It's a Brand New Day

What is it about writing fiction that scares the crap out of me? Is it the idea of creating a world from scratch? Is it the thought that there's no fixed structure, no certain rules, no formula for success? Is it the fear that the worlds I dream up, the characters I create, and the situations I put them in won't be good enough?

I've been a freelance journalist for several years. In my other writing avatar, I am what certain people might call successful. I write for magazines and newspapers that you probably read or have read, I earn a decent income from my articles and essays, and I enjoy the writing and reporting process. Writing comes easily to me.

I was living my dream. And then this new dream suddenly materialized from nowhere. And as much as I tried to shake it, it just wouldn't disappear.

But this writing has not come easy. In fact, it's been absolutely terrifying.

So here I am. An aspiring fiction writer. Anonymous, so that my editors don't find me. Nameless, so that I can be accountable without feeling pressured. Ready to give this novel-writing career a go.

Will I make it? Will I give up before I've had a chance to prove myself. Will this dream become a reality?

That's what I'm here to find out.