I don't care who you are, there has to be a time in your life that you have been jealous of someone or something. There are many levels of jealousy, in my opinion, and it isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I see skinny women with well-toned behinds and I am jealous. But that jealousy just encourages me to work extra hard to get it too.
I've seen jealousy be a very bad thing though...
But what about the publishing world? I have to admit, I am feeling very jealous right now. I think we all see our fellow bloggers struggling and trying to make it out there in queryland. There's a real sense of comradery. But what about when one of those comrades makes that big leap ahead of you? And tons of success is seemingly thrust at them. It really changes everything. You don't feel like you're on the same planet anymore, let alone the same level, like you were moments earlier.
Of course I am happy for my bloggy friend....but that green-eyed monster has also grabbed onto me. Not sure how to shake it off.
I try to take that emotion and turn it into ambition and strength....use it as inspiration to keep on writing, keep on learning, keep on growing.
But some days...it is damn hard. Some days it feels like it will never be my turn.
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I am with you...those green eyed monsters get me a LOT
ReplyDeleteIt can be hard sometimes to get that dude off our backs. I think it's kind of like dogging yourself when you're losing weight. You can keep eating that salad thinking well, I wish my metabolism was better and I could eat a candy bar right now, or you can look at it like, hey, I'm doing my best at least I'm working towards getting that "I have a fast metabolism" body. I don't mean this to come off as preachy at all, because I know how hard it is to see people really make it big, where I've only had a bit of success.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I'm not the only one who struggles with this!!! I REALLY try just to be happy for them, and let it remind me that there is HOPE for us unpubbed bloggers out here:-) The majority of days, I succeed. There are a few ones that I eat some chocolate and allow myself a 5minute pity-party:-)
ReplyDeleteI've seen the green eyed monster a few times myself.
ReplyDeletejealousy is a tough one. We try not to feel it but it is just so pressing
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not alone. Thanks ladies! :)
ReplyDeleteYou definitely aren't alone. I just work harder on my writing and editing and revising. That's all I can do.
ReplyDeleteIt's very true, but we're only human after all :p
ReplyDeleteAnd you never know when your turn is waiting right around the corner!
Aww, hang in there!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a natural part of the process honestly. We're all human and shouldn't be so hard on ourselves for getting a little bout of this every now and then.
ReplyDeleteI have so been there. Really genuinely happy for others, but still thinking in they back of my mind--why not me? I'm working my butt off, when is it going to happen? Is it going to happen?
But now I'm on the other side of it--it's happened. And I now realize that every single person who's getting an agent or book deal has been on the "when will it be me" side of the fence before that.
So as long as you keep moving forward and working toward it, you'll get there!