Lots of things are happening during the first half of this year. I've got a book to release! This means most of my time and energy will be focused on edits, finalizing cover design, laying out a marketing strategy, and working out the many details associated with bringing another book into the world. I've also updated my social media pages, author photo, and added new events to my 2019 calendar. It's an exciting time, and I admit, I work better with hard deadlines.  

This is also the time when I experience regular bouts of self-doubt. What if my manuscript is trash and I can't fix it in time? What if sales tank? What if I disappoint my readers with this book? And so it goes... 

At this point in my career, I have enough experience to anticipate this annoying internal drama, and I have a toolbox of tricks for getting through it. Here's the biggest trick of all: Do the work. 

I'm reminded of one of my son's favorite quotes: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." 

Yes, I spend time with a bottle of wine (or Jameson's if I'm being totally honest) when I get the first round of edits from the editor. Yes, I have dark moments where I really have no idea how I'm going to fix any of it. Yes, I worry I'm an imposter in the creative world. But, I've made it to the other side enough times to have confidence I will again. So, I allow myself a little time for wallowing, and then I dig in and do the work. It's really the only way.