Risky Business

Two nights ago I uploaded my very first novel.  I did so with great trepidation.  There is no certainty that people will love it, there is no guarantee that it will provide the intended message, and there is no way of knowing if it will do well.  Typically, I am not a risk taker.  I am more of a "don't rock the boat" sort of a gal.  Publishing this book was a HUGE step into risk territory for me. 

Even as I sit here typing up this blog post my palms are sweaty.  They have been this way for the past two weeks.  Ever since my book cover art arrived and I realized that this is really real.  It is actually happening.  The husband is gone right now for training and I told him that he should be glad he is not around.  My hands have resembled a dead fish for the past two weeks.  Cold and damp.  In other words disgusting.  Aside from the gross fish hands, I have had trouble sleeping.  This is so outside of my comfort zone I don't really know how to adjust properly.  If it weren't for my amazing friends and the support they have given me, I surely would have gone mad by now. 

I am getting a bit tangent-y so let me get to the point of this whole post.  Even though this experience has terrified me every single step of the way, I now know for sure that it was totally worth it.  My book far surpassed my first day sales goals of 10 books.... In fact it has quadrupled my goal in the past few days.  I am beside myself with excitement.  I never in a million years could have expected forty people to read the words I wrote.  I can't even begin to describe how terrifying and exciting that is. 

So if there is something you are putting off, something that might be risky, remember this:  Without great risk there can be no great reward.  If we don't step outside of our comfort zones every once in a while we can never expect to live a life that is anything but ordinary.  Personally, I am going to choose the extraordinary.  I hope you will join me. 

xoxo,
Michelle