Fun responses on this piece Kathy. 'Fun' being sort of cosmic here I know, sorry.

This thing about loved ones and friends and or 'first readers', merits mention. These people deserve merit badges or at the very least 50 claps. My best 'readers', the gentle folks who for various reasons agree to read my stuff just before I launch it out into the world of my beloved group of almost 600 readers. Bless them. Bless them all!

Question for you, (and for who ever is interested), from say, ten of 'your first readers', could be family, a best amigo, etc. how many of the ten do you feel truly find worthwhile joy from reading your stuff? A valid question is it not? I mean, how kind and compassionate are ones 'first readers'?

Sure, I could get into that old , um, truism, the one where the seven year old goes to the huge flea market on Saturday with dad. You know where this is going...

So the kid collects rocks and dad always springs for the throw away bag of varied rocks sold for two bucks. Only this time, once home, the kid discovers the unpolished. lemon sized star sapphire, a potential life changer. Dig it?

So apply the same sentiment to the stuff we lay on our beloved 'first readers', the kind folks we writers lay our uncut, unpolished stuff on.

Every once in a while someone discovers something cool in your words!

You get it.

As a slightly off- perspective answer to your comments then: as writers we must also become a fellow writers 'first reader', it's only fair, exercises your empathy , stresses and hopefully strengthens your truth telling characteristic... Then every once in a while you discover a fellow writers star sapphire, okay, maybe it doesn't have to be lemon size, pea size works.

Enjoyed the read, keep em coming.

T