I have a new book releasing tomorrow. An ebook with Ellora’s Cave. I’m very excited, because I haven’t released an ebook in several months as I’ve been busy writing other contracted print books.
But that’s not what this blog is about. Well, actually, it sort of is, because it’s about letting go of the familiar and embracing the new. The uncharted territory.
I’ve been an ebook author for over three and a half years now, and I’m preparing to launch my mass market print debut in late December with the release of my paranormal romance, Surviving Demon Island.
Scary stuff. New and unfamiliar. I settled into writing in the ebook world quite comfortably for a very long time. I made a very good living writing erotic romance for Ellora’s Cave. Taking a step outside that zone to try and sell to New York print publishers was a daunting expedition. But I wanted to see if I could do it. I faced the potential for failure—someone who had had nothing but success where I was. It would have been easy to remain where I was. I was happy where I was. But I had more stories to tell. Stories that didn’t fit my current publisher. So, uncomfortable as the journey was, I had to try.
And I was very lucky to find a wonderful agent who matched me up with a couple fantastic publishers who thought I had great stories to tell. So I’ll have books out with both Bantam Dell and Berkley very soon. *huge sigh of relief*
But taking a step outside that comfort zone wasn’t easy. It was moments of panic, of sweaty palms and pounding heartbeats.
Is it ever easy?
What about you? Have you stepped outside your comfort zone to try something new? What was it and how did it turn out?
I’ll choose at random from the commenters for the winner’s choice of a download of any of my currently available books.
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My major step out of my comfort zone was deciding to start writing at age fifty. After working all my life in the corporate sector and raising my children I had a strong desire to do something I really wanted to do. So when I got laid off from my job, I chose not to return to the workforce and to write instead.
Even though our family income has been cut in half, it’s been worth every minute of this scary, exciting and frustrating journey. I’m not published yet, but it’s coming.
by Denise
on October 9th, 2006 at 8:20 am
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I’m writing a book outside my comfort zone right now - it’s dark, I’m not.
Other than that, wearing man-made fibers is about as out of my comfort zone as I go.:mrgreen:
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Picking up and moving from one state to another, leaving family behind to start a new life. It took 4 years to get it to be a good comfort zone but that was almost 10 years ago when I left.
It turned out good just took some time.
by Tammy G.
on October 9th, 2006 at 10:12 am
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Stepping out of one’s comfort zone isn’t easy but it is certainly exciting and the rewards can be spectacular. I decided upon foreign travel before looking for a job after graduating from college and met the man who is my husband.
by Little Lamb Lost
on October 9th, 2006 at 10:24 am
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I’m not good at stepping out of my comfort zone anymore. When I was younger, that’s all I did…LOL just to see what would happen. Now, I’m much too comfy in my zone. It’s so warm and cuddly here I don’t ever want to leave….
But I did have a dream last night that I shaved my head..so maybe something’s telling me to take a step…that it will be allright. That I’ll still look good even with a bald noggin’.
by Vivi Anna
on October 9th, 2006 at 11:45 am
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It’s not easy for me to step out of my comfort zone. I often think too much about things and don’t go enough by gut feeling. If I could change that it might be easier for me to change things etc.
by Danny
on October 9th, 2006 at 12:52 pm
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Hiya Jaci! Yes, I have taken a step way out of the comfort zone into trying for mass marketing through NY as well. Still workin’ on it. My proposals are still making the rounds. Here’s to taking whatever steps make us most happy and fulfill us the most. Good luck to you with you’re new release tomorrow and Surviving Demon Island. I know you’ll do very well. 
Hugs,
Denise A. Agnew
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On our honeymoon I let hubby talk me into snorkeling which was big for me since I am not that good a swimmer. I did not like it and would never do it again but it was interesting thing to try once.
by Cherie Japp
on October 9th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
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First Jaci, I believe in you. And I know i’ll be following you with all the steps you go in with publishing your books! Congrats on all that is happening with you!
Oh this is a tough question! The first time I took this step out of my comfort zone was when I was at a community college and using lip reading and notes to get through schooling. I wasn’t aware of sign language and when I heard about a class at the college, my mom was very against it, feeling I would lose my skills in voicing if I took up sign language. It was really hard to decided if I’d go against what my mom had wanted for me, as well as making that own decision of my own. This was way out of my comfort zone. I took the chance. I went in to it, saying that I’m gonna have both worlds, so that I had my family but too could find a way that would be easier for me to learn and communicate. I’m so glad I did! It took some time for my mom to accept me with both languages but she did and I’m so glad I took that step out of my comfort zone. I met a wonderful guy thats also deaf that has been my husband and hero for 23 years. Thanks for letting me share this.
by Cathie
on October 9th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
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Stepping out of my comfort zone is hard to do. The last time I did, I cut my hair really short. I had very long hair and it had been years since I cut the length of it. I would occassionally go get a trim, but only take a couple of inches off. A couple of months ago, I got tired of fooling with my hair and decided to cut it pretty short. My hair was to the bottom of my back and I cut it to way above my shoulders. It looks a whole lot better now.
by Amy S.
on October 9th, 2006 at 2:51 pm
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My comfort zone was being a stay at home mom. Due to a divorce I had to enter the work force armed with nothing but a high school diploma and no experience, as I got married right out of high school. I managed and raised four children on my own.
by Estella
on October 9th, 2006 at 3:31 pm
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Teaching Kindergarteners. Totally out of my comfort zone, but I am doing it. 
by Kris
on October 9th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
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Denise – I did lots of starts and stops in my writing when I was younger, then took the plunge a lot later…keep going!
Kristen – go dark, girl, go dark! 
Tammy – Moving is always a jump out of the comfort zone. Been there done that many times!
Lamb – Foreign travel is a HUGE move out of the comfort zone. But look at your rewards! Woo hooo!
Vivi – bald? Fashion trend!!!! *grin*
Danny – I think as we get older we get braver…you have time. I think you’ve also done more than you think outside your comfort zone.
Denise – Yes, making that move is very uncomfortable and scary, but oh so worth it in the end…and best of luck to you- my fingers are crossed! And thank you so much!
Cherie – That was very brave of you to do something that scared you. I’m doing that now by riding the motorcycle my husband bought. It scares the beejeebers out of me but I’m doing it anyway *g*
Cathie – Thank you! And wow…talk about a giant leap outside the comfort zone. What pride you must take in your major accomplishment though. Congrats!
Amy – Ooo the hair thing…very scary. Always hard to do, but always ends up looking so much better, huh? *g*
Estella – That’s one of the scariest things ever. Congrats for doing it and managing it so well on your own!
Kris – Yikes…Kindergarteners….Yikes! *grin*
Amazing the things we can do once we push ourselves a little, isn’t it?
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I am no good at face to face conversation, stuttering, flushed face… not a pretty sight. :sad::oops:
by cathy
on October 9th, 2006 at 6:41 pm
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Hi Jaci, nice to see you! Wow…I don’t think I go out of my comfort zone often. I guess I would say it was when I got married. I never wanted to but then suddenly that thinking changed. I did marry and now 21 years later, I’m as happy as I could be. I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat.
by KimW
on October 9th, 2006 at 7:24 pm
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I was working at a bank for three and a half years. I loved my co-workers, but I wasn’t happy where I was anymore. And even though I knew it would be best for me to move on, it was hard for me to do so. I tend to get attached to things and hate change But, after much consideration, I did move on, and I haven’t regretted it since. It just taught me a lesson that sometimes change can be a good thing and needs to be done.
by Ali
on October 9th, 2006 at 11:04 pm
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Always before when I had been in a foreign country I had been there on holiday and always with someone I knew, so one of my biggest steps out of my comfort zone was when I went to the States all by myself to spent few months there as an exchange student few years ago. On top of that, I was the only Finnish exchange student in that university. But I had a good time and I sure didn’t regret it.
by Minna
on October 10th, 2006 at 6:51 am
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Stepping out of your comfort zone takes major nerve. One of my biggest steps out of that zone was quitting a job I was absolutely miserable in and moving to another city in search of something better. It was touch and go for several months but in the end I found a job that I absolutely adore!
by Jennifer L
on October 10th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
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And the winner is….Cathy, post #14!
Cathy, please email me at jaci@jaciburton.com and let me know which ebook you’d like and in what format.
Congrats, and thanks to everyone for your wonderful, insightful comments!
‘Til next time.
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Congrats Cathie!
by Little Lamb Lost
on October 11th, 2006 at 10:11 am
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Big congrats Cathy!
by Danny
on October 11th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
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Congrats, Kathy 
by Kris
on October 11th, 2006 at 10:26 pm
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Congrats Cathy!
by Tammy G.
on October 11th, 2006 at 10:39 pm
