A Shoe Story by Rochelle Melander

My new shoes!

What would your shoes say about the things you do everyday? —Sherley Mondesir-Prescott

In late June I went shoe shopping. Now ordinarily, I love to shop for shoes. But I’d been to three different DSW stores on four different occasions in two weeks, trying to find shoes. My birthday coupon (five dollars!) expired in four days, and I was under deadline. But I figured I’d be successful—I’d given myself an entire hour.

At the end of that hour, I was ready to leave the store, empty handed, when I decided to head into the section I never shop in: dress shoes. And why should I? I work in my pajamas. When I do leave home, it’s in running shoes or a pair of comfort sandals (comfort food for my feet).

But every so often, this girl does have to appear in front of people, in dress-up clothes and sporting fancy shoes. So, I thought: why not? What does it hurt to look? And wouldn’t you know, the second shelf I saw had these fabulous shoes that were both cute and comfortable. I’d struck gold. And all I had to do was walk five feet outside my comfort zone.

On the way home, I got to thinking: perhaps I needed to travel outside my comfort zone in my writing, too. I went home and brainstormed ways I could do this with my current book. Wowsa!

Okay writers: it’s time for you to take your writing on a stroll outside your comfort zone:

+Have you considered writing on a new topic?

+What about delving into a different genre?

+What might it be like to write for a new client, one with unique expectations?

+Have you thought about moving your writing sessions to a different time of day? Or even a new location?

+What about writing for a new audience—someone who might thrilled that you showed up to share your story.

Writers, take a walk on the wild side this week—and write something new!

Your turn: How do you inspire yourself to get outside your comfort zone?