High heels and writing are not for the timid.

Writing means exposing your thoughts, past embarrassments, faults--whatever it takes to make your characters come alive. Saying this, I'm not admitting to everything that is true in my book. You can guess.

The next hurtle--editing--means chipping and shaping your raw story into a diamond. Or so you think until your friends and fellow writers find more carbon than carats. With a deep breath and courage--found somewhere near the base of your spine--you polish the manuscript until it's ready for general viewing.

Then you send it out to agents who "regret to say", "it's not for us", "I just didn't love it." Your name is now "Dear Author". Your courage slips and it's like you've falling off your high heels.

Luckily there's a secret to dancing in high heeled shoes--- two glasses of wine.