Learning Literary Lessons

Her family and friends administered comfort and commendation liberally; yet it was a hard time for sensitive, high-spirited Jo, who meant so well, and had apparently done so ill. But it did her good, for those whose opinion had real value gave her the criticism which is an author's best education; and when the first soreness was over, she could laugh at her poor little book, yet believe in it still, and feel herself the wiser and stronger for the buffeting she had received.

"Not being a genius, like Keats, it won't kill me," she said stoutly; "and I've got the joke on my side, after all; for the parts that were taken straight out of real life are denounced as impossible and absurd, and the scenes that I made up out of my own silly head are pronounced 'charmingly natural, tender, and true.' So I'll comfort myself with that; and when I'm ready, I'll up again and take another."

~ Literary Lessons, "Little Women"

Ah, Louisa. I'm not a genius either, though it was heartbreakingly beautiful seeing Keats' genius in "Bright Star." What a film! And though I'll always admire him, I'm a different kind of writer, like you.

My own poor little book is out in the world, waiting for readers. It's offered on Amazon and ready to grace the bookshelf of anybody who'd like to read it.

So, I'll comfort myself with what I've accomplished, and it's time to take up another!