 |
| Deb Kastner |
Do you sometimes find yourself making excuses for putting
off the things you want to do most? I can relate—and so can author Deb Kastner. Enjoy as she shares
some of her experiences and the wisdom she gained concerning decisions that impact our personal and writing lives. ~ Dawn
If
Not Now, Then When?
by Deb
Kastner
I recently had the very great pleasure of seeing my all-time
favorite singing group, The Texas Tenors, perform live. I even got to meet them
personally and have my picture taken with them. Amazing doesn’t even begin to
cover it. Best night ever. (If you want to see a totally freaked-out, wild-eyed
fangirl photo, just check out the background pic on my personal Facebook page.
Have a good laugh, and while you’re there, friend me!)
It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And then
I found out they were sponsoring a cruise. Seven. Days. Of. Musical. Heaven.
Talk about refilling my creative well!
My first response (after a deep sigh of longing) was the
same as it’s always been when I consider doing something special just for me.
It’s not practical. We need the money for other things. What if the family
needs us while we are gone? I can’t afford to take the time off. You get the
picture. No matter how much it means to me, I could list a hundred reasons why
it isn’t a good idea to even consider the possibility.
But my mind just wouldn’t let it go. My husband Joe and I
have only vacationed together once in our twenty-seven years of marriage, a
three-day cruise for our 13th anniversary (we didn’t even have a honeymoon!).
It was a lovely experience and we’ve always wanted to cruise again. But year
after year, life, finances, health and family obligations got in our way. And
they still do.
Will The Texas Tenors do another VIP cruise in the future?
Maybe. Maybe not. The more I thought about it, the more I realized this
particular cruise was truly another once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one I would
regret not pursuing. I didn’t want to live with that if only. Not this time.
I took a leap of faith. I booked the cruise. Because if not
now, then when?
The same theme applies to my writing career. Stepping out of
my comfort zone, taking leaps of faith, takes a great deal of courage. Writing takes courage, for it exposes my
heart and leaves me vulnerable. Even after twenty-some-odd published novels I
still have to face my fear every time I sit down at the computer. Looking at a
blank page is scary. As soon as I finish one book I can’t even catch my breath
before the next one rises up to taunt me. What makes me think I can write a
whole book, one that anyone would want to read? What if I can’t do it? What if
the words don’t come? What if life gets in the way? What if I can’t meet my
deadline?
Being a writer isn’t the easiest choice you will ever make.
If you’re like me, it’s not so much a choice as that you can’t not write. But if you’re hesitating, if
the what ifs and the I can’ts and the if onlys are keeping you from following your dreams, just ask
yourself this:
If not now, then when?
And as The Texas Tenors sing in their latest Billboard
hit—You Should Dream!
What keeps you from taking a leap of faith in your writing?
How do you overcome the obstacles that keep you from reaching for your dreams?
Tweetables:
If not now, then
when? Click to tweet.
Author Deb
Kastner shares what she’s learned about putting off things we want to do most
in life. Click to tweet.
If the what ifs and the I can’ts and the if onlys
are keeping you from following your dreams, just ask yourself this: If not now,
then when? Click to tweet.
Her
Perfect Match …
Successful
businessman Griffin Haddon just wants a quiet place to start over again—alone.
Griff doesn't realize that in a small town like Serendipity, Texas, solitude's
hard to come by. Especially at Redemption Ranch, where the stunning Alexis
Grainger struggles to keep her ministry for troubled teens afloat. The last
thing Alexis needs is a distraction like slick city-boy Griff with his designer
jeans and boots. But her meddling, matchmaking twin has other plans. As Alexis
and Griff work to save the ranch, can they also heal his broken heart?
The only thing that beats a romantic happily-ever-after
ending is a happily-ever-after ending in Christ. Writing for Harlequin's Love
Inspired series line, award-winning author Deb Kastner strives to create a cord
of three strands between the hero, the heroine, and the Lord.
Deb lives and
writes in beautiful Colorado. She shares her life with her biggest
blessings—her family—her husband Joe, their three daughters, and her
granddaughter and grandson. Deb is currently working on her 24th novel for
Harlequin's Love Inspired line. She's thrilled that most of her backlist is now
available for the Kindle. She feels especially blessed to be able to include faith
as a natural and genuine part of her characters lives.
To learn more and connect with Deb, please visit:
and
