Be Fearless

A great American once said, "We have nothing to fear, but fear itself." Never have those words been more true. Whether you're a reader and the struggling economy has got you down, or you're a writer and the often-bleak publishing picture bothers you, I believe we have to go forward... and we have to go fearless.

That, of course, is easier said than done. As both a reader and a writer, I've come up with a plan for going fearless this year. By putting things in persepective, I find I can go forward. Maybe my plan doesn't work for you. But that's all right. Feel free to come up with your own method for moving forward. Because that's the bottom line: moving forward in spite of fear.

Nic's Tips for Moving Forward
As readers, we can:

~ Remember why we read in the first place. All those things we have to worry about? They fade away when we're lost in a good book.

~ Remember reading doesn't have to be expensive. We can borrow as well as buy. Trade with your girlfriends. Hit the library's sale shelf and take a chance on a new writer for a few cents.

~ Remember reading is an excellent value. Even when we buy a best-selling hardback, we're getting bang for our buck. That book will make for many hours of entertainment. Where else will a dollar go so far?

As writers, we can:

~ Remember why we write in the first place. All those things we have to worry about? They fade away when we're lost in a good book - our own book.

~ Remember there are still readers out there. So there will need to be books out there. When we see the headlines about publishers' problems and bookstores' troubles, we need to keep in mind most of them are still looking for product. And that means they're looking for our books.

~ Remember you're free to write your story your way. With tighter strictures and tougher criteria from agents, editors, contests, and even critique groups, a writer can feel under the gun when she sits at her keyboard. But be free. Write your way. Listen and learn, but the bottom line is, be fearless.

But whatever you do, keep reading, keep writing, move forward, and most of all, be fearless.

Will you join me in this? Let the Rockville 8 know . . .