As a writer, I value an honest reaction to my work. More importantly, though, I value an enthusiastic one. If you love my work, I want you to really love it. If you hate it, tell me why!... but try not to hate it…
I mention this because I handed off the first half of my book on ethics, Dynamic Pluralism, to Vicky this weekend. I’m giving it to her to find out if it works, if she finds it worthwhile, if it’s as good as I hope it is.
She sat down tonight and read the first chapter. When she was finished, she yelled to me in another room, “I finished.”
I ran in, asking, “What did you think?”
At this point, her voice slowed just perceptively. “It was very well written,” she tactfully intoned.
It was very well written. Not “It was inspiring.” Not “It was amazing.” Not even, “It was good.”
It was very well written.
This is what you say when you don’t know how to say how much you hate it. It’s what you say when you can’t think of anything nice to say. It’s what you say when you’re married to the writer and don’t want to make him feel bad.
Sadly, the writer knows this.
So, to all the other writers out there taking a spear to the gut tonight, let me assure you, I feel your pain.
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