Write Your Page Four

Own It, Live It

You’re probably wondering, “What’s the deal with page four?” Well, let me explain. I’m a writer, and I plant my sweet spot on page four. Sometimes, it’s not directly about the protagonist but rather someone or something closely tied to them. This is the part of chapter one where I unpack something gripping, something that’ll keep readers flipping pages late into the night. Think of it as the bumpy road that keeps you awake and alert—I bet you know what I mean.

Now, here’s the thing. Life? It’s just one big, chaotic, unpredictable, beautifully messy story. Maybe you’ve already written your chapter and poured your sweet spot into page four, or maybe you’re just gearing up to do it. But trust me on this—your page four? It’ll never be a bore. Some chapters might feel like exhilarating adventures, the kind that keep you on the edge of your seat. Others? They might drag a bit, like flipping through a soggy manual for assembling a bookshelf you didn’t even want.

But here’s what matters most: you’ve written it. Every word, every twist, every page is yours. You’re the author of this story. The pen? It’s firmly in your hands. Not your neighbor’s. Not your grumpy coworker’s. Not that social media troll who always has something to say. Yours.

Write it your way, and make it a story only you can tell.

Now, if you’re out here chasing your dreams (and you should be), prepare yourself. Not everyone will clap for you. Oh no. Some will sit there in the cheap seats with their arms crossed and their faces twisted, tossing you negativity like a bad pitcher in a slow-pitch game. Why? Because some people gave up on their own dreams, and it’s just easier for them to throw shade at yours than to dig deep and rekindle their own sparks.

But here’s the thing they don’t tell you enough: that’s their problem. Not yours.

The Tough Love Section (Because Sometimes You Need It)

Chasing your dream is hard. There’s no candy-coating it. Whether you’re picking up a paintbrush, writing the next great novel, or learning to play the guitar as it owes you money, odds are you’ll get hit with disappointment, self-doubt, and, yup, those people. You know the ones. The ones who shrug and say, “Well, is it even worth it?” or “That’s not very practical.” If you listen too closely, their words start to sound like truth instead of insecurity covered in a thin layer of laziness.

But guess what? Their doubts don’t pay the bills, and they certainly don’t finish the canvas, book, or album you’ve been dreaming about.

Hard Truths

Dreams remain as that… dreams, unless you act on them. That’s why they say, "Chase your dream." So, what does chasing it really look like?

You enroll in courses to sharpen your craft. You reach out to people who’ve been there, asking them how they did it. You commit to the discipline of writing for hours a day—even if it means staring at that blinking cursor more often than not. You connect with others who share your goals, building a network of dreamers just like you.

But sometimes, all that effort still doesn’t feel like enough. And here’s the truth—not always hearing “yes” during your climb doesn’t mean you stop. It means you dig in deeper. Try harder. Start again if you have to.

There will be gatekeepers—agents, publishers, producers, and gallery owners. Some will tell you, “We can’t work with you right now.” It stings, but it’s not the end. It just means the perfect match isn’t here yet. That match will come, and when it does, your book, your painting, your song will be out there for the world to experience.

Keep pushing. Your dream deserves it.

Write Your Chapter Your Way

Here’s where things get fun. Imagine your life as a book. Who’s writing it? You are. You get to decide what kind of story it’s going to be. Will it be one of resilience, passion, and unstoppable energy? Or will it be 300 pages of “I didn’t feel like it”? Because spoiler alert, no one’s lining up to read the second one.

Not a writer? Who cares? “Writing your chapter” doesn’t have to mean literal writing. It can mean composing songs that make your soul hum, painting a version of the sunset you saw in Bali that one time, or starting a small business that sets your heart on fire.

Do it messily. Do it imperfectly. Do it anyway.

The Power of Doing It for Yourself

Here’s where people often get tripped up. They start chasing their dream, and then somewhere along the way, their focus shifts. They worry about what others think. About likes and follows. About applause. Listen, chasing your dream isn’t about building a gallery for other people’s approval. It’s about decorating the rooms of your own heart. It’s for you.

Should your life follow some bland, step-by-step manual someone else wrote? No. Make your own rules. Forget the boxes people try to shove you into. Who decided songs have to rhyme or that paintings should always chase realism? Be authentic. Create in the way that feels right to you, no matter how unconventional it might seem.

But here’s something else to keep in mind. There will always be that one person lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce. They’re not there to cheer you on. Nope. These are the ones who gave up on their own dreams, and now they wait for someone brave enough to chase theirs, just so they can swoop in with lines like, “That painting is awful,” or “That song is the worst thing I’ve ever heard.” Or, in my case, “Your novel is as dull as dishwater—I nearly fell asleep on page four.”

Here’s the funny thing about that jab. Page four? That’s my sweet spot. It’s where I drop a little gem, whether it’s a quotable line or humor that’s just a bit offbeat. It’s the page where my manuscript and I share a secret. And guess what? That comment? It was a total dud. Because anyone who actually understands the craft knows the opening chapters, especially those first few pages, are make-or-break territory. If page four got under this person’s skin, they were still reading. Mission accomplished.

Now, here’s the kicker. The loudest critics? They’re never the ones putting their heart on the line to create something. Real artists, whether they paint, write, compose, or craft, don’t tear you down. They get it. They respect the grind, and the courage it takes to put yourself out there.

Never forget that the people worth listening to are too busy chasing their own dreams to tear down yours. Keep going, your way, always.

The One Big Takeaway

Here’s the truth no one can take away from you. When you honor your dream, when you fight through the noise, the naysayers, and your own doubts, you move closer to something real. To something yours. And those who don’t understand? They’ll either come around or they won’t. You don’t need them to.

So go on, pick up the brush. Write the scene. Strum the first chord. Do it not because someone’s watching, but because you’ve got something beautiful and unshakable inside you that you owe it to yourself to share.

You’ve got this. Now, go make it happen and write your sweet spot on page four.