Dream Catcher

Today is the release date for The Orange Houses, written by my friend, Paul Griffin. Paul is a creative, thoughtful novelist, who writes about at-risk, inner city teens. His narratives emerge because he knows his subjects, not because he tries to glamorize them.

His own story is one of spontaneous reinvention. Paul majored in film studies in college, and began writing screen plays. Along the way, he taught conflict resolution at juvenile detention centers, tutored teens to prepare for their SATs, and taught film making.

His first novel, Ten Mile River, a story about two kids on the lam from a juvenile detention center, was inspired by a young boy he met in a chance encounter. He wrote passionately and continuously for three days, then put away the manuscript until a then unknown literary agent took it to publication.

Which of your dreams are escaping your dream catcher?

It's especially important today to make sure that we do what we love, because our current environment makes things just a little harder than they were even a year ago.

Think about your own path, the planned routes as well as the detours, and see if it's time to redirect. I'm not suggesting you turn your life upside down; rather, reflect on your decisions, and see if anything got lost along the way.

Here's an exercise to get you started:

• "I used to do __________, but don't any more because __________."

• "I love doing __________, but just don't have the time any more."

• "I always wished I could have done __________."

Once you've filled in these blanks, commit to do one thing to recapture any lost interests. Make a phone call about a class, search the Internet for resources - you know the drill.

And, if you have a teenage son or nephew or grandson, introduce them to Paul's books. You may be captivated by his writing as well, and who knows how that may inspire you.