Friday, August 14, 2009

Go Ahead. Compare Yourself.

Haven't I always spouted off about not comparing yourself to other writers? Today, I'm throwing up my hands. Go ahead, compare all you want.



Compare myself to my favorite author? Okay, I'm game.
The facts about my fave author: she researched cancer cures, lived all over the world, and writes the best heroes on the planet.

How do I compare: I don't research cancer cures, haven't been overseas, and struggle to write a decent book.

Hmm..that didn't feel very good. It felt kind of kick-in-the-ribs bad.

I'll try again.

How do I compare: I sympathize with and help people who are going through tough times. I've been blessed to live in many places and have met interesting folks wherever I went. Writing a terrific hero is important to me.

Not bad.
If we're going to compare, we should at least spin ourselves in a positive light. Someone else's success doesn't equal our failure.

How do you compare to your favorite author?

Happy Writing!

Join me next week as I offer encouragement on keeping your confidence high during a conference.

27 comments:

  1. I love how positive you are about everything. I'd really like to bottle up your encouragement and stick it in my pocket at all times!

    I'm going to have to think about this one a bit. (And I'm a bit embarrassed to point out my favorite authors)

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  2. Good Morning!

    Marybeth: Oh, I get discouraged too. The last two weeks have been a bit rough, but I figure I can wallow in unhealthy doubt or dwell in optimism.

    And my favorite authors are not Pulitzer winners! And they're wonderful!!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  3. How do I compare to Jodi Picoult?? LOL I don't except I love her writing as much as she probably does!
    A new week starts Monday and anything can happen to any of us!!

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  4. Terri: I wouldn't say that you don't compare. I wouldn't say that at all! And yes, I'm looking forward to a new week--have a terrific weekend!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  5. My favorite authors are Eugenia Price and Jan Karon and Patti Lacy. All of them write very differently, but I am attracted to them because they are real, and love the Lord, and their words have changed my thinking.

    I'd like to be like that in my writing.

    Thanks for asking!

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  6. Your blog post didn't show up in my reader this morning either! I wonder if the ones that were published about 7:00 had trouble! That's what I'm noticing! And now I'm on an investigation! :)

    Anyhoo, I have a confession: I can't seem to stop comparing my writing to published authors. Can we please form an Authors Anonymous for this problem? I can't read books anymore without comparing. In fact, my love of reading has diminished because of it! So, I'm in desperate need of a group! ;)

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  7. Jeanette: I love Jan Karon! And based on what you love about the authors, I know the same comes across in your own words. Isn't that terrific?

    Jody: Okay--let's form the group! I know exactly what you mean. Like how does this one pack so much emotion in her books, or how does that one write such amazing settings so you feel like you're actually there?? It's enough to give anyone a complex!

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. My favorite author seems to change every few months. I think what I have are not so much favorite authors as authors whose careers I admire. Rachel Gibson is one but my real favorite is Meg Cabot. Not her writing as much as her success...and her ability to write in a variety of genres and do well.

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  9. I love your positive spin on comparing ourselves. How right you are! If we are going to compare ourselves, we should at least do so in a positive manner. Thanks for the reminder.

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  10. What a great reminder. If we're going to compare, we should at least do it on a level plane! And positive, as you say. :)

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  11. Stephanie: Welcome! I have authors who I admire for their career too. I'm so grateful to them because they've allowed me to dream.

    LazyWriter: I'm really bad about comparing myself negatively. It can be hard to see the positive! But, I'm working on it.

    Lady Glamis: Well, there's nothing level about the planes I reside on compared to the authors I love, but I'll take the escalator ride up to theirs anytime!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  12. Hi Jill -

    Hmm, why do we always tend to compare ourselves in a negative light? We all have strengths and weaknesses.

    I want to be the writer God created me to be and not a dismal copy of someone else.

    Blessings,
    Susan :)

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  13. I'm with Jody. Let's form a 12-step group. Hi, I'm Heather and I'm a comparaholic!

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  14. I would join the group!! I compare myself much too often. Not just in writing, but in everything!

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  15. Jill, what a wonderful way to turn the tables on the comparison compulsion. I like your glass-is-full take on the life, especially the writing life.

    And just wait. You and the wonderful women leaving comments on your blog are the names wanna-be-published writers of the future will compare themselves to. :)

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  16. Susan: How true! Who wants to be a dismal copy of anyone? Yuck!

    Heather: Comparaholics unite!

    Katie: Yep. It's sooo easy. Hair, clothes, parenting, volunteering, writing--all are landmines for comparing. No thanks!

    Keli: Well you just threw a huge smile on my face--thanks!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  17. Let's see (what a great question), I'm unafraid to take risks, I love learning in life, I'm in love with writing and people are the fundamental reason why I continue to love and try to the point to frustration.

    So fun and good to back.
    ~ Wendy

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  18. Favorite author: sells a TON of books and is at the top of everyone's "favorite book ever read" list

    Krista: Has sold no books. Still trying to break in. But revers favorite author and reads all her books... that counts for something right?

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  19. Huh. I'm not sure. LOL
    I think because I love her heroes so much, mine tend to be similar??? I'm not sure. I like that she's learned the craft so that her books now are tighter than her starting out books. :-)
    I'm bad at comparing because I'm not analytical at all. Hmmmmm. She's a bestseller too, and got there without writing a hundred books. Ummmm, oh sheesh. LOL! This is too hard!
    I'll see you next post. LOL

    I do agree with the others though. You're very uplifting and encouraging. :-)

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  20. Wendy: Your exuberance in life and interest in people always shines through. Good to have you back!

    Krista: Ooh, nice. Wouldn't it be cool to be on everyone's favorite book list? And that favorite author revered a different author and read all her books at some time...

    Jessica: I'm glad I'm not the only one obsessed with great heroes. It's why I keep reading all of my fave author's books. Whew! And I'm glad comparing is hard for you--I think it means you're comfortable with who you are and where you're at!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  21. Wow, I LOVE that tree of light picture. Amazing!

    This is a good exercise; one I'll have to do when it's not late and I'm not tired.

    Thanks for your straight-forward and encouraging posts, Jill.

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  22. Janna: I know--the picture is gorgeous! One of my new favorite things to do is troll Flickr Creative commons for pictures for my blog. I'm amazed at the talent.

    Thanks for stopping by!

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  23. I love children's novels, so my favorite author right now in that field is Sharon Creech. She has great dialog and I think that is one of my best areas. I don't compare in plot at all.
    I know that when you read a lot of what you like, you get better, so I read plenty of children's books.

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  24. Favorite author (one of them): humorous, amazing writer, wonderful voice, has sold a kajillion books, owns two houses, and has been to Greece.

    Me: Do not own houses of any sort, have not been to Greece, have not published any books, am not married, nor fifty, do not have children, cannot really be a judge of her own writing.

    That's okay. Sometimes, I have imaginary conversations with awesome authors. Like, what do you think of this section right here? And they always provide fabulous advice. I have, however, been lucky enough to meet and get a book signed by him. And that's enough. For the moment. :-)

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  25. Nancy: I didn't know you were drawn to children's books--I think it's a great fit!

    Icy Roses: The differences between us and our favorite authors can seem unbelievable until we get to the bones and realize we are all putting pen to paper. It is enough!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  26. You know what, I don't know that I compare myself, but I do aspire to master what I like best about my favorite authors. Some define characters so well, others are great at giving a sense of setting, others are massive emotional writers. I try to figure out how they do it and work to incorporate that in my own writing. There is definitely much to be learned from our favorite authors one way or another.

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  27. My first response to your question was, "I don't compare well." But, I like how you ended it: "If we're going to compare, we should at least spin ourselves in a positive light. Someone else's success doesn't equal our failure."

    Good post.

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