The Writing Journey

Last year, for some unfathomable reason, I was hit with the desire to go for a run. And let me tell you, those desires are few and far between. Why go outside when the couch is so close and so comfortable?

Regardless, I did it anyway, and I decided to go four miles (two miles each way) on a run/walk routine. I couldn’t tell you what possessed me to go so far when my max training at the time was maybe a mile. Because I’m silly, that’s why.

When I reached the halfway point, two miles from my car, it started to rain. Not just a drizzle. No, it was a complete downpour. I paused, instantly soaked, and tried to decide my next move. Do I hide under a tree? Search for a nearby building to take shelter?

Me: In Shock

Then I saw someone else running in the opposite direction, heading towards me. We stared at each other before we both started laughing, and with wide grins, we high-fived each other as she passed me. I began to walk, which turned into a jog, and then a sprint. I was giggling to myself and running at full speed, relishing the moment. I didn’t feel frustrated, or scared, or upset.

I felt lucky that it happened to me. It had been forever since I went to the rail trail, so what are the odds that I’d get stuck in the rain without being able to escape it? Once I accepted I was in the rain, the whole experience changed, and to this day, I still remember the morning fondly.

My writing journey has been a little similar to this incident. When I finally chose a release date after months and months of excuses, I was filled with fear. What if people hate the book? What if I’ll never be able to write another one? Well, I did write book two…but what if I can’t write book three?!

I’ve battled these fears for a long time, but it was easy to ignore the emotions when I was hiding in my little bubble. Now that it’s real? Oh boy, did I get slammed with a downpour of fears, and nowhere to hide from them. So I just embraced the feelings, holding onto why I started writing in the first place.

My why: I want to connect with people through my work and give my readers the same feeling that flowed through me when I cherished a story. If I let my fears win, then I’ll never get that chance.

Now I’m here, so excited to share my book with you! I’m ready to walk, run, sprint. And I’m loving every second of it. So let’s do this!