Review Tales
Book Magazine – Publishing – Editing
Should you follow your dreams? by Petra Jacob
Should you follow your dreams? by Petra Jacob
This is one of those questions that messes with your mind. People who have succeeded in achieving their aspirations say, Yes! Don’t ever give up! While those who ditched them to live a sensible existence often look regretfully into the distance and talk about the book they never wrote, the mountain they never climbed. But for those who chase near impossible hopes and don’t actually succeed, what about them? Should they not have bothered?
For me, I’ve spent decades trying to be a writer, wanting to fire the minds of many. I’ve published two books and written many stories on my blog, and people enjoy them. However, I’m so atrocious at promotion I doubt I’ll ever set the world alight. So I ask myself, If that is it, have I wasted my life? Am I sorry?
Fortunately, my answer is No, or this would be depressing.
I’m not rich or famous, but I’m proud of how I’ve lived, and my driving force has always been writing, without it I would have been lost. In pursuit of characters and stories, I’ve traveled and worked across continents, seeking out adventure and fascinating people. I’ve conjured up new imaginary places to run around in, and wild, ridiculous ideas to play with. Those who read my books often love them, and I’ve made good friends through them. And finally, I don’t think there is any other way I could have lived that would have given me the same sense of purpose or have made me as happy. Writing has pushed me to keep asking questions, to revel in the strange and the beautiful.
I regret nothing.
But then, should you follow your dreams? The solution is never going to be easy, but here are a few questions which might help.
Does pursuing them make you happy, regardless of success?
Does the chase enrich your life? Give you purpose?
If yes, then chase away. Not to achieve success, but for the thrill of it. If not, then you may have some more complex soul searching to do.
“When the brain blazes like a bonfire, we no longer need to ask why we are alive.”
Colin Wilson
About the Author
Petra Jacob had her first book, Riddled with Senses, published by Dr Cicero Books last year. It’s a magic realism tale of love, drugs and witchcraft.
She has just self-published the book Peddling Doomsday, which is about a cult run by a charismatic female leader. It has elements of all three groups listed above. Link here https://www.amazon.com/Peddling-Doomsday-Petra-Jacob-ebook/dp/B07DGH5WRS
During her haphazard life she’s lived in a condemned bedsit in Cambridge, a gated community in Mexico City, a rain forest in Central America and a derelict haunted house in South America. Currently she works as a gardener in Central London, but likes to escape to the jungle whenever possible. Jacob has a particular fondness for monkeys, slime mould and cake.
Her blog of stories and self-publishing tips can be found here https://inkbiotic.com/
And her Twitter, here https://twitter.com/wonkytimepest
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2 Comments on “Should you follow your dreams? by Petra Jacob”
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Review Tales 
Peddling Doomsday link doesn’t work…
Agreed with ur post 🙂 👍👍
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Thank you for letting me know. I will contact the author to let them know.
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