Job Hazards of a Writer
Some of you are probably wondering about the title of this post. Really….what kind of job hazard does a writer face? And no, I’m not talking about paper cuts or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. 
Yes, Carpal Tunnel, deadline burn-out, and writer’s block can be a problem. There’s one hazard that is bigger than all those; something that really makes me sweat. What is this hazard, you ask?
Critiquing the manuscripts of wanna-be writers!
There…I’ve said it. Although I love to help those who want to write…..I was there once myself….it is often a difficult and sticky situation. When this person hands off their fresh-off-the-printer manuscript to me, it’s like I’m taking their child…their baby. All is well and good if the child is totally cute, articulate, and charming. What if the baby is really ugly? What if the baby has few, if any, qualities the parent is asking me to goo-goo over?
And just because I’m a published writer in a variety of areas, doesn’t mean I know everything there is to know about writing. I’m totally clueless, for instance, when it comes to poetry. For me, if it doesn’t rhyme and make me laugh, I have no use for it. I might be a discouragement to the next Robert Frost. What a tragedy that would be.
With much prayer and tact, I hope my advice is right….even if the message is a bit painful. May God grant me the wisdom to be a wise judge over another person’s writing when they ask for constructive help and an encourager to those who want to share God’s message.
Hugs,
Beth