  Short Stories
This week: E is for Envy Edited by: Shannon  
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Emotions can motivate or imprison us. They have the power to bring out our best as well as our worst. Today we will take a closer look at envy, the fourth in a series of newsletters focusing on what it means to be human.
Throughout the process of writing this newsletter series I referred to The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi. Please show them some love by buying your very own copy of this invaluable book here.
Welcome to the Short Stories Newsletter. I am Shannon and I'm your editor this week. |
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"Of the seven deadly sins, only envy is no fun at all." ~ Joseph Epstein
Envy has plagued humanity since the dawn of man. According to the Bible, Cain murdered Abel in an envious rage, and the scriptures say, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones." (Proverbs 14:30)
What is envy, exactly? Many people believe envy and jealousy are interchangeable, but they are two different emotions: envy is wanting something someone else has, while jealousy is the threat of losing something (usually someone) one already has.
Envy = lack (two person situation). Jealousy = loss (three person situation).
Is envy always a bad thing? Psychologists say there are two types of envy: benign (leveling up) and malignant (leveling down), and recent studies suggest that inciting envy actually changes cognitive function, boosting mental persistence and memory.
We've all heard stories about the beautiful new sportscar getting keyed in the parking lot. The perpetrator wanted the car for herself, but since she couldn't have it she didn't want the owner to have it, either. This is malignant envy. It tears down and harms. But what about the boy who sees and envies that same car, so he studies hard, gets straight As, goes to medical school, and buys one for himself? This is benign envy. It motivates and inspires.
Your character has a choice. Will she allow envy to seethe and poison, or drive and galvanize her? And what does envy look and feel like, anyway? Here are a few suggestions:
Physical:
 glowering
tense muscles
sweaty hands
pinched lips
staring
Mental:
anger
frustration
scheming
dissatisfaction
fantasizing
Internal:
rapid heartbeat
dry mouth/throat
clenched teeth
upset stomach
body temperature rises
Be careful, here. As with make-up application, less is more. Don't weigh down or dilute the power of your prose with too much detail: Amber glowered at him. Her muscles tensed, and she clenched her sweaty fists, forcing herself to stare at his smug face. Through pursed lips she said, "I'm so angry right now. So ... so--" she stopped talking then, too frustrated to speak. Instead she fantasized, schemed, plotted his demise, but the fantasy left her with an overwhelming sense of dissatisfaction. Her heart raced. Her mouth was dry, and nothing but a croak escaped her parched throat when she tried to tell him exactly what she thought of him. She wiped the sweat from her brow, placed a trembling hand on her upset stomach, and through clenched teeth said, "I hate you."
Yeah, too much detail. Too wordy. When it comes to description, take a hint from Woodsy Owl: Give a Hoot! Don't Dilute! 
How does your character deal with envy? Does he work harder to better himself in order to get what he wants, or use it as an excuse to destroy someone else's property? Does she hunker down and do what it takes to obtain the object for herself, or does she steal it from someone else? Respond to this newsletter with your character's tale of envy and I will share it in next month's newsletter.
"Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own." ~ Harold Coffin
Thank you for reading.
For other newsletters in this series, see the links below:
Part 1--"Shackled and Chained"
Part 2--"My Last Nerve"
Part 3--"Unbreak My Heart"
Part 4--"E is for Envy"
Part 5--"Imaginary Lover"
Part 6--"Soul Eater"
Part 7--"The Green-Eyed Monster"
Part 8--"Ego Trip" |
I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!
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The following is in response to "Unbreak My Heart" :
Zeke  writes, "Only those of us who have experienced true grief can really understand it." I agree with you, Zeke. I thought I knew, or could at least empathize, but until I experienced it myself I was clueless. 
Callie hears Angels these days  writes, "This was a wonderful article. You know, I think one of the main reasons I have always been a compulsive reader and writer is to gain a deep understanding of what makes us all tick. There is part of me that is always watching and taking notes as I go through my life. To disengage for a little bit , let's me be able to keep that story solid when remembered hilarity or grief is evoked in a character." Thank you! I'm the same way: I'm a people watcher and voracious reader, both indispensable if you want to be a writer, in my humble opinion. Thank you for reading! 
willwilcox writes, "Wow, that's some good stuff there. I can use some of that!" Aw, thank you, Bill! I'm glad you liked it. 
Amyaurora  writes, "Just wanted to say that your newsletter on 'Unbreak My Heart' was a helpful read and good timing. I am still dealing with personal pain and one day hope to include it in more of my writing. The recommendation of CS Lewis was helpful as my therapist recommended it as well." Thank you, Amy. I am so sorry for your pain. C.S. Lewis may help, he may not, but he definitely won't hurt. Hang in there, girl. You are stronger than you know. (((hugs))) 
Quick-Quill  writes, "Again an outstanding NL! MY MC has lost his family when the mob do a drive by at the restaurant where his wife is waiting. Others die in the melee, but she and their son die. I have hints of his grief. The one thing I wrote was his reaction to going to his partner's daughter's first birthday. The moment he has to pick her up and the tearing reaction to the memories. Up until that moment he's insulated himself from all contact with families and children. This short part of a chapter shows his beginning to change. Its a very emotional time for him. The reader see and hears all he is going through." Thank you! And your story sounds interesting. Can you send me a link once the story's complete? I may include it in a future newsletter. 
blunderbuss writes, "Hi Shannon! Having just returned from a funeral (close relative), after a long and horrible journey, this newsletter touched a nerve. What is stamped on my mind from the trip is the strange feeling of sorrow mixed with celebration. Meeting up with people I hadn't seen for years, the smiles and laughter - yes, even as we all gathered, just before the ceremony in the chapel. The mix of generations - clothes (some really casual), the deep display of love, the motorbike escort (he was a biker in his youth), so many people in the packed chapel, the bitter sobs of his granddaughter, a lovely girl in the middle of exams - all these images stand out. I wrote a piece about grief a while ago, and I guess (having checked the 'stages' you linked), it is really the acceptance end of it." I am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story with us.  |
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Short Stories: June 17, 2015 Issue [#7044]
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