I am always happy when my friends succeed in their writing and receive flowers for it. Though I have not been allowed to teach any creative writing classes, I am always happy for my students when they win writing awards for their first year writing. I am not immune to jealousy, envy, and frustration, but I just don't have it in me to be backbiting, two-faced or cruel to my fellow writers especially if they are my friends .On the other hand, If they are shitty people who are shitty to other people no matter who they are, that's a different story. I don't lash out at them. I just know who they are, limit my time with them and avoid them if possible. In the end, we can't take it with us, so why not spread joy and share community instead. There is always enough to go around though we have been trained by the systems to believe otherwise. Life's too short.
Yes to all this--and to the dogs in hats.
Great post, Christine. Nail on the head. Derogatory thoughts make for awkward conversations (but good fodder for stories).
Amen, sister!
I am always happy when my friends succeed in their writing and receive flowers for it. Though I have not been allowed to teach any creative writing classes, I am always happy for my students when they win writing awards for their first year writing. I am not immune to jealousy, envy, and frustration, but I just don't have it in me to be backbiting, two-faced or cruel to my fellow writers especially if they are my friends .On the other hand, If they are shitty people who are shitty to other people no matter who they are, that's a different story. I don't lash out at them. I just know who they are, limit my time with them and avoid them if possible. In the end, we can't take it with us, so why not spread joy and share community instead. There is always enough to go around though we have been trained by the systems to believe otherwise. Life's too short.