Writing is painful. It aches to think that what one is producing might not meet others’ standards of perfection. There are readers and publishers to consider. Is this what they want to hear? Is my emphasis right? Are situations well-thought out? No worry if you’ve changed the ending readers were expecting, but has your sentiment, and, in commentaries, your opinions, shone through in a convincing manner that will open up eyes to new ideas? And have you done it in a way that teaches, amuses and entertains? Readers have paid $12.95 for your memoir; are you engaging them in what you have to say?

Writing keeps me up at night. New ideas disturb my REMS like lighting striking the silo on a weather-beaten barn. But I wake refreshed, complete, knowing that what I am capturing is true to my need for authenticity. That’s the piece that merits consideration for publication, and joy fills my heart.

In a fourth grade classroom I was teaching a year ago, a student came in with a cast on her ankle. She had broken it, or it had broken itself, while ice skating. Students gathered around her, in sympathy, while she fought back tears to explain what happened. One student, though saw this as an opportunity to boast about all the medals he had earned on the skating rink, with nary a broken bone or injury.

That’s wrong, and heartless, I thought. Kids need to learn the skill of listening, with all their hearts, to others’ stories, so they’ll feel cared about and loved. Are You Listening? debuts soon.

I write to make connections, through stimulating and provocative commentary that entertains, teaches and empowers.