smile a day: helping someone along

[samanthabryant]

#smileaday Helping someone along.

I'm doing a fair bit of mentoring these days, formally and informally. Today, I read a story for a beginning writer and offered some advice. That's always tricky. Even when someone asks for your opinion and help, it doesn't necessarily follow that they're open to hearing or using what you have to say. So, I take it on with equal measures hope and trepidation.

Luckily, my advice was well received. Whew!

Comments

[johncomic]

Unfortunately, I have a long history of rejecting constructive criticism by thinking up reasons that it doesn't apply -- not in every case, but quite possibly in the majority of them. I mention it here, not because I'm proud of it, but because I'm trying to confront it.

[samanthabryant]

I've been the same way. It's hard, admitting that a critic might be right, especially if the change that necessitates is large in scope. I think I go through stages of grief every time I receive criticism still, eventually ending with acceptance.

[johncomic]

at least you DO reach that stage -- I often do not