… it is already December. This year has flown by and not without it’s share of drama. Depending on the micro or macro of groups you belong to, there has been one dramtic hand to the cheek “whatever shall we do” after another. Ask my dh and all he says is “women”.  That’s so wrong.

Yet…

I belong to many a RWA chapter, a non-RWA writing/crit group and am in over 50 yahoo-loops, yes I am spread a little thin. Maybe other folks are as well and when you add in the wife, mom and/or job interruptions, I can see how things gets thrown way outta wack. The men in the groups tend not to make a big deal outta things, or at least are less vocal about any objections they may have. You will get a topic that starts out circulation, usually with a mild, off-hand eh comment and then after about a week you practically have name calling and blacklisting and oh it can get ugly. It does make for plenty of other group fodder and “did you hear what so-and-so said?”

The drama has also been focused in on one person or another and the trials and tribulations of their writing career. While I feel terrible for reading (and sometimes buying into) all the hype, it’s almost impossible not to want to be in the know (I can’t stand not knowing, it goes back to elementary school and the clique girls and me being a short curly haired freckled gal and well, you can figure out the rest).  And if you can scoop somoeone . . . the power can be addictive.  (and every few months it’s someone else)

Sometimes all the drama can be daunting and just really weigh you down–make you want to curl up under the covers and not get on the computer for a week. But like with everything else, in moderation, I think it can help you know which way to or not to go. At the very least, I have learned a little bit of patience and tact after seeing the “flame-wars”–for lack of a better term–that goes through all the loops when you get a couple of people who disagree. Sure, some is folks who ust didn’t say it quite right but the times when someone takes offense and strikes back–whamo! 50 e-mails within five minutes fill up your e-mail box.

Kinda back to my dh’s theory: You get three people together and two are gonna disagree. It’s the way life is, human nature and all that. Sometimes–thanks to my mother’s unorthdox approach to child rearing and making my brother and I into little people rather than bubbleheaded kids (like my own bubbleheads; kids need to be kids, but I digress. . . .)–I tend to take the less favorable side just because it needs to be argued–whether I agree or not. I have learned over the years better and better how to keep my mouth shut–or fingers still on the keyboard–but TRUST ME, I am sooooooo thinking it!

I guess this was a little bit of a ramble, but like I said December already . . .  2009 will be fun to explore and keep track of all the new dramas.