Self-Doubt Thrives When You Compare Yourself to Other Writers

Self-Doubt Thrives When You Compare Yourself to Other Writers

by | Feb 9, 2021 | Writing advice

 Have you ever finished a wonderful book that, when you put it down, only left you feeling full of self-doubt? Because you think you’ll never write that well? Repeat after me 😊 I will never do this again! Comparing yourself to other writers can only damage your future successes. You may not be at the same experience level of those you’re comparing yourself to, and another person’s success may not be the magical transformation you feel it will be. 

 It’s not magic

Self-doubt can arise from the comparisons you make between you and fellow writers. Some may seem to have the Midas touch no matter what genre they write in–but you don’t know how many rewrites and edits they put that work through before it hit the bookshelves. 

 Those writers who are successful have likely spent an enormous amount of time and effort on their writing. It may look easy, but chances are they went through the same self-doubting process about their own potential for success. 

 Fear of exposure

Comparison to others and the self-doubt that follows goes on in every business – but it’s more prevalent in writing because you’re always putting yourself out there, presenting yourself and your ideas to others, particularly your friends and family (why do we feel more nervous about this audience?). They’ve been hearing for a long time about your writing, now they will see for themselves how good (or not) you are. 

The massive and constant success of others can make you feel like such a failure–because someone is always making more money than you or seems to be successful with everything they publish. 

Defeat the comparisons 

Comparisons like that are treacherous to your own self-confidence and can defeat what you’re trying to accomplish. You may not be aware of their many unfinished novels in the past or of how much time and money they’ve spent getting to this point. 

One way to view comparisons is to see them as challenges. “If she can do it, so can I!” may be exactly the boost you need to act, and make your own dreams come true. Note also that success for writers in the 21st Century is as much about marketing as it is about writing. Educate yourself on the strategies used by successful writers to get book sales.

 Strategise

Competition is fierce among writers. Looking into the strategies of other writers can be a good thing if you use them as models rather than comparing yourself to them negatively.  

Self-doubt can grow to be the nemesis of your future. Guard against comparing yourself to others negatively and focus on getting your writing to be the best it can be.

 

Too busy reading about writing to actually write?

by | Apr 15, 2016 | Fiction

Information overload?

I haven’t posted a blog for a while because I’ve been too busy writing paying stuff. Good but not good because I miss my own fiction writing.  I love writing and because I love it I can’t resist websites about writing which of course means signing up to receive updates. I then become inundated with emails from loads of wraithwonderful sites that I don’t have time to read and I’m now at the stage where I have to cull. For fans of Stargate Atlantis that has horrible connotations – the Wraith regularly perform ‘culls’ and you wouldn’t want to meet up with this guy on a dark night. I believe I’m  not alone. Writers are procrastinators first and foremost and how many times have you sat down to write and been sidetracked by an email with a link to an article about writing that you just have to read. I’m making a list of the sites that are truly helpful to me right now. I’m happy to add your favourite if it’s not here but I’m setting a limit of 10 really good sites that can be flexible over time. You can do a search for the top 100 best websites but what’s top right now doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best. They just got more votes on the day. I believe these sites are all anyone would need to be a writing writer. As opposed to a procrastinating writer.  Yes, there are loads more that could be added and you may already have your top picks but if you know everything that’s to be known on these sites then you’re going to be a pretty good writer. I’d love to hear what you think. Leave me a comment below. Writing Craft C.S. Lakin – Live Write Thrive – http://www.livewritethrive.com/ The best writing craft site I know The Write Practice – http://thewritepractice.com/ – just what it says on the tin – lots of opportunities to practice Write to Done – http://writetodone.com/  The spiel says their articles are unmissable – they’re definitely helpful and interesting Writer Unboxed – http://writerunboxed.com/ I joined this site initially because of the Logo – an old-fashioned typewriter – but I’ve followed it for a couple of years now and it’s always relevant Brain Pickings – https://www.brainpickings.org/ – for the thinkers A little bit more The Write Life – http://thewritelife.com/ – publishing, marketing, freelancing resources The Self-Publishing School – http://self-publishingschool.com/ If your ultimate aim is to publish a book this is where you’ll do it. Copyblogger – http://www.copyblogger.com/ – how to grow your blogging business About Freelance Writing – http://www.aboutfreelancewriting.com/  You want to get paid to write, right? Start here. Build Book Buzz – http://buildbookbuzz.com/ – there are so many book marketing sites it’s easy to get lost. This provides all the info you need. Books [table id=3 /]