Waiting and Reading

So, I have a  novel and a short story submitted for contests and while I'm waiting on the results, and doing things like laundry and school work, I'm getting caught up on reading and critiquing other people's work.

I can see the wisdom in honoring those who have come before us, what they have to say.

And at no moment do I feel that more intensely than in these in between times. As creative, introspective people there is something difficult and hard - but necessary and welcome - about reading what others have to say, and saying things which are not always 'nice.' None of us want to be the proverbial master who is so insecure that we spend this in between time 'hating' on other people. It goes without saying that we learn, and benefit from, those things which bother us.

As always, when in the presence of another person, let alone asked to comment on what they have written, it is an opportunity to first of all appreciate how precious that is.  And second, to act like the proverbial wise steward, who knows that first and foremost which must give respect and live in respect if we are ever going to get any ourselves. I have to put aside the pride that sees only my world of which I am the visible center. I need to acknowledge that others are probably thinking similar thoughts from within their own universe of which they are the visible center.

Thoughts like, wow that was great - I wish I could have thought of that. And wow, I made that same mistake and as I'm pointing it out I wish I hadn't done that too. Or, I'm not sure if that works or how I feel about that yet, but it touched me deeply for some reason, or it made me laugh and I'm not sure it was supposed to. So, I'm not sure if I should SAY that made me laugh and if so, if my tone should be apologetic or congratulatory. Hm...

Or (the first thought on my mind when presuming to critique anyone) I really wish I'd spent more time during that block I set aside to work on my writing to actually (gasp) work on my writing rather than getting distracted looking at funny pictures on Facebook. Then MAYBE I'd be a better writer right now and not write bizarre critiques that make no sense in ordinary human-comprehensible English.

And - last but not least - oo, Squirrel. (Seriously there are these hyperactively acrobatic squirrels right outside my window and every now and again I think the tree is about to collapse or something. This is very distracting.)

We're all human here. I think. (Hm, and for this month's challenge on fantasy-writers.org, we're supposed to write about two people who are in love but don't know one another's true identity. That could be interesting.)

Anne