I’m going to this writers’ conference this weekend, and I’m petrified.

I shouldn’t be. I have been to many professional conferences, presented my work in front of other professionals in my field, taught 25 years of classes — but I’m petrified of going to this conference.

I can count the reasons:

• Because now I have to admit I’m a writer
• Because I don’t know how I come off in person
• Because I’m going to be around real published writers, of which I’m not one
• Because I have handed off ten pages of Prodigies in an editorial review and I don’t know what ELSE I’ll be expected to change.
• Because I’ll be giving a verbal pitch to real people instead of just online
• Just because 

I have no choice but to go. This is going to be a learning experience for me. Probably not my big opportunity, but a learning experience. 

Deep breath.