Both nerve-wracking and fun, the live interview on the radio pushed me way out of my comfort zone. I just listened to the podcast and every “um” I uttered mortifies me. My Speech Communication professor from college is shaking her head, wondering what ever happened to all she taught me. My speaking patterns are now on my ‘things to improve’ list. I know what happened. My nerves (and some caffeine) got me reeved up and jumping on every question the host, Wayne Barber asked. The secret to speaking well for me is to slow down and give myself time to think BEFORE starting to answer the question. Too bad my pandemic-forced vacation from public speaking left me forgetting everything I learned.

There are many things about my goal of becoming a successful author that push me to extend my skills in so many different areas.

When I wrote my first book, Enjella Uprooted, A Tooth Fairy Gets a New Job I could not wait to have libraries across the country carry it, and see school children everywhere reading it.

I found out the hard way that wasn’t going to happen overnight, or all by itself.

My mentor, and the woman who helped me start publishing, Julie Trelstadt, creator of 82 Stories said, “Think of writing a book as a milestone, not as end goal.” When I heard these words, novice in the book business as I was, I did not like them nor believe them. No, I thought, my book will shoot right to the best seller list. I will be the author with the amazing success story. I will guest star on Ellen. Readers will find me.