I mean, sure, you’ve got to like your own story enough to send it out for publication — right? But some stories are fun and frivolous and wonderful because of that; others mean stuff to you. They’re scarier that way. Some stories open you up and steal a bit of your heart as they go out into the world. You promise yourself not to read any reviews about those ones, the heart-rippers. But of course you hope readers “get” what you’re doing… And you’re a writer: insatiable curiosity is part of the gig…

So you read the review anyway.

And your smile is huge.