I’m thrilled to announce the release of Just Say Yes, the latest book in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. My story, “Worth a Try,” was selected as one of the 101 stories for this publication.

About the Anthology

Try new things, overcome your fears, and broaden your world. You’ll feel empowered, emboldened, and energized when you step outside your comfort zone and Just Say Yes!

Just Say Yes! Say “YES” to what challenges you. Say “YES” to facing your fears. Say “YES” to reinventing yourself. Say “YES” to a more exciting and bigger world. Whether it’s something little—like trying a new food—or something big—like traveling to a far away country—we feel empowered when we say YES. You can do it! And the entertaining, personal accounts in these 101 stories will give you motivation and inspiration you need. All you have to do is say “YES.”

Excerpt from Worth a Try

Each morning, I faced the tyranny of the blank page. Everything was in place—business cards, a new computer, and dreams of a runaway bestseller. Unfortunately, my underdeveloped writing muscles refused to cooperate.

A fellow writer said, “You need to shake up your life.”

Creating an oasis of calm had been one of my retirement goals—a reward, or so I believed, for surviving three decades of teaching adolescents. I enjoyed my luncheon dates, yoga sessions, and uninterrupted blocks of reading time. Did I really want to shake up my life? I was stuck, though. So maybe it was worth a try.

Friends offered several suggestions, including signing up for kickboxing, running a marathon, and joining a local theater group. While considering the kickboxing option, I noticed an invitation from Royal City Toastmasters in the local newspaper. I sent a quick e-mail informing the contact person that I would be attending their next meeting.

Several times, I contemplated canceling but talked myself out of it. A bit apprehensive before arriving, I relaxed when I saw twelve people in the boardroom, most of them women. We chatted for a few minutes, and then a gentleman called the meeting to order.

I watched as two members rose to share the word and joke of the day. A third member introduced the Table Topics section of the meeting. I gathered from her brief description that impromptu speaking was involved. And then the woman turned in my direction and smiled. “Joanne, would you like to participate?”

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