Do ALL the things.

I wrote a book. Two of them actually. It didn't take me long to realize, that was the easy part.

But I've made a promise to myself. On this difficult path that I've chosen, I promised myself that I would push myself beyond the limits of my comfort levels in order to see this dream through. Because at the end of wherever this path is leading me, I have to be able to say that I tried my very best or else I know I will regret it. (I know myself pretty well.) 

Joining Twitter was all the way outside of my comfort zone. But I pushed myself and it brought me my agent. It led me to writing clubs. I've connected with other authors. And don't even get me started on all of the paranormal groups to be found on Twitter. I'm a Twitter convert. 

Going to a writer's conference is also outside the comfort zone of my introverted self. Especially because I still occasionally have nightmare-flashbacks to the emotional trauma I experienced from the live pitch sessions at Crimefest 2012. (Read about that: Here.)

But Thursday night, I kissed my little ones good-bye. I got on a plane by myself and flew to Chicago. Friday morning, I walked through the hotel lobby, and into the conference room, again all by myself, for the Love is Murder mystery writer's conference. When I walked through those doors, I didn't know anyone. But I took a deep breath, put a big smile on my face and just started talking to people. Yes, this was way outside of my comfort zone. My comfort zone was back up in my hotel room next to my laptop, waiting for me to come back and write the words.

The day went on and got easier as it did. I gave my support to anyone I saw with that nervous rock, the one you do right before you walk into a pitch session. I bumbled my way through a self-introduction to one of the headliners. But had an amazing conversation about St. Paul gangster history with Robert Goldsborough. I told everyone about how Twitter helped me find my agent. I made new friends and connections. I was surprised by how few writers use it as the valuable resource it can be.

So do ALL the things. For my introverted Twitter friends, push yourself to sign up for that writer's conference you've always thought about going to. Or even start small by finding a local networking group of writers. SCBWI or maybe Sisters In Crime. For my new conference friends, join Twitter and connect with other writers, even though you've never met them in person. Do ALL the things, even if they require you to step outside of a self-declared safety zone. Because then, at the end of the day, you'll know you tried everything.

Coming up next: Why Twitter pitch contests, like #AdPit, should be on your list of ALL the things.