The first haircut, when those awful scissors snip close to your ears.
That first plunge into your best friend's three-foot swimming pool, which looks about the size of the Atlantic Ocean.
And don't forget that very first walk into a classroom where everyone stands staring at you. They won't say a word because they're just as frightened as you are—but how can you think clearly enough to realize that when you feel like you're ready to upchuck on their shoes?
Just imagine, all those things can happen even before we graduate from kindergarten! It's a wonder we all make it into first grade. LOL
I'm talking about "plunges" and "firsts" today for a couple of reasons.
Caleb Cantrell, the hero of my February book,
THE RODEO MAN'S DAUGHTER, has literally taken a plunge. Thrown by an angry bull, he lands hard and does serious damage to his body—so serious, it's touch-and-go as to whether or not he'll survive. He barely makes it through and is left with the scars to prove it.
Those current scars are nowhere near as bad as the ones he's carried from the past. To heal those, he's got to take another plunge and go back to where his life began. To his little hometown of Flagman's Folly, where the reception he gets from folks isn't quite what he expected....
I'm taking a plunge today, too. Luckily, it's not a scary one. Then again, for someone who tends to stay at home with her characters and concentrate on telling their stories, it's a bit of a big deal. (smile)
With this post, I'm kicking off a virtual blog tour to celebrate the release of THE RODEO MAN'S DAUGHTER. There will be many stops along the way, and I look forward to seeing you on the Internet trail. (Visit my website to find the full list.)
Also, take a look at the end of this post for two chances to win a copy of A RANCHER'S PRIDE, the first book set in Flagman's Folly.
But first, please share! What's one big plunge you've taken in your life?
For a chance to win an autographed copy of A RANCHER'S PRIDE: answer the question asked above.For a second chance to win: 1. Like my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or sign up for my Yahoo group newsletter (link available at my website)—or do all three. (smile)
2. Then send me an e-mail via the Contact Form on my website letting me know which you've done.
(Drawings will close at midnight tomorrow, January 18. Check my blog www.barbarawhitedaille.com/blog on Thursday to find out if you've won and how to claim your prize.)
Thanks for reading and responding to this blog, and again, I look forward to seeing you on the trail!
All my best to you,
Barbara
~~~~~~
Barbara White Daille
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com
http://www.facebook.com/barbarawhitedaille
https://twitter.com/BarbaraWDaille
17 comments:
I entered an art show by all female artists. That took daring. I did a paper and shell collage. May not ever do that again but it was fun.
Now my daughter is really taking a plunge. She is jumping out of a plane the end of this month. The thing about sky diving is it helps you to realize if you can do that, you can take other risks!
Peace, Julie
I spoke to a sister RWA chapter this past weekend, and that was a first for me. I've avoided things like that like the plague. Speaking in front of people terrifies me, but it couldn't have gone better. The people were so nice and friendly. It went great! Maybe I'll do it again sometime.
Julie - good for you for stepping outside your comfort zone!
As for your daughter--whew! Talk about stepping out. Not for me, no matter how many realizations it might bring me. LOL
Melanie - blogspot ate my comment first time around. Trying again...
Public speaking is the #1 fear--and I get that. LOL
Congrats on your success and may that lead you to the next one!
Thanks for stopping in.
Barbara
Barbara, your book sounds wonderful. My recent plunge involves leaving work to write full-time, even though, I've never sold a book. I decided I couldn't let life pass me by without giving it my all. Our household lifestyle will change, but thankfully, I have a husband who supports my passion and is encouraging me to go for it.
(Please forgive if this shows up twice. For some reason, my first comment disappeared.)
June - my response to Melanie disappeared, so we'll be even. ;)
Congrats to you for taking such a big plunge. That's scary, I know, but having the support is so important and will get you through.
Good luck with the writing, and thanks for the comment about THE RODEO MAN'S DAUGHTER.
Barbara
Thanks a bunch for the comments so far, folks. Keep 'em coming! ;)
I'll be in and out over the next couple of days and will be sure to respond to everyone.
Barbara
I quit my job in California and moved to North Carolina with no job lined up. Luckily, I did find a job and 17 years later, it turned out to be a great move.
I changed the words to Willie Nelson's song, TO ALL THE GIRLS I'VE LOVED BEFORE - and then I sang it a cappella at our badminton awards banquet last May to my former mixed doubles partner, Glen, with his wife and 60 others listening. Bear in mind I am NOT a singer; I have never sung karaoke; and I have never sung TO anyone before - not in private either. I just knew I wanted to do something special for Glen because he does so much for everyone else.
Tammy - that's HUGE. And a great example to show you never know what can happen if you're just brave enough to try it.
I'm glad things worked out so well for you!
Barbara
Laney4 - that also sounds very brave. And creative.
Thanks for sharing.
Barbara
I took a plunge into the deep end when I decided to self-publish manuscripts that had been rejected often. Stories I love can now be read by folks.
At twenty one, I packed everything I owned into three steamer trunks and shipped them to a small community 1,500 miles away in the northern wilderness of BC where I had just accepted a job. I loved it.
Mary - lots of folks are with you in that pool!
Good luck with the books, and thanks for sharing.
Barbara
Linda - another traveler.
As I said to Tammy, that's huge. And the fact you moved to a wilderness made it (for me) even more scary.
Sometimes we just have to take the plunge without being sure of the outcome. I'm glad it turned out to be such a good one for you!
Barbara
Hi, Barbara. The Rodeo Man's Daughter sounds like a winner. You always write with heart and this new book will prove to be no different. I can't wait to read it! I'm not a public speaker, and always avoided it, same as Melanie mentioned. I once wrote and presented a Eulogy of a patient, only because he asked, and I had to honor his request. That was a first for me. I gladly took my seat once it was over. :)
Hi, Carol!
Although that pushed you out of your comfort zone, how could you have turned that request down? I'm glad you didn't and were able to honor your patient.
Thanks so much for your compliments. I sincerely hope you enjoy the new book!
Barbara
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