You should write some peer advice. I think you have things you could teach your fellow writers.
The words glared at me from the brightness of my computer screen.
What? Me? Who am I to give peer advice? What would I say? On what topics could I possibly share any advice? I’m no one. Who am I?
My stream of consciousness denied the words in front of me. You should write. Peer advice.
What makes me better than my peers? I’m just like them, ambling my way through the written word, putting down the stories that fill my head, shushing the pandemonium of too many loud-voiced characters in my head. Who am I? What could I possibly say?
My eyes scan the emails once more. Something that makes you quite remarkable… keep up whatever it is you’re doing, because it’s awesome…so much feedback that my writing is good.
Peer advice. Mentor.
Nah, too scary. How could I explain my process anyway? How do you explain, “It just comes to me”? Wouldn’t that make people mad/jealous/insertnegetiveemotionhere? Who am I to tell someone else how to write?
Yet, I do it every week. I fumble my way around on Bloggy Moms Writer’s Workshop. I post a prompt every week. I encourage feedback and constructive criticism. I offer help. I refer to links—but they are informative writing advice posts someone else has written.
But when its crunch time, and I visit those who’ve linked up, and I know they sincerely want my feedback, I offer it.
Exactly who am I to do this, again? I’m just a novice still learning my own way.
Why is it so hard for me to accept the good feedback that comes my way? Me?
Yes, me. And someday, soon I hope, I will learn to accept it.
Am I enough writer to offer advice?
The jury’s still out on that.
Of course you are good enough to offer advice. I sure learned a lot from your prompts and your feedback.
Aww thanks, Imelda. That means so much to me!
Of course you are. And we are always out here looking for you to comment.
Thank you.
well done and i say yes give advice and lots of it
We’re always our own worst critics, aren’t we?
I think you offer encouragement, advice and constructive criticism from a genuine perspective. I’ve never seen you catty, hateful towards any writer-seasoned or standing with wobbly pen. You do have a lot to offer and share. You invest time in finding amazing resources or different ideas to get people to stretch their typing fingers and imaginations. Soooo, I’d say you have plenty to offer in the way of a mentor.
Well thanks. The group participation is so small, hearing these words from you is so very special. Thanks for taking a moment to give me the boost I needed.
As you noted, you already do offer your wonderful advice in the groups you take part of, writing it down as a post is just a kindness to those who don’t have you reading their work.
You have a gift, share it.
You’re a fan. You’re biased.
So?
<3<3
Love this….it is so true that it is so hard for many of us to accept positive feedback. I am no different. The only space that I ever said thank you without second guessing the feedback was as a teacher–which is funny to me since I have left it. Baby steps for us all I suppose.
Thank you is easy. it’s the believing thats hard.
I think you are one of the best. Your advice is golden. I wish I had a pinky finger of your talent. I am not even jealous. I am just so proud there are talented, and gifted writers like you, for people like me that love to read. God bless you big for all you do.
Well, thanks, Angelia. I’m not really seeking validation here, just a flaw that I have that I know holds me back, but your kind words? Thank you, really.
Sent from my iPad