Making A Leap of Faith & Wonder

Making A Leap of Faith & Wonder

by | Apr 25, 2026 | Reflections, ScriptMag Articles

It’s been a minute since I last posted — and I’m back now with the first installment of my brand new column for Script Mag:  A Leap of Wonder. 

This column is meant to be a behind the scenes kind of deal — a look at my (continued) writing journey since I’ve made rather a large shift in the way I’m approaching both my writing and my coaching business. 

The TL;DR (too long; didn’t read) is that I’ve spent a chunk of time redesigning my business and life (again) to make more space for my own writing. 

Faith ... and Wonder

If nothing else, this requires a pretty significant leap of faith. 

It also takes a leap of wonder into the world of story — and particularly with sci-fi and fantasy. This is what I love about sci-fi — the awe, amazement, and expansiveness the genre lends itself to so well.

This Big Shift got started when I taught my “Step Into Alignment with Your Writing Life” class last year. As I walked through the process myself, it became pretty clear, pretty fast, that my desperation to write more, to have more time to write, and to do that with some urgency was feeling rather pressing in a way I couldn’t ignore.

What I've Changed (So Far) & Plan to Do Next

I canceled a bunch of stuff (you can read about that in the article). I also made some big screenwriting craft and business decisions (ditto). And right now I’m in the midst of putting them into action (whilst also getting my older child sorted out for college). 

You can find out more in my first article, A Leap of Faith & Wonder, at Script Mag, here or by clicking the image below. You can also read a little more there about what I expect to write about for future articles. 

I hope you’ll join me for the ride. 

Check out the full article by clicking here ⇣

A keyboard with flowers and text reading "A Leap of Faith & Wonder"

What Else I'm Up To:

  1. I'm still (still!) reading! Last year I posted about the resurrection of my reading habit, which has continued, though at less of a brisk pace. By the end of December, I’d read about 66 books for the full year. This year, so far, I’m at about 12, so far fewer on a per month basis. I’ve been reading John Scalzi’s books lately, and continuing my serial author monogamy, which has been fun. I have in mind to read a female author next, maybe Ursula K Le Guin or NK Jemisin or Premee Mohamed or Julie Cznerda or Annalee Newitz (they/them). We shall see! Maybe all of them.
  2. I’ve been traveling more than I have in ages, mostly because of college touring, but I have to say, it’s pretty fun. I used to travel more, pre-kids, but lately we’ve been jumping on planes in a way I haven’t done since forever ago. This may or may not die down, depending on what happens with screenwriting (trips to L.A.?) and my college-bound child’s location. 
  3. For fun, here's what I've been watching, too. I'm catching up on the latest from Outlander, which I have mixed feelings about. I'm not up to date on the books so I don't know if it's matching the book series any longer or if it's gone off on its own track. I hesitate to look anything up because (if you know me, you know this about me) I strongly dislike spoilers and the worst kind are those I inflict on myself!

Thank you for reading, and happy writing!

In other news:

If you're looking for support making writing happen day in and day out — including regular writing sprints — check out my Called to Write Community, now available at a new lower rate: https://calledtowrite.mn.co

I've just finished a delightful edit for a lovely client and have space in my editorial calendar.
Please reach out if you're needing support in the editing department. https://jennaavery.com/for-writers

* Any book links herein are affiliate links for Bookshop, which means I earn a small referral fee 
if you purchase from them, and which helps me keep my writing ship afloat. Thank you!

Creating requires a leap of faith, every day

Creating requires a leap of faith, every day

by | Mar 14, 2012 | Writing Articles

Writing, creating, making changes.

All of them require a leap of faith.

I’ve been making a series of leaps over time.

I left my “great” job as an urban designer to become a coach. I put myself out there as a coach for sensitive souls. I’ve grown a business out of nothing.

I’ve claimed my dream of being a writer, and I’m making it happen. One word at a time.

Each of these mega leaps has required many mini leaps.

And I’ve realized that every day when I sit down to write, or put myself out there to be seen in some way, I am taking a leap of faith again.

With every single word I put on the page or on the web, I’m taking a risk that I’ll be seen as wrong, foolish, or stupid. I’m also taking the risk that my work will be valued and well-received. Often when I push the publish button, I DON’T KNOW which of those it will be.

It’s scary.

It requires a leap of faith to see it through.

I believe that all creating is like this. It is terrifying to make ourselves vulnerable in this way. To be seen, heard, and read by people we don’t know who may judge us or not like what we have to say.

In fact, I know there are people out there who do not like what I have to say. And there are probably people who won’t like what you have to say either.

Is that a good reason not to say it?

What about all the other people who want to hear it?

What if?

What if there isn’t anyone who is interested? What if you offend everyone?

First, I doubt that there isn’t anyone who is interested.

But secondly, if it were true that you did offend everyone, what if it was a good thing? What if you pissed us all off enough to wake us up out of the stupor we walk around in? What if it made us fight back against things we don’t like?

Art is a powerful catalyst and it deserves to be treated with reverence.

Treat your art with the fierce and reverent commitment required to bring it to the world. It’s a powerful antidote to the doubt and fear you’re likely to experience along the way.