It began with a dream.

Now, when I say “dream,” I’m not talking about a grand aspiration or audacious hope. I mean, I was literally asleep, and I had a dream. When I woke up, I knew that there was something special about this dream, and if I didn’t get up and journal my thoughts, I would forget all about it.

The problem was, I didn’t want to get up. I just wanted to stay in my warm bed. Boy, I am so glad I didn’t…

The dream I had that night became the inspiration for my latest book, The Street Sweeper.   (You can order a signed copy right here on my blog.)  Writing and publishing the book has already been an exciting adventure, but even then I had no idea what else was in store.

A few months ago, I was speaking with my publisher. Imagine my surprise when he told me that he had given a copy of The Street Sweeper to the owner of a film company!

A few days later I spoke with this woman, who had already read the book and had given a copy to her business partner in London. Upon reading it, he commented that they should consider replacing their upcoming project with The Street Sweeper.

I quickly realized that I had a lot of work to do. I needed to do some research and make some quick decisions. Two weeks ago I met with the owner and, to make a long story short, I am signing the option agreement today.

The past couple of months have felt like a windstorm. I can’t say for sure exactly when – or even if – this little movie project will get off the ground. I don’t know enough about the movie industry to estimate the box office potential of The Street Sweeper.

But there’s one thing I do know: I’m so glad I got out of bed and captured my ideas in my journal that fateful morning!

Have you ever had a thought or an idea that you needed to retain, but you just didn’t take the time to do it? Have you ever had a dream, but you just didn’t take that first step?

For me, the first step was getting out of bed that day to journal my thoughts. Of course, at the time I didn’t know how far it would take me.

Do you have a way to capture your ideas?

Personally, I am partial to the Moleskine journal with a Levenger Soul Skin cover.  It’s what I’ve been using for years.

But of course, it doesn’t really matter what you use. The most important thing is that you practice the daily discipline of journaling.

Take time to journal your thoughts. Who knows where it could take you?