AARRGGHH!
Why do we feel the need to compare ourselves to other writers? Someone may be years ahead of us. We compare. Someone may write in a totally unrelated genre. We compare. Our friend Joanne in England hits the writing lottery. We compare.
Therein lies the way to madness, my friends.
You'll end up destroying your relationships with that ugly green-eyed monster whispering in your ear. Ignore her. Now.
The only thing you need to focus on is your own goals. Do you need to write a novella in between novels to keep your readers interested? Write it. Do you want to improve your writing speed? Time yourself and practice. Do you need a professional editor because you failed grammar five times in high school? Hire one.
Focus on things you can actually do, not on things you have no control over. You cannot make people buy your book.
What you can do is write the best damn book you can.
The rest of your worries? The word you're looking for is "self-sabotage."
The best piece of writing advice I ever received came from a high school buddy. Don't get in your own way while following your dream.
I learned a long time ago that I can't judge my success by someone else's...no two lives are the same...how could they be compared?
ReplyDeleteThe same is true for books as well, Tess.
ReplyDeleteI think it's just human nature--the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Yep, my motto is...make your grass greener!
ReplyDelete