Don't be afraid of failing. Be afraid of not trying.

This is a rule that everyone should adhere to. It's simply an affirmation of taking chances. I've forgotten how many times I've heard from wannabe writers saying, "I want to write a book, but I'm afraid no one will buy it or even read it."

Well, if you don't try, you won't know. It's that simple.

Look, I understand your trepidation. I've been there. My first novel sold about twenty copies. Sure, I was discouraged, but I didn't stop.

I was also told by some agents, publicists, and fellow writers--as well as a few not-so-well-meaning people--that I had no chance in succeeding. If I'd listened to them, then I wouldn't be here now, thirty-three novels out there and more on the way.

No, I'm not rich. I wish! But I am productive, and I chalk my low sales up to lousy marketing--which I'm still learning about and better late than never--than to bad writing. If you doubt me, check out my reviews. Just sayin'...

But I was never afraid to try something new in writing. I started out writing first-person. It was a big jump for me to do third-person limited. It worked, first with my Catnip novels and with others.

I started out writing from a guy's POV, because I'm a guy and you write what you know best, yes? I wrote The Menagerie, the Lindsay/Jo trilogy, and the upcoming What The Gods Allow from a woman's POV.

Was that daunting? Yes, because it required a different mindset. Was it easy? No. But I wanted to stretch and grow as a writer, and that meant taking a chance.

Even doing gender switch novels such as Twisted and Fight Like A Woman required a different mindset, and I'm proud of both books, especially the latter, although I had a blast in writing both of them.

The bottom line is that I overcame my fear of messing up and dared to try something new. And that's what all writers should do. Who cares if it isn't good? Who cares if it doesn't work? What it provides is experience and the possibility of gaining knowledge, and that knowledge can be put to good use somewhere down the line.

So, for what it's worth, don't be afraid of screwing up. We all do, even the big names out there. But you can be damn sure that they didn't let fear hold them back. And it shouldn't hold you back, either.