renting
Lessons from Renting
Over the years, I have lived in many a rented house. Though it is not always my preferred state of things, I have learned a few things:
- I don’t like hardwood floors. I thought I would. I think they look lovely . . . but I am not fastidious enough about cleaning them. And every. single. speck. of dust. shows. Yup, not for me.
- White carpet just doesn’t work for me.
- Carpet in the bathroom . . . not so much.
- I crave closets. Lots of them! Even better is a closet with hooks on the sides or built-in shelves.
- Closet in the shower, though? I’ll pass on that one (and yes, true experience).
- Central heating/AC is an absolute must.
- I love window nooks.
- But I don’t do nooks along stairways. Sure they’re cute, but with kids . . . I’m constantly getting visions of ER trips.
- Absolutely no indoor wood-paneling. Anywhere.
- I don’t like a circle set-up in the house because it will always become a speedway for kids with the hospital being the final stop more often than not.
I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m rambling on about my housing likes and dislikes. Here’s the thing. It kindof reminds me of critiquing . . .
When you critique someone else’s work, it’s easier to see the problems. And it’s easier to see what is well-done. It just is. You aren’t married to it like you are with your own work, and you can use a more discerning eye.
Personally, I can’t tell you how much I have learned about my own writing by critiquing others’ work. Both from the good and from the bad. Critiquing is not just helping someone else, it’s helping yourself.
Do you have critique partners? What have you learned from critiquing others’ work?