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My Own Worst Enemy
Haven’t watched the show but I’ve always had a fondness for Christian Slater. Throwback to my ‘80’s era hair and early ‘90’s love of the surfer boy blonde looks. Long ago I got over the surfer boy blonde hair look (I don’t look good standing next to a blonde, I’m pale.) but I’ve always had that love for the guy who is tall, dark, dangerous and really someone you shouldn’t be standing in a dark corner with- even if he’s supposed to save your life.
Or living a double life.
I have a love of beating the odds. Double life livers are the risk taker extrodinares of beating the odds. Usually consists of the being the hero and the underdog- the most underrated person in the world. No one believes in them, not even themselves. It takes a very special person to get through to an underdog. A true underdog has weighed out all other options and no matter what the answer is always the same. If you do this, you will lose. There is no losing for an underdog. It’s a win-win situation. The whole purpose of an underdog is to show someone else it can be done against all the odds. You might not win the first time, but damnit if you don’t try and try again until you get it right.
Writing is an underdog sport. You know the odds it will take to get finished. To get noticed. To get published. To get famous. And to become a bestseller. It’s damn near impossible. But that doesn’t mean we all give up. No. It means we push ourselves harder. We become more determined and focused and hone our craft until it’s polished and as close to a perfect carat diamond as you’ll ever see.
The goal for me, in my writing, is underdog moments that will bring me in deeper into character. My characters thrive from dangerous situations that they have no control over, and just like myself, my characters like control. They live control. They breathe it. Nothing happens just to happen to them. It’s because they’re so hellbent on controlling every aspect of their lives that they can’t see the boulder racing down the hill towards them like a steamroller. In that instant they turn from hero to underdog and that’s what I love the most about writing and the underdog. I have the ability to make the underdog the hero and I’ve always wanted to be the hero, but remain the underdog.
My subconscious is my own worst enemy who keeps me at the underdog status (rightfully, I belong in the underdog status. It's easier to throw off the enemy that way, looking all innocent and sweet). I spend my days working for the underdog, just wanting everyone to have exactly what they want in a world where that doesn’t happen too often. There is always something standing in our way. In general, the world’s population as a whole are underdogs in life. We spend our days working against the odds to rise above it all and take control of our situations. Control is the very aspect of life that an underdog can’t control. So through writing, I take my own worst enemy and I flip it on its ear and give it a new meaning.
Today let’s talk about underdog moments in life and through writing. What is your most memorable underdog moment you’ve experienced or witnessed? How about your characters? Or character’s you’ve read.
Books by the Crew
46 comments:
I skipped two grades as a kid, and while I wasn't underdeveloped physically, I felt overwhelmed mentally until I got to college where no one knew me and I could lie. I was always playing catch-up, not to mention I missed some foundations in math and know nothing about NY state history. (which was a mandatory 7th grade thing. They handed me a textbook and thought I would read it myself. Ha.)
My heroines all tend to have been knocked around a little bit, but they're not waiting to be rescued.
My protagonists get knocked around a great deal, too. I'm a sucker for the tortured type, be they man or woman. But they always get back up on their feet on their own, otherwise they wouldn't learn the essentials in life. If you can't stand up for yourself (can't come out of the hiddy hold of underdog) why would anyone stand up next to you.
hmmm.... I'm thinking it's too early for me to be philosophical. :)
Tiff said: "If you can’t stand up for yourself (can’t come out of the hiddy hold of underdog) why would anyone stand up next to you." This is an incredibly good point, Tiff. :) I agree.
Yikes underdog moments. I had a guidance counselor in HS tell me I should sign up for cosmetology school because I would never get into college. There's nothing wrong with cosmetology school, just wasn't what I wanted and I really wanted to go to college. When I sent my letter of intent back to Penn State, with acceptances from three other big name schools in my hand, I laughed in her face and told her she should sign up for cosmetology school because the whole guidance thing wasn't working for her.
And I love watching characters overcome the odds.
Maggie! Eek! I can't believe you skipped two grades! If I'd skipped two grades in school, not only would I've been a nervous wreck, but I would've failed miserably. It was like that for me when I went off to college. College was a terrible shell shocking experience for me. I don't like a lot of people. OMG is there a lot of people on a college campus.
Like you, I like my heroine's knocked around a bit, rough around the edges, but no one in my world is waiting to be rescued. I love books when the heroine is a strong female character.
I come from a long line of underdogs. But my family are the type who like to wallow in their underdog world and never overcome anything. They are only happy when miserable. It took moving away for me to find the fighting spirit every underdog needs. I've clawed, and faught, and barked my way out. The fight never really ends, but I'm a lot further up the hill than I used to be.
My hero is all about control. In addition to his OCD ways, he's lost something precious to something he couldn't control. Which makes him feel like he failed somehow. My heroine has always been an underdog, but she hasn't yet found her fighting spirit. She helps him see that he didn't fail and he helps her find that spirit. That's the plan anyway...
Great blog, Sin. This is a twist I hadn't thought about before.
Tiff, I agree with Marn, you made an awesome point really early in the morning. It will take me all day to catch up to the greatness in that comment. LOL
I'm a huge sucker for the tortured hero/heroine. The more of a mental wreck either of them are, the more I relate to them.
Marn, don't you just love when you get the chance to show someone up? I mean, I can't believe a guidance counselor said that to you. My guidance couselor was great. My first two hours my senior year were designated to be his "assistant" and mostly that consisted of me sleeping for an extra two hours before third hour started. LOL
I told him what I wanted to do and he said, "Then get to it missy. You are in control of your own life. You drive this stagecoach." LOL
I couldn't cut hair to save my soul from hell. It takes a really smart person to do hair. I mean, think about all the bitchy customers you'd have to put up with without killing? Drowning them in chemical? Wax their mouth shut? Hm. This would make a good murder. *taking notes*
Ter, I have no idea where the twist comes from. I read this blog, there's nothing in this blog that's twisty. Besides my brain. I'm like that old drug commercial with the egg and the frying pan.
Person holds egg up to the camera. "This is your brain."
Person shows you the hot frying pan. Person cracks the egg and tosses the egg into the hot frying pan. Instantly the egg starts to cook to yummy goodness. "This is your brain on drugs."
Person looks at the camera all seriousnesslike. "Any questions?"
Hm.
Lots of people are only happy when they are miserable. I have a BFF like that. The more miserable she is and can complain about it, the happier she is within herself. She'd never admit that but as much as she likes to talk about how only the individual can solve their problems on their own, she really likes to blame everyone else for her problems.
I was really thinking about the cartoon Underdog when writing this blog. I can even remember the opening credits and the theme song. I never saw the remake they did for movies. I didn't want to ruin my childhood image of Underdog. Much like I didn't want to ruin my childhood image of Narnia.
P.S. Marn, I can't believe your guidance counselor! I'm so glad you showed her up! The wench!
Good God, Sin, was Mr. Eaton still the guidance counselor when you came through? *LOL*
And yes, I agree: it takes a brilliant artist to cut hair. I love my stylist--she rocks--and she is smart. She could have had a PhD if she wanted it, I know. Just because you're capable of getting a PhD doesn't mean you're actually all that smart--at least socially and street-wise. I'm surrounded by faculty who prove that every day. (Some are, of course, but some...are...so not....)
I'm still marvelling at Tiff's statement of the day. If anything could be a kick in the pants and make you stand up for yourself, that'd be the statement. Bravo, Tiff!
I don't know if I could manage cutting hair, honestly. Especially women's hair. Imagine trying to live up to someone's expectation of how they are "supposed to look."
No way, man.
*frowning at Sin* It's not nice to reference me in your comments. *LOL* I don't blame EVERYONE for my problems. Just my parents. And whacked family. And the family we've divorced but still come around (WHY do they do that? I mean, a divorce means I don't want to be around you anymore, go away...and he just doesn't get it.) And I can't help it my boss doesn't understand my artist temperment...and inability to concentrate on folders.
*LOL* Marn, OMG, for my 30th birthday, we went to a spa...it was a big deal and one of the things I had done was "hairstyle" and the stylist asked me how I wanted my hair done, and I said, "Short, like the picture there of Marilyn Monroe. With the curls." And this woman paused, looked me up and down, then said, "I can't work miracles."
LOL, yes, I can't believe you could catch onto Mr. Eaton by just the statement. LOL I loved Mr. Eaton. He wanted to make it just to my year and leave with us. You make yourself sound SO old. Jeez. You're not old. I'm not old. No one is old.
And my hairstylist kicks a lot of ass in the hair department. He flutters like a butterfly around me and makes these most wonderful creations. It helps that we're friends outside of the chair too. LOL
OMG. I can't believe she SAID that to you! What a bitch! You have gorgeous hair.
And you know who I'm talking about. That statement doesn't have your name written on it anywhere.
Oh, Captain, that's just cold. I actually wanted to go to Cosmotology school when I was a Freshman. I had it all planned out. My mother thought I'd lost my mind, but only because she'd been working with the public for years and knew I'd likely kill someone. She was totally right. And I would have hated being on my feet all day.
I wish I could find a stylist that I like and could stick with. I'm going to someone new next Wednesday so we'll see. Just wish a good haircut didn't have to be so expensive.
Sin - I've seen part of the new Underdog movie. Be happy you've been spared.
LOL! That's hilarious though! It takes some serious cajones to say something like that to a paying customer.
Very true Marn. LOL. Very true. I can't believe you didn't choke her Hellion. I'd plotted out much worse things to do in my head while she worked on me.
Thank goodness. I loved Underdog as a kid. I'd hate for it to be forever ruined by some crap version they just wanted to make a lot of money off of.
Yeah, my friend Pam thought so too. I just looked at the stylist, but Pam's expression was priceless. I thought she was going to snatch the woman bald for saying that. I mean, it was my 30th Birthday "Party" and this chickiepoo just slammed me. *LOL* I was only sorry that I couldn't delegate who got what percentage of my gratuity. All the items were added together...so I couldn't jip the stylist without ruining it for the poor massage therapist, who'd been awesome. Because I would have.
Hellion, if someone would have said that to me, I would have got up out of that chair and shoved some scissors...Anyway, I have the most unruly awful curly hair, which absolutely loves humidity-not!
It's a bit too early for my brain to work, no caffeine and all but I'll see what I can come up with.
Underdog status-I've felt the underdog all my life, that is until I started writing. Now I feel as if I have a purpose other than breathing. At times I feel like I could take on the world and win. My heroines, so far have lacked self-confidence in some way or another, one was abused by her father, one is rather tall and Amazonian like, another has been abandoned by her parents in their search for gold. Each of them overcomes the things that have held them back from being fulfilled.
Great blog!
Renee
Hey! The Underdog movie wasn't so bad! I loved that smart-mouthed beagle and the villains were perfect. And I was a huge Underdog cartoon fan... One of my heroes...
Him and Mighty Mouse.
My hero is a control freak, but generally finds there really is no control. Ends up being on of the things that captivates about the heroine!
Personally. Hmmmmm. Always in sports, but no good end came out of those. Just stayed the underdog. I'm gonna have to think about this...
I love underdog moments and characters. I kind of equate that to the "Ugly Duckling" storylines. You know... the woman who for whatever reason (doesn't necessarily have to be that she's actually ugly) can't seem to fit in or find her place but in the end triumphs and gets it all (including the gorgeous, football hero, rich millionaire guy).
I don't know about any of you, but judging by what I'm paying my hairstylist, I'm pretty certain Marnee could buy and sell us all at this point if she listened to her pathetic excuse for a counselor! LOL I'm like Renee and have awful, unmanageable hair. It took 3/4 of my life to find someone who can actually cut it properly. So, as far as I'm concerned she's worth every penny (although, we don't need to let the DH know just how many pennies I've been giving her lately! That will just be our little secret), but seriously beauty is big business these days!
I am totally dumbfounded by the counselor comment and Hellion's hairstylist's comment. I've been on my soapbox lately with the kiddies about being rude! I don't know if I'm naive or sheltered but it always, always amazing me that people have the cajones (as Marnee stated) to say the things they say!
Hellion, when that lil’ snot snapped that she couldn’t work miracles you should have: Smiled sweetly at the fiend. Then you should have proceeded to walk sloooowly around her, inspecting every aspect of her person. When you were done you should have looked her straight in the eye (still smiling sweetly) and say “But my dear. Of course you Can work miracles. Whyyyy just look at how nicely you look… and You have so little nature resources to work with. My Gawd, IF that isn’t A Miracle. Then I don’t know What is!” Then shrug your shoulders, as you turn your back to the bitch & say to the person in charge. ‘I’d like a different stylist, please. Someone who (pause & give the B a pityingly pitiful look) you Know… is Professional & Knows what they’re doing.”
Arg! Make that Natural Resources!
*LOL* I love that comeback. *LOL*
You know I don't think there were any other stylists that morning. (I don't think haircuts were these people's fortes. Customer service certainly wasn't. *LOL*) I wish I had thought of that comeback though...I was too stunned at the time to even think. Mostly I was like, "Am I paying for this service or are the insults free?"
SIN I canNOT believe that you said “It’s easier to throw off the enemy that way, looking all innocent and sweet.” Really. Don’t Tell people that! Looking like a pushover is some people’s biggest strength. Now folks will Know to be suspicious & wary of sweet, little, innocent looking people… like me!
Renee, I understand the feeling of lack of caffiene in the morning. Although, I've had a heaping dose of it since I first started replying on the blog. LOL
For me when I write it's important that I don't have perfect characters. Sadie is mentally a mess, physically on the outside she's fit and trim and very much looks like she could kick your butt without breaking a sweat, but on the inside, she's a crumbling wall of self-doubt and she is the underdog in her situation. I mean, you can't get shot at and not know who's shooting at you without being an underdog. LOL
Hellion you should have said “Am I paying for this service TOO or are the insults free?” And you should have told That Person that you had heard that haircuts were NOT their fortes. Obviously you had heard right.
2nd Chance, I loved Mighty Mouse too!
My heroine is a control freak too. It's almost endearing in a main character to have a quirk like that.
Being the underdog in sports is ultimate. You always want the opponent to think the very opposite of what your skills really are. Even if you think you're not good, you couldn't be that bad if you try.
Jules, too bad I ratted you out.
Irish, I love the "ugly duckling" storylines. And you're right. They don't necessarily have to fall into the ugly heroine turns into some gorgeous model who the jock hero made fun of in school and the gorgeous model heroine comes back to make him eat his words, only to find out that they are meant to be together.
It doesn't work like that in the real world.
I need substance and background for my underdog, but I prefer my underdog/hero/heroine to not know that's their MO.
If anything, no one pays attention to the sweet looking innocent standing in the corner. It's much easier to get throwing stars out when no one is watching.
Hiiii-yah!
Loved the blog, Sin.
Everyone is an underdog and goes through those "moments."
Me? I love it when people say or express a belief that "I can't do something." I have so many moments when I've proven them wrong and even now it makes me smile.
My Dad has always been the champion of his "underdogs" (his children). I once had the fascination with garbage men when I was young. So naturally, I wanted to be like them. I wanted to ride in the back of the big honking truck and clear peoples front yards of their garbage. I told my Dad that I wanted to be a garbage man when I grew up. And you know what he did? He looked me straight in the eye, with so much belief and told me that he believed I would be the best garbage woman, that they would always be honored to have the best honest worker around. I still remember that. It wasn't until years later, I realized that my Dad's belief in me--even back then--was the reason I'll always believe in myself. It doesn't matter what you become; because eventually we believed ourselves to becoming who we are now: ACHIEVING UNDERDOGS!!
IG - I bet you'd make an awesome garbage woman! Or should that be sanitation worker to be PC?
That reminds me of my daughter. A few years ago her dream was to be a Sonic worker. Though the voices in my head were screaming "AIM HIGHER!", I told her to go for it. Man, that was hard. LOL!
Now she wants to be an artist, possibly a teacher, and if she can combine that with any reason to walk the red-carpet, she'll be happy. Can we say "future reality show star"?
IG- Hm, now I want to call you Ig all the time. Like Iggy. But that kind of makes you sound like an iguana. And you're gorgeous. I can't downgrade from gorgeous statue to iguana. Bad me.
Your daddy is a good man to always believe in his children and always believe that no matter what y'all would be the best at whatever you chose to do. But I can't see you riding on the back of a trash truck and hanging on by one hand like a rodeo rider. LOL
Trust me, Sin. Some people are old. I'm one of them. I figure that makes me an underdog as an aspiring romance writer since the odds against my becoming a debut author at 109 must be astronomical. But I'm not in control of publishing. I am in control of writing, so I keep focused on what I am in control of. :)
IG, that is wonderful that you dad's belief in you was that strong. I remember wanting to be a lawyer, and I received a lecture about how they were the slime of the slime with no scruples. Well, not in those exact words, the thing I didn't understand at the time was that my father's job was to put away that bad guys, and too often lawyers were able to free these bad guys and put them back on the streets so that they could continue in their wicked ways.
I ended up being just a mom-but a mom who wants her children to chase their dreams, but I give them the advice that they should have more than one just in case they change their minds along the way.
For the record, I don't believe all lawyers are crooks. I've met a few along the way that I admire very much. Sometimes I wish I would have had the guts to take a stand and do what I wanted to do, just to prove I'm no yellow bellied toad, but I don't regret being just a mom either. Besides, now I'm a writer and I can do and be whatever it is I want to through my characters.
Julie, I love your comeback lines.
Irish, let me tell you, when I got my hair done over the summer, it was the first time ever that I had absolutely loved my hair. She was worth every penny and plus some. I need to make another appointment. :) I'm feeling a little frizzed.
Renee
Awww, IG, I love your Daddy story...that's the best. I love how he would be proud of you even if you "were just a sanitation worker"--that you would be a great worker no matter what you were doing.
Y'know, I did grow up to be a "sanitation worker" sort of...I mean I'm always picking up after the kids, clearing the front yard and although I'm an honest worker at it, I'm not very consistent. It's A LOT of work.
I like Iggy but I seriously am afraid of anything Iguanalike. LOL.
Terri, I know the feeling. My son announced that he can't wait to grow up and work at "Burger King." There's nothing bad with that. So what did I do? I did exactly what Daddy did for me. My husband, (who I had to pinch to shutup) had an absolutely different response.
Renee, helping your children weave their dreams is the most magical of all jobs. My hats off to you for being--"just a Mom."
Hellion, I finally found a photo of Daddy in his "sailor" days. When you guys have a blog on "HAWT DADS back in the DAY." Let me know, I'll scan my photo over. No, 'fo reals, I'll do it.
Oooh, I know what my next blog is gonna be about then! *LOL* I need to scan some of Daddy's sailor pics too. *LOL*
Some wonderful comebacks, ladies! Don't they always show up hours after you need them!? One thing I like about writing, if I come up with a good one, I can write it in later.
We need a sanitation worker heroine... Someone who picks up the trash and finds a body. Then through the immense knowledge of how people handle their trash and a keen insight into the human psyche... Why not! Underdog was a shoeshine boy! Uh...beagle.
I can just envision the television series. The exact oppostie of Monk...
Ah! My ship for a hairstylist who could tame my perimenopause mop of hair!
You people...I broke down and bought a brownie bite at Starbucks...a bit moist for me...but the chocolate! Ah! The chocolate!
Janga, honey, you aren't old. We all feel that way about getting published after 100. You're going to make it way before then. I just know it.
MMM, brownies. I love the brownies at Panera. They are so super yummy triple chocolatey.
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