NOT SO SCARY ONCE YOU DO IT

NOT SO SCARY ONCE YOU DO IT This week several readers have given me pause, making me remember from whence I came and that Ive learned. We read the blogs and newsletters from people who seem to be way over our heads in power, ability and talent, and too often we discount our own abilities. In mentioning the recent rash of face-to-face interviews Ive done lately (Skype and in-person), someone commented about how scary that was. As Im writing this, Im nervous about a 20-minute talk Im giving this evening to a MENSA chapter in Columbia, SC. These folks are often accomplished with pretty decent levels of intellect. Here I am, coming off 15 appearances, yet Im a bit ill-at-ease about this one. Instead of being too afraid to accept, however, I had to make fun and remind myself, as Will Smith said in the movie Men in Black, First off, you chose me, so you recognize the skills In another situation, where I taught about entering contests and recognizing the scams, half the readers seemed afraid if not angry about contests, believing they were all scams. One guy was sure that if a contest charged a fee, they were opportunists at our expense. I reminded him that all publishers were in the business to make a buck, and all of them charged: some in advance, some after sales.In traditional or self-publishing circles, the publishers arent all that charitable, doing what they do for the sake of God or humanity. Plus contests are such opportunities. And on Facebook, someone fussed about editors and how they are evil minions intent on changing our stories to their own. He was concerned that editors would overstep their bounds and rewrite the content, not just make corrections. I reminded him that writers pick and choose whats edited. Even with traditional publishers that want manuscripts changed before agreeing to publish, you can negotiate. I did. The underlying theme in all of these concerns and complaints is that of fear. Fear someone will make fun. Fear someone will steal our work or our money. Fear someone will take advantage of our deep-seeded, emotional urge to publish. Were pouring our souls into print, and the last thing we need in the midst of our trepidation is someone who also robs us of money,rights or self-esteem. Do . . . it . . . once. Do an interview in person. Speak to a small group. Enter a contest. Let an editor lay hands on your work. Whats the worst that can happen? The interview goes badly? The host wants a good interview more than you do, trust me. The speech goes awry? You learn from it. The audience got no satisfaction from your trip-up. They were up their with you. So you lose the contest. So the editor doesnt like your writing. You decide if you walk away unscathed. Not them.