Freelance Dreaming

Have you ever experienced the innate whisper telling you you can't pursue dreams? It sounds a little like this:
.

That dream doesn't make enough money for you to support a family.

This dream isn't what people expect from you.

That's not really a dream, it's a sporadic urge.

That can't possibly work out!

God wants you to do unpleasant things for Him. 
 

Why is it we think we can't pursue dreams?

Perhaps there is no "we" in this; I may be alone with this brick wall. I don't know when it started to build, but with each brick came the repeated thought, "If I want to do it, God probably won't let me." Every time this thought repeated, my cement grew harder.

From where does this message arise that God desires to douse us in a begrudging life of self-sacrifice and grim determination through things we hate?

In the past few months, I've neglected my blog and wondered what my returning post would look like. I was going to paint a picture of my ideal future--a vision of dreams, per se. Sometimes it's just fun to examine your dreams with raw honesty. I was going to paint Nadine Brandes as the successful writer on one hand and freelance editor on the other, but because I hold a Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology, I've always felt freelance editing would never really be in my future.

Why?

An exceptionally difficult day two weeks ago led me to re-think my income prospects. This is when freelance editing swam into my mind again. And this time, God asked, "Why not?"

So I asked, "Why not?"

 

My knees hit the carpet and stayed there for two weeks (figuratively). Like swirls of smoky magic, I prayed my way through creating a freelance editing website (yes, another site....).  I "launch" it Sunday (March 17th). 

So what is it exactly?

I'll be offering substantive edits of complete or partial fiction manuscripts (preferably Christian). I want to help Christian author-dreamers hone their writing so they can continue to impact the world. I've recently been strongly affected by Christian speculative fiction. I see the power it holds compared to secular novels. Both hold adventure, but the Christian ones bring something so much more fulfilling. I find myself pursuing God more, seeing Him in new lights. I want to help with this. 

I truly believe God's blessed me with editing eyes. I dedicate my very pupils to Him. So, March 17th (Sun) through March 23rd (Sat) is Launch Week. I'll be offering full fiction manuscript edits (80,000 words or less) for $150 and 80,000+ for $200. I can't wait. 

This post may sound a little like a business pitch, but it's more like a life update. I'm following passions. It's terrifying and yet beautiful. Fully committing to something completely out of my control is the best type of adventure.