Rona, thank you! I've often felt I had to run this gauntlet to win the prize––the extraordinary friendships I've made with other writers. Your friendship is the newest blessing in an ever-growing gift.

Blissom, thank you! I would love to see you--we need to attend another of Rosemary Daniell's wonderful retreats!

Barbara, thank you for your kind comment! Writing about--and sharing--this period of my life was terrifying. What I didn't anticipate is it would also be the experience that freed me!

Tracy--oh, how I understand your fear. Small steps will help. First, I encourage you to reach out to your writer friends and your writing community. There are so many writers-- just like you and me--who are looking for support and willing to give it in return. Finding just one or two of those writers will change your life. And you're always welcome to contact me!

When it comes to the actual writing, set small goals. Outline a chapter. Write one paragraph. Write one word if that's all you can manage. The key is to keep moving forward.

For me, the writing did hurt. But it hurts far less than not writing. A good analogy is the humble oyster. Think of how a sharp fragment finds its way inside an oyster shell. It cuts and irritates the tender flesh. It might destroy the creature. But the oyster uses its limited resources to coat the fragment, over and over, until it has smoothed the lethal edges, rendering it harmless––yet beautiful and valuable.

I like both. I don't know how well I DO both, but I like them both. 🙂