My book will be out soon and the web site is about to launch so I turn my attention to my blog. What on earth will I write about? What could I say that would be of any interest to anyone? Wait a minute…I’m an author. If I didn’t think I had something to say, I would never attempt it. But what do I write about?

Then I read a blog sent to me in a Writers’ Guild of Texas digest. It was “Be Unique” by Colin P. Davies and appeared on the Storycrafters blog – http://storycrafters.blogspot.com. Mr. Davies describes the fear preventing many writers from submitting their work. Rejection. He challenges them to find the courage to overcome it and offers a way to view rejection as a necessary part of our craft. This reminded me of another form of ‘perceived’ rejection – the critique group.

I remember the first writer’s workshop I attended. Everyone signing up for the critique session was assigned to a group of five people. They sent us the mailing address of every one in our group. The instruction was to send a copy of our work to the others. When we received their work, we were to review, comment, and bring the manuscripts to the class.

On the day of the workshop, I met my group led by a published author. She facilitated the process of critiquing each author’s submission. After the discussion and before we moved on to the next person, everyone handed the author their marked up copy of the work. It was a good process and we had multiple written opinions to take home, something every writer values. A good experience if not for the ‘technical writer.’ I am not implying technical writers are bad. Since I blotted her name from my memory, I can only recall that was her day job and so how I remember her. She ripped every manuscript to pieces. I could see the devastation on the other writers because their faces looked like I felt. I went home and did not write for a year!

After getting up the courage to return to the land of the writing, I learned that experience was an exception. Since then I participated in many wonderful groups of insightful writers who helped me improve my craft. If I had not been so new, I would have done then what I do today – take what I find of value in the criticism and discard the rest. Something I expect other writers to do with my comments about their works. The majority of writers want to see each other succeed. What I experienced at that first workshop is not the norm.

The point in discussing my first critique experience is to take Mr. Davies’ point a couple of steps further although perhaps not in as eloquent language. Critique groups are another form of rejection or learning, depending on how you accept it. And as I launch my first book and web site many questions ricochet inside my mind. What will happen? Will they like it? Will they hate it? How will it be received? Each question threatens to bring on the same throat-tightening suspense of opening an answer to a submission. Then I read Colin Davies’ blog and at the end, he lists a divergent list of reviews for one of his stories. His blog and summary was just what I needed on the eve of my book and web site launch. Writers, editors, reviewers and readers all have a different way of thinking so be prepared for all types of responses.

I took a deep breath and smiled. Suddenly I felt like a fighter in the ring for the first time. I know, I know. It is a book not a rumble for the title and I’m not Rocky Balboa. But all the training, long hours of preparation, and the work with my writing coaches make it feel like I am stepping into the ring, hoping the crowd loves me. So I’m taking the next cautious step on the road of a writer, braving rejection to put my work out there just so I can share a part of me.

Thank you to all the writers who have walked this road before me.

Thank you Colin P. Davies for your blog. The effect may not be what you were going for but as your blog indicates – we all think differently and words affect each of us in a unique way.

Thank you for reading The Secret of Wellington’s Map. I hope you enjoy it.