Don’t you hate it when you are full of purpose and passion and then someone comes and crushes your dreams?

Over the years, I have had to learn to take feedback. As a writer, my first feedback point is my editor. I have had to mature in this relationship. Sometimes feedback can seem harsh, but then I have to ask myself what the motives are of the person giving me the feedback.

I think of all the war movies I watched when the training officer is brutal and then I ask, “Is it better to take feedback from someone who has a vested interest in your success, or get little “kindnesses” from someone who is not impacted by your success or failure?”

I know that the more soldiers who die in a battle, the weaker the army will be. So taking feedback from your trainer whose success lies in your success not only makes common sense, it is a survival tool.  

Over the years, I have had to learn to toughen up. Because my enemy wants to see me fail and my trainer wants to see me succeed. It changes what your perception of “kindness” really is.

In this scene, Nadine meets her trainer Isa, who is brutal, direct and unyielding. Yet at the core Isa knows what Nadine will be facing and she would rather that Nadine hears the truth from her than face King Radolf in the field unprepared.

Who has your back? What are their motives? Do you need to toughen up a bit?