Good News!

I have good news. I recently placed as one of three finalists in the 2011 Break-up Contest hosted by Alaska Romance Writers. www.akrwa.org.

I have done much to advance my writing career, to both get serious and prove that I am serious. But I waited too long for contests. I have a list of reasons and excuses, but I blame only me for holding me back. I hate rejection (who doesn't, right?), but I more than hate it, I fear it. Let me correct that, I feared it. No more. People aren't going to like what I right. A lot of people. My own sister doesn't like romance, though I hope one day when I hand her my book, she will read it. But it doesn't matter. People who don't like me don't bother me. It's there problem, not mine. And the same has to be true of my writing. It's not a personal attack. The sister I mentioned before? She was excited to hear the news of my finalizing. She doesn't like to read romance, but she still supports me. Anyone who doesn't like what I write or the way I write... it's their problem, not mine. I am who I am, I write what inspires me.

I blame only me. I held me back this long. Fear was the excuse, but I was the reason. Shame on me.