Threshold – a door or entryway. The beginning point or outset.
My life of writing brings me to this point. As I step over this threshold for the first time, I wonder how this can be the beginning when it has taken so long to get here.
Next week I am attending my second Writer’s Conference. But this is the big one. Several hundred lifelong writers meet in Philadelphia to learn to do this better, but more importantly, we come to present our ideas to editors and publishers. To bridge the gap between writing and publishing, hoping our words will escape out into the world and make a difference in the heart of our readers.
I am only one of many. My dreams are their dreams.
But my words are not their words. My path is not their path.
Somewhere along the way, I learned that I am the only one who can tell my stories. I have to take this step alone.
Does that make me special enough? Different enough? Am I polished enough? Are my words ready for public consumption?
I am raw. A lifelong writer new to publishing. I hope they don’t notice. I hope they see a seasoned professional, or at least the possibilities of finding one within me.
What I do know is that a year ago, I would have never imagined being at this point; so close to the threshold.
I could choose to walk past it and wait until I am ready.
But that would be like the time I chickened out before cheer leading tryouts back in Junior High; removing myself from the possibility before I even tried.
I may not have made the squad back then; but by not trying, the outcome was certain.
I will never make that mistake again.
I will step over this threshold and place my words in the hands of people who know what to do with them.
Regardless of what happens, I will walk away as a better writer with more connections within the publishing world from people who crossed over the threshold long before me.
But more important, I will walk away a risk taker. A writer seeking her readers.
A threshold crosser.
Once I cross over, there is no going back.
Thank goodness.
I covet your prayers as I take the next step.
Keeping the Faith,
Janet Morris Grimes
