Nine years ago, a women's theater in Los Angeles did a staged reading of seven of my short plays, and because it was a workshop and I couldn't be there, they discussed the plays afterwards and then jotted down comments anonymously.

Depending on the piece and theater company, I sometimes submitted plays with just my first initial so that being male wouldn't bias the initial reader. I didn't do that with this group.

For some reason, when I received the comments I put them in an envelope and stored them in a closet, never reading them.

Going through boxes as I was unpacking, I found the cards and read through them. I found it serendipitous because I'm struggling to write something now, and I needed the pick-me-up (or criticism). Nine years was enough distance away that I was no longer close to the plays, which have faded like old memories.

In no particular order, here are some of the comments…

You don't need bad words, dear.

Why would Maddie say the "F" word -- unless women say that word all that much? Love the tooth fairy that is holding the stars together by floss.

Get the current terms of "boss" and "cool" from young people who actually listen to that music. What terms do kids say these days?

Not funny. Just another excuse to use the "F" word. These people need help, not funny.

Whoa. Where did that come from? Not sure what comment to say except that -- go figure -- it WAS entertaining. Demented, twisted -- but funny as hell. Something About Mary with a baby instead of a dog -- crossed with David Lynch. Sure was funny (better as a movie?). It worked.

Very scattered and overly dramatic.

Weird, but funny! I'd make a hell of a great baby! [Name & phone #] if you ever do it out here in LA!

Has pathos, on track. Nice piece for young actress.

My first impression is I have no idea what was happening. Why the cat? What nurse? Huh? Very interesting.

Poison stinger near end was great. But what tone do you want? Bittersweet or just Neil Simon.

I felt you introduced ideas and then didn't resolve them.

Needed more bite between sisters.

Very lyrical, meaning very deep.

I would have liked for it to be a bit deeper.

The characters were a bit cliche.

What's with the "sun" stuff in the beginning?

Crazy, loony, but very effective. I had my doubts about this one but it worked. Very allegorical.

I didn't trust the character, so when she started showing her vulnerability and pain, I had a wall up to her.

I related to her.

Was Christopher Durang-ish -- entertaining with shock value.

Schtick went on too long.

Good and heartfelt.

Dragged out.

Absolutely captivating. Want more.

Emergency arose -- had to leave early. Lives a long distance away.

Truthful, witty dialogue.

Yuck. Would need an exceptional actor to pull this off.

Wow. Very sweet. Very moving. Very real. Very honest. Very poignant. Very good. Wow.

Beaches-esque.

You have many stops in the middle of thoughts which is an interesting style, but difficult to constantly believe and follow.

Lead me down a path to a beautiful destination.

Touching and beautiful story.

Would have liked more dynamicism in it.

I'm pro-choice and this ending made me uncomfortable.

Thank you for writing lots of female characters.

Love metaphysical plots.

Could feel her pain of lost son as I have lost mine short time ago.

Kept me in suspense.

A nice, Kafa-esque feel, almost of being in some kind of between-life-and-death limbo.

A more traditional -- or should I say "classic" approach to drama -- paid off in a more engrossing and involving drama. Skirted the edges of soap opera, but managed to avoid tripping over the line. Should try this more traditional line of writing more often -- a success!

Nice boiling of emotions, confusion, and grappling with conflicting thoughts.

Touched a chord in me -- was touching since I've been through a divorce and miscarriage. Fascinating. Bravo. Loved so much happening at once. I enjoyed the mystery of it.

Touching -- felt her pain.

I liked it -- typical -- perhaps a little too trite -- too common.

I could see the dark-haired "Dynasty" star -- forgot her name -- playing Vanessa.

Interesting piece with warmth and loving peace at end.

Good that you differentiate "au revoir" and "adieu."

Too farfetched.

The feeling that she is all alone really comes out.

You captured the female sarcasm and fears. Some gals I know could really act that way but no "F" words -- who talks that way, just dumb guys do.

Not sure about cat?

What purpose does the cat hold?

All made sense at ending but why the gas station man.

Not clear about the gas station guy.

What was their relationship to the guy at the gas station.

We never really know what it was -- was it a man? Was it the gas station guy?

Why bring a bimbo to this event?

Lots of abandonment issues.