Taking Unworried Steps.

I know a lot of writers who worry about the next step. About the next submission, about taking things to the next level.

Too many of us piddle around only sending our stories to the smallest markets, afraid to send anything to the likes of Analog or Glimmer Train. Or we're afraid to submit to a big New York agent or publisher.

Do that for too long and you're wandering around in circles.

The day comes, though, when you just have to stop doing that. On Sunday, I took my trainer's Thoroughbred out of the arena and onto the trails for the first time in his life. This was definitely a worrying moment! He's a Thoroughbred and, like many of his breed, reactive and high energy.

So, what did he do? Moseyed along the trail on the buckle, looking around at everything, but casual about it, completely relaxed. In fact, he's already one of the best trail horses I've ridden...sure footed, forward going and clearly loving every minute of it.

Let your stories out of the arena and onto the trail, without worrying about it, and they might just surprise you.