These last few days I have been travelling to our Easter holiday spot and getting stuck because of slips, fallen trees, and flooding, so I’m a little delayed on my O-post. But here it is…

O is definitely for opinions. I love to hear people’s opinions, because it helps me understand what makes people tick. Delving into their psyche is just so damn interesting (to me!).

My mother in law is a great person for expressing her opinion. She’s of the belief that if you have all the information before making a decision, then you have the knowledge to deal with any outcomes. I totally agree with that. Sometimes there are opinions that you don’t want to hear, and sometimes there are excellent opinions imparted on you.

One of the things I value most is when I give someone a draft manuscript to read – I want ALL their opinion. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And then I put their opinions to damn good use. When people read my work, I really want to know what’s in their gut about what they think. I have a friend who always reads my books, and seriously – she’s one of my biggest critics. I always know she’s going to slam me with her blunt opinions. Sometimes I really don’t want to hear it – but I know that it makes me a better writer in the long run.