Have Mercy.

Our instructor, Minrose Gwin, picked another student and myself to read an extra five pages of our work-in-progress memoir. I went first and then had to sit – silently – while they took turns offering their constructive criticism about it and the previous 15-page excerpt I had sent via email.

I had sweat rings by the time it was done. Everyone was so thoughtful and eloquent and helpful. And Minrose? Well, hello people, you couldn’t find a more encouraging and intensely-kind but direct, woman on the planet.

I was in the presence of greatness and am humbled by how much and how deeply these people, who had been strangers only the day before, were willing to help.

Now. I just need to do the work. Just. I say that, like I’ll just sit down and knock it off. There’s a lot to do, but I’m ready.