Stories that Matter
Life
What To Do With Fear and Failure and Other Nuisances
Maybe It’s Time
Happy Mother’s Day!
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Write, Straight Up
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This Thing About Community, And Why We Need It
What Am I Afraid Of?
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The Magic Formula
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Why Not Me?
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And So We Choose This Thing
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Is It Supposed To Hurt This Much?
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Okay, I’m back!! After plunging into edits on my latest novel over the past two weeks, I am finished! So ready for a break! Good thing summer is almost here, right? First things first – I have to announce TWO WINNERS! The winner of Nicole O’Dell’s The Embittered Ruby, is Elaine Stock. Elaine, let me…
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I’m pleased to have JoAnn as my guest on the blog today! JoAnn writes Inspirational Romance, and she’s had a busy few years! Her first novel, Awakening, released in 2010, followed by Second Time Around, in 2011, and now she’s just released a third novel in the series, Twin Hearts! Whew! So here’s JoAnn to…
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Many who know me understand just how long and hard I worked to achieve my dream of becoming a published author. It took years. Years of believing I had a story worth telling. A story others would relate to and relish, characters readers would love as much as I did. That dream came true on…
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I collect vintage English bone china teacups and saucers. The above image is mine, an assortment of just a few of the cups you’ll find on display should you ever pay me a visit. I couldn’t tell you how I got started or why, but my collection is growing. I love visiting antique stores, browsing…
read more...“It’s all around you…” August Rush. Here’s my favorite song from that movie- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxmZrJRvti0 I love that movie! Admittedly, it is a little hokey and as an author, I wanted to do SO much more with the characters, but the music in it was awesome. And of course, it has a happy ending. But it…
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If you haven’t yet had the pleasure of a chat with Canadian author, Gail Sattler, I urge you to take the next opportunity you get and nab her for a cup of coffee or tea! Gail is a talented musician, and can usually be found playing her bass guitar on the worship team each year…
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It’s my pleasure today to have esteemed author, Kathi Macias on the blog. Kathi is one of those rare gems of an author, someone who gives back to the writing community in wonderful ways. She’s also someone who graciously offered to read my debut novel for endorsement and gave me the amazing gift of a…
read more...Okay, I know what you’re thinking. And you’re right. That’s a really weird title for a blog post. What kind of person writes something like that on a Monday morning? Maybe she needs more coffee. I do. I always need more coffee. But that’s not what this post is about. This post is about making…
read more...What To Do With Fear and Failure and Other Nuisances
I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m fine.
Maybe you’re familiar with the mantra? It’s easy to say. Easy to repeat. And easy to convince yourself of. Because if you say something enough times, eventually you begin to believe it.
Even if it’s not true.
So last week I wrote about change, and how I was going through a big change in my publishing journey. And yes, part of me is excited about stepping out, exploring new horizons. But, now that the dust has settled, a few old friends have come to call.
Fear. Failure. Insecurity. Anxiety.
Maybe you’re familiar with them too? Gah. I hope not, but . . . yeah, I bet you are. And when these guys throw a party, it’s usually not much fun. I keep reminding myself I’ve been here before. Not knowing what comes next or even how to take the next step. Feeling like a failure and hating it. Wondering if this writing thing is all a colossal waste of time and maybe I should just go back to crocheting. (Yes, I did crochet back in the day. I was never very good at it).
Courage.
That’s how you deal with fear and failure and their gang. You know they’re the type your Mama warned you about. They’ll drag you down, kick you while they’re at it and lay all the blame at your feet. Who needs friends like that?
But it’s hard. Especially when you can make a list as long as your arm, laying out all the reasons you’re in this place now. Everything you should have done and didn’t. Everything you did do that wasn’t good enough. Blah, blah, blah.
Courage.
I can’t change what has happened. But I can control where we go from here. And I can change my attitude.
No, it’s not easy. But it’s necessary. Because moping around feeling sorry for myself won’t get a thing done. I know that. I’ve been in this place before. Well, not this exact place, but pretty close. And I know that the only logical thing to do is to get up, open the door, and kick those demons out.
And yes, I know how hard it is. Some days it seems impossible. Some days you just want to be sad. I know. And I think that’s okay too. Some days it’s definitely okay to sit on the couch and eat cookies and watch The Good Place. I’ve been trying to stay off social media because I’m not really in the mood to read about new book deals and new releases. Sorry. I’m just not.
But. I also know I can’t stay on the couch. I have to get up at some point and do the next thing. Even if it’s only writing a blog post that maybe a few people will read. It’s something.
It’s also good to connect, to share, and try to encourage each other, right? I’m so grateful for the friends that have reached out. It helps to know you’re not really alone. Fellow writers really get it. That kind of community is vital. So you know. I know I won’t feel this way forever. I’m not a quitter. Sometimes I don’t know if that’s a good trait or a character flaw. But it’s got me this far, so I guess it’s a good thing.
Anybody with me today? Anybody want to get up, brush off the cookie crumbs and go do this thing?
I’ll walk with you.
