Anyone who can’t wait for the next season of The Walking Dead raise your hand.

Anyone who likes riding a rollercoaster raise your hand.

Anyone who enjoys trying strange looking sushi raise your hand.

Why do we do these things to ourselves? No other creature on the planet would willingly jump out of an airplane for fun or eat popcorn while watching Hannibal Lecter have dinner. But we do. Why? I suppose my five year old said it best when I asked her why she likes sitting at the very top of the jungle gym:

“Because it’s scary and it feels like I’m flying.”

What’s a better reminder that we’re alive than to feel our heart pounding in our chest? That’s how I feel when I see my release date countdown timer. Every passing second is a not-so-gentle reminder that IT’S REALLY HAPPENING: People who aren’t my agent, my editor, or share my last name will be reading Before Ever After soon. Can I faint now?

* * * * 10 minutes later * * * *

Okay, I’m back. Thanks for waiting. Now where was I? Ah, yes. Being terrified – and I wouldn’t have it any other way. How about you? What did you do to scare yourself today?