I spend a lot of time daydreaming. Even when I’m very busy, I still manage to fit it in. As a child it got me into lots of trouble. As a student, I missed lectures and handed in late assignments. When I travelled by train to and from my first teaching job, I bypassed my station a few times, due to this tendency. You would think I’d have learnt to stop by now. But no. What I’ve actually learnt is that day dreaming is a good thing. In fact, it is far more important than I could possibly have imagined!

I daydreamed my first novella into being. When I held the first copy of The Web of Silence in my hand, I had to pinch myself to make sure it wasn’t part of the latest fantasy. I was enthralled and dragged some friends off to celebrate it’s arrival. I sold some copies to friends and put one into my bookshelf.  That was all I needed. No big marketing schemes. I was more than content.

By the time my novel, Under the African Sun was published, I was a little more blasé about the process, I think… but still imagined it as a shooting star, flying across the heavens as I slept. Mostly though, I hoped that a few people would read and enjoy it. In my deeper trances, I could see a little gold badge in the top right corner of the cover. (I did say my imagination was vivid?) During the course of the year, I popped my novel into a competition, which I didn’t monitor as months went by. In fact, I’d forgotten all about it.

A few days ago, an email arrived. I spotted the bronze badge and a certificate in the attachments and wondered if I’d been spammed. I hadn’t. The little badge confirmed that I’d been placed tenth in the AAA’s historical fiction category. No one wanted any money or pledges from me. My novel had simply been noticed. I can’t help believing I dreamt this into existence.

At the moment, I’m busy dreaming that Behind the Blue Door brings Meg and Angie Van der Merwe, huge success. I’m also imagining that people across the globe, read it, find solace, hope and the healing of old wounds. As the launch approaches, my dreams are increasing in intensity. Truths will come to the surface through this memoir and it may well be instrumental in solving crimes committed a long time ago.

My advice to you is to allow yourself the luxury of dreaming, anytime of the day or night. You’ll be amazed at what can happen. In fact, you could even dream fantasy into reality. Daydreaming is the new power and you’d better believe it!

Oh, did I mention that I am Gail and I picked my pseudonym, Angie, out of a genie’s lamp? Just so you know…