Dear Candy --

I have read your writing, and you are a good writer and a good reporter.

The editor's job is to find holes in the story *to help make it better.*

One of the best things I learned in graduate school was the idea of collaborative research and writing. A dozen years in this environment has really helped me to "get" that I don't have to be defensive or feel inadequate because someone finds a way that my work might be *even better than it already is.*

I want to emphasize that phrase. It really makes a huge difference if I tell a student "here's a way that your work could be better" and "here's way that your work could be even better than it already is"

Most managers don't learn appropriate language for the job -- but please hear it as if they said it with all due tact and finesse.

Lastly, everyone hates change. Even brides. I feel so honestly confident that you can do well at this, Candy. Your work, at its best, is excellent. You know that many people have advised you to enter some of your best work in contests. It's that good. Please have faith.

luvya --