A customer invited me to join her writers' group today. Which is nice of her, really, since all she knew of me, and any talent I might or might not possess, came from a three-minute conversation. Part of me thinks it might be a good idea, especially since many of the group members have impressive credentials---one used to be an editor---or connections---several have agents. But I'm picky about who reads and responds to my work...at least initially.

It's so easy to fall into defensiveness or, alternately, feel that the reader's opinion is of more value than my own. Once the work's been vetted by the handful of readers whose taste I respect, who share a similar expectation for a story as I do, and whose opinions I feel comfortable disagreeing with, I'm much better prepared to stand in the quality of my work and let others critique it.

I participated in writers' groups in college, but I'd known the girls in my group for almost four years by the time we really got into the critique. So I knew who to listen to, and how, and who to ignore completely. I know eventually I might reach the same comfort with this new group, but the thought of getting there is...uncomfortable. To say the least.

Of course, all of this presupposes that I'm writing all the time. Which I'm not. So perhaps I ought to do something about that first, yes? In the meantime.... Sev, the results, if you will? ::muttering from dark corner:: Sev's tired of hearing me fret about writing, which is silly. It's not as thought I make him *read* any of my work or anything. ::parchment spider scuttles from dark corner:: What? Just because you're my assistant doesn't mean you're obligated to provide creative consultation. ::parchment scorpion waltzes from the shadows:: Fine. If you want to read it, you can read it. Happy? Now how about sending that third result out here....

( ::parchment millipede tap-dances into the light on thumbtack shoes:: )

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