Stories & Reflection
On Writers and Rhino Skin
Tuesday, April 21, 2015 by Marti
Categories: Colorado Christian Writer / WRITE
“Any writer who can be discouraged, should be.”—Harlan Coben
As a little girl, I excelled in school. Even before I was old enough to earn A’s, I received E’s (for “Excellent.”)
But there was one area in which I didn’t excel. Look at my second-grade class picture, and you’ll find me on the front row: cat’s-eye glasses, red cheeks, and clasped hands.
I donned my first pair of glasses earlier that school year. But the red cheeks and clasped hands? Those appeared a few minutes before the photo shoot, when two of my classmates told me I pressed too hard when I colored.
The problem (and subsequent sobs) came not because I thought I was a great artist, but because I wanted to do everything right. Hence the tears and red cheeks. Hence the soggy tissue stuffed between those clasped hands. Hence the consistent report- card comments: “Does not receive criticism well.” “Needs to work on responses to criticism.”
My teachers could well have said, “Needs to develop rhino skin.” These ponderous mammals have skin more than ten times as thick as the human epidermis. We’re talking tough!
So yes, I needed to develop thicker skin. I needed to understand that not everyone would like what I drew (or wrote). And I needed to gain the strength to persevere no matter what.
Today, I believe that my tender heart is a God-given quality, part of what makes me a good writer and intercessor. But if I’m not careful, my sensitivity can also drag me down, leaving me stunned and silent after a negative review or trembling after a harsh conference critique. And, if I’m not careful, it can block my desire to improve my work.
At the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, in a special Early Bird workshop on Wednesday, May 13 at 1:00 p.m., I’ll teach about "Rhino Skin: Why We Need It and How to Get It." I’ll share how I moved from the tearful second-grader to the writer who has no more fear in giving or receiving critiques of her own. And I’ll teach how you can grow that tougher skin, too.
Unless you’re a zoologist, you probably don’t care about the thickness of a rhino’s skin. But as a writer, you should care a lot about the thickness of your own. Join me (it's not too late to register for the conference) and we’ll learn together.
P.S. If you missed my tongue-in-cheek poem about Sam-I-Am and the CCWC, check it out here. Enjoy!
Share This Blog:
Previous Posts
4 Things I've Learned Since High School
Marti
9/16/2016
7 Surprising Bonuses of the Colorado Christian Writers Conference
Marti
4/8/2016
Where's Marti? Spring-Summer 2016
Marti
4/1/2016
Words with Friends: Dan Walsh
Marti
12/4/2015
Tips from the Pros: Dena Dyer
Marti
10/29/2015
Out of the Dust featured on Heart Talk with Linda Rooks
Marti
10/15/2015
Tips from the Pros: Sharon K. Souza
Marti
5/21/2015
Tips from the Pros: Grace Fox
Marti
4/23/2015
On Writers and Rhino Skin
Marti
4/21/2015
Sam-I-Am and the Colorado Christian Writers Conference
Marti
4/16/2015
Where's Marti? Spring/Summer, 2015
Marti
4/14/2015
No More Chicken
Marti
4/7/2015
Tips from the Pros: Janet Perez Eckles
Marti
3/12/2015
Why Meet with the Conference Chaplain?
Marti
2/24/2015
Tips from the Pros: Carla Rossi
Marti
2/19/2015
WRITE: Here I Am, Send Me? Courage in Costa Rica (Never the Same Missions, Part 4)
Marti
1/27/2015
Write: Here I Am, Send Me? Courage in Costa Rica (Never the Same Missions, Part 3)
Marti
1/20/2015
WRITE: Here I Am, Send Me? Courage in Costa Rica (Never the Same Missions, Part 2)
Marti
1/16/2015
WRITE: Dear Friends (A Fresh Start)
Marti
1/6/2015
WRITE: Devotionals, Out of the Dust, Free and Clear
Marti
11/3/2014
Write: Devotionals, Out of the Dust, Purpose-Driven Prayer
Marti
10/29/2014
WRITE: Devotionals, Out of the Dust, Lesson Learned
Marti
10/27/2014
WRITE: Devotionals, Out of the Dust, Battles and Blessings
Marti
10/24/2014
Write: Devotionals, Out of the Dust, I Surrender All
Marti
10/15/2014
WRITE: Devotionals, Out of the Dust: Obstacle Course
Marti
10/1/2014
WRITE: Winners, Winners
Marti
6/10/2014
WRITE: Words with Friends, Cynthia Ruchti
Marti
6/6/2014
WRITE: Escape the Lie, The Story Behind the Book, Part II
Marti
5/29/2014
WRITE: Escape the Lie: The Story behind the Book, Part I
Marti
5/27/2014
WRITE: Words with Friends: Michelle Cox
Marti
5/23/2014
Catch Us If You CAN Spring Scavenger Hunt: Drawing Winner
Marti
3/28/2014
WRITE: Tips from the Pros, Miralee Ferrell
Marti
3/27/2014
Catch Us If You CAN: Spring Scavenger Hunt, Stop #14
Marti
3/20/2014
WRITE: Top Ten Reasons NOT to Attend the Colorado Christian Writers Conference
Marti
3/18/2014
WRITE: Reflections on the Florida Christian Writers Conference
Marti
3/4/2014
WRITE: The Introvert's Guide to the Writers Conference
Marti
2/25/2014
WRITE: Tips from the Pros: Anne Greene
Marti
2/20/2014
WRITE: Never the Same Missions, Fundraising (Part II)
Marti
2/13/2014
WRITE: Never the Same Missions: Gentle Giant
Marti
2/4/2014
WRITE: Never the Same Missions, Grace
Marti
1/29/2014
WRITE: Never the Same Missions, Adult Leaders, Part 2
Marti
1/21/2014
WRITE: Words with Friends: Author Carol Barnier
Marti
12/5/2013
WRITE: Arguing with the Editor: Yes or No?
Marti
11/7/2013
WRITE: Tips from the Pros: Crystal Bowman
Marti
10/24/2013
WRITE: Mega-Cooking FAQs, Part II
Marti
10/11/2013
WRITE: Mega-Cooking FAQs, Part I
Marti
10/8/2013
WRITE: Tips from the Pros, Davalynn Spencer
Marti
8/1/2013
WRITE: Coincidence? Not so much.
Marti
7/30/2013
WRITE: Top Ten Perks of the Florida Christian Writers Conference
Marti
3/23/2013
WRITE: Vonda Skelton's Christian Writer's Den Blog
Marti
2/5/2013
WRITE: Florida Christian Writer's Conference--Celebrate the Awe
Marti
1/30/2013
WRITE: Words with Friends: Joyce Magnin, author of CAKE
Marti
1/26/2013
WRITE: The National Bible Bee--More than a Competition
Marti
11/8/2012
WRITE: Colorado Christian Writers Conference and Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference
Marti
3/20/2012
WRITE: YA Friday: Dear Teen Writer
Marti
2/10/2012
WRITE: Florida Christian Writers Conference
Marti
1/26/2012
READ: Review, Freedom's Stand by Jeanette Windle
Marti
12/8/2011
WRITE: Interview, Ava Pennington (One Year Alone with God)
Marti
12/6/2011
WRITE: The Buzz on the Bee (National Bible Bee)
Marti
12/1/2011
WRITE: Florida Christian Writers Conference
Marti
9/28/2011
WRITE: It Began with a Whisper
Marti
9/22/2011
WRITE: Interview, Janet Perez Eckles (Simply Salsa: Dancing Without Fear at God's Fiesta)
Marti
8/11/2011
WRITE: Interview with Joyce Magnin
Marti
3/10/2011
WRITE: Interview with Arlene Pellicane
Marti
2/17/2011
WRITE: Interview with Susan Meissner
Marti
2/8/2011
READ: Review, Lady in Waiting by Susan Meissner
Marti
2/2/2011
WRITE: Interview with Linda W. Rooks
Marti
1/27/2011
WRITE: Frequently Made Errors #8: Lack of Focus
Marti
12/16/2010
WRITE: Frequently Made Errors #7: Arguing with the Editor
Marti
11/30/2010
WRITE: Frequently Made Errors #6: "I Don't Have Time"
Marti
11/12/2010
WRITE: Frequently Made Errors #5: Reduce Your Use of Passive Voice
Marti
10/12/2010
WRITE: Interview with Yvonne Ortega
Marti
9/24/2010
WRITE: Frequently Made Errors #4--Failure to Follow Through
Marti
9/14/2010
WRITE: Letter to a New Writer
Marti
8/31/2010
WRITE:Guatemala Lessons--The Greatest is Love
Marti
8/19/2010
WRITE: Guatemala Lessons--Live the Story
Marti
7/21/2010
READ: Review, CHARLOTTE FIGG TAKES OVER PARADISE by Joyce Magnin
Marti
6/25/2010
WRITE: Frequently Made Errors #3--Failure to Follow Directions
Marti
6/23/2010
WRITE: Cec Murphey Appreciation Month
Marti
6/11/2010
WRITE: Frequently Made Errors #2--Too Much Backstory
Marti
5/29/2010
WRITE: Critique or Criticism?
Marti
5/5/2010
WRITE: Quad-Cities Christian Writers' Conference--My Favorite Things
Marti
4/22/2010
WRITE: Florida Christian Writers Conference: My Top Five Blessings
Marti
3/26/2010
WRITE: Firm Foundations, Fulfilled Dreams: An Interview with Author C.J. Darlington (Part IV)
Marti
3/17/2010
WRITE: Florida Christian Writers Conference; Jerry B. Jenkins Reception
Marti
3/3/2010
WRITE: My Writing Journey, Part 1
Marti
2/25/2010
WRITE: Relationships Matter
Marti
2/19/2010
