I've been hiding in plain sight in the comfort zone for a while now. In the beginning it had a purpose. Post book launch I needed time to digest what I'd done. To lament what I feel I could've done better and to celebrate the fact that I'd done it as genuinely as possible with imperfections I'd begrudgingly allowed to remain intact. When my time came and went, I extended it like an after hours club that extends a party, but never lives up to it. There is a timing to life. Which, most times is the nemesis of the comfort zone.
Because, while the comfort zone is cozy, nothing much happens there.
It's a place to recover, not a destination in and of itself.
So, even though I'm aware I've overstayed my welcome like a bad guest, I'm having difficulty leaving. And I'm making every excuse for myself that's at my disposal. Of which there are many. The kids have had several days off of school for this and that. I've had travel articles to do. And prospecting for other magazines. And of course, continuing to blog and promote Rock the Kasbah by trying to develop new markets through social media. But, as they say, the best way to promote your current book is with your second book.
Which I've started, but it's going extremely slowly.
Ok, it's crawling.
Because I'm actively avoiding it.
As you may or may not know, my next book is fiction. And what you also may or may not know is I'm not a huge reader of fiction. Nor do I have any experience writing fiction at all. So because it's unfamiliar to me it's also, uncomfortable. It's not the writing itself that's the problem, that's been enjoyable. It's the fear of writing it. And the fear of something is always worse than the something. No matter what it is. Every single time.
And most everything good in my life has occurred outside the comfort zone.
So it's time to stop making excuses and start getting uncomfortable again.
7 comments:
Yes! Get uncomfortable! Once you get into tinkering with it you'll figure it out and wonder why writing fiction was ever such a mystery. I'm looking forward to reading #2! Thanks for the great post -- such a good reminder to have the courage to stretch ourselves.
What a great insight. I was feeling tired and lazy, and maybe I am but I recognized everything you said. Avoidance. Comfort zone. Gotta move beyond it. Don't wanna. I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying writing fiction, though. Have a great time with it!
I loved this post, Marie, 'cos it resonated so much with me. The comfort zone has been my perpetual acquaintance, ok, maybe best friend even, and I too am afraid to leave it. It's not just in terms of my writing, but with what I'm going to do with employment next. My son is getting older and more and more, I'm feeling the pressure to go back to a 9-5 job...which I dread! So, I'm holding on to dear old CZ while I mull things over. Good luck with your writing. At least you know what your next (big) step is.
Great post, Marie. It stirred this old girl up. I can speak from experience and say that if you don't willingly leave your comfort zone, the universe will eventually transform it into a twilight zone. Watch how fast you get moving then! LOL!
I'm excited that you are stretching into fiction. It's a big step, but not really. You're a fabulous story teller!
If you need a boost or a good old kick in the ass, you know you can call on me.
Hugs!
I so feel exactly like you. You have this irrational fear of starting on your second book, so that you find a bazillion things that are more important every day. You tell yourself that cooking for your kids is more important, though frankly with your first book you didn't give a rat's ass about heating frozen pizza 5 days in a row, you were so focused. Not sure why that is. You'd think having done it once would make it less daunting the second time?
Hello. I came over from Blissed Out Grandma's blog to meet you. She wrote about both of us recently. I realized that I needed to get back to my comfort zone as I read her blog today.
Imagine my surprise when I read you live in Colorado Springs. I also live in CS! I'm thinking of starting a writer's group. (Out of my comfort zone.) Maybe we could meet for coffee. Congrats on your book!
@ RET- What a coincidence and we wrote on the same subject at the time. I think it's meant to be that we meet. However, I'm going to have to delay it until after the holidays, as things are crazy over here right now!
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