Daily affirmations of a word mercenary
The movie Juno was just fine, but I’m definitely intregued by Diablo Cody, the screenwriter. This interview with her is rad, for reasons that have very, very little to do with the movie:
But there’s one bit of advice I have that is going to make me sound like a douche bag. And that is, when you’re in a competitive environment, always give out the impression that you don’t care. It makes people want you more. If you act desperate, it’s over. I think a passive attitude is helpful. It comes naturally because I’m lazy. If I show up to a meeting in flip-flops, it makes me seem extremely appealing for some reason. But it wasn’t something I orchestrated. I just didn’t feel like putting on regular shoes.
It just makes me so happy that a woman with a brain and a sense of humor that I totally click with is finally writing movies in Hollywood.
My entire life I’ve been told I wasn’t pretty enough. My entire life I was told by people that I was ugly, that I was too tall, that I was flat-chested, that I was this, that I was that. Suddenly I achieve something in my life that is purely intellectual and purely creative, and I’m being told that it’s because I’m pretty. To me that is the weirdest, most ironic thing ever. Like all of a sudden I’m attractive when it suits people’s purposes. But in the past when I needed to be attractive I was ugly. So let’s pick. Which is it?
Hey there. I'm Ariel Meadow Stallings, a native Seattleite who's written my way up and down the Left Coast. Electrolicious is where I post daily randomata, but I also write for a living. My first book, Offbeat Bride, is in bookstores now.
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amy.leblanc
December 28th, 2007 at 9:15 pm
ha! i want to see the movie, but just watched ‘knocked up’ and can only handle one accidental pregnancy film a month. will wait for the DVD, but yes, that interview is quite witty and inspiring….er, rad. i’m on the same wavelength, and am still holding my breath that a writing career accidentally finds me one day, because something in my gut tells me that strategizing/busting my ass for it won’t work. born writers v. made writers, right? sigh.
yelahneb
December 29th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
on dealing with competitive people: yes! it keeps you from psyching yourself out - if you go into a contest focused on your performance rather than caring about whether you win or not, you’re much more relaxed and less likely to make mistakes. easygoing apathy in a crisis situation comes across like confidence.
Sonya
December 29th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
This is great. Thank you for posting this. What she says about competitive work environments is true; in Hollywood i’ve found confidence coupled with a relaxed air of “i could take this or leave this job/job offer” seems to work. At least most of the time. As a humble person, she’s probably downplaying the fact that talent and brains count for a lot too.
And don’t get me started on the issue of women and their bodies in hollywood. Ugg.
dori
December 29th, 2007 at 7:03 pm
holy freakin’ CRAP, i remember her blog pussy ranch - and i’m simply amazed it’s the same person - whoa!