Humility: An IWSG Post
Years ago, a writer friend, whom I'll call Jane, called for a shoulder to cry on. She had a writer friend, I'll call her Snooty, who dumped her like a bad habit as soon as Snooty signed a fairly decent contract with a boutique publisher.
Me being the very annoying optimist that I am, suggested that Snooty was probably busy and excited by her new opportunity and just didn't have time for all the writer chats and emails. I predicted that once the dust settled, Snooty would be back.
"Maybe, hopefully," Jane admitted.
Thank you to this month's awesome co-hosts! Janet Alcorn, SE White, Victoria Marie Lees, and Cathrina Constantine, you guys rock!
A few days later, Jane sent me a screenshot of a post where Snooty announced that she'd gotten the contract herself and that she wasn't in any way obligated or inclined to help or support other writers.
Oookkaaaayyy. Message received. This chick was out of peon Jane's stratosphere, floating off like a helium balloon in the hands of a distracted child.
Poor, sad, yet-to-be published Jane and I both agreed: No matter what direction our careers took, we hoped we'd keep a small degree of insecurity so that we'd never lose our humility.
Personally, I'd rather never win than ever be a loser.
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Wow. That author burned all bridges and all chances of getting help from others.
ReplyDeletePop-ups have been mentioned several times today.
I often wonder...you know how people will succeed and then still be miserable? Maybe it's because they won at any cost and in the end, they're lonely?
DeleteSnooty just shot herself in the foot.
ReplyDeleteMy publisher once told me that publishing is a pretty small world, so be mindful of not burning bridges you might need to take later.
DeleteI don't mind the pop ups for newsletter. I subscribe to most of them to see what they are like. If they're nothing but promotion for that author's books, I usually unsubscribe then. I've met some like Snooty before.
ReplyDeleteIt was all I could think of. To be honest, very little actually annoys me. So, I'm not like arrrr, pop up. I'm like, oh, pop up.
DeleteI probably should've gone with the ones with the ads that suddenly make noise and you're in a place where you shouldn't be reading blogs--like at work--and there's suddenly a loud ad for hair supplements or something. THAT should've been my answer.
Oh wow, that's just terrible.
ReplyDeleteAbout Snooty!
DeleteAnd hurtful. I never knew the person, but our mutual friend was heart broken.
DeleteWriters like Snooty are setting themselves up for failure. Word gets around, so good luck when she needs something from someone else (a blurb, a review, or just some support when something bad happens in her writing career). I'm always surprised that some people can't see that. We're always going to need others.
ReplyDeleteI suppose people like that think they'll make better connections farther up the food chain.
DeleteUnbelievable! I think Neil Gaiman is one of the most helpful authors, and he's enjoyed great success.
ReplyDeleteI once got an email from Judy Blume wishing me luck!!!! Judy Freaking Blume, my childhood writer hero. I took a master class that she hosted and being the naive sort of idiot that I am, I actually thought she would be at the class. Of course, it was a recording. I was fine with that, but I was so tickled with myself for being so clueless, that I sent her an email via her website and told her books got me through childhood, then adulthood, and as a hopeful author, she was there in the master class. She sent me an email saying that it was hard for her readers to make the jump from the kids' books to the adult ones and she was glad I grew along with her and then she wished me well on my writing and directed me to posts she had on her website with writing advice.
DeleteShe's just amazing. Sounds like Neil is too. I should read more of his books.
I love this: I'd rather never win than ever be a loser.
ReplyDeleteI should put that on a tee shirt. LOL
DeleteUgh! I try to keep in mind that saying about how when a person climbs the ladder of success, they should also reach back to help those who are still climbing. :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, I like that!!
DeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteDo you know what happened to Snooty? Is she still in the big league? I know some authors who hit big and then get dropped a few books later and end up back among the ashes of their bridges.
ReplyDeleteAlways be nice, always be humble, because you never know what's around the corner!
Well said.
DeleteI checked...seems to be rather inactive now.
DeleteI can't believe that writer did that. And I agree with what Annalisa said.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't believe it either. But now that I've been around a bit, I've seen it happen a few times.
DeleteI like your name for her, Snooty, so à propos! I think my blog is one people hate. Sometimes I sign on and it's clear other times I get hit with full on pop-up ads. I should figure out a way to stop that. On my list for today!!!!
ReplyDeleteBeing published shifts your focus and adds work, such as marketing, to your schedule, which can be mistaken for ego when you suddenly have less time for your writing buddies. But there's no excuse for actually being snooty.
ReplyDeleteThat was my initial thought-- the writer is just busy.
DeleteBe kind, always be kind.
ReplyDeleteAlways!
DeleteHoly Cow! Talk about bad attitude. Sheesh. I'm glad Jane's got you, because Snooty sounds terrible. It's not a freaking competition, but she needs to work on her sportsmanship.
ReplyDeleteIt's that whole zero sum gain thinking, I think.
DeleteWhat a terrible thing Snooty did to her friends. I've edited a number of books. I worked with one author who cheated and lied. Her lies include that she's a great success who reaches millions of people. I haven't worked with her in quite some time and I'm sorry I ever did. Maybe she's related to Snooty.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Maybe. Sounds like they have the same kind of thinking. LOL
DeleteSad story indeed. Your last line is perfect.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteThat's sad. Unfortunately, there are less than stellar folks in all professions. Thank goodness the majority of writers are supportive and welcome their comrades with open arms. It takes a village to grow a writer.
ReplyDeleteSandra sandracox.blogspot.com
That is so true! The majority are so helpful. I was amazed at how much people helped me...and still help me!
DeleteWow. Yeah, not someone to stay in contact with, anyway. I'm always amazed at how arrogant some people can be.
ReplyDeleteNope. No contact, no loss.
Delete