why it's been fun to have editors

I was a little nervous about the editing process. Being more of an introvert, I take my writing personally. It's always my zone where I can go and think through life. The problem is that I can get too abstract or too personal. I can assume others think like me. My worldview gets myopic. I start thinking certain things are profound when they are cliche or I fail to realize that something I take for granted is actually a pretty unusual thought.

I've never actually tried to have a book published and it feels arrogant even to state my goal. If it someday happens, though, I think it will be based upon the help I have had from people who edit my work. I've learned some hard things about my ideas, about my tone, about my grammar (which I had assumed was pretty good, when it was actually mediocre). At the same time, I've also heard some amazing words of encouragement. Both the criticism and the encouragement propel me forward.

It makes me wonder why I am so slow to offer criticism or encouragment to another person. It actually doesn't "make me wonder." I know the catalyst: I'm afraid. I'm afraid of how it will make me look. Even when another person asks for criticism, I am slow to offer it, because I hate conflict. I'm slow to encourage as well. I get really uncomfortable when things saccharine. So, I avoid it and I assume that others around me feel appreciated.

I wonder if the worst part of the Fall was realizing that we're naked, feeling ashamed and covering up. I wonder if that's why we don't encourage and criticize, but instead create entertaining diversions and high-minded discussions about current events.