I made a lot of good progress on the novel this week, even though I wasn’t really in the right frame of mind when I started. It seems that when the subject matter turns difficult, a scene needs to come out, but is painful, it’s not writer’s block that stops me, it’s fear. I know that may sound strange, but honesty is hard for me, especially when it comes to writing. Maybe it’s the fear of rejection; not from publishers, but from family and friends who may not approve of what’s on paper. Perhaps it’s the fear of actually taking my writing to places I’ve never been and trying things I’ve never tried. Let’s face it; we all like our comfort zone. Some more than others, and even if it means our success is on the other side of the river, we’d just rather stay on the bank and dream. I’m really working on getting brave enough to cross over, and each day I push through the fear, I get one more toe wet. I know what most of you are thinking, but honest writing doesn’t always mean dealing with adult themes, throwing in the occasional gratuitous four-letter word or being as raw and edgy as possible. Honest writing is simply authentic writing. Children expect that, and since I’m writing for them, I have to give them that. So, sometimes when my writing seems too boring or tame for today’s audiences, even the youngest readers, I remind myself that I can’t change who I am and shouldn’t. Being authentic is essential, and telling my story from my perspective, the way I lived it and remember, is the most honest thing I can do. That’s what has to come through more than anything else. That was my goal this week, and I think I reached it at least a few times. The rest will eventually end up in the garbage in favor of new words, paragraphs and revisions, but the truest parts will stay. That is, after all, what we should want from ourselves in everything we do.