Panic, No Exhilaration...No, Definitely Panic

Woke up this morning to a Yahoo calendar reminder, Duty and Devotion releases in exactly one week. I think my heart's going to explode. I think I'm going to faint. I think...I think I'm going to flee to a nice, warm Mexico beach.

No, no. I won't do that. I've waited too long for this.

I'm ready. I know I'm ready. Easy-peasy. This isn't panic...this is what exhilaration feels like. Like...like you're in the back part of a roller coaster. You're slowly moving up towards the top of the first big hill and you're giggling with your friend next to you.

Oh, wait...

Then you look forward and the cars in front of you start dropping off. Disappearing as they reach the down slope. Your hands tighten on the grips, fingers actually ache and knuckles turn white from the super grip. You know you're ready. You're safety harness is locked in and you've made several notes to scream so you don't pass out.

More cars drop in front of you. Now you're on the verge of tears, but fight them off. You don't want that to show on the stupid punk camera they have set up on these stinking rides. What made you think you could do this? It's insanity. How many accidents happen every year? Hundreds...okay, maybe only a hand few, but still. This one could be the accident in waiting.

It's absurd. Must get off. You look over the side, wondering if it's worth the broken leg. Two cars in front of you drop off and you know it's too late.

You go over.

The next few minutes you're caught in the midst of chaos. With your heart pounding there's screaming and losing your breath. Zipping through the twists and turns you're not sure where's up and down.

Then you reach the last bit where things slow down and come to a rest. You're laughing like a loon and can't wait to do it again.

That, my friends, is the crazy world of publishing.

It's both panic and exhilaration. I guess if something is worth it, you can't have one without the other.