About
As writers, most of our challenges are easy to overcome. For instance, the solution to not having time to write is to make time. “Making time” is no easy feat. It takes determination and planning. And TONS of sweat and tears. In other words, it takes work.
But what do you do if life happens and disrupts your best-laid plans? That’s happened more than once in my life. Most notable was during the writing of my second novel in 2008. As the deadline for submitting the manuscript to my publisher approached, I felt a head cold coming on. You know the feeling … achy, sore throat. But I pressed on. I kept burning the candle at both ends, getting up early and staying up late to meet my deadline.
I ended up meeting my deadline. I produced a decent 80,000+ word working draft in less than a month. I know it sounds crazy. It was crazy! And my body paid for it by giving me the worst sinus infection I’ve ever had. Ugh.
Writing a book can be tough on so many levels. I know what it takes to take an idea and turn it into a publishable manuscript. I’ll do my best to lead you in the right direction.
Just Start
In 1996, I started writing my first novel. I just knew it was going to be the next breakout best-seller. All seven chapters of it. Trouble was, even though I knew how to write a killer engineering report, I did knew diddly about writing fiction for publication (in Southern-speak “diddly” is synonymous with “nothing”). A writing professor friend told me so … as gently as she could, thankfully.
After several fits and starts, I got my first publishing deal from Moody Publishers a decade later. Yep, it took me TEN years to see that first book in print. In the twenty+ years since first putting pen to paper, I have learned a lot about the craft of writing and about the business of writing for publication.
I’d like to help you along your writing journey. Poke around my site and see if you find anything of use. I’d like to hope you can do just that. Thanks for dropping by.
Afraid to Start?
Gulp! I have a confession. I can be a big chicken sometimes.
I’m scared of spiders, lizards, high places, speaking in public, and … doing something I’ve never done before. Yeah, that’s right. I’m afraid to start anything new.
Hidden in that fear is the fear of rejection, of looking stupid, of failing to be perfect. I’ve developed new skills in my effort to avoid the fear of starting. I’ve become good at covering up my mistakes and avoiding anything new.
Cover up. Avoid. And if I fail and look stupid in front of others while doing it, never ever ever do that new thing again.
Today, I started going to a gym. It’s been almost 15 years since I’ve joined a gym. My fitness goals include weight loss and strength training. You would think those reasons would be enough for someone to stick to an exercise regimen. I was hyperventilating in the locker room as I fought the tears of fear. (I cry when I’m afraid. Do you?)
After pacing like a caged tiger in the hallway for about five minutes, I finally went into the workout room and rode a stationary bike for 20 minutes. I’ll be honest, I felt the ‘fear of new’ like I haven’t in a long time. But I didn’t die and I’m glad I pressed my way.
These are two things I want you to know about “fear of new”.
- It will steal your future
- It will steal your joy
Writer friends: What are you afraid of doing? You won’t die. Press through until you see the light. You’ll thrive. Just keep pushing. Keep writing on that short story, novel, novella, article. But at some point, you’ve got to move new territory. That could take the shape of attending a writer’s conference or letting an editor see your work. You won’t die from embarrassment or be shunned for life. You will, however, gain strength and experience for the next time.
I refuse to let my fear of starting something new strangle my future joy. How about you?
I invite you to step out on faith with your writing. Your book is depending on you to get it out there. The world awaits. Let’s go!