Welcome featured & fearless author
Olivia Starke to the blog today!
She's here to discuss how she faced and conquered her fears and here's what she had to say...
Once upon a time I suffered arachnophobia, an intense fear of spiders. I could survive little house spiders, but anything much larger and I’d fly into hysterics. As a teen I even blacked out while in a reptile exhibit, which had a large black tarantula on display, unbeknownst to my parents and friend who were on the trip. Usually before entering such places, or pet stores for that matter, I’d send someone ahead to scout out their spider situation. Now mind you, I can plant my face against the glass of a timber rattler exhibit, admire how cool it looked, but a nearly harmless spider was death on eight legs for me.
My fear originated when I was eight years old. While on a walk with my mother during late fall I spotted one our resident tarantulas (Yes, Missouri hosts some pretty gnarly spiders! Click on image above to read more). They can be aggressive and this particular day the little bugger decided it didn’t need a little girl running up to say hi. So it turned and jumped toward me, and kept coming even as I spun and ran for my life. My mother tried to stomp it, at which it turned and went after her. She has no fear of creepy crawlies, but even she got skittish with the little hairy black beast from hell trying to attack her flip flopped feet.
The following year on a warm spring day, to add insult to injury, while taking the same road I felt something on my bare leg. Yes, a tarantula had jumped on my leg. Perhaps it was tired and thought “Hey! Free travel!” Or maybe it was the spider from the fall before who had escaped my mom’s murderous attempts, and needed retribution. Regardless, I’m pretty sure I could’ve out-sprinted a greyhound dog going full tilt.
Eventually I’d suffer a panic attack even if I spotted a photo or TV ad with a large spider. When I reached my mid-twenties I decided I’d get a handle on the completely useless terror. After all, I have zero fear of snakes, scorpions, black widows, etc., things that can actually do harm. It started with internet searches of big spiders, forcing myself to learn about them (they can be pretty interesting creatures.) The more I learned, the more I faced the fear, the more it lessened.
Today I’m in my thirties, and I’ve got almost a complete handle on it. I no longer have to fear going into the great outdoors, something I love and thrive on. I can look at one on display and not feel the surge of adrenaline that precedes hysteria. I still can’t deal with one touching me, or having one pop up from my drain (oh the joys of living near a river) without a scream of shock. But it’s not full out panic. I’m in control and I can deal with that.
Now to deal with my heights issue….
A Note from the Book Boost: You're much more brave than I am. I'm not a fan of spiders, snakes, or anything icky--creepy--or crawly. Good on you for conquering your fears. I'll hang on to mine for now. LOL Thanks for joining us and please tell us more about your latest book!
Blurb:
Sex is better when you’re one of the undead.
When her luggage is stolen at the Las Vegas airport, Kelly finds herself stranded and broke. Lucky for her, sexy Detective Nick Rodriguez offers her a room for the night. And when he whips out the handcuffs, she is ready to offer gratitude for his hospitality all night long.
Of course, when in Vegas the party doesn’t stop even if someone wakes up dead….
Want More Olivia?
Visit her on the web here: http://www.authoroliviastarke.com/
Pick up your copy of her book today! Click here.
Contest Time:
Visit Olivia's website here and subscribe to her newsletter for a chance to win an Amazon.com gift card. Winner selected at the end of May!
.jpg)
1 comment:
Remember, they are more scared of you than you are of them. Unless they want to eat your toes!
Post a Comment