAYS GO FOR YOUR DREAMS, Chuck Palahniuk, dreams, FIGHT CLUB GRACE, intention, LULLABY, magic., Peggy McColl, Richard Paul Evans, transcending the trauma

September 26, 2008
Once Upon A Time -- magical words that draw you in and promise you wonder. That's the first phrase I looked up in MAGIC WORDS: A DICTIONARY by Craig Conley. He quotes Dale Carnegie, saying these are "the magic words that open the floodgates of a child's imagination."
Not only that, to all children -- especially for those who are abused and tormented and violated -- "once upon a time" means a powerful new place of hope and safety. A place where wishes can come true. A place where anything can -- and does -- happen.
Transcending the trauma takes magic, as well as patience and faith.
Words -- as a five year old -- I whispered, wanting to be rescued from the violent pedophile who lived in my home: Bibbidy-Bobbidi-Boo. Cinderella's Fairy Godmother's magic words. MAGIC WORDS says the origin is a Celtic spell which meant to "direct a thrown javelin or fired arrow unerringly to its intended target." That is powerful, indeed.
I interviewed Chuck Palahniuk years ago about his book LULLABY, which was about a culling spell -- a nursery rhyme that kills those who hear it spoken. So I asked him if he believes in magic. And Chuck tells me this wonderful story about intention. "He says a prayer is intention. A spell is an intention. A mission statement is an intention. I believe in intention." He says "you have to go out on a limb and set ridiculous goals." His first novel FIGHT CLUB wasn't even selling out its firrst printing when he declared in public that it would make the NY Times bestseller list. Which we know now it did. Chuck says declaring your intention in public does three things -- it gives you an impetus, it's a rallying cry, and it's a public gun to your head because you risk humiliating yourself if you fall short.
Magic. Intention. Prayer. Spells. Mission statements.
As a child, I prayed with my heart to be rescued, but I never said the words aloud. Too dangerous. My punishment for disobeying -- and for being good -- was often to be raped. I was trapped.
But for one amazing gift. And, indeed, it was magical.
My Fairy Godmother was my Grandmother. She did what she could for that day in age, while keeping her place.
She bought me art lessons. And dance classes. And she took me to the planetarium. And to Broadway musicals. And to Disney movies.
My grandmother rescued me the only way she could -- so when violence shook my little kid world, from four-and-a-half all the way up to when I left for college -- I would hear Disney songs in my head "when you wish upon a star" and "a dream is a wish your heart makes,"and I would transport myself to another world by reading, or drawing cartoon characters I'd created, or spinning in circles and dancing.
And I would look to the stars -- in the velvet black night and beyond the velvet curtains -- knowing that there is magic and dreams do come true.

Labels: Chuck Pahalniuk, Craig Conley, Disney, FIGHT CLUB, LULLABY, MAGIC WORDS: A DICTIONARY, magic., transcending the trauma