One of the privileges of my work facilitating circles of writing women is that I hear all kinds of wonderful asides – sometimes as prelude to shared writing; sometimes as random reflections; sometimes, like this one, as earnest attempt to make a point.

In this case, that the purpose of sharing writing and asking for specific feedback is to gain a set of very specific tools for the writer’s box. Not every response or suggestion will be useful in the moment. One may even have no idea when, where or how some kinds of feedback will ever come into play. The point is: you just never know. In our circles, we strive to accept each and every offering as just that – an offering from another perspective. A fresh set of eyes and ears, directing us to a new way of hearing or living our own words. Something to take home, mull over, sample and try on. Encouragement to take an idea out for a spin, see if it livens or clarifies that straggling struggling sentence or coheses that confusion of clashing syllables.

It doesn’t get much more relevant than that. So whether it’s formal poetic structure, tangible steps to character development or a hot pink crayon and a power drill, my advice to you is take it. You just never know when you’ll reach into your toolbox for that very item. And your toolbox may be the only place to find it when you need it.

with thanks to Thursday morning writer AK for the inspiration