All busy going somewhere

I had no idea my post yesterday was going to cause such a stir.  And though I'd love to answer you all personally, I'm a bit overwhelmed.  It was intended to be a simple snark about needing to be careful before you open your mouth if all you're doing is trying to make yourself look good, but somehow was perceived by many as me being upset about people picking at my work.

People have picked at my work long before I got published, and a faceless gripe about typos is nothing compared to the cutting remarks and pointed observations made in the past in the name of writer groups and well-meaning first readers—remarks and observations that (were they right or wrong) were necessary to grow a thick skin, and I'm thankful for them, even if they hurt at the time.  I can usually take a good amount of criticism before I start griping at Guy, but going after my editor after the week I had sort of pushed me over the edge.  (Say what you will about me, but don't you talk trash about my momma, my kids, my dogs, or apparently, my editor.  laugh  Guy would be on the list, too, but I think he likes the abuse.)

I did, however, come away with one observation from reading all your posts, be they positive or negative.  We're all busy going somewhere with our accumulated baggage, filtering the world , coloring our views, pushing our buttons.  Maybe I should leave some of mine at the curb.  I think it's slowing me down.