The Meanie Greenies.

Christina Katz coined the phrase “meanie greenie” in her newsletter, and I loved it. The meanie greenies are something all writers fight against.

Or at least I do. Sometimes.

I rejoice with fellow writers when they sign an agent or sell their hundredth book. I love promoting and seeing authors reach their dreams. Because we’re a community, here to encourage each other during the down times and celebrate good news.

But of course, there is that still small voice whispering in the back of my thoughts. And it’s not the voice of … my inner editor.

 

 

“Nice turn of phase you got there.”

 

 

“I’m stumped. Go catch some zzzs.”

 

“Get in there and get the job done. Kill those darlings.”

No, it’s the voice of someone else. Or something else.

 

 

He whispers his evil words.

 

“AHH! Sssssomeone elsssse sssigned with an agent.”

So, yeah, sometimes I feel the meanie greenies, aka jealousy.

I’m just keepin’ it real.

And there is just something very wrong about having Leo and Gollum in the same post.

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15 Responses to The Meanie Greenies.

  1. The Alliterative Allomorph March 29, 2010 at 8:26 am #

    Hahaha! You’re hilarious. I like this very much! 🙂

  2. Laura March 29, 2010 at 10:58 am #

    Thanks AA!

  3. Sherrie Petersen March 29, 2010 at 2:11 pm #

    Um, yeah. Leo’s WAY more pleasant to look at, yes? But I know what you mean. Some days…

  4. Anna March 29, 2010 at 3:13 pm #

    Ha! I know exactly what you mean. I keep hoping that Gollum voice will go away, but I’m afraid it’s part of being a writer. Luckily, I’ve found that chocolate tends to shut him up. 🙂

  5. Karen Strong March 29, 2010 at 3:18 pm #

    Ha, this post is sooo funny. I spit out my coffee when I read that Gollum line. “My precious!!” LOL.

    And a post featuring Leo can never be wrong in my eyes.

    But yes, we all have our moments but it’s usually just for a flash. We do have to support each other. And I will definitely be doing the happy dance when you get your good news.

  6. Tina Lee March 29, 2010 at 3:46 pm #

    That is very real!! (and nice internal editor.) I hear that gollem-voice a lot and it seems to run in circles. Some weeks leo (not exactly, I would never take yours, you know what I mean) and the next gollem. Nice when I hear I’m not alone. Thanks, Laura.

  7. T. Anne March 29, 2010 at 4:14 pm #

    I hate those meanie greenies. There hovering around me today and no matter how hard I swat they’re still here. 😉

  8. Laura March 29, 2010 at 6:41 pm #

    Thanks everyone! I’m glad I’m not the only one! Seriously.

  9. Paul Greci March 29, 2010 at 8:41 pm #

    Thanks for those Gollum photos, made me smile. I can hear his voice.

  10. Laura March 29, 2010 at 8:51 pm #

    Paul – What? You didn’t appreciate the Leo photos? 🙂

  11. sally apokedak March 29, 2010 at 11:32 pm #

    Oh she makesss uss laugh, my precioussss.

    But, of course, Gollum, went to his death because of his lust after the thing that wasn’t his to keep.

    I’ve been fortunate to not have to struggle with jealousy or envy in the publishing realm…YET. It may be coming. I never say “never” because I’ve learned that the minute I say I’ll never do something, I end up doing that very thing.

    So far, though, envy hasn’t gotten me because I believe God will give me what’s good for me when it’s good for me.

    Loved this post, though, and I so wish I had an internal editor as cute as yours!

    🙂

  12. Laura March 29, 2010 at 11:41 pm #

    Sally – That’s wonderful you don’t struggle with envy!Keep your heart right where it is!

  13. Kris March 30, 2010 at 11:44 am #

    You are definitely not alone, Laura. And usually, for me, the meanie greenies go hand-in-hand with the “I-suck-today-and-I’ll-never-get-anywhere-and-should-just-chuck-this-writing-thing-out-the window.”
    We keep learning from each other — and remember if they can do it, you can do it. Keep smiling today, even though it’s raining!

  14. Laura March 30, 2010 at 12:25 pm #

    Thanks Kris. I try my hardest to stay away from that line of thinking, even if it means I stay away from the encouraging success stories.

  15. Ansha Kotyk March 31, 2010 at 10:19 am #

    LOVED your post. 🙂 I sooo understand the meanie greenies. Completely. I loved that you created the dicotomy of Leo and Gollum. We all have this I believe. Thanks for making me equate the good stuff with Leo… makes me smile. Gollum is the perfect physical manifestation of the meanie greenies too… great job. 🙂

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