Listen, I dole out constructive criticism all the live long day.  It’s part of my job as a content developer. I’m SUPPOSED to read what’s on the page and point out all the pesky problems: what’s missing, unclear, and totally irrelevant.

Sometimes I forget to mention what’s really good; what makes me want to read more; what makes me think I should be taking writing lessons from him or her, not the other way around.

I tend to charge right in there, guns a blazing, like what I’ve got to say t’ain’t no biggie. As if my client were not a dyed-in-the-wool, irrational, potentially wrist-slashing perfectionist JUST LIKE ME

But then I remember the shit that goes through my head when I’m on the receiving end of a critique, when I don’t immediately hear, “This is absolutely perfect, as are you. No further work required here.” My internal reaction sort of looks like this:

Silly, right?

I’m going to switch to second person now, so I can address the folks who have inspired this post.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry, sorry, sorry for not telling you often enough how brave and wonderful you are. How honored I am to be part of the process, to be allowed a deeply intimate look behind the curtain. Thank you for your trust, and your vulnerability. You know who you are.