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Writing Sample from theProse

  Writing Sample from the Prose The following was written for a writing challenge on theprose.com. The prompt was as follows: Grey Wall  Check out the original over at  Grey Wall . Grey Wall Towering over everything was the Grey Wall. For a thousand generations the Grey Wall had separated the worlds, looming above each in silent threat of what lay on the other side. Looming in the heart of the unchosen. No being had every crossed the Wall. No human would try for the abject terror it brought the imagination. Even the birds, circling and wheeling about the azure sky would not cross the line of demarcation. The Wall meant safety and the Wall meant death. Zenyassa did not care for safety and she did not fear death. She was Unchosen. What did it matter? What was life without the risk of losing it? She could not feel alive sitting before a thatch hut milling grain while the men of her village hunted wild yissana beasts. Their hunt brought them adventures and risk for the great ...

Responding to Criticism: I can't!

Responding to Criticism: I Can’t! 

I can't.

Nope, not one bit. At first, that is.

The fear of rejection is as real as a raging bull elephant trampling you to jelly if you run smack into him in the bush.

Crushing.

It's as real as the Earth is round.

Undeniable.

When I finally build the courage to put my baby out there and it comes back smeared in red ink. Or if my reader says that they have some thoughts...I instantly go on edge. I become defensive. Like a cornered animal I lash out regardless of their intentions. Sure, the criticism is probably constructive and will probably help my writing and story, but I am not ready for it.

I know it is for the best, but I want platitudes. Tell me I am good so I can justify my existence! I have no confidence! I cry for help! But I need your criticism, so I can in fact become better.

Shoot me with a dose on tranquilizer and let me ruminate in a hazy of half-baked thoughts. Then and only then will I realize the quality of the critique and be able to make use of it.

I can.

Yes, every bit.

But, not at first.

Vagrant sleeping on a bench.


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