This is so great, Liz. I can identify with a lot of it. Having put Ramona at Midlife into the world (we launched on streaming in Feb), I’ve been looking for the stamina to do the same with my next two film projects, really just looking for the energy to put them each together and ensure they get made. I will 100% consider spite! Or at the very least, revenge. You should 100% come to my event in the East Village on 6/9, Writing Midlife, at the Book Club Bar. If you like it, we can do one in Jersey just for you! (I’m actually talking to some people about an event in Princeton….) Xo.
Hi Brooke! Thank you so much for reading this! I LOVED Ramona at Midlife and listening to your A Certain Age podcast episode. This looks like such a great event! I'd love to attend if I can!(And on in NJ sounds fun too!) Looking forward to your next film projects! xo
I feel like I'm having a blah writing day, so I was happy to read this and realize maybe I can just use revenge to motivate me forward, (just as soon as I settle on what it is I actually want to focus on!)
Ha! I know, it seems hard to focus these days. I keep telling myself by summer I'll have it all figured out (yeah, right!). I hope the revenge is as motivating for you as it is for me! 🤣
I really enjoyed this. I like your energy and I think that might be a magnolia tree? Also, I love the Princeton public library. I’m going to try writing out of spite. Will see if it helps! Haha
First of all, yes. I use spite as motivation sometimes. And I had a similarly awful experience at a new local bookstore. 🙃 I’m also waiting for them to call and beg me to come back and do an event lol…
You always have me laughing when I read your newsletters 😂 Your inner voice is similar to mine lol. I bought The House on Cold Creek Lane for my daughter, and she just bought You Shouldn’t Have Done That on Kindle 🥰
Ha! I love that we have so much in common! Thank you again for all your support! That makes my day! I hope your daughter enjoys them! Have a wonderful Sunday! 🥰
Similar to spite, I find rejection motivating. It fueled my "I'll show them!" mantra which has stewarded more than one story. Sometimes, though, the thought that the best is yet to come is what makes me at least attempt the next thing. I hope you keep at it in spite of everything otherwise!
Love this! And sad as it was, I laughed at your possible internal reaction to your high school english teacher. I had a doozy as well! Wrote the most creative take on where I’d be in 5 years and she gave me a B and said I didn’t follow directions.
Thanks for reading, Lindsey, and I'm sorry you can relate! Didn't follow directions on a piece based on your imaginings 🤪 Hopefully, she was just having a bad day and didn't spend her career attempting to stifle students' creativity!
Love this! Reminds me of the don't say revenge bit from The Simpsons when Homer is trying to join the Bigger Brother program because he's mad at Bart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldxkR-DVgzA
I meant to comment when I first read this. Loved the post. ALSO: that beautiful tree is a dogwood!
I'll be writing a post soon about envy (good envy), which pairs well with your stories of spite and revenge! (Maybe spite is the best of the three.)
Thank you for reading it!! I loved listening to you and Erin talk about envy! I need to read "Shutter Island!" Looking forward to your post!!
This is so great, Liz. I can identify with a lot of it. Having put Ramona at Midlife into the world (we launched on streaming in Feb), I’ve been looking for the stamina to do the same with my next two film projects, really just looking for the energy to put them each together and ensure they get made. I will 100% consider spite! Or at the very least, revenge. You should 100% come to my event in the East Village on 6/9, Writing Midlife, at the Book Club Bar. If you like it, we can do one in Jersey just for you! (I’m actually talking to some people about an event in Princeton….) Xo.
Hi Brooke! Thank you so much for reading this! I LOVED Ramona at Midlife and listening to your A Certain Age podcast episode. This looks like such a great event! I'd love to attend if I can!(And on in NJ sounds fun too!) Looking forward to your next film projects! xo
i am absolutely motivated by spite (and jealousy), so you're not alone! whatever gets the job done, i say. :)
Exactly! Glad to hear I'm not alone! I'm looking forward to reading all about your latest trip! It looked amazing!
I feel like I'm having a blah writing day, so I was happy to read this and realize maybe I can just use revenge to motivate me forward, (just as soon as I settle on what it is I actually want to focus on!)
Ha! I know, it seems hard to focus these days. I keep telling myself by summer I'll have it all figured out (yeah, right!). I hope the revenge is as motivating for you as it is for me! 🤣
I really enjoyed this. I like your energy and I think that might be a magnolia tree? Also, I love the Princeton public library. I’m going to try writing out of spite. Will see if it helps! Haha
Thank you for reading and for your kind words! I love that library too! Yes, see if spite helps and please keep me posted! 🤣
What if this was the missing ingredient all along? Life changing! 😆
Your writing is amazing so I don't think anything has been missing!
Well, you never know. But thanks!
First of all, yes. I use spite as motivation sometimes. And I had a similarly awful experience at a new local bookstore. 🙃 I’m also waiting for them to call and beg me to come back and do an event lol…
I’m so sorry you had a similar experience! I’m manifesting that call for you!! 💕
You always have me laughing when I read your newsletters 😂 Your inner voice is similar to mine lol. I bought The House on Cold Creek Lane for my daughter, and she just bought You Shouldn’t Have Done That on Kindle 🥰
Ha! I love that we have so much in common! Thank you again for all your support! That makes my day! I hope your daughter enjoys them! Have a wonderful Sunday! 🥰
Similar to spite, I find rejection motivating. It fueled my "I'll show them!" mantra which has stewarded more than one story. Sometimes, though, the thought that the best is yet to come is what makes me at least attempt the next thing. I hope you keep at it in spite of everything otherwise!
Yes! I try to think of rejection as redirection! On to a better home! Love the "I'll show them!" attitude!
I’ve also fantasized about my own spite stores😂. Glad I’m not the only one!
Ha! It's fun to imagine! 🤣
Love this! Here's my favorite 'rejection revenge story: https://herondance.org/maclean-rejection
Oh this is fantastic, Gwen, thank you for sharing it! I'm bookmarking it for inspiration so I can stay strong when that bookshop comes calling 🤣
Love this! And sad as it was, I laughed at your possible internal reaction to your high school english teacher. I had a doozy as well! Wrote the most creative take on where I’d be in 5 years and she gave me a B and said I didn’t follow directions.
Thanks for reading, Lindsey, and I'm sorry you can relate! Didn't follow directions on a piece based on your imaginings 🤪 Hopefully, she was just having a bad day and didn't spend her career attempting to stifle students' creativity!
Right?? She also reeked of coffee and cigarettes. Or maybe just had a rotten soul. Eek! It’s a wonder I wanted to become a writer. 😂
I’m so glad she didn’t ruin writing for you! Maybe you’ll have to bump off a fictional version of her in a future story! 😂
Love this! Reminds me of the don't say revenge bit from The Simpsons when Homer is trying to join the Bigger Brother program because he's mad at Bart. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldxkR-DVgzA
Ha! I love that! I think I need to revisit The Simpsons this summer!
OMG, I'm ALWAYS saying "Spite is a powerful motivator!" Lots of my accomplishments are fueled by spite!
I'm glad I'm in good company!
It is always always always a treat to read your words, Liz. Good luck with all those events!
Thank you for reading, my friend! Looking forward to our event in Oct! It'll be here before we know it!