My daughter has asked me several times if it bothers me when friends and family tell me they've decided to write books, because it's "my thing"; I was writing long before any of them decided to, so I can see why she'd think I "owned" the activity.
I always tell her no. Writing isn't a competition, and the voracious readers are always looking for something new to read. So, it's not like we're going after a limited supply of fans. But I understand why she asks me.
It's hard to have a passion, something you've worked a really long time on, and then someone else determines they want to do it, too. If they share the passion with you, then it's something you can bond over. If you feel they aren't passionate about it, then it can easily become a point of contention.
One thing to keep in mind, regardless of what you've chosen as "your thing", is that your journey is always yours. Even if someone takes a similar path, they won't have the same experience because they are not the same as you. My daughter has also asked how I would feel if one of our family or friends was better at writing than I was or had more followers or made more money. In those situations, it's natural to feel jealousy, and I imagine that i would be jealous. But comparing myself to someone else doesn't get me anywhere -- even if I discovered I was more successful. It doesn't help me to hone my writing, it doesn't make me a more insightful author, and it doesn't promote a healthy relationship with people I love.
My journey is mine.
That is the only thing I own.
So, I gladly support my friends and family who also write. it gives us something else in common, and it feels really good to cheer on their successes, just as they cheer on mine.
What is your "thing"? Do you share it with people you love or do you find yourself competing against each other? I certainly hope it's the former.
I always tell her no. Writing isn't a competition, and the voracious readers are always looking for something new to read. So, it's not like we're going after a limited supply of fans. But I understand why she asks me.
It's hard to have a passion, something you've worked a really long time on, and then someone else determines they want to do it, too. If they share the passion with you, then it's something you can bond over. If you feel they aren't passionate about it, then it can easily become a point of contention.
One thing to keep in mind, regardless of what you've chosen as "your thing", is that your journey is always yours. Even if someone takes a similar path, they won't have the same experience because they are not the same as you. My daughter has also asked how I would feel if one of our family or friends was better at writing than I was or had more followers or made more money. In those situations, it's natural to feel jealousy, and I imagine that i would be jealous. But comparing myself to someone else doesn't get me anywhere -- even if I discovered I was more successful. It doesn't help me to hone my writing, it doesn't make me a more insightful author, and it doesn't promote a healthy relationship with people I love.
My journey is mine.
That is the only thing I own.
So, I gladly support my friends and family who also write. it gives us something else in common, and it feels really good to cheer on their successes, just as they cheer on mine.
What is your "thing"? Do you share it with people you love or do you find yourself competing against each other? I certainly hope it's the former.
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