Holding My Breath

This part of the process always scares me, not just because I’m opening myself up to criticism — I mean, helpful feedback — but, in this case, I’m mixing my “work life” with my “personal life.” 

What am I talking about?  Nothing as juicy or scandalous as you may think…

I’ve simply asked several coworkers to read the initial Silhouette of a Friendship book and, now, the children’s book… asking for their feedback.

In doing so, I’ve made the conscious decision to reveal the creative and emotional me to those who only deal with the professional and objective me.  

Here is a person (me) who represents herself as one person in the workplace and, suddenly, without warning, offers a view of another side of her personality.  How are they supposed to react to me after that happens?  How am I supposed to function effectively after that happens?

So, asking them to read my books is scary for both them and me.  What if they don’t like what they read?    How are they going to tell me?  Will they tell me or simply avoid the subject altogether?

After they read the book(s), will they see me differently?  Will it be a positive or a negative change?   What if they don’t like what they see?   How will all this affect our “professional relationship”?

Of course, I don’t think of any of this, until AFTER I ask them to read the book(s). 

So, now all I can do is wait... and hold my breath.



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