Unboxing Courage, Are You Up for It?

A Little Something While I Take a Break

Dear Readers,

I don’t have a new chapter for you today. With the holidays around the corner, I’ve decided to take a short break to rest, reflect, and let a few ideas simmer. Sometimes, a little downtime is just what’s needed to bring new stories to life.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a short story about Skylar that you may not have seen. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into her journey—one filled with courage, doubt, and triumph.

Thank you for being part of this world I’m creating. Your support and enthusiasm mean everything to me.

Wishing you a peaceful and joyful holiday season,

Warmly,

Marylee

A Short Story featuring Skylar

Skylar Evans, a seasoned archaeologist, spent decades unearthing the secrets of ancient civilizations. Her career was filled with groundbreaking discoveries and accolades.

Despite her accomplishments, Skylar kept one dream buried deep: to become a writer. She had already published three historical novels, each inspired by her excavations, but none of them felt like her story. They were retellings of the past, not in her own voice.

When Skylar decided to write her memoir, it wasn’t just another project; it was a journey into uncharted territory. This new book was different — it was infused with her fears, and triumphs.

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Unboxing Courage

Skylar’s hands trembled as she slit the tape. The box sat heavily on her kitchen counter, the weight of self-doubt almost crushing her. She paused.

What if no one cared? What if they laughed?

She shook her head and pulled the cardboard open. There it was—her name in bold print. And the cover. Her own hands, weathered yet strong, stretched across it, their lines etched by years of life and work.

Her breath caught. I did it.

She ran her fingers lightly across the smooth covers, the image both intimate and surreal. The hands on the books were hers, but so were the words within.

A smile crept across Skylar’s face. Even if no one read it, she’d faced her fear. That’s what mattered most.

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For Skylar, the real achievement wasn’t in her past successes or in whether this new book would sell; it was in starting. As a writer, the hardest part isn’t publishing but overcoming the fear of putting yourself out there.

You can’t succeed if you never begin.

And sometimes, just finishing that first book — even if no one reads it — is the victory that matters most.