Does it take one to know one? And new website, She Writes

Sometimes when I am wrestling with a chapter (psst, like now), I wonder who am I to teach writing or pretend that I know anything about writing at all? Why would anyone listen to me when I can't figure out a character or when I stare at a page for hours on end and the best I can come up with is: She opened the door. Or: "No," he said.

Sometimes, I can figure out the problems for other people. Every writer should look at other writers' pages, because being able to look clear-eyed at a piece of work and be able to tell what works, what doesn't, and why, can really nudge you into figuring out your own writing.

Plus, it makes you feel smart, which leads to feeling more confidant, which leads to more writing and perhaps a bit more forgiveness of the whole thorny and wonderful process.

I want to mention a fab new site for literary women, She Writes. Dedicated to helping women writers thrive as professionals and as artists, She Writes is also a sort of literary salon.