Writers, Don't Compare Yourselves

Last night I had the honor and privilege of prereading a very powerful piece of fiction from another writer. The feelings it dredged up had me repeating to myself, in paraphrase, a lecture I'd given another writer early in the day. Repeatedly. So I'm sharing these thoughts here, as I'm sure all of us have moments where we feel inferior and wonder if the whole writing thing is worth it.

Never compare one work to another or yourself to another writer. Instead work to be the best writer you can be and to make each thing you write the best it can be for what it is.

So let's say your friend produces a novel that not only is a powerful piece of fiction but also reveals overlooked truths of a twisted society that really exists. But you are working on a 500 word story that, no matter how eloquent, is never going to have a big impact on society.

So what? Are you doing your best with your 500 words? Are you asking peers for help and criticism to polish it? Are you agonizing over every sentence you slash because you know the critter is right that it needs to go?

You are a good writer if you work to make your piece the best it can be, put yourself and your work out there, and push yourself to grow and develop.

Each of us has different skills and different weaknesses. Our work will go in all different directions. But if we work to grow and develop and what we write is honed and polished to be the best at whatever it is, which isn't always what we intend, we deserve to be proud of ourselves and our work.

Remember also to be proud of our friends and their work. Even a short piece of seemingly trivial fiction can have an impact if it touches readers, or even just one reader. Maybe it reminds them of loved ones they've lost. Maybe it opens their eyes to something they weren't seeing. Maybe it makes them feel less alone about some aspect of their lives. Or maybe it just offers one brief moment of enjoyment or distraction.

It all has value in its own way. Don't let another's successes discourage you. Use them instead as inspiration to keep working at being better, at writing better. And remember that writer also had earlier pieces, agonizing cuts, editors and critters to help them hone and develop.

So don't compare yourself to anyone but your previous self. And only compare your work to the older drafts.

Keep on writing! And keep on letting your fellow writers know when they do good work.