Unless we’re talking millennia, I’ve been around for awhile. I know how to do stuff, so it seriously annoys me when people get up in my business. My husband was so cute when we were first married. “Are you sure you want to paint the baseboards first?” he would lovingly ask. “Piss off!” I would lovingly answer.
So why do I get so prickly about taking direction from my husband? Let’s see, are you telling me how to split an atom, or how to boil water? Are you grading me on my performance? Do you really want to fly solo in the bedroom for the next month?
There is one area where he’s eager to let me take the lead—pest control. In particular, he’s afraid of toads. If one of the little critters gets on the back porch, my sweetie is sure that the toad is baring his fangs and marshalling his buddies for a sneak attack.
I have a problem when he asks, “Are you tired? Would you like me to take over?” after the first five minutes of me driving on a road trip. I only scraped the paint a little while shooting the gap between a semi and a guard rail in a blinding rain (true story). That could happen to anybody.
Oddly, I have no problem taking constructive criticism about my writing. It’s not like anyone has said, “Get a real job, loser.” I’m grateful when people take the time to tell me where I can improve. If I get bad reviews, I may cry a little, maybe kick some puppies, but I’ll probably get over it.
When you put yourself out there, you’ll probably run into people who will not like your work. Nothing keeps you humble like receiving the charred ashes of your book in a Mason jar. Not that I’ve done that myself or anything. I don’t own a Mason jar.
As long as you’re not my husband, please feel free to offer constructive criticism. If you absolutely feel the need to be mean about, just be sure to hide your puppies.
It usually ends up being the other way around. One time my hubby and FIL were trying to get the washer and dryer from the basement upstairs (we were moving)…they were doing stupid things trying to get it up the stairs. I made a suggestion…they poo-pooed it and after about 20 attempts, tried my way and they got it up the f*&%ing stairs.
But, with your writing, there won’t be any criticism, because your stuff is too funny. But, then again, I haven’t read any of your book so I wouldn’t know. Just sayin’.
I’m leaning more towards going Indie with it, in which case it will be out sooner rather than later.
Well, I read the above twice just so’s I could criticize you on something…because you seem to want it. I’m all about satisfying. So here goes.
The part where you wrote, “shooting the gap between a semi and a guard rail in a blinding rain (true story). That could happen to anybody.” bugged me because I am a wimpy driver and would never have the guts to try something like that. I always thought I was tough, but you got me beat friend.
Hugs, Terri
What? You thought I actually had a concrit for your writing? I don’t think so! You rock.
Oh yea, and that “Indie” thing sounds hot. What? I’m just sayin..
Have you considered publishing on Kindle? There’s no/or little cost, and you get 70 or 30% of sales (depending on the size of your book).
I’m in the process of trying to do that, but I’m a bit technically challenged and have not yet succeeded. Google “Publish on Kindle” for information.
Indie is the only way to go. You get to write the book you really want to write. You get it all your way, all the time.
Of course, if it flops, you get all the credit for that, too. That’s where conventional publishers are very useful. If anything goes wrong, it’s all their fault.
Mason jars and puppies and husbands…
All woven into a post about critiques of your writing…
Whew…
Makin’ me feel oh, so staid 🙂
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Goin’ Indie ?!?
Whoot !!!
Someday you must tell the tales of the paint scraping on the guard rail incident, and why Hubby has a deathly fear of toads.
He’s afraid of TOADS?
Hi Karla,
I keep hearing about your “hot” blog and I agree you turn a good trick.
Keeping the husband happy is always tough, but I’m in the same boat with you on my manuscript-done, but still revising and getting ready to figure out what to do with it.
Aren’t toads kind of cute?