While at a recent book signing in Peoria, Arizona I was asked, what is the key factor that influenced you to start your writing career?

I gasped, looked at the customer as if she knew I had a secret I was hiding, and quickly began to stumble over my words while at the same time searching my brain to try and figure out what she was really asking me. That helped me to bide my time so I could create a really great answer that would make my response sound really exciting or do I just give her the plain unadulterated truth, I thought. I did not even take the time to say that’s a really great question, the wheels in my brain just started to turn really fast, I could feel smoke spewing from every orifice she could see, and even those she couldn’t…

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real…

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way…