Deadly Sin # 7…PRIDE

Pride is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and indeed the ultimate source from which the others arise. Identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to acknowledge the good work of others, and excessive love of self.

I have self pride (I like me and am proud to call myself author), but cannot say that I want to be better or thought differently about than anyone else. I would also be displeased with myself if I failed to acknowledge others for their hard work or achievements.

This reminds me of the phrase ‘Keeping up with the Jones’. People like that tend to be annoying at times, but I usually just let them be. They are who they are and I am me. I cannot better myself by belittling anyone else, so I try not to be a hater.

Some days I win and some days I lose. I am not perfect. So tell me dearest readers, friends and random passers by who secretly want to start following my blog *wink*wink*, have you run across a sin suffer of Pride? Or perhaps you have suffered this curse yourself. I am not here to judge. I love you for who you are. And who you are is what makes you special to me. Don’t change!

Besides, who the hell are the Jones’ anyway and where did they get all their money? lol

Deadly Sin # 6…Envy

Those who commit the sin of envy resent that another person has something they perceive themselves as lacking, and wish the other person to be deprived of it.

Okay, this one you can totally nail me for. It doesn’t rule my life, but I am…at times ENVIOUS of people who are published or agented. I know, it is not the right feelings to have but sometimes when you are burning the midnight oil and working  typing your fingers to the bone, you begin to wonder when it will happen for you. I in no way want anyone deprived of what they have already worked hard to achieve, just saying I wish I was thereJ

It is a little premature for me since I haven’t even really bit the bullet yet. I still need to tighten my finished manuscript, the QUERY before anything good can come from it. I am mentally prepared for it…or so I say. Easier said than done.

I suppose you could say that I am not delusional and know that I should expect rejections to come and I will deal with that in my own way when the time comes, but mentally training to be ready for it is the last thing that I am worried about. I am just trying to get my MS to the best it can be before I subject anyone to it.

I recently read Nathalie Whipple’s blog and how she talks about her critique partners and how she has certain ones that specialize in areas just amazes me. I am so new at all of this…a greenhorn at best, but appreciate being able to read others ideas and helpful hints to try and square out my own plan.

Since I am already so far off main subject, let’s get back shall we? What are you envious of or have you suffered from ENVY of any kind?

Deadly Sin # 5…Wrath

Wrath…anger…rage – may be described as inordinate and uncontrolled feelings of hatred and anger. Anger in its purest form, present s with self-destructiveness, violence, and hate that may provoke feuds that can go on for centuries. Feelings of anger can manifest in different ways, including  impatience, revenge, and vigilantism.

What has made you unleash your wrath? Have there been moments where it has been there lying under the surface, just waiting to come out from hiding? Yes, I have been guilty once again of another sin...anger. I have had anger creep up on me and have had to find a way to defuse it. Anger is not a good feeling to have. It is not a pleasant sensation to radiate…permeate through your body and mind.

It is like being possessed by something evil and not realizing it until it has left your body. Have you been possessed by anger before? Are you a Jekyl and Hyde?

Deadly Sin # 4…Sloth

This has been me for the past month. I have done absolutely nothing. Laziness has set in and taken over my body. Listlessness and indifference has become the norm of my days. I have really not done much of anything. I need to pull myself together and do more but have no ambition to get going.

Where do I find the umph to get back on track? Has anyone else ever fallen victim of the sloth sin? I’m sure it has happened to someone else out there other than me. Help a sister out. How do I get out of this deep rut that I have succumbed to?

Movements are restricted, mind is made of mush and everything moves in slow motion except that the next thing that you know, the entire day is gone and you have nothing to show for it. Argh!...I am so slothy.

Deadly Sin # 3…Greed

Greed is applied to a very excessive or rapacious desire and pursuit of wealth, status, and power.  Yes, I admit that I come across greed when it comes to my writing. I want my writing to be recognized, so I guess I want the status of being known to the world. The wealth wouldn’t be a bad thing either, but I am ok now with or without it.

Also with greed, I am compelled to get things done. I am greedy to get my WIPs done, greedy to get as many MS written as I can. The more of my own work I have, the better I feel about myself…status to my own mind perhaps. My own power.

Power. What gives you power? Power to me is something that is achieved by working really hard on something and creating something you believe in. To me that is power. I have power because I believe in what I am doing. Do you have power? I bet you do…

Deadly Sin # 2…Gluttony

Gluttony – meaning to gulp down or swallow, over-indulgence and over-consumption of anything to the point of waste.  Can you think of anything that you have wasted? Have you been a glutton of some sort in some fashion?

I sometimes feel like I am a glutton of paper. I feel like I waste too much paper when I print things out that I don’t need to print or I print, read and then recycle. It is just a waste sometimes and I am trying to get better about it. Now I have been trying to train myself to copy and paste things into a document and save it to my thumb drive to read later on the computer.

I hoard information too. I guess that is not a waste though. Someday it will come in handy and I will be happy that I kept the information for all that time. Or I will wonder what I did it for.

Yep, tad bit off scope there. Ok, if there was a food that you would be a glutton for…what would it be?

Mine would be…I would have to say pizza or laffy taffy...grape. Totally can’t live without it.

Deadly Sin # 1…Lust

Reading about the 7 deadly sins had me curious to know what really makes people tick. I mean think about lust. It is thought of as excessive thoughts of desire of a sexual nature. When I think about that, is there someone that I have lust for? My husband, a movie hunk, an old flame…?

When you think about lust, what comes to mind? You don’t have to say it aloud. Write it down in an exercise or some kind. Use it in one of your WIPs or something. Everyone is intrigued about someone’s lust for someone or something. Ok, maybe not everyone, but I know that I am.

I think lust is an obsessive compulsive disorder for some people. You just can't control yourself. For a taste of man candy...go to Borrowing Heaven, Subletting Hell to enjoy some lustful images of midnight man candy and other fantastic literary input.

Admit it, there is something that always makes you think of sex…? I can hear you giggling about it. Just think about it and don't worry about being too sinful.