In high school I had my group of friends I hung out with after school, but was friends with everyone. I didn't restrict myself to one clique. I had friends on the cheerleading team, football and baseball teams, nerds, freaks, etc. I never discriminated.
What's my point, you ask?
Cliques!
I've noticed that with every form of art there is a clique that follows. My youngest sister is a painter and deals with it in school. My husband is a musician (and artist) and he sees it, even among adults. And I'm a writer....Yep, I see it everyday.
On Facebook I have over 1200 friends. Now, I don't "know" all of these people, but interact with 95% of them on a weekly, and sometimes daily, basis. With the exception of family and friends, these are people in the industry - other authors, editors, agents, publishers, illustrators, book cover artists, etc. When I see a fellow author get a great deal, or even a movie author I'm ecstatic. Why wouldn't I be? I know firsthand how much time it takes to complete a novel, perfect it, find an agent, etc. I know the blood, sweat, and tears that goes into every chapter of your baby. But, I've noticed not everyone is like that.
Sometimes, just like in high school, you come across a person, or group of people, whose jealousy (or maybe just lack of personal life) forces them to bash anyone who may have success. They stalk blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts, and make snarky comments to anyone who will listen.
I'll be the first to admit I don't comment on people's blogs enough. The truth is, I don't know how to find out these people have a new blog post unless they share it on one of the social sites. I'm not a very tech savvy person. Also, if someone has said what I was thinking, what's the point of going "yeah, what he said." I know every time there's a comment on a blog an alert goes to their email, so I'm sure they don't appreciate the equivalent of a texted "k", or "lol".
I no longer belong to a writer's group, my critique partners are online, people I've me through social networks. I no longer reveal personal information to anyone I don't know on an extremely personal level, and I don't get involved in the bickering on boards. I don't have the time. Between writing, researching, editing, housework, raising three kids, two dogs, chickens, lizards, and cats...oh, and a wonderful husband, I just don't have the time for any added drama. Save the drama for your mama.
How about you? Have you experienced any cliques, or backstabbing in the creative world?
Haven't had that experience, Christie. I think it's only you! lol
ReplyDeleteSeriously, we only have so many minutes in a lifetime. Why squander them dealing with small minds and even smaller issues? I prefer to use my remaining minutes in productive pursuits or enjoying real friendships...some of which have surprisingly grown out of casual contact in places like Facebook. Who would'a thought?
Christy asks, "Have you experienced any cliques, or backstabbing in the creative world?"
ReplyDeleteI cannot escape cliques and backstabbing experiences, seems something like this happens on a daily basis. Most of this is in my mind's eye I see people belonging to societal cliques although those folks are unaware. This is a hazard of being a professional writer; you see what others cannot.
Most of my experiences are related to racism. As you know, Christy, I am a red skinned girl. I am adding finishing touches to a new book about my childhood experiences with racism and white Christians. Many of those experiences are humorous such as my young girl self giving a black eye to an equally young birthday party boy who thought himself an injun killing cowboy, boots, chaps, vest, hat, six shooter and all: "Bang! Bang! I'm a cowboy! I shoot injuns! You're a dead stupid injun!"
He didn't holler this while wallowing around in dirt bawling about his bloody nose and black eye. Some injun girls are right hard to kill with a toy six shooter.
Most of my experiences with racism are not pleasant like being a little girl and kicked out of a café for my refusing to sit over on the "COLORED" side.
Cliques can be odd, can be subtle and hard to see.
Day I was born I was denied American citizenship and denied a right to vote. Back then, this is a result of a mainstream white Christian clique, and there are a lot of those folks around!
Some cliques, Christy, are hard to see. There is a need to look through eyes, a need to read between the lines and often a need to test people to learn of their cliques.
We writers belong to a clique, yes?
Taha
We are a clique with our chicken.
ReplyDelete~KFC