u/Bitter-Bowler7386

So, for context, I am a writer that has long admired the likes of Professor Tolkien and the other authors of fantasy. My works have always had a strong emphasis on Epic Fantasy, that which we call Noble Bright. I especially love the poetic, incredibly detailed descriptions and nuanced characters. The world-building alone could (and probably has) fill its own full length encyclopedia.

Obviously, my own style is going to be different, and I have worked hard to make it unique, but I have my doubts that it’s anywhere near the same quality.

Been having a friend of mine who acts as my editor, Sammy, tell me the honest truth about it. He says my stories remind him of the works of Victor Hugo. So far, I have accepted that, but I still find myself remaining unsure.

My question thus, to you my fellow Redditors, is how do … shall we say believe in my work?

Thank you for your time.

So, for context, I (34M) have a good friend Tracey, (39F) who is in many ways like the older sister that I never had, something I'm profoundly grateful for.

I was having a bit of a day yesterday because a Team Lead (30F) at my job had told me that I was doing terrible at it, acting all high and mighty, saying she could do a better job than me in her sleep, (not true, according to the manager, her boss). She thinks because she has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, that means she is automatically smarter than everyone else and should be in charge. This, in spite of the fact she is on a separate shift and her sole responsibility is to lead that shift, and then to deliver the pass-down report to my shift, not overcriticize what we're doing.

Tracey can tell at once I’m upset because of how well she can read my expressions and she comes along - puts her hand on my shoulder, buys me some Jim and Nick’s, (my favorite) and in between bites and swigs of beer, she gave me a pep talk and some advice, saying it's probably best if I go to HR or my boss and explain I want to transfer to another part of the company and report the Team Lead for unprofessional behavior and making a hostile work environment. She also said the fact that my boss told me, to my face that I'm doing well just means this woman is dramatically overstepping herself.

By the end of it, I was smiling and laughing like I usually do.

I know, this isn't the most dramatic or exciting thing out there, but I just wanted to share about how a good friend of mine made me feel better.

I did as she suggested, and HR was pretty chill and my boss agrees he'll transfer me to another department, and that if the TL continues to harass others, she'll be subject to disciplinary action. For her part, TL doesn't know about this, but she thinks herself above recrimination, so I think she'll end up torpedoing her own career.

TLDR: I'm really grateful to a friend who is like family to me for cheering me up.