Seattle from Beacon Hill

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” – Anatole France

I AM NOT AFRAID TO DREAM.    I BELIEVE.

Obscurity.

The word emerged at some point during the 14th century.  Webster’s dictionary defines obscurity as “one who is obscure” or “the quality or state of being obscure,” while Dictionary.com has a more apt meaning for the purposes of this blog: of little or no prominence, note, fame, or distinction.

As of today, January 30, 2010, I am an obscure American t.v. writer, former journalist, and aspiring novelist.  I wrote for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne on TBS and wrote for Meet The Browns.  Obscure aspirants in any field never receive invites to the White House to meet the President of the United States.  One must be a champion, a person of wealth, means, influence or the exact opposite of obscure – one must be noteworthy, which usually involves fame.

I am none of the above.

And I want to be received at the White House someday.

HOYA BASKETBALL AND MY QUEST TO MEET THE PRESIDENT


My goal is to meet President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama before or on my birthday in October 2012, at their invitation.   How did I come to want this goal and how will I achieve this lofty, seemingly unattainable, outrageous quest? To answer the first part of the question, it just popped into my mind today, January 30, 2010, while watching a broadcast of Georgetown University’s men’s basketball team preparing to play Duke University and seeing close ups of the President of the United States slapping high five with the fans for Georgetown.

Man.  They got to high five the President.  I wonder if the players on the team got to meet him.  Kobe and the Lakers met him.  I saw a picture of Tiger Woods and the President.  Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith interviewed the president.  Aretha Franklin and Beyonce sang for the President.  Shiela E played the drums at a concert sponsored by the President.  Am I the only one seeing a pattern?  Greatness.  Fame.

THE AMERICAN DREAM

It occurred to me that I really would love an opportunity to meet the President and First Lady.  But only great people get to meet the President and I think deep down, in the recesses of our unconscious desires, most people who are ambitious, want to do something outstanding in their lives.  If one perseveres and works hard it is possible to achieve the American Dream.

HOW CAN I MEET THE PRESIDENT?

So what could I possibly do to meet Mr. Obama?  I’m a writer.  I’ve written for television.  I’ve won screenwriting awards.  I’ve placed in the semifinals of the prestigious Nicholl’s Fellowship and Chesterfield Screenwriting competitions.  I’ve had screenplays optioned.  Blah, blah, blah, but nothing GREAT.  Nothing of note.  But writing is the only gift I have, and it is something that could become noteworthy if I dare to attempt the seemingly impossible.  I will take a risk and do something I’ve never done before.

I WILL WRITE A NOVEL AND PROVIDE A RESOURCE FOR NOVELISTS

Yes.  I will write a novel.  I will write a historical fiction novel and along the way I will compile the most comprehensive historical fiction antebellum 19th century resource blog for historical fiction aspirants.  Why?  Primarily to fulfill a need.  I was surprised when I embarked upon the researching process for my historical novel that there wasn’t a site I could go to and find all I needed to know about antebellum America – work clothing, politics, weather patterns, harvesting, sowing, balls, etiquette, cutlery, perfumes, traders, imports, exports, steamers, politics, architecture, etc.  I assumed for some naive reason I would be able to do so and that was simply not the case.

Anyhoo, while I build the historical fiction blog, I will continue to write and hope for greatness.  After all, noteworthy novelists are feted and have the potential to attain access to the highest circles.  My only shot at making it to the steps of the White House is through words on the page.  A minimum of  85,000 words.  85,000 words read by millions of people and maybe that will give me a shot.

HOW WILL I MEET THE PRESIDENT?


I will write a historical fiction novel that will make the New York Times best seller list, winning rave reviews from author Carolyn See, the Washington Post book critic, and star Brad Pitt and Will Smith in the leads as a motion picture.  (Hey, if I’m going to dream.  I’m dreaming big.)  Some of this seems a little far-fetched, but there are stories behind this story and reasons why I believe all things are possible if you have faith.

Starting today, I will blog the progress of this novel, entitled “Eighth Wonder,” sharing my quest to find an agent, the ups and downs of the journey, and ultimately what I hope to be the details of my trip to the White House.

I began writing “Eighth Wonder” on August 31, 2009 because I felt passionate it was a story that needed to be told.  I began with absolutely no idea I’d try and use it as a vehicle to meet the leader of the free world.

I’m currently on page 351, 76,343 words in and I hope to land around the 85,000 word mark.

Wish me luck!

And stay tuned…