Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone

So, I've done something I didn't plan on doing. I'm not normally a spontaneous person; I put a lot of thought into what I'm going to do. When I first came across Vocal in the last of June of 2021, I thought about the pros and cons of joining for a week, with the tab open, before signing up. What decided me was the fact that if nothing else, I could start as a reader until I was brave enough to post.

As each of you can tell, I finally got over my silly cowardice about posting my little stories and poems. I originally began one day in July of 2021, for my enjoyment. Just to write about a dream I had, for me to read later. Mist and Smoke didn't get any reads that year, but I didn't care, because I wrote it for me.

I didn't start writing poetry for Vocal until two years ago, when they ran the Distraction Acrostic challenge. Fun fact about me: I hated poetry in high school, and until I decided to enter the acrostic challenge that year, I hadn't written one piece of poetry in 30 years. To say I was rusty wouldn't be wrong, that was for sure. The only reason it received any attention at the time was that it was entered into a challenge. I appreciated each read and comment, but once again, I wrote for me and to see if I could. The Distraction of the Thunderstorm was the start of my addiction to writing poetry on Vocal. Now I can't seem to get enough of telling a tale through verse.

Well, it's been a long journey, almost four years. Some of you, like Jay Kantor, Doc Sherwood, and Dharrsheena Raja Segarran have been around since nearly the start. While others like Celia and River in Underland, Mikeydred Singleton, Kelli, Randy, and many, many, so many others, have become family later on.

Many have encouraged me to take this final step. A step I never did plan. You see, I've been happily coasting along inside my comfort zone. Enjoying the fact that not only were my stories and poems entertaining me, but now they were entertaining my friends and family who followed me. Then, I posted the poem Sunshine and Butterfly Kisses / Sean and Old Lady Moore - and something changed.

The response was overwhelming. Many enjoyed the poem, saying it had a nursery rhyme feel to it, and loved it so much. Each comment made brought so much joy to my heart, and a tear to my eye. Then Rommi spoke, and Tiffa-go, Paul, Euan, Dharr, and D.K. also added to their agreements, Children's Book, all the way. Hitting on a long-forgotten dream of being a Children's Book Author. ~ ~ Synchronicity ~ ~

So, here I am. I went and decided to self-publish. Mainly because I am a controlling arse, but also because I wouldn't have to deal with too many people. After all, I am stepping out of my comfort zone here. Sometimes baby steps seem huge.

So, without any more prompt and circumstance, let me introduce you to Sunshine and Butterfly Kisses / Sean and Old Lady Moore, published on Amazon with extra pictures! ~ ~ In no way is this a plea for you to buy my book ~ ~

Once again, thank you to all my friends and supporters for encouraging me to get this far! I appreciate you all more than you can know.

Also, thank you to this platform, Vocal, for giving me this outlet to use and helping me improve my self-esteem through challenges, top stories, and leaderboard awards.

All of you ROCK!!