Cliché

I'msure you've all heard the cliché, "Thosewho can't … teach."  In the samespirit of that saying, I've also discovered two more, "Those who aren't doing anything themselves … like to direct everybodyelse," and "Those who choose to sitat the head of the table … often deserve the end."
Pleasedon't misunderstand.  Writers (or anyoneelse in their field) who take pride in their hard work and accomplishments, andwalk in confidence of their abilities, are quite different than those who patthemselves on the back for even their lack-luster efforts.  Bragging about your work and being excitedabout your undertakings, is something everyone should do.  How can someone expect others to get enthusiasticabout their work if they don't themselves? But puffing your own esteem, andrepresenting yourself in a false manner (higher and more qualified than youreally are), is out-right deception and arrogance. 
Letme give an example:  Mary Jane Doe has always dreamed of being afamous writer, and has written many stories over her long life, but being tooafraid to pursue her passion, and finding such a saturated market of published booksand stringent submission guidelines, she never bothered to submit them forreview or representation for publication. She never laid them out where they might be rejected or subjected to criticism.  Mary Jane spent the majority of her lifeplacing her writing last in her priorities, as a mere hobby (something to do inher spare time – with no expectations of success or failure). 
After manyyears of missing the 'big break' (if she never submitted, how did she expectthe opportunities to come to her?), she decided to self-publish and skip thewhole possibility of rejection or bad review all together.  Once her book was printed, she shared it witha few close friends and peers, all full of gushes and accolades. (While friendsand family are great for support, their reviews and edits are biased.)  

Suddenly, Mary Jane considered herself anexpert in the field of writing, and began instructing and critiquing others intheir own writing dreams, freely offering her opinion on their manuscripts (somethingshe was too afraid to face herself).   Yet, this whole time, Mary Jane thought it wasbeneath her to go out and promote, sell, or market her book to public readers.   Shesaw no reason to put her excellent work out where it might not receive its duepraise.  However, she herself was fullyconvinced it was the best work to hit the presses she'd ever read, so much so,she nominated it for every award she could find. She didn't see the differenceof being nominated and nominating herself.
WhileI admired Mary Jane and the belief in herself and abilities, I also pitiedher.  No matter how many books she's written or awardsshe's received, she cheated herself and will one day find herself humbled in herarrogance.  I pray every day I don't fallto the same arrogance of pride (it's so easy to do), because I'd rather begreat and sit at the end of the table, than be empty and sit at the head.  I don't want people to listen to me to praisemy success or greatness, but so they can be inspired to reach their own.
So,as you make your way through the wonderful world of writing and publishing,keep your eyes open – not on what your peers (other writers) are saying with their mouths – because theirmouths can and often lie – but keep watch on their actions and measure their results. Don't follow someone who is constantly talking, but isn't really doinganything.  Don't listen to self-praise,judge their work for yourself, and then trust your own opinion.  I hate when someone gives someone else powerover their opinions.  Own it!  It's good to follow those who lead byexample, because you can clearly see the results they receive, and thereby the resultsyou can hope for yourself.  But, if theone speaking doesn't have any results – why do you follow them?  I'll leave you with one more cliché, "Don't follow a blind man, or you'll both endup in a ditch." (Matt 15:14)Tillnext time,~T.L.Gray