The Villain in Our Own Heads
My author friend Katie Keridan wrote these words:
“You allow me to be the villain I wish I was while acting like the virtuous heroine I begrudgingly pretend to be.”
So a) this is why Katie rocks—isn’t that brilliantly written? And b) Katie’s sentiment kinda covers the life of a writer–especially comparing ourselves to other writers–doesn’t it?
We don’t want to envy other authors their success. We want to be supportive and cheerful, but wow, it’s hard sometimes. So I suggest we admit those emotions; allow ourselves to feel mad, upset, hurt, jealous, or whatever, but then the second part of Katie’s phrase reminds us of why we don’t act on those emotions. We know it’s not fair, and we’re not going to be that person. But that doesn’t make it easy, does it? Especially if we’re all vying for that same brass ring.
Yet we’re human. We feel and sometimes those feelings feel petty or cruel. That’s because we’re not the good guy all the time. We’re not always the bad guy, either, and that’s what makes us amazing writers. We get the emotional complexity of our characters. That’s what brings them to life.
Because, well, we live their anguish with them.
So be the villain in your own head. Rail against the authors whose success you covet. Then turn your feelings into a story. It’s one I would want to read. 🙂