The Writer in the Corner

by Chandra Lynn Smith

I’ve been a professional dog trainer since 1988. A few years ago I trained a German Shepherd who had some dangerous fear issues. I stood at the kennel, leash in hand and greeted her. She growled. For those of you who read my opening sentence and thought what a fun job, well, not always.

You know that phrase “only trained professionals should attempt this feat?” I’m a trained professional and I made an unwise but necessary decision. I opened and entered the kennel. She leaned further into the corner and gave me a perfect view of her healthy teeth. I did what ‘anyone’ would do next: I closed the gate behind me and slowly slid to the floor opposite her. Using a soft, calm voice I talked to her. That’s it, just talked. I told her about the weather, the kind of music I liked, that I hoped she would not bite me, what she was going to learn that day…

As a writer, I was the terrified one sitting in the corner. I guarded my carefully crafted words and snarled—well not literally—at anyone who had the nerve to suggest corrections. Then I joined an ACFW critique group. My original critique partners would tell you they ‘heard’ some of my snarls. I was also welcomed into four amazing critique groups; Penwrights, Imagine That Writers, a Scribes group and Sharpened Pencils. The members of those groups taught me how to read a critique with thankfulness instead of bristles. They challenged me to calm down, not be afraid and glean from their knowledge. They still challenge me, but I no longer growl—most of the time. And, I have gleaned a vast amount of knowledge from them.

Because of their help and encouragement, my novella, Turtle Box Memories won the Genesis contest in 2015 and was published in 2018. Because of their help and encouragement, my first book, The Light Holding Her, a novella in Coming Home, a Tiny House Collection was published in May 2017. I now have two novellas and two full length novels published and a third novel coming out this summer.

… Back to the German Shepherd…As I sat in the kennel talking to the dog, she relaxed. After a few minutes she began to slink across the kennel floor toward me. I kept talking. A few more minutes passed and she made her way to my side and rested her chin on my lap. I kept talking. After a little longer she heaved a sigh and relaxed against me, I began to rub her ears and we were friends. She became a huge training success story…

I will say winning the novella category in the 2015 Genesis contest gave me a bit of a kick start. I also have an editor who’s been willing to take me under her wings and work with me. She entered my ‘kennel’ with me. She is tough, but amazing. I don’t growl at her words. I listen to her calm southern voice telling me she believes in me and wants me to succeed. Then I open my computer, take her suggestions and my manuscripts slowly get ready for print.

In Habbakkuk 2:2 we read, “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others.” I am thankful my critiques partners and editor are brave enough to join me in my corner and help ensure the correct message is carried to others.

Are you wondering if a critique group is good for you? The answer is a resounding “yes!”

Do you have a wonderful critique group? Be sure to thank them! Friends, it’s okay to be like that German Shepherd and come on out of your corner.

Chandra Lynn Smith is a Certified Professional dog trainer and writer of contemporary fiction filled with inspiration, intrigue, romance, and dogs. She is a 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers Genesis Contest winner with her novella, Turtle Box Memories. She has also been a 2-time semi-finalist with To Follow a Dream and To Chase a Dream, as well as The Light Holding Her. Coming soon is To Rescue a Dream. Chandra and her husband live on a small farm in South Central Pennsylvania which is often filled with all four sons, wives, beautiful granddaughters, friends, and anywhere from four to nine “grand dogs” Find Chandra at www.amazon.com/author/chandralynnsmith.