I think I mentioned this last week, but I usually spend a portion of the winter holidays thinking about what happened the past year. There are many things I’m grateful for like Speak Out with your Geek Out, the fact that everyone at Steve Jackson Games not only understands my jokes but riffs off of them, that John Kovalic is made out of win, that I’ve been able to tap into a community of beaders who are the nicest, sweetest, ladies you’ll ever meet, and that I’m deeply and truly loved. The list goes on and on and on. (On the writing front, there’s so much to talk about that I’ll sum up what I’ve done there in a separate post.)

But the one thing I’m not grateful for is the bullsh*t I’ve had to deal with that didn’t have anything to do with writing. (I’ll explain why in a minute.) Here’s a few examples of what I’m talking about. The author who publicly attacked me because I couldn’t possibly know what I’m talking about because I’m not popular. The author I helped with writing advice who feels compelled to boast about their accomplishments every time I see them and leaves before I’ve had a chance to share my own success story. The pervasive attitude that: “Hey, you should promote my stuff and my stuff only because that’s what you do, right?” Never mind the fact that I might need help, too. Sheesh!

Why did any of this bother me? If I’m secure in myself and my writing, it shouldn’t. Right? Right, yes. Absolutely, but to a point. It’s not the one comment that bothers me. It’s the fact that I can’t tell these people to “Piss off!” I have to smile and nod and move on because that’s the professional thing to do. And? Some people know that and not only take advantage of it, but also put my work down in the process.

In some ways, I feel like this is a rite of passage for almost any author. I’ve heard others say the same exact thing. Oh, smile and nod. Don’t complain. Be the better woman. Many of my friends take comfort in their readers as a way to validate what they’re doing. I have a vocal minority of readers who do touch base with me from time to time, but I haven’t really put a lot of thought (or effort) into focusing on getting a huge fan base. I’m just not ready for that and, quite frankly, I’ve always been the smartass who’s more comfortable at the back of the class. If my career warrants that? Then no doubt I’ll go in boobs first, whether I’m willing to or not. Right now, I’m putting all my focus on my work, because that’s where it needs to be right now.

Still, nothing I just said resolves the issue of keeping the wolves at bay. So how do I do it? Well, if you’re an jerk to me I may be smiling, but that doesn’t mean I’m not telling you to piss off with my mind right before I politely put you on mute. You may force me to deal with you, but that doesn’t mean I have to play by your rules. Go find someone else to bully. Asshole. ‘Cause I’m the type of woman who will make her own cool.

Also? Beer helps.

Mood: Hungry. Does anything else matter?
Caffeinated Beverages Consumed: Two with the definite potential for more.
Work-Out Minutes Logged Yesterday: Scheduled off day.
Word Count Logged Yesterday (not including day job): ~3,500
In My Ears: “Time Slips Away” from Winter’s Eve by Nox Arcana
Game Last Played: Picross 3-D for Nintendo DS
Movie Last Viewed: Red
Book Last Read: Organizing Your Life for Dummies
Latest Artistic Project: Byzantium chainmail bracelet with soft pink and black rings
Upcoming Release: Strange, Dead Love for Vampire: the Requiem