Standing outside the fire is one of my favorite songs from Garth Brooks. When I first heard the lyrics it spoke to me on a few issue that fills our country and world. Recently, well last week, I heard the song again and I had a different take on it.

Do we stand outside the fire when it comes to our writing? Do we only peak in now and then when we have a free moment or when the mood hits us? How about after the book is done, what than? Do you let it sit in front of you churning itself alone while you stand outside waiting for the next step to appear without making an effort to churn the ashes or add to the fire wood? Sitting outside is nice and quite safe and if that is all you want from your book awesome. But if you want more you have to tend to it repeatedly letting it grow in its flame growing and growing until it has a life of its own.

Promotion is not easy or very much fun and it takes a lot of time and effort from each of us. And any little thing can derail us from doing it while we logic it away. But where we end up with our book all depends on where we are standing.