**BIIIGGG GULP**

I did something momentous last night. Nothing that will move mountains or end wars or make my kids stop fighting.... Still, momentous for me.

I gave the first six chapters of my novel to my husband, a.k.a The Man, to read. And then today, I gave the same six chapters to my BFF to read.

All of sudden, I have this weird euphoric distaste for my writing. I don't really know how to feel. It has been a very long time since I have opened myself to constructive criticism this far on my writing. I gave the chapters to the two people I can trust more than anyone else on earth, but still -- criticism can be a tough thing to hear.

I have a pretty thick skin when it comes to my writing. I've had a few short stories published in the "Cup of Comfort" anthologies, I write fairly often for a construction magazine, and I have regular assignments of various types from my freelance clients. I don't mind having other people provide input on my writing as a rule. I'm not a possessive writer; one of the reasons my clients like me is that I'm easy to work with.

BBBUUUUUUTTTTT..... This is the big one. The whole enchilada. The real deal. What am I going to say when they give feedback? Can I take it?

Yep. I can. Because utimately, with these people who I trust to give constructive criticism, they can only make it better. It's still my work, after all; if I don't like what they say, I don't have to use it (though I probably will.... In some fashion...)

So, the momentous day has arrived -- the day I begin to share for critique this piece of my soul that has been a labor of love so far. Childbirth? Please. Did that four times, and it's a piece of cake compared to writing. This -- this -- is hard work.

Time for one more BIIIIIIIG GULP. **DEEEEEEP BREATH** Well, it's out there now. And time for me to go to Chapter Seven and keep slogging away.