One of the questions on the author interview of my book blog tour is how I work through self-doubt and fear. My answer was a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. that I have written on an index card and taped to my desk: “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Of course, there are other things that keep me going as well. Music, for instance. I have a playlist dedicated to songs that I listen to when I need encouragement. Idina Menzel, the queen of empowerment songs, is there twice, with “Defying Gravity” from Wicked and “Let It Go” from Frozen. “Odds Are,” from the Barenaked Ladies’ recent album Grinning Streak, is also a go-to.
More important, though, is my husband Pete. I have an unfortunate tendency of getting caught up in the minutia of a situation and focusing on the things that are going wrong. Add to that my brain’s annoying habit of catastrophic thinking, and I can get deeply mired in the Artex-drowning Swamp of Sadness. Pete is very good at giving me perspective, which is one of the most important weapons in battling self-doubt and fear. As true as that MLK quote is, it is that perspective that gets me unstuck and allows me to move forward, even if all I can do is crawl.
And then, of course, there’s Courage Wolf. I need to tape him to my desk, too.
Various and Sundry 
I can’t say enough for how great it is to have supportive family and friends. I feel thankful for mine all the time! I agree about the music being great for encouragement – and Courage Wolf too!