Critiques of my work

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Tonight I'm heading off to meet with a new critique group.  I hate to admit how very nervous I am to expose the revised pages to anyone.  Ironic since I write and if no one ever reads it then what is the point?

I don't mind anonymous rejection since it feels as if I have nothing to lose.  However, when you are sitting across from someone who is judging your "baby" then it seems that so much more is at stake.  When you have read and re-read the same paragraphs at least one hundred times and you think you have polished it to perfection, what happens if someone points out it's flaws?

Intellectually I understand that is what will help me grow as a writer but emotionally it scares the heck out of me.  Although while getting ready and before I sat down to really contemplate the act of sharing my work, it crossed my mind that I had only thought of the negatives.  What if this bad thing happens or that bad thing.  What if they hate the pages and my hair and think I'm a horrible person?

Suddenly I realized that it is possible they may really like it.  Why I assume the worst I don't know but maybe - if this goes well - the next time will be easier and I won't want to throw up before I go!

Leslie

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