Repeat after me, "you can do this." It doesn't matter how uncomfortable you feel or how great your fears may be. What matters is your willingness to take that first step outside your comfort zone. That first step in any new venture is always the most difficult.
One of my writing mentors, Byron Mettler, taught me how to move forward when you feel stuck. "Paint your character into a corner and then figure out how to escape," he instructed. The same is true in real life. Do you remember being sent to the corner in school? Your teacher asked you to think about your actions and make changes, right? Corners are places you go to prepare for the discomfort zone ahead. Your way out is action. Action trumps fear. Uncertainty dissipates when you step out into the unknown. It's turning on the light switch in a dark room.
If you're in the area on Wednesday, May 27 from 7 to 8pm, stop by the Williamsburg Public Library. This may be the first step you take to writing your own book. I'll do my best to help you feel comfortable. Bring a friend.
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