I want to write a story. I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time. I feel like I have one burning inside me. But carving out the time to do it has been the biggest challenge. My days are already pretty long. And as a homeowner and a Mom, my free time often gets eaten up by those obligations.

Excuses, I know.

So…the other day one of my dearest friends posted a link on my Facebook page to an article about some wealthy Swedish guy who is willing to give up ONE of his private islands for a week to a creative person with a project.  It’s legit. He asks you to make a donation to his charity (homelessness in Sweden) and in exchange you get the island all to yourself for one week. The only catch: you must use it to work on a creative project.  The island is fully equipped with a lovely cabin, and other amenities. No staff. You bring your food, your drinks, and you stay, secluded, far away from the world for an entire week.  I love this idea. So, I applied.

He asks you to plead your case for why you should be granted this opportunity. He only accepts applications from people who want to use the island to work on a legitimate creative project they are passionate about.  For me, it’s a story that is burning inside me. I want to write. I want time to write. And what could be better for a wanna-be writer than uninterrupted time in a setting that appears to be quite lovely.  It sounds both dreamy and too good to be true.

Now, my case may not have been the most profound. I can only imagine the stories I might be competing with to win one of the open spots this summer. But it was fun to try. And if for some surprising reason I’m selected, I will have no problem plopping down the credit card for the airfare or the charitable contribution if I knew it would get me a week away to do something I’ve been wanting to do for a very long time.  I can bring up to 4 people with me. But I think if I bring anyone…I’ll bring just one. I mean, I’ll need to take a break from writing once in a while, right?  *grins*

Abby will be heading to Florida for two weeks in June (lucky girl) …and that’s when I plan on hiding away someplace with my Francis. Who’s Francis, you ask?  Well, he’s someone I’ve been friends with for a very long time, who has recently turned into something more than a friend. He’s kind and honest and handsome, and genuinely cares about me.  It’s turning out to be quite delicious…and quite fun…and the thought of jet setting with him sends my heart racing at a pace that I can’t even describe (but I’m sure I could find the right words if I had, say, a week alone on an island near Sweden). Ahem.

Oh my…

Even if I don’t win this little creative getaway, I will still commit to writing. I’m finding that writing requires a few things: a space that is comfortable, and one in which you can hide away long enough to be productive for those few hours, or however long you’re able to do so. It also requires some damn talent (which who knows if I actually have).  But I want to find out. I want to do this. I’ve already created my little writing space here in the house; finding the time to hide away in it has been the real challenge. So far, it requires me to get up at 5 am to find that kind of time. And man…that’s proven to be tough. But I’ll get there. One way or another.

And in the meantime, maybe you could keep your fingers crossed for me and the Swedish Island week-long getaway. What could be dreamier than having a secluded, beautiful place to write for an entire week with a sweetheart of a man hanging around.  I promise I’ll write. Really…truly. No really….

Hubba.