Jun 16, 2023·edited Jun 16, 2023Liked by Sandra Gail Lambert
I so relate. The same piece of writing, the first two chapters of a novel-in-progress, in one conference workshop was called "terrific" by the instructor, and in another workshop another year, something the instructor said she would "never buy or read." The latter instructor then got up and gave a rudimentary lesson at an easel on character development for my benefit; I was mortified alright (of course, she later confessed, when I bumped into her in the ladies' room, that she had mixed up my piece with someone else's). I hid out in my room the rest of the conference. Too sensitive, I'm sure, but it really threw me for awhile, for too long, I'm ashamed to say. I still hope to finish that novel.
We are not "too" sensitive. It's an essential part of our writing. And that instructor shouldn't have been "confessing" in a bathroom but rather in front of the class or in an email to all the participants or both. Not that those comments were okay to say to whoever the other writer was either. I mean, me, for myself, if I've consented, which being in a workshop implies that I have, appreciate a rigorous critique of my work but that wasn't it. Good luck with the novel.
Yeah, like that's what you do, STEALTH WRITER that you are.
Well I joined your sub stack and then I realized there was an audio version!! Your voice your thoughts GREAT.
Thank you, Beckie! You can listen to me on your walks. There will be no escape from my voice. Hah.
I so relate. The same piece of writing, the first two chapters of a novel-in-progress, in one conference workshop was called "terrific" by the instructor, and in another workshop another year, something the instructor said she would "never buy or read." The latter instructor then got up and gave a rudimentary lesson at an easel on character development for my benefit; I was mortified alright (of course, she later confessed, when I bumped into her in the ladies' room, that she had mixed up my piece with someone else's). I hid out in my room the rest of the conference. Too sensitive, I'm sure, but it really threw me for awhile, for too long, I'm ashamed to say. I still hope to finish that novel.
We are not "too" sensitive. It's an essential part of our writing. And that instructor shouldn't have been "confessing" in a bathroom but rather in front of the class or in an email to all the participants or both. Not that those comments were okay to say to whoever the other writer was either. I mean, me, for myself, if I've consented, which being in a workshop implies that I have, appreciate a rigorous critique of my work but that wasn't it. Good luck with the novel.
Thank you for your kind words and support. I appreciate you taking the time to respond. It means a lot. I love your writing.