Redheaded Jill

I was talking with my best friend today as I do most days. She is a writer by trade and she is one of the most talented people I know. She was recounting something told to her in college. In a nutshell a professor told her that the paper she wrote over his literary works was the worst thing he’d ever read. After envisioning myself throat punching the jerk, I had some thoughts.

Firstly, if someone tells me they major in philosophy I am going to assume they are pompous and self important. Why? Because in my experience people who major in philosophy are pompous and self important. I can still remember the name of the cretin in my philosophy class. He was a jerk with a capital J E R K.

Second, if you write a book and ask someone to write about the book you wrote can you be objective? If they dislike your book or disagree with your views will you downgrade them? I hate the sound of the Avett Brothers, but I can still acknowledge that they are talented musicians and songwriters. Get over yourself, dude!

Thirdly, how dare someone say that to MY best friend?!? The audacity… Moments like these make me wish I WERE an attorney so I could put some real fear in the people who hurt my loved ones. (I want a law degree for vengeance sake alone, so it’s probably for the best that I didn’t continue down that path…)

I was hurt on her behalf. Even though this happened years ago I can tell it negatively impacted her. This wasn’t constructive criticism to make her a better writer. This was a bitter little man who is all hat and no cattle.

To be continued…