Skip to content

Squirrel Talk

Nutty Chitter from a Caffeinated Critter

Menu
  • Books
    • Niniers Series
    • Cera Chronicles
    • Anthologies
  • About Me
  • Privacy Policy
Menu

If You Weren’t My Friend, I’d Hate You #IWSG

Posted on February 3, 2016February 4, 2016 by Loni Townsend

Last Friday, I was showing my best friend the latest developments with my digital painting and a few pictures I’ve taken of Hero Guy. She and I have been hanging out weekly for the past 14 years. She’s seen all the many projects I’ve started (not necessarily finished). Often, she sighs and says, “You’re so talented.” This last Friday, she added, “If you weren’t my friend, I’d hate you.” We shared a laugh. She followed it up with, “I wish I had a thing.”

She composes music, writes her own songs, and teaches piano. She crochets blankets, does needle point, makes paper crafts, and has an awesome eye for home design. She makes friends wherever she goes, and is loved by whoever hires her.

This beautiful, amazing woman was jealous of me??

I realized this applies to writing too. It’s easy to look at someone else’s writing and wish we could do that too. It’s the nature of insecurity. But, we each have our strengths. In my critique group, Angela has an amazing voice. Cami is spectacular at setting the scene. Dani does delicious dialogue. Jim is the master of structure. Kelley finds kinks in all the grammar. Troy thrills with tension-packed action.

Me? Well, I can pervert a non-sexual situation. Yay!

Since no one person is the expert at everything, we come together to use each other’s strengths to improve. That’s what makes our critique group great.

What is your strength? Have you ever been jealous of someone else’s talent? What is one talent you wish you had?

About Insecure Writer’s Support Group
InsecureWritersSupportGroup
You can find the sign up for the IWSG here. We owe Alex J Cavanaugh a huge thank you for thinking this blog hop up.

37 thoughts on “If You Weren’t My Friend, I’d Hate You #IWSG”

  1. Beth says:
    February 3, 2016 at 7:42 AM

    oh yes we have all been there!! My main thing is I am SO jealous of anyone who can dance! I’m not awful at it, but I always loved it and wished I could do it effortlessly. I took classes as a teen and it was torture for me to learn steps, and a combination that could take someone five minutes to learn could take me two weeks. I’d rather write, but still. lol

    Reply
  2. Sarah Foster says:
    February 3, 2016 at 7:48 AM

    I think we’ve all felt that way at some point! I used to think my talent was writing but I’ve been so insecure about that lately I don’t even think that anymore. I wish I could be more creative with other things .

    Reply
  3. Christine Rains says:
    February 3, 2016 at 7:57 AM

    Love that picture! And I laughed out loud at what your strength was. You’re an excellent writer. I love your quirkiness. I do sometimes get jealous of other writers, but I compare myself to them less than I used to. My strength… I hope great characterization.

    Reply
  4. CD Gallant-King says:
    February 3, 2016 at 8:03 AM

    You should never underestimate the value of being able to pervert a non-sexual situation. It is a innate ability and cannot be learned.

    As for me, I’m a terribly jealous and petty individual. I’m covetous of everyone. My only strength is being a master of WordPerfect 5.1, a skill which I admit doesn’t come up very often.

    IWSG February

    Reply
  5. Sarah says:
    February 3, 2016 at 8:09 AM

    I really need to join this group.

    This is so true. And I think, even we’re not naturally jealous people, we have all felt this. It makes me laugh: “If you weren’t my friend, I’d hate you.” I’ve heard variations of this. It always makes me smile. (Depending on the situation, of course.) ?

    But you? You are so talented, my friend.

    Reply
  6. Juneta says:
    February 3, 2016 at 8:23 AM

    I envy anyone who can use their talent to be successful, and at the same I am thrilled by them and in awe. Normally this is in writing, drawing and dancing areas, but not limited. I admire these people and try to learn from them, but I always feel so inadequate, so I get it. I keep hoping that if they can do it, maybe I will do it, which still an ongoing battle for me. If I have a strength in writing I guess it probably be in characterization and world building, although with world building I have a little more of a struggle. I am good at giving positive encouragement to others I think, or at least I have been told that.
    Wishing You The Best
    Juneta Writer’s Gambit

    Reply
  7. Donna K. Weaver says:
    February 3, 2016 at 8:41 AM

    Good post. My strength. I’m told I do emotion well. My weakness? Description. It’s agony. I’m trying to get better, but I’ll probably always be a minimalist.

    Reply
  8. Nicola says:
    February 3, 2016 at 8:47 AM

    I recently finsihed reading The Lavender Keeper by Fiona McIntosh. It’s not my usual genre but I envied her style and use of words. She is an exquisit writer and I hope some day (preferably sooner rather than later) I will be able to captivate a reader the way she did me. Have a great week, Loni and thanks for a great post!!

    Reply
  9. Madeline Mora-Summonte says:
    February 3, 2016 at 9:06 AM

    Great reminder, Loni. Why is it so easy to downplay or forget or ignore our own talents? Definitely something we need to work on changing!

    Reply
  10. Alex J. Cavanaugh says:
    February 3, 2016 at 9:06 AM

    Your superpower writing strength is awesome!!
    I can plot and outline to death. Is that a good thing?

    Reply
  11. Chrys Fey says:
    February 3, 2016 at 9:12 AM

    I used to go jealous over other people’s talents all the time but now I appreciate their talents and mine. We all can’t be equally talented.

    BTW I’m halfway through Thanmir War! Woot! 😀

    Reply
  12. Lori L. MacLaughlin says:
    February 3, 2016 at 10:22 AM

    I’m so with you on those writing insecurities. There used to be a writer in my critique group who could come up with the most amazing similes and metaphors. They made her writing so beautiful. I always envied her way with words because I find it really hard to think of those comparisons. Even when I do come up with some, they’re not very good. I’ll just have to keep working at it.

    Reply
  13. Arlee Bird says:
    February 3, 2016 at 10:34 AM

    I suppose I could say that I’ve been envious of talents displayed by others I know, but at the same time I respect and appreciate those talents. Each of us has something special within us and it’s a matter of finding it and tapping into it. I wish I was better at everything. It would be nice to have practical talents like fixing stuff.

    Arlee Bird
    A to Z Challenge Co-host
    Tossing It Out

    Reply
  14. Julie Flanders says:
    February 3, 2016 at 10:37 AM

    Your strength totally cracked me up. 😀
    Yeah, I’ve been guilty of unfavorably comparing myself to others and wishing I had whatever magic they had, but I’m trying to stop doing that. Old habits do die hard though.

    Reply
  15. M.J. Fifield says:
    February 3, 2016 at 10:43 AM

    “Me? Well, I can pervert a non-sexual situation. Yay!” <—–Awesome talent. Seriously.

    There was a guy in my old writers group who wrote these amazing short stories that always had some perfect twist to them. Every time he'd read one to the group, everyone would just hang on every word because they were just so good. I don't know if 'jealous' is the right word for it, but someday, I'd really love to write stories like that.

    Oh, and I've highly enjoyed the Hero Guy pictures you've posted.

    Reply
  16. Rachel Pattinson says:
    February 3, 2016 at 11:04 AM

    I love this post! I’m so bad at comparing myself to other people and wishing I had what they have. But this year, I’m trying to have a more positive outlook – like you said, we all have different talents. Everyone is unique. Apparently I’m good at setting the scene in my writing, which I genuinely thought I was rubbish at until several people complimented me on it! Non-Writing wise, I like to think I’m good at baking :). There are several talents I wish I had – being able to sing, play the piano, being sociable….oh well!

    Rachel Pattinson
    February IWSG Co-host
    rachelpattinson.com

    Reply
  17. C.G.Coppola says:
    February 3, 2016 at 11:04 AM

    God, yes. I’m constantly jealous of everyone.
    But I think that’s human nature – to see the positives in others while struggling to see them in ourselves. You’re friend sounds like superwoman, by the way.

    Reply
  18. Lexa Cain says:
    February 3, 2016 at 1:53 PM

    It’s awesome you have a regular group. It’s so important. In my group, everyone also has their own strengths and can tell others how to add more of *whatever* into their own novel. You and I are both very lucky we found such great people to help us!!

    Reply
  19. J.C. Jackson says:
    February 3, 2016 at 2:32 PM

    But your strength is awesome!

    I’ve been told by my critique group that characters with distinct voices are my strength. Then I struggle with everything else. When my stuff comes back marked up a lot compared to the others, I feel like the weakest link in the group.

    I see a lot of people that I wish I had their talents. Art, music, being better at hitting my targets…writing.

    Reply
  20. Southpaw HR Sinclair says:
    February 3, 2016 at 3:22 PM

    I love your unique crit group talent! teehee
    What is your strength? I dunno
    Have you ever been jealous of someone else’s talent? Uh, yeah
    What is one talent you wish you had? I dunno, I mean I probably do, but I can’t think of anything right now.

    Reply
  21. Lidy says:
    February 3, 2016 at 3:57 PM

    Oh yeah, felt that way a couple of times. And as for strength, I’ve been told is word usage. But I’ll add characterization. Need to work on dialogue though.

    Reply
  22. Susan Gourley says:
    February 3, 2016 at 4:31 PM

    I’m pretty good at noticing time line problems and getting the science right. My first critique partner was so good at catching over used words. Good point that we all have something to offer others.

    Reply
  23. Sheena-kay Graham says:
    February 3, 2016 at 4:32 PM

    If you ever need a cheer person to bring some pep I can be a guest to your group Loni. 🙂

    Reply
  24. Anna says:
    February 3, 2016 at 6:44 PM

    Ha! My sister and did this all the time when we were younger. We each thought the other had a better life. People are fickle. 🙂

    Anna from elements of emaginette

    Reply
  25. chemistken says:
    February 3, 2016 at 7:32 PM

    I’m pretty much jealous of all other writers. My biggest problem is an inability to take the picture in my head and convert it into words on a page in a way that doesn’t suck. I understand story structure and character arcs, and all that technical stuff, but the words still elude me. Sigh.

    Reply
  26. Heather M. Gardner says:
    February 3, 2016 at 8:00 PM

    We were just talking about this in our author group.
    I wish I could write 100,000 word MS so I had something to cut/edit.
    Instead I’m desperately trying to add words to get it up to over 50,000.
    But, my strength (I feel) is dialogue. Love to write it!

    Great post!
    Heather

    Reply
  27. L. Diane Wolfe says:
    February 4, 2016 at 5:58 AM

    LOL I’ve felt like that before. Like I wish I could sing. At all. I’m so bad, I don’t even try to moouth the words at church.

    Reply
  28. Roland Clarke says:
    February 4, 2016 at 6:39 AM

    Not sure if dreaming up new ideas is a strength, so might have to say that I am just envious of you all talented creators. I write but still have to find my strength (after sixty odd years). Insecurity? So jealous yes.

    Reply
  29. Elizabeth Seckman says:
    February 4, 2016 at 11:59 AM

    Yes, I get jealous. I get so jealous, I long ago quit trying to pretend I’m above it. I just accept it as human nature. We often fail to see our own gifts, but I suppose that keeps us humble.

    I can pervert things too. It’s the thirteen-year-old in me that still giggles at the number 69’s fault.

    Reply
  30. Misha says:
    February 5, 2016 at 11:02 AM

    I try not to be jealous of other people. ESPECIALLY when it comes to writing. Just seems like a poisonous thing to do to myself.

    BUT. I wish I could learn how to cook like people on cooking shows.

    Reply
  31. Mureesd Dupé says:
    February 6, 2016 at 8:14 AM

    Yes. I get jealous of my fellow writers all the time. They are so creative and get so much accomplished in short amounts of time. But I also know how hard they work. I wish I was a lot more laid back, though. Thank you so much for your kind words on my blog. Wishing you the best.

    Reply
  32. Elizabeth Otten says:
    February 6, 2016 at 12:52 PM

    My friend just told me the other day that she was glad I found something I really enjoy in writing. When I look at her, I see a great mom who loves her sons. Even when we don’t feel accomplished, I think we all have areas that people look at with jealousy. I am jealous of people who can play the piano beautifully. I have longed to play like that for most of my adult life, but I don’t have the time or discipline to really learn.

    Reply
  33. Michelle Wallace says:
    February 7, 2016 at 12:01 PM

    We all have different skills/talents/strengths.
    Diversity is wonderful!
    Life would be so boring if we were all the same, wouldn’t it?

    Reply
  34. Anna Soliveres says:
    February 7, 2016 at 1:12 PM

    LOL!!
    “Well, I can pervert a non-sexual situation. Yay!” I think we’d be great friends. 🙂
    Fantastic post, Loni! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!

    Reply
  35. Mason T. Matchak says:
    February 7, 2016 at 9:23 PM

    I don’t remember the exact words, but the best quote I’ve read on this matter says that we feel insecure because we compare our behind-the-scenes with everyone else’s best-in-show. I think that sums it up – we can never know what’s really going on in someone’s head, so it’s really easy to think others are together and awesome while we’re struggling, when they’re probably in a similar place and looking at us like we’re awesome.

    As for my strength, the one thing I know I do well is pacing. I don’t know if it’s from reading a lot or just intuition, but I’ve always been able to keep a story going, to know when to slow down and when to speed up, that sort of thing. I always ask my readers about it and I always hear back that it worked. ^_^ I do wish I could put more emotion into my stories, though. I’m kind of a reserved person most of the time, and that seeps into my writing, making it hard for me to do really emotional moments and make them work.

    Reply
  36. cathrina constantine says:
    February 8, 2016 at 5:04 AM

    I believe people are fibbing if they don’t get a tinge of jealousy at one point or another over someone else’s success. But at the same we’re happy for them.

    Have a nice week!!!!

    Reply
  37. Tamara Narayan says:
    February 8, 2016 at 11:23 AM

    I’m jealous of writers who can and do market their work well.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome to my blog. I post here on Wednesdays most of the time, but you can find me on social media any day of the week. My topics include my stories and writing, life at the Town's End, creating and tinkering with graphics, things I learn and think might be helpful to others, and the occasional amateur photo. Thanks for stopping by! I hope to see you around.

Get Social!

Follow Me on FacebookFollow Me on TwitterFollow Me on FlickrFollow Me on InstagramFollow Me on PinterestFollow Me on RSSFollow Me on GoodreadsEmail Me!Follow Me on DeviantArt

Recent Posts

  • Keep On Marching On #IWSG
  • Got You Covered #IWSG
  • Welcome 2023! #IWSG
  • Progress Made #IWSG
  • No NaNo for Me #IWSG

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with me and Mailchimp to receive my blog posts via emails. Don't worry, I only post about once a month. Use the unsubscribe link in the email to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.
Whoops! There was an error and we couldn't process your subscription. Please reload the page and try again.

Categories

Books and Anthologies

© 2023 Squirrel Talk | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme