In the movie ‘Midnight in Paris’, Hemingway tells Gill, the young novelist,
“You don’t want the opinion of another writer about your novel. If is bad, I’ll hate it. If it’s good, I’ll be envious and hate it even more.”
There’s a large element of truth there. I pretend happiness in the success of other writers, but I’m seldom truly glad for them. For the exact reason Hemingway mentions.
Writers are notorious for possessing that inner child prone to tantrums.
“Me, me, me. What about me? I’m just as good a writer as they are.”
And, truthfully, if I don’t know you and read about your success as a writer, I’ll be a teeny tiny bit happy for you but mostly I’ll be jealous as a three year old at her sister’s birthday party.
Except, right in the muddled-middle of my tiny, selfish life, a funny thing has happened. I find myself with a group of increasingly successful writer friends for whom I am genuinely, joyously happy.
And here’s the surprise, my life is richer, my joys are multiplied. Their success really does feel like my success and I know they share in my joys as well.
Ain’t life grand?
Life is grand, Pam. It's so much nicer to have our joys multiplied, and when there are sorrows. so have friends to share them with -- especially friends that make me laugh!
ReplyDeleteAin't that the truth?! I was hoping that my happiness for the success of my writer friends was because I'm mature and self-assured. In reality, my elation is because my writer friends are more than friends. I absolutely adore each and every one of them and my life is so much richer for knowing them. Besides, maybe their success will rub off!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud to know so many published and prolific writers and if you are contagious, I hope to catch that bug soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat blesses one, blesses all.
ReplyDeleteNice post, Pam. You express one of those nasty little emotions that nobody is proud of. But I believe that most writers have felt that way at some point. But when you share your struggles with those who struggle with you, everyone shares in the failures and successes. I admire your writing talent and I'm pulling for you and everyone else that has posted here. Good luck to all!
ReplyDeleteThanks,ladies and gentleman, for sharing in my therapy.
ReplyDeleteI love it when my writer friends have a great success. The more of our group who succeed, the better for all of us.
ReplyDeleteA man once told me,"If you make it big, people will say were lucky. If you fail, they will say you should have known better than to try doing something like that."
Here is how I feel: If you win the lottery, you were lucky. Everything else, you earned it, and I couldn't be happier for you.
Great post, Pam. I know you are pulling for all of us.
I'm as pleased as punch (cliche, oh well) to know so many successful writers. I think it's natural to have a twinge of envy then to move past that, rejoice and break out the bubbly so we can all celebrate! Kudos to all of you.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Love that quote!
ReplyDeleteJack. Love the quote. It's so true.
ReplyDeleteHey Beth. Yes, yes. A glass of bubbly does help in the sharing of joy.
ReplyDeletePam, you're honesty is one thing I love about you. I don't know how I fell into such a wonderful group of writers, but I'm glad I did. Just being amongst them, imbibing their enthusiasm and experience,enjoying each unique personality, and basking in the feeling they have for their craft and for one another other, makes my life better. And when any of them succeed, it does make me happy.
ReplyDeleteHey Keli. You're a terrific addition to the group. When are we going to hear more of your wonderful writing?
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