Are you an aspiring writer? Are you scared to tell your story?

Then here's a little something for you...

How do you get started when you have so many ideas on things you want to say? The answer is . . . your options are limitless, once you let go of the thing that is really stopping you.

“Anybody who has survived his childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days." -Flannery O'Connor

Maybe you've heard this one before, but I still feel inclined to repeat it: it doesn't matter what you say, as long as you say it!

Let's just burst the bubble of self-criticism right now. You are unique and special. You have life experiences like no one else. That means that you have a story to tell. Period.

How you tell it is the hard part. But I promise, it's not as terrifying as you think it is. Every writer worth his or her salt has had to start somewhere. Your life experiences have given you a unique writer's voice that no one can take away from you.

You have the experience. You probably have the words, too, if you think hard enough. And I believe that you have the talent, too.

There are a couple of things that scare us, though: the idea that either no one wants to listen to what we have to say, or that we won't say it well enough. That's okay. We all have the same fear. We are putting a part of ourselves on display for people to read. I put so much of myself into my book, The Big One, that it was scary having someone read it for the first time.

But you have a decision to make, guys. You have to be brave for this part. You have to put the pen to paper or the fingers to the keyboard. It doesn't matter how you do it, as long as you get those ideas and feelings out of your head.

And maybe, once you've started writing it all down, you will decide that it's not for anybody but yourself. There's nothing wrong with an audience of one. Writing, or any form of art, really, can be cathartic, and that's okay!

But if you want to share your story with the world one day, you have to take the first step. That step is more than likely in your own head. Let go of the little thing inside that says you're not good enough. Karate kick the self-criticism that says that you are unworthy. Because I've got news for you: you are good enough, and you are WORTHY. Your story deserves to be told, and I'm living proof.

Fear has no place in our world anymore, so let's get rid or it's power over us. There is only the future audience ahead, and they are ready to listen to what you have to say.