How Could You?

We’ve all heard it “If your friend jumped off a cliff,” or something to that effect.  And of course we wouldn’t.  Well, maybe just once. 

By ten o’clock heat waves already rippled above the blacktop track on a sweltering morning in early May when the annual statewide relay competitions were being held at our school. It didn’t take long to realize that facing the glaring sun was the wrong side of the track to be on, so my friends quickly dashed across the track to the infield while I stood undecided. Could I make it across before the race began?  “Sure you can!” they coaxed. Half way across someone screeched “Hurry!” just as the human equivalent of a freight train flattened me like a penny into the steaming asphalt.  By the time the angry runner had recovered his shoe and his dignity (mine was embedded in the blacktop), my friends had dragged me to the infield; shielding me from his wrath amid peals of raucous laughter. 

From that day forward I’ve looked at hesitation in a whole new light. In its own way it’s a lot like being impetuous, either one can get you killed—ha! But hesitation allows for reflection; did I really want to cross that track in the first place? Not really. It was a lesson well-learned.

Oddly enough, from time to time I’m still asked that question, “How could you…” except now it’s regarding sharing my work—at Streampebbles.com.  My reply is always:  How could I not? More than money, fame or the sheer satisfaction of penning the contents of your heart and way above all else, writers write to be read. Don’t you?

That’s not to say that we should share that epic novel we’ve been honing in a closet for years—some  intrepid agent is bound to pick it up one day—but the teaser tidbits; the little gems in between that offer sparkling insight into the author of the next best-seller, those are the ones to share while you’re waiting.  And what better way to get feedback on what your readers enjoy?

Speaking of feedback, we’re (including me!) looking for Beta Readers at Streampebbles!

So, anyone else care to share a lesson well-learned? How did it affect your writing journey? How do you feel about sharing?