As a result of my chance meeting with Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Dean Wesley Smith, and Shawn Coyne,  I took a different route on my journey to becoming a published author–one I never thought I’d tread. Seen from my position on low ground, it appeared utterly unachievable by someone like me.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Nelson Mandela said it, and how true it is. The trek has been faster, richer, and far more rewarding than I think the traditional method would have been. And another thing: I’m no spring chicken, so I’m grateful to have found a way to get my work out into the world before a posthumous publishing became the only way left!

I am literally setting a course for adventure!

In a few days, I leave for the 2017 Mystery Workshop on The Coast, taught by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. I’m tremendously excited and also a little terrified. Only 14 writers are invited each year and I am so grateful to be one of them. I think everyone there will be more experienced and more successful than I am, and I look at this as a good thing. I’m ready to learn and with so many people higher on the ladder than I am, I expect to learn a ton and be propelled and inspired up those rungs!

Nerves, anyone?

I’ll admit, though, that I’m nervous and a bit apprehensive about my ability to keep up. But I let my excitement and anticipation carry the day. I can’t wait to discover more about writing a captivating mystery and crafting a compelling story. It’s what I love to do and I want to share my experiences with my readers, in blog posts and in telling ever-better stories in the books I write.

Wish me luck and stay tuned for my report. I’ll tell you how it went in my next post.

I’d love to hear your ideas for how I can get the most out of this experience.

Let me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks!