Screw The Safe Zone

"I write to make peace with the things I cannot control. I write to create fabric in a world that often appears black and white. I write to begin a dialogue. I write to imagine things differently and in imagining things differently perhaps the world will change." --Terry Tempest Williams from "Why I Write" article in Northern Lights magazine

With the release of my first novel merely a few days away, I've been thinking a lot about what it means to chase a dream. It is a huge risk putting a somewhat "stable" career (i.e. teaching) on hold while I devote my time and attention to this wild idea of mine to become a writer. Technically I've always been a writer at heart, but I've never taken the plunge of putting myself "out there." And I never imagined that I'd be sharing my deepest thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams with the whole world--mostly I thought I'd keep all of those things private, tucked away in some inner closet inside myself where I wouldn't be subjected to censure, judgements, rejection...the "Safe Zone"...isn't that where most people live? Insulated from conflict, criticism, and closed off...protected? It is where I've lived for most of my life, but what I've learned in the short time I've been doing this is that the "Safe Zone" is an illusion. We are not safe from anything, including ourselves because while we can minimize all of those things down in our lives to some quiet roar, they're still there, they still happen. People judge us all the time--stand in our way and demand we conform--hold power over us by way of a paycheck, an opportunity, or emotions held hostage until our behavior conforms to their expectations.

What do I really have to lose by chasing this dream? Nothing! I have already gained so much of value that there isn't a way to convert it into simple dollar signs. In a little over a week, I will join the ranks of becoming a published author! My greatest hope is that people will read Desperate Measures and enjoy the characters, identify with them, and delight in the ride from start to finish. It will be pure joy to hear, "When is the next one coming out?" Regardless of what happens with this or in the future, I'm still going to wildly pursue and enjoy my passion and hopefully people will bask in it with me!

*Image from www.unm.edu.

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