SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO TAKE A LEAP OF FAITH ...

Hi, All,

Well it's the first Wednesday of the month and most of us know what that means.... The Insecure Writer's Support Group!

I must admit my nerves were on high alert last Wednesday. Most of you know I began to offer service a new service to help all of you with covers, blurbs, or editing for polish and atmosphere. It all began just before the A-Z challenge when I had featured a few cover reveals creating unusual introductions for them. Then, Nicki Elson asked me to do an exclusive cover reveal for her newest novel, Divine Temptation... of course I was thrilled and honored. I had spend days mulling over how I wanted to create this intro. Thankfully she was thrilled and the reveal was very successful

A few weeks later, I had decided to do INTROS for my A-Z challenge theme. I put the word out and the response was explosive. For 26 posts I had new and original intros featuring many of you. Emails flooded my inbox on how I should do these for hire. I had thought about it, but I didn't know how all of you would feel about it. I became anxious. Should I, shouldn't I? Am I a talented enough writer to be hired? For weeks I worried about it. Several closer blogger friends pushed me on.

Then, about a month ago, my cyber sister, SIv Ottem, sent me out an SOS. She needed and illustration for her cover... and fast! Her daughter, who was supposed to create the image couldn't do it. SO in a few days I sent the basic sketch.

After a bit a tweaking, inking, and coloring, the cover was done. Siv and I were both thrilled! She then asked me to do the back cover as well. We had the cover reveal last week and it was WILDLY successful. I had the confidence now to go to the next level and announce my service.

I was still TERRIFIED. But I posted the news last Wednesday. By Friday I had my first BLURB and TAGLINE client! Yolanda Renee! 

By Monday morning I had the work complete. I was a wreck again... What if she didn't like it? What if I was way off base? What if I could never make her happy? All this was running through my head when I pushed the send button. Yolanda was a DREAM client. We had corresponded a bit before when she had reservations about her cover. She asked me to take a look and offer my opinion and if there was something that could be done to fix it. INSTANTLY, I knew the problem and informed her. We just received the proof and it GORGEOUS now. Yolanda is really thrilled with her cover ... as she should be.

As for the blurb and tagline... a few hours dragged by, and I had no response. I was a bit worried. I reread the blurb and I really liked it. I just hoped she would. Finally I saw a note from her in my inbox...

Is the suspense killing you?

It had almost killed me! With a trembling finger I clicked onto the email. The first words were ...

"I LOVE IT!!!"

I breathed again. Only one or two things needed to be changed, mainly for story content. Since I hadn't read the book I guessed at a few things which didn't match the story. The final blurb is amazing! If you'd like to check it out, I have it on my service page.

Yesterday was an amazing day... After I had written back to Yolanda, thanking her, another message popped up in my inbox. A not so frequent blogger contacted me. She had just visited my blog after months of absence and freaked over my illustrations. She and another blogger plan to create their own publishing company... She asked me to illustrate their logo! My second job in less than a week! Can it get any better than that?!!! I can't wait to find out! So stay tuned everyone! More info on this new publisher who will be looking for manuscripts ... so GET BUSY!!!!!!!!

My point to today's post is we all must TRUST in our talents and overcome our insecurity that we may not be good enough. Not only am I happy for the work, but mostly I am happy to help others with their problems. The joy from Yolanda sparkled with every word she wrote to me. She is even doing a full post about our experience at her blog on Friday. I hope you all can drop by and show her some blog love. Her book is amazing! So much intrigue. I can't wait to read it!

I realize one thing from this experience... If I didn't take that leap of faith, I would have different post today.

Thank you all for stopping by. It's ALWAYS a pleasure to see you. Don't forget to visit the other IWSG bloggers. WE are all so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful community!

Have a great day everyone!