When you think of the words "comfort zone," what comes to mind?

Habits, familiarity, security? Leaving "comfort zone" mode can be both exhilarating and exhausting.

Consider, for example, the average LDS woman. Let's compare her to a juggler in the circus. She's definitely skilled at what she does. She manages to keep those balls going, only drops a few now and then, and reaches out for those that may get tossed too far from the circle. Now let's add one more very time-consuming and complicating factor to the scenario. She's a juggler who loves to write. Yikes! That would make her an LDS female circus-juggling writer. Even though she's a whiz at living in the comfort zone (most of the time), the desire for more time to write may prompt her to switch a few of those balls that are in the air.

Stepping out of our comfort zones can bring up insecurities, tense moments, relationship challenges, indecision, and ultimately, growth. In The Artist's Way at Work: Twelve Weeks to Creative Freedom by Mark Bryan, Julia Cameron, and Catherine Allen, the authors state:

"…the frustration of thwarted ambition is more comfortable than the free fall of change. Rather than experience the panicky vulnerability of change, we [sometimes] commit a creative U-turn, snatching defeat from the jaws of victory."

To me, this means that it is easier to dream of writing than to actually do it. We get caught up in the pattern of our lives. Even if we may dream of writing or may want to try something new, stepping out of the comfort zone cab bring about unexpected anxieties that cause us to doubt our desire for change.

Of course, this isn't true in every instance. Just talk to a newly published author. He or she will testify of the great learning experiences that risk taking has provided for them. But, if you are currently dissatisfied with the time you have to write your best-selling book, what is it that keeps you from starting it or finishing it? Could any of your reasons have to do with the fact that you will need to give up activities that you have committed to or are accustomed to doing? Time issues rule most of our lives. Making time for dreams, like writing, usually requires us to give up something else for a period of time.

It's a personal decision we all have to make. If you are not meeting your writing goals, what are you willing to do in order to make your dream a reality? Will it be uncomfortable to make life changes in order to study, write, re-write, edit, and re-write again? Think about how ANWA got its name. ANWA was originally called the Arizona Night Writers Association. It started as a small group of women who wrote at night after their children were in bed. It was their quiet time to think and write.

My mother (Patricia Faas) wrote at night long before she heard of ANWA. At times she got up at 4:00 a.m. to write and organize her thoughts. My father, the author of five textbooks in the area of Learning Disabilities, always started writing at 10:00 in the evening after we were asleep. Take some time to analyze the changed you can make to further your writing.

We can all benefit by reviewing Margaret Turley's "Writer's Challenge" from March 2004.

1. Participate in a writing group
2. Write something every day
3. Keep a notebook handy and create a filing system for your writing
4. Read a variety of literature for study, enjoyment, and development
5. Ask others for honest, helpful critiques
   (and to add one more to the list)
6. Take a course in writing, and share the information with other writers

Take courage, sisters, and stretch yourself to meet your writing goals. Do what already works well for you and try something new that will help you reach your dream. Step out of your comfort zones and encourage each other in ANWA chapters [and/or on ANWACritique]. Share your challenges and successes in finding time to write. Lift your own spirits and others' spirits by sharing your writing voices!

Best wishes,
Rachel