We asked some brilliant folks from the community to talk to us about how they think about risk and the role risk has played in their lives and careers.

Eleanor Neal

Going back to school later in life was a risk. I had a Masters in Art Education but really wanted my MFA. Being single working full time as an educator I could not afford to leave my teaching career to go back to school full-time. I knew I wanted to go to The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to get my MFA. Once they offered an opportunity get an MFA there and keep your full-time job here in Atlanta, I was ready to take a risk. I was a part of the first MFA program at SAIC where you could continue your full-time job, take Fall/Spring courses online as well as maintaining a home studio. Then spend 7 weeks in the summer in Chicago on campus.  Read More>> 

Mandy L. Cantrell

Most of my life has been about risk-taking, whether for good or bad. It is nice later in life to note the good risks you’ve taken, which now exemplify a measure of success, whether fully achieved or on the horizon. I think artists, in general, tend to be risk takers because, at the very least, we are taking a chance just in sharing ourselves. As a writer, you’ve gone beyond sharing an image or a concept, as a painter or sculptor might do. Writers are sharing at an even deeper level of transparency, essentially spelling it out for you:  Read More>> 

William Wallace

When I think about risk, I don’t see it as something to run from… I see it as something that shapes faith, vision, and legacy. For me, risk has always been less about danger and more about trust. The greatest moments of my life and career have come when I was willing to step out on faith with no guarantee other than knowing God called me to it. Read More>> 

Brit K.S

As a published independent author, I embrace the risks that come with every release. Choosing not to query an agent or pursue the traditional publishing route was another leap of faith, but retaining control over my brand, my stories, and my publishing schedule was essential to my journey. By building my own business and navigating the publishing world firsthand, I’ve learned more than I ever could have imagined, and I have zero regrets. Read More>>