Hi All!

I am thinking about family as your first critics...

I have the opportunity to work with a great young woman who is helping me with JOISE THE GREAT, and one of the topics she asked me about was working with family... getting their feedback and response when you're doing something creative.

First, it's hard to put yourself out there. Just saying, it takes a certain amount of guts and risk to write something and ask others to read it... I liken it to standing in a room butt naked... you're completely exposed...

You know, though, family is a great first critic... they love you, so if what you are doing sucks... they tend to be gentle in their feedback.

My first couple of attempts at book ideas were met with ... "Hmm... some of that is good.. BUT..." they were kind...

I kept trying... and when I came up with MAX AND BEAR.... everyone was in! YAY!!!

After I did that... JOSIE was harder... I had a couple of drafts... and got some very specific feedback that was truly useful in how she turned out... it was hard at first, because the feedback was pretty tough... but, and thankfully, it was useful and honest and helpful.

You truly can count on family... they will be honest with you, even if you don't like it...

And.... they do have your back...

Until next time,

Pam