Susan Boyle is my hero...

Susan Boyle is my hero. Er-heroine. The typical underdog. The classic fish out of water. For those of you who haven’t heard of her, you must be living under a rock. The same rock I was living under until my deadline a few days ago. I must admit, I was skeptical, like most of the audience when she stepped on that stage. I mean, how could a 47 year old woman long past the age when most stars are discovered possibly make it even though I liked her spunk and attitude?

Especially singing I Dreamed a Dream. I’ve sung that song, people. It ain’t easy. The vocal range required is not for the feint of heart or voice. I must say I was ready to plug my ears at six o’clock that morning when my husband turned to me. “Hey, Brian sent this to us. Watch this.”

Ready to leave the office to refill my already full coffee cup, I waited as the music started to play. (I get uncomfortable watching people in potentially painful or awkward situations.) I held my breath when Susan opened her mouth to sing. And there it was. That first note, so pure and sweet. I sat back in my computer chair, stunned at the exquisite voice. I know my mouth dropped open. How about yours?

Watching Simon’s Cowels’ face was also priceless. For a man who’s sarcasm and critiques are as sharp as a butcher’s knife, to see him stunned made my morning. (even though I’m secretly in love with him) I can see it now in a future credit card commercial. And seeing the other judges and the audience respond with such enthusiasm was awe-inspiring.

Go Susan.

I Dreamed a Dream, too.

To become a writer.

To fulfill that dream, I didn’t have to go up on stage and pour my heart out through my voice, which would probably make most of you happy. No, I wrote books about hope and love and second chances and poured my heart out through my characters.

But the tigers come at night.

They do in the form of rejections or bad reviews or partners that don’t support you or editors that don’t get your work.

As they tear your hope apart.

Family members, children, work, household tasks that never seem to get done. Professional jealousy, or any other number of reasons that keep you from living your dream. Stop the madness.

Did Susan let the naysayers and the other non-believers keep her from living her dream? No. And neither should you. She triumphed at the end. So can you. The underdog has come out the top dog. (go all the way, Susan) The fish out of water dove right in and made herself right at home.

So get your rear end in the chair and write. So what if the laundry piles up or the kids whine there’s nothing to do, or your husband can’t seem to find the remote, because it’s okay to live your dream. No one is going to do it for you.

So what are you waiting for? I Dreamed a Dream. How about you?

Credit for lyrics given to Herbert Kretzmer.

Kim Watters