Other Side of the Pen: May 30th, 2016
As a writer, as a freelance editor, as a reviewer… Well, sometimes Mia gets mouthy, and the fourth week of the month is when she’s gonna let you know just what she thinks!
Special Snowflake Syndrome
“A malady affecting a significant portion of the world’s population wherein the afflicted will demand special treatment, conduct themselves with a ludicrous, unfounded sense of entitlement, and generally make the lives of everyone around them that much more miserable.
The danger of this disease is that the sufferers rarely, if ever, know that they have contracted it, and continue about their merry way under the assumption that EVERYONE ELSE is the problem.
This condition, if left untreated, can radically alter the carrier’s demeanor, to include any of the following: a complete devolution to child-like behavior, temper tantrums, and/or fits of narcissistic rage.
When confronted with an individual suspected of harboring Special Snowflake Syndrome, one’s best course of action is to run away. Further attempts at educating the carrier on the reality of their condition (e.g., quoting Tyler Durden: “You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You’re the same decaying organic matter as everything else.”) will likely prove futile, and potentially hazardous to the informer.”
Source: Urban Dictionary
Dear Writers,
I think you’re wonderful, I really do. I’m one of you, but I also am in professions to help you make your books stronger…but please, please, please stop thinking that you’re sitting on the godsend to literature. Stop thinking you’re the only author out there. Please stop thinking that it’s okay to treat your editor like an idiot and a slave. Please stop thinking that your book is a miracle and couldn’t POSSIBLY need any work.
Because you know what? ALL books need some work. It’s just the nature of things. I’m not saying all authors act like this, but many do. And you can make people like me–editors, formatters, cover artists–not want to do the work anymore. That’s not cool, so please, just treat us with respect, with people who have lives outside of your book.
Please. Don’t be a Special Snowflake.
Sincerely,
Mia
