Sometimes The Truth Hurts

It's a fact of life. But I have my doubts that it's rarely felt more often than in the life of a writer. How many professions ~ legal professions ~ are there where you submit yourself repeatedly to the whims of another in this way. This other person has the ability to take your emotions to the highest highs or the lowest lows simply by saying 'yes' or 'no' to you. More absurd still, we often wait anywhere from three months to a year, or even longer, for that one word from one person on one piece of work. But wait we do.

While we wait, we continue to write. We wait because we know this person can tell us if this piece is something they can work with. They will let us know if it's ready for publishing. Sometimes the answer is no. More often than not it's no. That's when it hurts. We need to be able to accept that. As writers we need to be able to look at our work; the work we put so much time and effort into already, and figure out what's still wrong with it. Usually they don't tell you. Most often, the news comes by way of a form letter. A few lucky ones will get genuine feedback.

One good way to get used to accepting criticism of your work is to join a writer's group. Many bookstores, libraries and schools have them. There are also several online. You offer your current work, get feedback from others on it and give feedback on theirs. It's a great way to learn more about writing and help others as well. I've been a member of an online group at http://www.critiquecircle.com/ since December and can't imagine making this journey without the people there. They've saved me from so many mistakes, given me so much advice and support and taught me so much. Every time one of them sells a story or has a request for a partial or a full, I get as excited as if it's a request for mine. They've worked so hard and I'm so happy for them. Many times, they come back and say it was rejected. We try to figure out why, then encourage them to submit again. We're writers and we're friends. That's what we do.