In prior posts, I've explained how I try to handle insecurity with humor, because laughing in the face of adversity sure beats crawling in a dark closet with a bag of Oreos and a bottle of red wine.
We all feel insecure at times, but there are decidedly different ways to handle it. I think most writers approach insecurity on the defense, trying to prepare for the worst and muddle through. However, some authors have adopted a more offensive strategy, in all senses of the word. I think most people will agree that insecurity can be the root of other negative emotions like envy or in the extreme, hate. When I saw this historical list of the top 30 author-on-author insult smackdowns, I had to wonder how much insecurity had to do with the animosity.
Never cross an author, they have mad insult skills. And if you live with an author, take a cue from this clip from the New Yorker to keep insecurity--and the offensive author--at bay.
lol, nice cartoon. There are certainly some writers who approach it like that.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
The Funnily Enough
>>...laughing in the face of adversity sure beats crawling in a dark closet with a bag of Oreos and a bottle of red wine.
ReplyDeleteWhat are ya talkin' about? NUTTIN' beats crawling in a dark closet with a bag of Oreos and a bottle of red wine! Where the heck are you from, anyway?
>>...Never cross an author, they have mad insult skills.
Once upon a time I found myself often engaged in political debates. Invariably my opponents would stoop to personal slurs and ad hominem attacks. I always liked seeing that because I was at my best when "rolling around in the wordsmithing gutter."
(Ha!;o)
~ D-FensDogg
'Loyal American Underground
That's my aim, laugh in the face of adversity. However, the other option with the wine and the Oreas sounds attractive to me also. Help me Doc!
ReplyDeleteDi
x
I laugh in the face of adversity - then run away before it can punch me :-)
ReplyDeleteoh my god! this is on already again! cant believe how fast time flies
ReplyDeleteand great cartoon lol
I joke about everything, so when I'm serious people are surprized and think I'm faking. Bummer. *Shrug* I can't believe those insults. I especially liked the one directed at J K Rowling. I'll bet she'd giving them the finger now. :D
ReplyDeleteThere's adversity involved with becoming a published writer? SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! :)
ReplyDeleteAdopting the right attitude can make such a difference, but it's easier said than done at times, I think.
ReplyDeleteGreat cartoon!
I was looking forward to the insults link, but my browser on this crappy computer won't let me view it correctly. I'll try again later when I have better hamsters working.
ReplyDeleteLove the observation about never crossing an author because of mad insult skills. You are so right!!!
ReplyDeleteNice. And we could always write our critics into print and that can last forever! =)
ReplyDeleteSome of us spend our days murdering people on the page. A little thing like an insult is child's play. Hehe. And oreos and red wine? I'm there.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think some of those writers in the link need to join the support group for a little blogger therapy.
I read this post and had a response all lined up, then I read your first commenter and my circuits got all scrambled. My heart rate is still flashing madly.
ReplyDelete:(
I loved your post, Julie.
Hehe. Love the comic!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
I don't crawl in dark closets with Oreos and red wine. Nope. Not me. *wipes suspiciously Oreo-ish crumbs from mouth* *hides bottle behind back*
ReplyDeleteYeah, I wondered about the author-to-author smackdowns as well. Geez. Some were pretty harsh.
I agree with everything, except my Oreos need to be dunked in milk! Great cartoon, but I'm with LG, some of those authors would have been a lot happier if they had Alex's support group! Julie
ReplyDeleteLanguage is, sometimes, better than a knife to cut your opponent to the quick. I wonder how long wars would last if they were conducted on the page? I loved the list of "smack downs" and appreciate the humor in your blog. Thank you for putting a smile on my face! Red wine and goat cheese on crackers is my favorite self-indulgent, pity food! ;)
ReplyDeletegreat post!
ReplyDeletecutting others down to make you feel better is a typical teenage move that some adults carry on... its a shame! we need more positive words!
Loved reading those insults!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the way you use humor as a weapon to beat insecurity! Reading your blog always brings a smile to my face :)
Lol! I don't know, sometimes crawling in a closet with a good bottle of wine can be a good thing :).
ReplyDeleteGreat cartoon, haha!
I live with a fellow writer who once wrote the word "UGH" in red Sharpie next to one of my lines of dialogue. It was a dry season for the man. A very dry season.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you do feel angry, just don't say anything!
ReplyDeleteWine and Oreos... an odd combination.
Laughing is a better tonic than the dark closet and oreos. I would agree there....but the jury in my head is still out with regard to the wine and oreos. I could take or leave the Oreos but the wine that sounds like a plan to me!
ReplyDeleteLove the cartoon. Happy writing!
lol I love that New Yorker cartoon.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with a mixed drink and oreos. Maybe a beer and pretzels. Laughter is great medicine, and having something else to do now and then is nice, too.
Ugh. It's like junior high all over again, except with bigger vocab and with fancy metaphors. I've had the misfortune of dealing with immaturity recently. It reminds me why I should just steer clear of badly written books and avoid writing their reviews because some authors just can't deal with it professionally.
ReplyDeleteI'm talking about the smackdown, obviously.
ReplyDeletePass me the Oreos! XD
Great post, Jules! I think we all have insecurities. It's just a matter of dealing with them graciously.
<3 ya! Sorry for the two posts. I accidentally hit post comment on the first one when it wasn't ready. :-P
Heh heh...I grew up with four sisters and four brothers. Stinks when you're getting the hand-me-down clothes...fantastic when you realize that no one has thicker skin than we do. (seriously, siblings can dish out a mean insult! Ha! Who can we better cut to the quick than those closest to us?)
ReplyDeleteThankfully, the insults were left in adolescence. The thick skin lasts forever...:)
I keep to keep negative energy to a minimum. 'Course criticism may come, but in this business it pays to learn when not to write anything.
ReplyDeleteI never dish on other authors. We're all in the same struggle though some are further ahead.
ReplyDeleteI was told once that red wine and chocolate can give you a headache or do those oreo cookies really count as chocolate? Sometimes hiding for a little while helps, especially with the wine. Loved the comic and while I would never want to be quite that self-absorbed the fantasy is that I would feel my writing was good enough to only receive compliments.
ReplyDeleteDamn, how did you know what I took in the closet?!
ReplyDeleteI love the comic, very cute~
Nice to know we aren't alone :D
Wow, I'm in shock at Bloom's insult about Rowling. I think you hit the nail on the head; insecurity and envy are at the root of such venom.
ReplyDeleteThat comic's perfect. I had my writing group meeting tonight and one of my colleagues said, jokingly, she forgot to write compliments and only gave me constructive feedback. I insisted on the compliments FIRST.
I always enjoy your writing, Julie.
xoRobyn
I was just reading about Anne Rice dissing Twilight vampires on FB. How timely!
ReplyDeleteOh lordy, the worst part about writing is getting the feedback! That's how it's always been for me. I cringe just thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteAnd even if my work receives praise, I'm still skeptical and think, "they're just being nice!" Sigh.
I should start the insecure copywriter group as well.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I enjoyed reading all those insults. Clearly, jealousy was the culprit, not insecurity, but that leads to jealousy. Guess it's hard to say which emotion prompted the attacks. Maybe those insecure authors would have fared better if they'd gone in the closet and drowned their sorrows in Oreos and red wine. AT least they would not have been on America's Most Petty list of authors. I really enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHah! And man, i would really love some oreos right now
ReplyDeleteRed wine and Oreos...now THAT is a combo I've not dared before!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Julie, laughter is usually the best medicine :)
That cartoon is awesome. I showed my wife and told her that is what I mean when I hand her something of mine... from now on when I ask for honest feedback, she needs to remember the cartoon.
ReplyDeleteHee! Love the cartoon.
ReplyDeleteI was moving right along with Nano for two days but today I'm too exhausted to think. Nanofail.
But tomorrow I will get some wordage in. And more Halloween candy that I don't need. :)