When the first serious thoughts of writing for the public’s view entered my mind, I was exhilarated but nervous. Questions attacked my thoughts while the fear of failure twisted in my gut. The what if’s repeated in my head like a broken record (if anyone remembers when record players were the thing). I trudged forward with caution and tested the waters. It wasn’t until I’d completed my first novel and entered it into multiple contests that I began to find the answers to my harassing questions. The feedback from judges gave me insight into where I needed improvements which helped…