It’s been a little over a month and a half now since I kicked off The Thirteen. By far, this was the smartest and best decision I have made all year for many reasons — some of which you’ll find out in 2013! Hee.

Comments that are coming through the group have provided me with immediate feedback on my writing style to hone in on how that’s defined by others. The word that has resonated the most has been “accessible.” (The second being “fresh.”) These terms are important to me; accessibility has been the goal of my writing style for as long as I can remember. Fresh is… Well, not precisely controllable. Some of that is just me and how I view fiction.

Feedback has included a nice cornucopia of comments. Some areas of fiction that don’t populate well in my drafts (Remember, I take no issue showing those. This isn’t bravery, this is the nuts-and-bolts of storytelling.) tend to bubble up later through revisions. These readers get to see the evolution of the storytelling on a deep level and their enthusiasm is fueling my own. I am VERY excited because this group provides a strong focus on the work itself — rather than ego management or frilly mannerisms or what have you. These folks are awesome!

And that, my dear Readers… Reality aside, there’s no better creative feeling than the one that originates from being happily married to your Work. The rest of the b.s. that comes with publishing — especially when dealing with other people’s insecurities — pales in comparison to that glorious emotion.