My writer-friend was completely nonplussed. It felt as if she had said “Why, of course you are.” And that was really a great way for me to sense it. Of course, on a down-day, I might have inferred skepticism. Or something else, in that she also has a theatrical background. Ha! There are enemies of confidence everywhere.

I think saying to your class that you were going to a critique was pretty cool. On several levels! Some of them may have asked the following week how it went, and that is putting yourself out there, three times!

How did the writer react to your poet-outing? Was it a casual ‘that’s nice’, or was it raised eyebrows of recognition and happiness?

I told my yoga class I was going to miss class next Tuesday because I was attending a poetry critique group (a face to face one!), and they all ooohed and aaahed. Were they surprised in a glad way? Not sure, but I was excited to announce my interest in poems. I didn’t say however, that I’m a poet. Next time.