When was the first time you felt jealousy? Was it your school crush liking someone else? Did someone win something you really wanted? Tell me about it. What was my moment of jealousy? To be honest, I have no clue, but I can tell you the last time I felt jealous.
It has to do with writing. Of course.
It was seeing the level of success some of my friends have that I do not. But I must remind myself that we write different things and sometimes, my dark and dangerous stories aren’t something people want. Did this make me any less jealous? Heck no! I want everyone to want my work. I’m human people- come on. Well, I think I’m human…it is questionable sometimes.
Don’t get it twisted – I have felt jealousy in the past. Like, high school girls having clothes I wanted, or boys liking other people, or not winning a writing contest. That kinda stuff is normal. Recently, I saw a coffee mug I really wanted but a guy grabbed it before I could get my hot lil hands on it. I think I may have growled at him. Oh well, there are better mugs out there waiting for me to cradle in my hands. Like the ones waiting for us…
In the kitchen! I found a bag of Sinful coffee in the freezer. Yes, I store coffee in the freezer. Come, grab yourself a fresh cuppa and scrounge around for some nibbles. I’m thinking popcorn. Yum! Grab what you can and meet us out on the reading rug. Don’t forget your copy of Creating Character Emotions by Ann Hood.
Jealousy
Jealousy or green with envy are ways to describe this emotion. It kinda feels like it flows through your body. It takes over your ability to think clearly. This is the emotion that can destroy friendships and families. It can lead to irrational and embarrassing things. This is why people won’t admit to this feeling. We willingly claim fear, anger, happiness, and so many more but jealousy holds embarrassment.
When writing your characters make sure this is a struggle but keep in mind it can also be a struggle to write. The emotional journey will bounce around feelings like anger, irritation, frustration, and despair. Jealousy can be a twisted version of all emotions stirred together. So, write it that way.
In my book, O-B*tch-uary, jealousy got between two friends, Olivia and Alyssa. Instead of talking things through like adults, their friendship crumbled throughout the story. Hurt and mistrust built along with the plot line. It did not have the chance to heal before the end occurred.
BAD: stating that your character is ‘green with envy,’ and any other cliché. Make your description so good it will someday become a cliché. BAM!
Good: Build your jealousy on something real. Physical appearance, job, items, and the like. Keep in mind that jealousy eats at other emotions. Even though Olivia and Alyssa were struggling, Olivia still missed her friend. She felt lonely but hated what her friend was doing. She was angry but sad. Frustrated but loving. See, the green-eyed monster is a twisted lil beast.
Homework:
- List 20-ish obvious things that can evoke the feeling of envy. (Physical, money, things)
- Now list 10 unusual ones. (Not winning the writing contest. Jerks!)
- Can you write a paragraph or two about these jealous feelings? Try.
- Write a page from the perspective of a person imagining what their love is doing because they are late coming home.
- Make a list of emotions that can be connected to jealousy. Take one of those feelings and write a page using that emotion to evoke jealousy.
Polish your sparkle and keep twirling.
Find joy. Be joy. Enjoy.
I’m always looking for new friends!
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Listed below are the links to my friend Evan’s books. Enjoy!
https://www.amazon.com/Mightier-Sword-Henry-Bride-Thrillers-ebook/dp/B00B13AG4U/ref=sr_1_2?crid=37Z8H6D4X2TP5&keywords=evan+willnow&qid=1652804364&sprefix=evan+willnow%2Caps%2C234&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Henry-Bride-Thrillers-Book-ebook/dp/B07WKBGJPM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37Z8H6D4X2TP5&keywords=evan+willnow&qid=1652804390&sprefix=evan+willnow%2Caps%2C234&sr=8-1
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Amazon.com: Time Thief eBook : Warrent, Nella, Meyer, Jessica: Kindle Store
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Universal Code for O-B*tch-uary: https://books2read.com/u/bOZe8o
Universal Code for Sin Full: http://books2read.com/u/m2Vdqd
New Ink. Used Ideas. 